This local bakery makes up to $1m a year, boss shares tips on entrpreneurship

Sometimes, the best way to kick off a business venture is to start small. 

That's what Kenji Teo, the owner of popular local bakery Coffeehouse by Kobashi, believes. 

In an interview with Hatch & Hustle published on Wednesday (Nov 4), the 31-year-old shared how he built his sourdough brand, which has since grown from a home-based business into a full-fledged bakery and cafe at South Bridge Road.

When asked how much his business makes in a year, Kenji replied: around $500,000 to $1 million. 

And the smartest business move he has made? 

"Doing pop-ups and events," he said, though he admitted that these are tough because of the time and effort required. "But you just gotta deal with it and get it done." 

Though pop-ups are often small-scale and may be dismissed by some as a "waste of time", Kenji thinks that every little thing counts. 

"A dollar is a dollar, a follower is still a follower," he said. "A gain and a win is still a win, so keep striving." 

For those who think they need to be wealthy to start a business, the bakery owner thinks otherwise. 

Having a good business idea trumps any monetary problem, Kenji said.

Entrepreneurship challenges

But that doesn't mean the business doesn't have its lows. 

When asked if he had ever considered giving up, Kenji answered candidly: "When sales are slow." 

However, his belief in taking challenges in stride keeps him going. 

"Just don't give up and suck it up," he said. 

Besides the earnings, the entrepreneur also said that crowds and customers' reactions are an indication of when business is picking up. 

And if he had to start from zero, Kenji would utilise social media and a focused menu to regain his footing.

"Get a good $5,000 to $10,000 to kickstart at least one to two items, push focus on those items," he explained, adding that the business would be "good to go again" in about two weeks. 

As for the secret to running a successful F&B business, Kenji said the answer lies in culture and community, and building an emotional relationship with them. 

Looking back on his journey, the business owner would share this piece of advice with his younger self: "Without the passion and the perseverance to push through to see the numbers you are getting now, it would not come as soon as you think it would." 

From home-based business to bakery

[embed]https://www.instagram.com/kobashi_sg/p/C9fW83VyODf/[/embed]

Kenji started Kobashi as a home-based business during the Covid-19 pandemic, specialising in both traditional and modern sourdough bakes.

In 2024, the brand expanded into Coffeehouse by Kobashi — a cafe located at South Bridge Road. 

On the menu are sourdough items such as the Sourdough Grilled Cheese ($17) served with in-house tomato dip, Sunny Avo with sunny side-up and chilli crisp oil, as well as variety of Signature Sourdo'nuts. 

The cafe also serves mains including Creamy Rose Mafaldine ($25), Koba Smashed Burger ($22) and Chilli-crisp Udon with Chix ($23) featuring buttermilk chicken thigh and onsen egg. 

Address: 79 South Bridge Road, #01-00, Singapore 058709
Opening hours: 10am to 6pm daily

[[nid:736872]]

[email protected]