How Vistage helped Stephens Bakery discover its recipe for success

dailyrecord.co.uk:

In the competitive business landscape, achieving sustained growth and success requires more than dedication and hard work. It demands strategic insight, innovative thinking, and a robust support network.For Talia Sarafilovic, Joint Managing Director of Stephens Bakery, Vistage has been the cornerstone of her journey towards transforming a family-run business into a thriving enterprise.Here’s how Vistage has empowered Talia and her business to reach new heights...Stephens Bakery, a 150-year-old family business in Fife, has a rich history of tradition and innovation.Talia, who grew up watching her parents run the business, always knew she was destined to be a part of it.After a decade of learning the ropes, she became Joint MD alongside her brother, Sean.

Their primary challenge? Stabilising the business after a period of sustained growth.She explained: "My father, Andre, and mother, Rona, successfully grew Stephens to a point where we now operate 15 sites and supply more than 200 local convenience stores."It was my father who suggested I join Vistage, having benefited from it himself."Talia’s Vistage journey began with the goal of not just growing the business but scaling it effectively.She said: "Growing a business isn’t just about adding people.

It’s about having the vision, direction, and processes to scale effectively, which is hard to achieve when you’re immersed in the day-to-day."Through Vistage, Talia found the perfect environment to step back from daily operations and work on the business rather than in it."I've made so many improvements I wouldn't have achieved otherwise.

Changes I've made range from big-ticket items to small details following a conversation I've had with my coach or a peer."One of the most