California Entrepreneur Signs on to Bring the First Standalone Bakery to the City of Eastvale With Paris Baguette

With years of experience in the business world, some of which he spent building and operating his own independent business, Bakhtavar Jawaid is now prepared to take on his next venture with Paris Baguette*. Jawaid is a frequent patron of local Paris Baguette locations. So when he began to consider his next moves, the concept quickly came to mind.

Now, as a married father of one with another baby on the way, Jawaid says franchising presents a prime opportunity for him to continue scaling his own portfolio with the help of a qualified team, allowing him to dedicate more time to his growing family. 

1851 Franchise: Frame your personal story for us. What did you do before franchising, and how did you decide franchising made sense for you?

Jawaid: I have run my own electronic wholesale and retail business for over seven years. I developed and managed a sales territory of over 50 client relationships across the U.S. and overseas including Dubai and China. I got exposed to wholesaling when I graduated from UC Riverside and started working as a Business Development Manager with a wholesaling company that sold electronics. I did that for about three years before joining a staffing agency in a similar capacity that had better career growth opportunities.

After working corporate jobs for about five years, I found myself gravitating more and more towards the idea of starting my own business and building something that’s mine rather than working for someone else. It wasn’t an easy decision to leave a stable job, but I decided to take a leap of faith and pursue my dream of starting my own business in 2016. And I am so glad that I did!

During my early years, I made my share of mistakes and learned to grow from them. It taught me the value of hard work, perseverance, and most importantly to always stay focused on the customer’s needs. Business Development is probably the hardest part of my job. I have to find creative ways to source clients; if I had a franchise name backing my business, it would probably be easier for clients to find me and for me to scale my business. Like many other small businesses, COVID had quite an impact on my operations which lead me to rethink possibilities for the future.

My wife and I had many long discussions regarding our careers and where we want to be 10 years from now as we were getting ready to welcome our first baby girl into the world. Having run my own company and knowing the struggles of starting and sustaining a small business, we wanted to expand our business portfolio by starting another business but with the support of a franchise this time.

Franchising made perfect sense to us considering the brand recognition, support, knowledge, and expertise that comes with having a franchise team behind you. It also opens opportunities for you to get into an industry or business that you may not know everything about. A tried and tested business model and support from the franchisor made us feel more comfortable venturing into a new investment. 

1851: What was your perception of franchising prior to becoming a franchisee, and what do you want people to know about franchising now that you are in it?

Jawaid: I’ve always thought that, if it’s done correctly, it can be very lucrative — even a life-changing experience. Of course, you hear stories of different franchises that have gone under. But overall, I’ve had a very positive outlook and feel that with the right franchise partner, it would certainly be the best choice moving forward.

I would want people to know to have patience and to do your due diligence in finding a franchise that would be the right fit for you. Franchises vary in terms of the level of support they provide, investment in technology and systems, company values, and growth plans. Ask a lot of questions and do your research to feel comfortable going into a venture together. 

1851: What made you pick this brand? What excites you most about this company?

Jawaid: Paris Baguette has been one of our family’s to-go bakeries for birthdays, anniversaries, and other special celebrations. While we were exploring our options and looking at lists of top franchise’s, Paris Baguette popped up. The idea of owning and operating a bakery we love excited us, and we started doing more research into the franchise and got connected with the Franchise Development. The more we learned about the business, its operations, the team and resources supporting the franchisees, the more comfortable we felt moving forward with the brand.

Paris Baguette is growing, and the brand recognition continues to grow with it as new stores open. Bakery industry is mostly comprised of small business owners; not very many brands/franchises dominate this market. As Paris Baguette continues to grow, so will the demand for its baked goods. I am sure there will be more improvements and innovative products in the future to continue to meet the growing demands of customers. 

1851: What do you hope to achieve with your business? What are your plans for growth? 

Jawaid: My goal is to establish a flagship store in a prime location that becomes an integral part of the community. I see a bakery as a place where the community comes together; people hang out with friends and family, stop by to grab a quick bite or coffee on a busy day, choose the perfect cake for a special celebration, or stock up on some delicious pastries.  I want my business to be a place of comfort and joy for our customers and I hope that we can provide the level of customer service and satisfaction that delights anyone coming through our doors.

 Once we have all the above successfully executed, I would love to expand and open more stores in other locations. 

1851: What is the one thing about your story you want us to know?

Jawaid: I took a huge risk leaving my corporate job and betting on myself to start a new business. I had limited resources but a supportive family that believed in me. The idea of being an entrepreneur was exciting and has been extremely rewarding, but it has also been very humbling. Success requires a lot of sacrifices and hours but if you love what you’re doing, it’s all worth it. As I embark on this new journey with Paris Baguette, I am excited at the possibility of starting something new and being a part of an existing brand that my family and I believe in. 

1851: What advice do you have for other people thinking about becoming a franchise owner?

Jawaid: When it comes to franchises, there are a lot of opportunities and it’s all very confusing. I would recommend to start narrowing down your list by picking brands that you love and see a need for in the market. Next, do your due diligence and learn as much as you can about the support you will be receiving from the franchise and take note of how responsive they are to your inquiries. Choosing a franchise is like getting into a long-term relationship. You want to make sure you understand what the expectations are for you to be successful and if the franchise is the right fit for your needs and the lifestyle you want. 

ABOUT PARIS BAGUETTE:

Paris Baguette is a bakery café franchise with more than 4,000 units across the globe. The brand first franchised in the U.S. in 2015 and has since established nearly 150 locations in markets across the country, making it one of the premier franchise opportunities in its category. Paris Baguette’s primary mission, executed every day by its expert staff of bakers, cakers and baristas, is to share moments of joy with customers and help customers share moments of joy with their friends and family by providing world-class cakes, pastries, coffees, breads and other French-inspired bakery café fare. For more information, please visit parisbaguette.com/franchising/.