Reggie Pettegrew shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Good morning Reggie, it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? What do you think is misunderstood about your business?
When most people think of a bakery, they simply think about the production stage of the product and selling it to the consumer. Most people don’t know or figure out in the equation that You also have to factor in the labor, utilities, product itself, toppings, icing, Equipment maintenance, and various other expenses that go into running and producing products in our bakery.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Reggie Pettegrew and it is an honor to speak with you. Near the beginning of 2025 both myself and my partners set out to both purchase and reopen Expresso Bakery. Being that I had previous Bakery experience with both working on the baking and retail side, to owning and operating my own Bakery (Kountry Dough & Jo) I have quite literally done it all and rose through the ranks. Expresso Bakery was (and now is again) an Elyria staple. Whether it is our hand cut donuts, or other house baked goods that we produce daily in our bakery- it’s always been a comfort to our patrons. I actually coined the phrase “If we DON’T make it in the back, we DON’T sell it in the front”. That statement holds very true. Whether it is a donut, muffin or one of our area renowned Fazios, we have something for even the pickiest eaters- as we pride ourselves in our vast selection.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. Who taught you the most about work?
From a young age, a strong work ethic was taught and ingrained into my brain. My father (and his father before him) was a Pipefitter, (which is what I also am during the day!) – being a pipefitter is one of the most challenging and physical jobs someone can hold. Not only does it take a lot of knowledge and training, but also a lot of physical strength and resilience. You work in some of the most dangerous, dirtiest and brutal places one can be. Yeah you still have to be 100% aware and careful with your surroundings. There were many days I would witness my dad come home just completely depleted. 99% of our work is outside year-round, countless hours at a time. Yet somehow he always found the strength to attend any of my school events, various athletic games and show up as a support system where needed. Both his character and dedication has defined who I am today and taught me what it is to be a diligent worker.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
This is a loaded question. In short, suffering has taught me both the value and integrity of a hard days work. There was many times where I found myself suffering both mentally, physically, and even financially with various business endeavors. Feeling the pressure of multiple businesses and multiple people‘s livelihoods literally being in the palm of your hand – the heat really starts to turn up. The pressure starts to kick in. The tasks start to pile up and the men are separated from the boys. Once all of these things are overcome, then you feel success. Success itself is an accomplishment, but the road to the accomplishment can only be achieved through pain and grit.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. Is the public version of you the real you?
Absolutely. Ever since I started my entrepreneurial journey, I have always been very forthcoming and outgoing in all given situations. I have nothing to hide so I am pretty open with everybody, I will tell you what it is and how it is as well as devise a plan to get there. I love talking to new people and potential clients, getting to know them and their stories builds that deep relationship and trust that is vital to any business. First impressions are absolutely everything and one of the most important skills in any business is the salesmanship. Whether you are selling yourself or a product, you will always need to make sure to come off as not only intelligent, but also make sure you know and can explain how your product can change somebody else’s life, in any way. I am often told I can sell ice to an Eskimo, so this has been a craft I have perfected over many years.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I would hope that customers, friends, family and everybody I’ve crossed paths with will tell the story of how hard and tirelessly I have worked to achieve the success I have today.
I would hope that any glory that would come out of that story would be given straight to my father God in heaven, without whom no accomplishment would be possible- I would hope that my love and dedication to my savior and his gospel would shine through any business dealings that I’ve had and that I’ve lived a life that is pleasing to him. As well as being remembered as the face and name behind multiple brands, I want to be remembered for my strong faith and ethical business dealings.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.expressobakery.com
- Instagram: https://Instagram.com/expressobakeryelyria
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/expressothebakery
