Linda Andersson runs Sweden’s largest baking blog, along with the two Instagram accounts “Lindas Bakskola” and “Lindas Matskola.” In addition, she has published four baking books, with two more currently in progress. And as if that were not enough, she also works part-time as a self-employed hairdresser. It is safe to say that she has a lot on her plate.
Would it be fair to say that you built a company out of passion?
Definitely. Baking has been a passion of mine ever since I was little. At the same time, it was really just a coincidence that it eventually became my full-time career.
My journey into self-employment began while I was working for the magazine Hembakat. I worked as a graphic designer, reporter, and editor, none of which actually had much to do with baking or blogging. But when the editorial team was encouraged to become more digital, I came up with the idea of creating the blog Lindas Bakskola.
It became a success almost immediately, and before long I found myself on the cover of Sweden’s largest baking magazine.
Would you say that you are a born entrepreneur?
No, I would not go that far. But I think my experiences, combined with everything life has taught me, have shaped me into an entrepreneur. Courage has definitely played a big role in who I am today, along with always making sure to have a plan B if life suddenly throws something unexpected your way.
What was the factor that made your idea become an actual company?
Timing is everything. Things happened very quickly, and there were several factors that made it possible for me to start my own business. I was among the first people in Sweden to start a baking blog, and luckily it received a lot of attention from day one.
At the time, I was still employed by Hembakat, while the blog was more of a side project. I already had my dream job, which actually made the decision to start my own company much more difficult. But as more and more people discovered the blog, I decided to take the leap.
To this day, it remains one of the best decisions I have ever made.
Has your strategy for the company evolved over time, or has it stayed the same?
In many ways, it has stayed quite similar. However, I spend less time on the blog today than I did in the beginning. Baking is more enjoyable when it is not something you do every single day.
During my first two years as self-employed, I spent most of my days alone in the kitchen baking. In the beginning, it was wonderful, but after a while, it became quite lonely. That was when I decided to pursue hairdressing as well.
Today, I work part-time as a hairdresser and rent a chair at a salon. I am fully booked, largely thanks to many of my customers already following me on Instagram.
What do you want to say to other future founders/entrepreneurs? What is your best tip when thinking about starting your own business
Broaden your knowledge of the industry you want to proceed and succeed within, and read up on how to increase your profit – without income, it’s impossible to run a successful business.
What would you say is your greatest success and greatest failure/challenge?
My greatest success is that my recipes and books are easy to understand, along with snapping “step-by-step” pictures, which make them easy to follow. The challenge is definitely to come up with new, inspiring recipes. Last year, I was awarded “This year’s entrepreneur” and “This year’s food Instagrammer” – both prizes were truly appreciated. It’s an honor that people pay attention to my work.
If you want to read more of Linda and her baking, follow her on Lindas bakskola, or @lindasbakskola.
