The Next Chapter of The Women's Bakery

In times of change we reflect on the past and plan for the future. Making sense of what we have been through is important in growing the business.  

I’ve spent the past three and a half years helping to build operations for The Women’s Bakery in Rwanda. It was more than just a job to me. Little pieces of me are intertwined in the fabric of the business such as obscure interview questions, my old books for sale in the Flagship café, and professional development courses on knitting. I feel lucky to have been a part of building a business that has had such a positive impact on the lives of women. And, I am even more excited that there are fabulous groups of women running all our bakeries and corporate operations.   

While I am sad to leave, I am confident and excited for what lies ahead for The Women’s Bakery. Change is the cornerstone of growth. And, I expect, impactful changes for the company moving forward. 

In the past three months we have been able to install Bakery Operations Managers and Program Managers at our Gicumbi, Kagina, and Kigali bakeries. We have successfully transitioned a Program Manager to Deputy Director of Operations. And, five out of seven Bakery Operations Managers, Program Managers, and operations staff have been working at The Women’s Bakery for more than a year. They are well equipped to lead The Women’s Bakery into its next chapter of growth. 

Some things our supporters in the U.S. and customers in Rwanda can look forward to in our next chapter include advanced inventory tracking systems, creative marketing tactics, enhanced skills development for Bakery Operations Managers, and improved ovens and mixers to cut production time.  

What will make all these things possible is The Women’s Bakery team. And, I couldn’t be more excited for the hardworking and passionate team we have in place and for the contributions they will make. Let the business rise #breadpower.

A Proud Walk

As the women from TWB's Remera Bakery walked up the hill from our old location, I could not help but to notice the sense of pride among them. Walking together, I heard small whispering voices “we did it, way to go.”

We all experience change in our lives and every time something positive happens in our lives we feel optimistic and hopeful. Small changes could be a pair of new shoes, a nice meal, a new make up set, or even a new batch of bread! However, when it comes to a start-up business, ALL positive change makes a difference - no matter how small it seems.

The Women's Bakery has been experiencing a number of positive changes, and this feels the biggest right now. Shifting the former bakery space to our new, beautiful flagship location has been a much anticipated solution, not only to the management of TWB, but also to the women that work at the TWB Bakery in Remera.

TWB has secured a new bakery space to expand production and capacity for our new flagship, The Women's Bakery Kigali. This is a big step for growth and one of great excitement as we consider the new possibilities for operational growth as the way to bakery profitability.

The walk from the former bakery space (up the hill) to the new flagship space took about 30 minutes. The metaphor of walking up was not lost on us, as it signaled where we have come from - and where we are going. 

The women arrived to the gate of the new flagship, curious to see what was inside, and where they would continue to bake, sell, and provide nutritious, affordable breads for the community. Once the gate was opened, they had the opportunity to look around, to check out the new space, and to envision the new future of The Women's Bakery. 

“ Then… now we are just getting started,” one of the women said as she reflected on how far TWB has come. Indeed, we are just getting started. 

This is #breadpower.