PRESS RELEASE
Pink Apron Bakery opens in Spicer
Local entrepreneur benefits from Southwest Initiative Foundation loan program
SPICER, Minn. – MacKenzie Dohmann opened the doors to Pink Apron Bakery in November, just in time for the sweet season of holiday treats. Southwest Initiative Foundation’s (SWIF) Microenterprise Loan Program provided working capital for the startup, which specializes in breads, bagels and unique cookies and confections.
Dohmann launched her bakery business from her home in 2021, obtaining a cottage food license and selling her products at local farmers markets. Her baked goods proved popular, and she looked to move into a retail kitchen space in Spicer to keep up with demand. The journey to opening a brick-and-mortar business had a few bumps along the way, but Dohmann persevered.
“I am proud of myself for not giving up, for not stopping and turning back around when things got tough. This has been an adventure, and it’s only going to get better. I couldn’t imagine doing anything else with my life,” Dohmann said.
Pink Apron is a boutique micro-bakery. Dohmann makes each item from scratch, in small batches, by hand.
“Our menu is full of customer favorites, but two iconic items are Pink Apron staples: Our signature sourdough cookies and original sourdough loaf. Our sourdough loaves are as stunning in appearance as they are in flavor, and our cookies are love at first bite,” Dohmann said. “We prioritize freshness, and keep our menu to what’s manageable for me as the baker, for our facility and most importantly for our business.”
Loan funds from SWIF helped Dohmann purchase equipment and inventory for the bakery. Loan programs have been a key function of SWIF since its inception to support communities and businesses throughout southwest Minnesota. In 2001, microlending was added to existing programs as a tool to support small businesses and people looking for self-employment opportunities.
Microloan clients also receive free technical assistance from SWIF staff to improve their business management skills. Areas of support include business planning and financials analysis, QuickBooks training, marketing assistance and other training opportunities for the life of the loan.
“It’s obvious MacKenzie has something special at Pink Apron bakery with the way customers and the community have come out to support it. We’re honored to be part of her entrepreneurship journey,” said Jackie Turner, SWIF Economic Development Officer.
This microloan program receives funding assistance from the U.S. Small Business Administration and U.S. Department of Agriculture. For more information, contact SWIF at (800) 594-9480, (320) 587-4848 or send us an email.
