From Oven to Online: Local Baker Scales to Global Reach
“The SBDC helped me early on to get into the dream fund and receive a grant! This enabled me to keep posting and grow my content creator presence and now I have over 500k followers between the platforms.”
About the Business:
The Early Rise is more than just a bakery; it is a global education hub dedicated to the art and science of sourdough. Founded in San Francisco by Laila O’Boyle, the business was built on the belief that high-quality, artisanal bread should be attainable and accessible for everyone. What began as a passion for the perfect “dream crumb” and “crispy crust” has evolved into a digital classroom where Laila guides hundreds of thousands of bakers through their own sourdough journeys.
Laila’s business began with a critical influx of state-supported resources. In 2022, Laila participated in the SBDC start-up training program, which qualified her for the California Dream Fund. The $5,000 seed funding served as the “dough starter” for the business, allowing Laila to cover essential startup costs.
Overcoming Challenges:
Between 2022 and 2024, Laila faced a challenge familiar to many small business owners: the “plateau of physical labor.” Operating as a solo entrepreneur, her growth was tethered to her physical output and high overhead. Despite heavy investments in professional-grade equipment and premium ingredients, profit margins remained lean.
Impact:
Recognizing the need for a more sustainable business model, Laila received guidance from SBDC to overhaul her strategy. The focus shifted from selling individual loaves to selling expertise. Laila professionalized her digital presence. She outsourced specialized web development and branding, allowing her to focus on content creation. This shift moved her business from a localized bakery to a global education hub. By transitioning to a model centered on online courses, virtual consultations, and a paid newsletter, the business metrics have skyrocketed:
- Audience: A social media following exceeding 500,000 and a Substack
community of over 4,000 subscribers. - Web Traffic: averages 5,000–6,000 clicks per month.
- Revenue: Tripling the previous annual revenue in a fraction of the time.
Despite international success, the core mission of The Early Rise remains rooted in community and accessibility. Laila continues to donate a significant portion of her test bakes to local neighbors and focuses her curriculum on “attainable sourdough.” By teaching families how to bake high-quality bread with zero waste at costs lower than grocery store prices, she is ensuring that her global success has a meaningful local impact.
“The SBDC helped me early on to get into the dream fund and receive a grant! This enabled me to keep posting and grow my content creator presence and now I have over 500k followers between the platforms.”
Laila O’Boyle, Founder & Owner
