Today we’d like to introduce you to Julian Ang.
Hi Julian, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I have always loved baking. Like many, during the height of the pandemic, I was more invested in researching and testing recipes at home. I began selling my baked goods from home with a Cottage Food license. I was extremely fortunate to have met a few people along the way especially Ma’am whom at the time had a storefront in Santa Monica selling Thai groceries and prepared foods serving her community in the Pico area. She introduced me to the farmers market right across her store at Virginia Ave Park in Santa Monica.
At the time, the farmers market was running a pilot program for Santa Monica cottage food operators to showcase and sell their products. I was asked to submit an application, and after a few months of planning, testing, and building up my courage to sell my products, I decided that I should grab that opportunity and try it out. That was April of 2022. It has been a weekly commitment at the farmers market and a blessing. I am extremely grateful to the people that have helped me get to this and especially my loyal customers who return week after week for my baked goods and help me sell out, even in the worst of weather.
My philosophy on baked goods is that it should be made with high and freshest quality ingredients, it should be simple, just sweet enough to qualify as a treat, and most importantly it should taste good.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It was not smooth sailing all the way. Running a business from home, especially a bakery, requires space. Every part of the business is limited by space and equipment that you can have. There was also no separation of work from home and vice versa.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
I am the owner, baker, and everything behind 4th St BAKER. It is a cottage food operation based in Santa Monica, CA since April 2022. I have now moved the bulk of my baking to a commercial kitchen space. I sell my products online at www.4thstbaker.com and mainly at the Santa Monica Farmers markets every Saturday and Sunday. Please check my website or Instagram (@4thstbaker) for location and hours. I specialize in sweets like fudge brownies, cookies, cakes, cupcakes, granola, breakfast pastries like coffee cake, muffins, seasonal fruit cakes and handpies, banana bread, etc and rare finds like Pasteis de nata.
Customers return weekly for my baked goods because I use real and high-quality ingredients, imported chocolates, fresh fruits from the farmers market, and because I bake using the least amount of sugar so they are just sweet enough as a treat.
I am proud of my growth. It has been a slow and organic growth. I love being at the farmers market. I love interacting with people. And I love serving the community that have been extremely supportive of my venture.
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
Taking it one week at a time. Producing weekly for the farmers market can be overwhelming when you do it all by yourself. I have learned to accept that some weeks are just a little less productive than others.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.4thstbaker.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/4thstbaker/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/4th-st-baker-santa-monica
