Aloha German Bakery
Meet Tanya Koch of Aloha German Bakery!
How’d you get started and what sparked the idea for your business? The business was born out of necessity when our father's health declined in Hawaii, requiring our full-time care. We had different jobs back home and couldn't practice them in the US without further study. This led us to seek a new solution to meet our financial needs. Our dear grandmother, who has passed away, always used to say that our family should open a German bakery to offer the same high-quality products as back home. As time passed, we began to notice that the bread and other beloved German foods we enjoyed were lacking the same quality, freshness, and flavor as what we were used to in Europe. So, we decided to take matters into our own hands and try baking ourselves. After receiving positive feedback from friends and family, we took a leap of faith and decided to pursue this business opportunity.
What do you wish you had known before starting your business? Anything that can go wrong at the farmers' market, eventually will. Every week provides new insights into our customers and our business. We learn and adapt; it's a high-risk, high-reward endeavor, but our German method of handling things has definitely paid off.
What are you most proud of about your business? Being the only authentic German Bakery, we take pride in using organic and original German produce imported fresh every week from our home region. Our offerings include traditional tastes as well as recipes from our family's old traditions. Additionally, we are pleased with our rapid success, expansion, and positive feedback. It is gratifying to see that our unique ways and culture have been embraced by the local community, with preferences leaning toward our offerings over their American counterparts.
What do you love most about being a food entrepreneur? Every day we have the opportunity to meet fascinating individuals, introduce them to our rich culture and culinary traditions, and indulge in these experiences ourselves.
What’s one piece of advice you have for other food entrepreneurs? Keep on trying, stay true to yourselves and your products, and always listen to the feedback you receive. Working in the food industry, especially at a farmers market, means being open to adjusting every week. Our German methods have always been a great help to us – being consistent and punctual is key. It doesn't matter what you're selling, what truly makes a business endure is having loyal customers who keep coming back. So, always be kind and generous, and always greet your customers with a smile!
What makes your business unique/special? We are a German company run by people from Germany, offering authentic German products and recipes. Our booth is known for its original produce and recipes, attracting all German customers on this island. Our dedication to quality and traditional German fare ensures that we are the first choice for many, particularly for those who appreciate a delicious pretzel in the morning like we do.
What’s your best seller (or favorite item that you can’t miss) at the moment? Our newly arrived hot foods feature a special dessert called Kaiserschmarren. These pancake crumbles topped with our homemade raspberry jam are a delightful treat for everyone. Don't miss out on our selection of unique and original sourdough and pretzels though.
What’s next for you and your business? Expanding into new markets and potentially opening our own kitchen. Additionally, we aim to distribute our produce in local supermarkets, fostering a healthier community and improving accessibility for those who appreciate our food, including thousands of Germans who already live here, and beyond. Ultimately, we aspire to cultivate greater appreciation for German cuisine, reflecting our own deep-rooted passion for it.
Visit Aloha German Bakery’s website here to shop their menu and find their farmer’s market schedule!
