Buddy Valastro on Retail Bakeries, Leadership, and Building a Business That Lasts

Buddy Valastro is often introduced as Cake Boss—but long before television, books, and global recognition, he was (and still is) a retail baker.

In this episode of The Perfect Rise: Conversations with the Retail Bakers of America, Buddy joins host Chef Kimberly Houston for a grounded, honest conversation about what it really takes to run a bakery in today’s market. From leadership inside a multi-generation family business to staffing, sales, pricing, and adapting to changing customer habits, this episode pulls back the curtain on the realities retail bakers face every day.

Buddy reflects on his decades-long relationship with the Retail Bakers of America, the value of industry organizations like IBIE, and why community, mentorship, and collaboration matter now more than ever. He also shares how he’s intentionally passing leadership, responsibility, and craft to the next generation—starting with his own kids.

This is not a celebrity interview.
 It’s a conversation for bakery owners who care about longevity, leadership, and strengthening the industry as a whole.

Check out Carlos Bakery: https://carlosbakery.com/

Follow on social: https://www.instagram.com/buddyvalastro/

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Chapters

• 0:00 Introduction to the Cake Boss
• 3:16 The Journey of a Retail Bakery Owner
• 6:02 Leadership Lessons in Family Businesses
• 9:02 Stabilizing Bakery Operations
• 11:41 The Importance of Sales and Customer Engagement
• 14:37 The Role of Industry Organizations
• 17:02 Mentorship and Giving Back to the Community
• 19:57 Challenges Facing the Bakery Industry
• 22:35 Teaching the Next Generation of Bakers
• 25:04 Legacy and Impact in the Baking Community