After working in the semiconductor industry, Moshit Mizrachi-Gabbitas transformed her passion for baking into a career when she opened Janjou Pâtisserie in Boise’s North End in 2013.

After only three years of operation, she became a semifinalist in the Outstanding Baker category for the James Beard Awards — the Oscars of the food world. Mizrachi-Gabbitas was the first Idaho woman to be honored as a semifinalist and she earned the same distinction again in 2020.

Mizrachi-Gabbitas shares her insight on the essential ingredients every small business owner needs to succeed.

What advice would you give to aspiring chefs and restaurant owners?

Because baking is a very demanding profession, it’s important to have a strong passion for the industry. Although I work long, hard days, it doesn’t feel like it because my passion gives me the energy to continue each day.

If you want to be an acclaimed chef or restaurant owner, don’t obsess over landing a fancy title or food network show. Instead, fill your day with activities that inspire you.  

As culinary artists, we are lucky that our jobs are never boring. I’ve been baking for 13 years and I still learn something new every day.

How have you adjusted your business or business model in light of COVID-19?

When the pandemic hit, we quickly realized that in order to survive, we needed to pivot towards online orders. We made our entire menu available for online orders almost overnight and this bolstered our business during the first wave of lockdowns.  

Because we can only serve customers on our outside patio right now, we have less foot traffic. We’ve used this time to perfect our craft and develop tasty new recipes, and one of our most popular new desserts is gluten free.

I’m very grateful for being able to serve our community this way. I’ve been through tragedy in my life and my community lifted me up. I feel that this is my turn to give back.

What tips do you have for other small businesses seeking to grow?

Although small businesses might feel pressured to grow as quickly as possible, it’s important to pace yourself.

When I first launched my small business, I was cautious. I managed my debt prudently and waited to make larger investments until the value was clear. Try to think four or five years ahead, because having a long-term vision will help you break down the smaller steps to get there.      

I also encourage every small business owner to treat their employees well! They are a valuable asset and investing in them will make a huge difference to your business. Because of the relationships I’ve built with my staff, I’ve been fortunate to have low turnover.