In this article, readers will discover how a small South African bakery turned a pandemic challenge into a thriving business opportunity. Through their story, you’ll learn about finding market gaps, embracing technology like Loyverse to streamline operations, and the mindset needed to stay resilient as an entrepreneur.

What Is Your Business About, and How Did It Start?

Breadroll Bakery was founded in 2020, right in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. As the country began to reopen, it became an opportune moment to turn free time into a meaningful venture. The bakery specializes in producing bread, buns, scones, and biscuits is all made with a focus on quality, consistency, and affordability.

What Was the Main Motivation to Start the Business?

The idea stemmed from identifying a gap in the local market. In Pretoria, South Africa, there were very few places offering good-quality bread at a reasonable price, especially for those making the popular “kota.” Many bakeries produced cheap bread, but it lacked quality. Breadroll Bakery saw the opportunity to provide a superior yet affordable option, meeting a clear demand and building a loyal customer base from that insight.

How Did You Discover Loyverse?

Loyverse turned out to be a very straightforward and user-friendly system. Having prior experience with accounting tools like QuickBooks and Sage made it easy to adapt to. Transitioning from a traditional cash register to a digital POS system was a game-changer. It saved time, simplified sales tracking, and made reporting much more efficient.

Which Loyverse Features Do You Use the Most?

The POS and reporting tools are used daily, while the inventory management system is also being explored. Currently, the bakery uses the free plan, which limits certain advanced features like detailed cost breakdowns or ingredient-level tracking. Upgrading to a higher plan is part of the future goal to better integrate product data and maintain tighter control over inventory and costs.  It was also noted that such needs could currently be met by integrating Loyverse with accounting systems like QuickBooks or other compatible platforms.

How Did You Learn About Loyverse? 

At first, a third party introduced the system and offered setup support, but later it became clear that they weren’t an official partner. After realizing that Loyverse was actually free, research continued independently. YouTube tutorials became an invaluable resource. Helping with tasks like customizing receipts with the bakery’s logo and resolving setup questions. This experience highlighted how accessible and empowering the Loyverse ecosystem is for small business owners.

What Advice Would You Give to Aspiring Entrepreneurs?

The biggest advice is perseverance. Running a business doesn’t necessarily get easier over time because each year brings new challenges. Some days are wins, others are losses, but consistency and resilience make the difference. Entrepreneurs should prepare before opportunities arrive, not after. Having systems in place like a POS that generates financial reports helps when applying for loans or proving business performance.
 

Understanding your data is key to making informed decisions and planning ahead. In the words of the bakery: “Business conditions are always changing. You just have to readjust, restrategize, and keep going.”

Follow their social media! : @breadrollbakery