Today we’d like to introduce you to Keri Meadors-Rose.
Hi Keri, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I have worked in the food service industry off and on my entire working life. It is grueling, brutal, addictive work. It is because of this experience within the industry that I doubted my desire to ever own my own bakery. I knew too well the odds I would be up against, the never-ending to-do lists and fires to put out. There are two things that shifted my perspective, encouraged me, and filled me with the ambition needed to steer head-on into this all-encompassing vision.
The first being the birth of my son, Knight, when I was 21 years old. The responsibility and gift of motherhood tested me in ways I never knew possible and even now when faced with situations that seem physically or mentally impossible to withstand, I know from experience that I am indeed capable of anything. Becoming a parent changed me in many ways, but I am forever grateful for the shift in perspective I experienced that resulted in fully realizing my potential as an entrepreneur and someone willing to do anything to provide a great life for my now family of four.
The second source of encouragement came from my community in Munford, TN. This small town has so much potential, but I knew that if the people who live here aren’t willing to invest in it, who will? My business partner and I felt personally dedicated to the task of revitalizing the Downtown area of Munford and providing the services we wished to see in our town ourselves. So many other businesses have either preceded us or followed suit and we are thrilled to see the shape of a downtown center forming right before our eyes. This vision is what tipped the scales for me in deciding to open my own bakery. To be able to provide a service and a space for my town that is worthy of the lovely local community is the sustaining force behind this business.
A typical week for me starts with taking my two children to their schools in Memphis, then heading off to my 9-to-5. After work, I go directly to the bakery to start prepping for the upcoming weekend. This continues throughout the week until the weekend finally arrives and the bustling bakery is all-hands-on-deck for three days straight. You can find me in the kitchen, behind the counter, or somewhere in between at any given point and I love meeting new customers or chatting with regulars. It is a tough schedule of about 80-85 hours a week between both jobs, but being the owner of Mount Zion Bakery is such an honor that I am more than willing to put in those hours to ensure it is everything I dreamed it would be for our customers.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Owning a business, particularly in the food service industry, is one obstacle after another – forever. We faced funding problems, leaks, construction delays, you name it. I personally faced a significant challenge when my partner and MZB’s founder amicably left the business in September 2024 to pursue other interests. I was wading in the waters of a newly opened business as the sole baker and suddenly sole owner as well. Slowly but surely, I found my way to shore with the help of friends, family and newly hired staff. None of it, however, would have been possible without the help of my dedicated husband. Fast forward to now and we are growing in sales and scale each and every weekend. The biggest on-going challenge we now face at MZB is being able to meet the demand of our customers in just 3 days of operation and a staff of 5 total employees in a very small space. What a great problem to have! I am currently in full planning mode, working on ideas to scale our business model up so we can take our bakery to the next level in terms of size, hours of operation, and staff. Stay Tuned!
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Mount Zion Bakery is an experience as much as it is a product or a brand. We have carefully crafted our space to remove you from the hustle and bustle of the outside world and transport you to a bygone era of the slow-paced enjoyment of simple pleasures such as coffee and dessert. We specialize in Gourmet Giant Cookies (Our Best-Selling Chocolate Chip Cookie with Sea Salt is a must try item) but serve varying baked goods that include Brown Butter Brownies, French Macarons, Coconut Macaroons, Jumbo Muffins, and Cinnamon Rolls – all baked from scratch. Couple that with our coffee offerings of Cold Brew, Drip Coffee, Chai Lattes and other seasonal drinks and you have a one-stop-shop for treating yourself.
We currently have limited hours, Friday-Sunday only and operate as a Nocturnal bakery open from 10am-10pm each day. Our unusual hours set us apart from other local bakeries or coffee shops and we like it that way. We encourage our patrons to relax in our lounge and chat until the evening hours pass you by. Night owls welcome here.
Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
Some call it luck and some call it faith, but I know Mount Zion Bakery would not be here today without it. I would never want anyone to think that my business is growing and thriving today solely based on a good business plan, amazing desserts, and top-notch leadership (although those things do play a big part I would hope).
When we first acquired the storefront space that would one-day become MZB, we had a small angel investment, my business partner’s personal savings, and whatever cash flow I could come up with by baking out of my house after regular work hours. The City of Munford approached us in our time of need and provided us with a grant to remodel our space from the inside out and a fraction of the cost to us.
Our “luck” had a name – The City of Munford’s Downtown Development Committee. They have been our cheerleaders from day one and continue to support us and all other Downtown Munford businesses every step of the way. Without this committee and grant, MZB’s Storefront location would not yet exist.
Beyond this committee, the entire town has supported us in ways I never expected. Our business neighbors are mentors and helping hands, our customers care about us as people as much as we do them, and we all get to gather together under MZB’s roof to bond and grow together. How lucky are we?
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.mountzionbakery.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mountzionbakery
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mountzionbakery
