Lauren Marts is an entrepreneur who owns Baked True North, a bakery in the North Hills of Pittsburgh. But what makes her bakery unique? The bakery is dedicated to 100% gluten-free baking, letting customers enjoy “gluten freedom.” Additionally, they offer dairy-free and vegan baked goods.
Lauren attended Grove City College and majored in Entrepreneurship. After graduation, she tried a couple of different businesses without meeting success. Then, Lauren found her niche! When she met her husband, who is gluten-free, she decided to eliminate gluten, and she saw a need for a good gluten-free bakery in the area. Lauren’s love of baking started with her grandmother, and she began adapting the recipes to be gluten-free. Starting in a home kitchen in 2016, Baked True North grew into a commercial kitchen two years later. She still did not have a storefront but sold her baked goods online, at farmers markets, and through wholesale. Baked True North continued to grow, and in the summer of 2022, Lauren opened a storefront just north of Pittsburgh.
“[Baking] has always meant bringing joy, laughter, and people together,” explains Lauren. She loves bringing joy to her customers through delicious, gluten-free items, and you can see this excitement in her customers when they ask if everything is actually gluten-free. Serving satisfaction and building relationships with customers is an essential part of entrepreneurship, as she has demonstrated with regulars who continually come back to the bakery. Beyond her customers, Lauren also cultivates a healthy environment with her staff, making them enjoy and look forward to their work.
Even when she didn’t meet with success right away, she persevered until she saw a need and found her niche. Then, she was willing to start small and grow her business from her home to a successful storefront providing delicious gluten-free treats and bring joy to customers!
Check out Baked True North’s website at https://www.bakedtruenorth.com/!
This is an amazing story about dedication. I love how she did not give up after many failed businesses and then was eventually able to open this successful business. I think it was a great idea to open a business that would solve problems for people who have gluten or dairy allergies, and I love that it is 100% gluten-free baking, so there is no cross contamination.
Lauren Marts started Baked True North with a vision of reaching out to a consumer base that was mostly untouched. I myself am blessed to not have any Gluten allergies but I can only imagine the struggles of those who do when it comes to enjoying delicious baked treats. Marts has created her own niche while also pulling on the heart strings of those who may feel they are missing out. Having a friend with many allergies, I have witnessed the extra work it takes to find gluten free alternatives. Marts has also focused on creating a strong rapport with her customers and workers which is key in developing repeat customers and a loyal staff who is excited to work for her. Great post and thank you for supporting a Grove City Alumni!