For Wylie Thompson “Bake it till you make it” isn’t just a slogan, it’s a blueprint for how this regular baker turned a passion project into one of the Whitsundays’ most loved artisan bakeries.
Back in 2022, before Artisan Bakehouse became a local legend, before the queues for donuts and those infamous apple stuffed bear claw swirl things we are all now addicted to, the business was a simpler affair. In a rented café nook, Wylie was hand-mixing up to 50 sourdough loaves at a time and supplying chef mates across the islands purely on his skill and flavour alone.
His fantastic sourdough recipe soon secured him a wholesale contract with Northerlies Beach Bar & Grill, however, his talent didn’t automatically equal scalable success. By late 2022, Wylie was still baking from his small, rented space. He was drowning in orders, but capped by the production limits of his kitchen and unsure how to move forward.
That’s when he connected with our Self-Employment Assistance program, and realised the opportunity to take Artisan Bakehouse from a “side hustle” to his dream, a fit-for-purpose, bricks-and-mortar bakery.
Through a strategic business health check and mentoring process, Wylie clarified his financial goals, mapped the type of premises his dream required, and created a real-world plan to save and scale. Through 2023, our local Self Employment Assistance Mentor, Cass helped him knead his passion into precision, helping to plan his business, capitalise on skills and market the Bakehouse.
“Cass brought the energy AND the structure” Wylie said.
“She understood my goals, refined the finer points of my business plan, and helped me use the skills I already had in the right way.
“She believed in my capability and my vision, taught me how to leverage my network effectively, and helped me lock in a solid advertising strategy.”
For Cass the process was equally as rewarding, she could see the potential and taste his success, maybe even before Wylie could.
“Wylie had the talent all along, The My Pathway Self-Employment Assistance Program simply helped him unlock it with proven strategy and belief” she said.
“Watching him grow his business, while strengthening our regional economy has been an absolute privilege.
“He’s the type of entrepreneur we dream of working with in this program.”
Small Business Mentor Cass loves stopping in at the bakery for a mentoring session (and a great coffee!)
Wylie and his Artisan Bakehouse have grown into not only a very successful bakery, but also a regional advocate for local produce, a supporter of other small primary producers, and a champion for diversity across the local supply chain. His is exactly the type of business our Self Employment Assistance program exists to support; driven, talented, community-focused, and ready to build something bigger than himself. You can catch the Artisan Bakehouse at local markets including the Wednesday Farmers Market at Mackay River Quay, Bowen Sunday Growers Markets and Mackay Showgrounds Saturday Farmers Markets.
If you would like to learn more about the My Pathway Self Employment Assistance program, please visit our self employment assistance page or call your local My Pathway mentor on 1800 319 588.