Today we’d like to introduce you to Megan Zechman.
Hi Megan, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Starting Boone’s Bakery in 2023 was a leap of faith. I call it that because the future was completely unpredictable, but I knew in my heart that there was something there – something that I believed in heavily. I knew I was being called to help people experiencing homelessness, but I just wasn’t sure exactly how.
Getting to the point of starting this small business was bumpy. My corporate career started shortly after college, and I went through the motions of holding various marketing jobs for about 7 years. It was fine, but I knew that something was missing. I’ve always wanted to help others in a way that was greater than myself. I thought that going back to school to earn my master’s in clinical counseling was the answer. It was close, but it wasn’t it. I made it all the way to the end of program. I had passed the comprehensive exam and was just a hair away from my degree, and I decided to bow out. I know – what!
I made this gut-wrenching decision because I knew something was off. I was in the middle of my practicum, which is kind of like clinicals. I was getting hands-on experience with real people. I followed my heart and was helping individuals struggling with severe and persistent disorders. Most of them were experiencing homelessness and truly had nowhere to turn. I loved it, but being someone’s lifeline is an unbearable weight. It’s an honor, and it requires you to be in it 100%. I was in it maybe 95%. These individuals deserved that extra 5%; they deserved better than what I was able to give them.
This is where Boone’s Bakery flourished. I took some time off, went back to marketing, and about a year and half following the arrival of my son, Boone, I left the corporate world to focus on my family. My family is what brings me the most joy, and I wanted to relish in it. I wanted to give love and mold little minds. In doing this, Boone and I spent a lot of time baking together. It sparked happiness and creativity, and that’s when I decided to combine two of my greatest passions – baking and helping others.
Now, Boone’s Bakery supports neighboring non-profits who work hard to end homelessness. With every purchase, someone is gifted a second chance. Whether it’s donating meals or donating proceeds, every bite gives back because I truly believe that together, we can fill more lives with love and hope.
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?
Definitely not! I’m still learning every day. As I mentioned previously, I left a master’s program before I got here. I left a corporate job. I left a lot behind because I believe in the power of the greater good. At the end of the day, my jobs weren’t bringing me joy, and joy is what fuels me.
Sifting through the noise and finding the joy can still be hard at times, too. My kids bring me the most joy, and they’re the reason behind everything I do. But this bakery is out of my home, and my most important job is to raise my kids. Finding time to balance it all can be tricky, and there are a lot of late nights spent baking so that I can enjoy the daytime park dates. Late night spent costing so that I don’t miss a bedtime or early morning play time. My husband has done more 10pm grocery store runs than I can count. Same with last minute stops at Staples for printing services or a Target run for the right colored twine. Without him, Boone’s Bakery wouldn’t exist. So, there’s clearly no denying that I can’t always be as productive as I want, but perhaps productivity isn’t the goal. If we can help raise the next generation to be more giving, empathetic, and loving, then that’s the whole point after all.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Well, the slogan for Boone’s Bakery is “satisfying sweet tooths and changing lives,” and I think that’s the superpower. Changing lives is what sets us apart. This isn’t just a bakery that makes stuff taste good. It’s a bakery that’s good for the soul.
Our signature items include toffee and nut brittle. Something a little sweet, and something a little salty. Every bag purchased provides either a meal to Raleigh Rescue Mission, or a percent of proceeds goes directly to a local nonprofit fighting homelessness, such as The Garden by Raleigh Rescue Mission, Father’s Forever, The Food Bank of Central and Eastern NC, or Note in the Pocket.
Depending on the time of year, we make other items too, such as lemon blueberry scones, shortbread cookies, and monkey bread. We like to mix it up and add some variety when we can, but being a small business, we like to grow big from staying niche. Our hope is that we can collectively come together to enjoy some treats, spread some love, and help end homelessness.
Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
I mostly like to listen to music while I bake. Throw on some Ziggy Alberts or Noah Kahan, and I’m good to go. You can also catch me listening to The Mark Groves Podcast or On Purpose by Jay Shetty. They help me clear my head and focus on the good. And I just started reading I Just Wish I Had a Bigger Kitche n – I’m loving it so far!
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