Help us build our kitchen, save our bakery.

Help save our bakery long term as we must relocate and build a kitchen in our new space.

Hi, I'm Kirk, a self-taught low carb and gluten-free baker with a BIG passion to fill the gap that exists in the food industry for those of us with dietary restrictions. 2 years ago I started a bakery called Power of the Almond dedicated to providing tasty alternatives for those of us living with diabetes and/or gluten intolerances. Crazy idea…but no one else was filling the gap so why not me?! I wanted so badly to make this dream a reality that I left my full time job and drained my savings account to make it happen. I didn’t have much money, but I had just enough to be able to open up a place with cheap rent in Mississippi State’s business incubator. Although this space has been a blessing from the beginning as a startup company with limited funds, it has one VERY big disadvantage…its location. You have to search really hard to find us as we’re tucked away back in the corner of an industrial park with zero foot traffic and numerous previous businesses that left the space because nobody knows we’re there. Bad location nearly put us out of business in January but thankfully we survived.

I’m beyond grateful for how much support was poured in to my small team of 3 back in January yet the viral post and quick influx of cash was only a band aid to our problem and didn’t fix the long term issue of visibility and an accesible location of our storefront. We have got to move to a better location. It’s no longer just a wish and desire of mine to be in a better spot, but it’s an absolute necessity for the survival and success of the business long term.

Just last week, I found a spot for lease on Highway 12 with prime location, busy anchoring stores, reasonable rent, and locally owned by Mississippians as well. So I wrote the owners a letter. I explained how badly my small business needed this spot to survive and grow yet I didn’t have the funds to install a kitchen myself. I told him how dedicated I was to being the guy others trusted with their dietary needs. How I’d work 16 hours a day if it meant that I was making a positive impact in the gap that exists in the food industry for those of us who live in a society that caters to the masses and sometimes forgets that we exist too.

People in Mississippi need Power of the Almond and I promise I’ll fight every obstacle that comes our way and explore every opportunity available to make sure that we too have options in the South for those of us born with allergies and restrictions to certain foods that others get to enjoy freely and readily available.

Now for the exciting part. The new landlord made me a deal. He told me to find a contractor to give us a quote for installing a kitchen. The quote came back at nearly $50k. We were both somewhat expecting a high number but not that much. However, he believes in the vision and passion I have for Power of the Almond and has agreed to give me $15k towards the install but I’m responsible for the rest. I currently have $15k so I just need 20 more. This new location will allow us to stay in business and no longer worry constantly about how we’re going to keep the doors open. It’ll allow me to hire a larger team so that I can go out and find new wholesale accounts across the State so that more people have access to the allergen friendly baked goods we offer. It’ll have foot traffic for the first time ever and people will actually know that we exist in Starkville. It’s going to be something really special and here’s all I ask of you...

If we’ve somehow made a positive impact on your life over the past 2 years, please donate $2. We have nearly 10,000 followers on our social media and if each one gives just $2 then we can afford this install and continue to make a positive impact on our food ecosystem…right here in Mississippi. People told me I was crazy for wanting to start a gluten free bakery but especially crazy for wanting it to also be sugar free in a state known for its good ole Southern cooking and pure cane sugar sweets. So yes, I probably am, but we’ve made it this far and I’m okay with being the crazy keto baker on a mission. The journey can only go uphill from here.

Seriously, thank you from the bottom of my heart. - ❤️ Kirk, your sugar free | GF | low carb baker.