What Happens After You Sell Your Bakery? Shellie Slove Shares Her Story
Keyword: selling your bakery
Slug: selling-your-bakery-life-after-ownership
SEO Title: Selling Your Bakery: What Life Looks Like After Ownership Ends
Meta Description: What happens after you sell your bakery? In this exclusive RBA interview, Shellie Slove shares her journey through succession planning, family legacy, and redefining her role in the baking industry.
Life After the Sale: A Real Conversation for Bakery Owners
We talk a lot about opening bakeries. We talk about scaling them. But we don’t talk nearly enough about what comes after.
What happens when your children don’t want to take over the family business? What if you’re ready to step away—but unsure what’s next?
In this heartfelt episode of the RBA podcast, we sat down with Shellie Slove, former co-owner of Love and Oven Cakery, to talk about something few in our industry are willing to explore: what it looks like to walk away from the bakery—and still stay connected to the craft.
From Legacy to Letting Go
Shellie was born into a multi-generational bakery business. From frosting cakes at 10 years old to helping run a thriving retail operation with three locations and nearly 100 employees, her story mirrors that of many RBA members—deep roots in tradition, family, and hustle.
But when her father passed away suddenly in 2020—the same day COVID-19 shut down their community—everything changed.
Shellie returned home, helped her mother navigate an overwhelming transition, and realized something powerful: it was time for a new chapter.
“As proud of the business as we were, we just knew. None of us wanted to take it on—and that had to be okay.”
The Truth About Bakery Succession Planning
In this episode, Shellie pulls back the curtain on:
✔️ What sparked the decision to sell the bakery
✔️ How her family navigated grief, change, and uncertainty during the pandemic
✔️ The realities of succession planning when the next generation isn’t interested
✔️ What she wishes more bakery owners knew before handing over the keys
✔️ How she transitioned into her new role at Bakesmart without losing her identity as a baker
Redefining Your Role in the Baking Industry
Today, Shellie serves as the Head of Bakery Success at Bakesmart, helping bakery owners streamline operations, integrate technology, and reclaim their time.
Her deep understanding of both the front- and back-of-house bakery experience makes her uniquely equipped to bridge the gap between technology and tradition.
And her message for RBA members? “Nothing is wasted. Your skills go with you—even if your title changes.”
Thinking About Selling Your Bakery?
Whether you’re approaching retirement, experiencing burnout, or simply ready to pivot, this episode is a must-listen for bakery owners wondering:
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What options exist when the family doesn’t want the business
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How to protect your legacy while preparing for the future
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What life after ownership could realistically look like
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How to keep contributing to the industry—even if you’re not behind the bench
Keep the Conversation Going
This episode stems from our ongoing commitment to support members through every stage of the bakery business journey—from startup to sale and beyond.
Looking for more resources on succession planning, operations, and industry innovation?
Explore our growing library of professional development tools inside RBA Connect.
And if you're not yet a member, there’s never been a better time to join.
RBA members don’t just bake. They build legacies—and we’re here to support you every step of the way.