Before getting pregnant, I was in the process of starting a small baking business. I’ve since put everything on hold until my daughter is, at the very least, in preschool, but I’m watching some local moms to see how they manage it all. These moms amaze me and give me hope that, someday, I, too, can own my own business, be a mom and wife, and not want to feel like I’m failing in one or more areas.
Let me introduce Robin Grubard, wife, mother of two, and owner of Daily Fare at the Bethel train station.
When did you open Daily Fare?
I opened Daily Fare in November 2009, so we celebrated our fifth anniversary! When we first opened, the business was very different. The original concept was “dinners to go.” I opened with a partner but have been flying solo for three years. We chose the train station location thinking commuters would love the dinners to co-concept. What we found was quite different, though. The commuters and people in Bethel loved the pastries we offered (especially the scones) in the morning. The dinners were not a big seller. One year after my partner and I amicably parted ways, I decided to stop offering dinners and instead focus on lunch (both sit-down and to-go). I also began selling my baked goods wholesale to coffee houses and local businesses. And, to top it all off, I decided to add cooking classes for kids. This year, we’re shaking things up with a new lunch menu that focuses on “pasty” – traditional meat and veggie pies that are all the rage in Europe. We’ll also make classic pasty and some very non-traditional takes on the concept.
What was your inspiration for opening it?
I’ve been a chef for over 15 years, taught culinary school (Baltimore International Culinary College), and worked in kitchens large and small. I’ve seen all sides of the business and was ready to create something uniquely my own. When I started Daily Fare, my business partner and I each owned our chef business. We liked the idea of having one central location, working together and not having one central location, and not having to haul pots, pans, groceries, and other equipment into our customers’ homes each day.
What is your favorite part about owning your own business?
I love the idea of continually molding the business into something my customers want. I like the satisfaction of knowing that I’m feeding people the food they love or seeing the smile on the face of a child who tries something new and wants it. And I love that I set my schedule, so I don’t miss the milestones in my kids’ lives. Plus, I never complain about my boss.
What is the worst?
In the beginning, money was very tight. I hated not knowing if I’d have enough money to pay my bills. The worst part is feeling like I’m always playing catch up. I divide my time at work between cooking and running the business. It’s a juggling act and sometimes challenging to balance. I have great employees, though, so I’m lucky.
How does owning your own business affect your relationships with your children?
I have two children, a ten-year-old son, and a six-year-old daughter. I think it’s great that my children see a hardworking mom. My husband works from home, so they see their parents working. My kids spend a lot of time at Daily Fare. They come with me to work on snow days. They take my cooking classes, and they help me clean up afterward. It has helped establish their work ethics. As I mentioned above, I can manage my hours to make it to their class parties, concerts, and other school events. Daily Fare is open Monday – Friday from 6:00 am to 2:00 pm. I have someone who opens for me daily, so my husband and I put our kids on the bus together every morning. And, since Daily Fare closes at 2:00 pm, I can always be around after school for them.
Tell me more about the classes you have for kids.
In each class, I focus on one key ingredient. We prepare an appetizer, an entree, and a dessert with this ingredient. At the end of the course, the children sit together and enjoy dinner – and they usually take home some of the leftovers for the family, too. I emphasize healthy cooking and the use of quality ingredients. Many parents want their kids to expand their palates, so I always encourage them to try new things. Cooking classes run in 8-week sessions. Grades 1-3 (Wednesdays, 4:15-5:30. Grades 4-6 (Thursdays, 3:30-5:00). Kids can come to just one class or all eight.
Any advice to moms looking to be business owners?
Owning a business is a big commitment not to be taken lightly (just like being a mom)! Make sure you love what you do because there will be times when your business has to come first. You have to be realistic and expect that it could be a few years before you see a profit and sustainability. When you love what you do, first and foremost, it makes the challenges easier to accept and overcome.
Daily Fare is located at 13 Durant Ave. in Bethel (06801) and is open Monday – Friday from 6 am – 2 pm. Park at the curb right in the front for free. To see more about Daily Fare, please visit their website.
