Online bakery Mah-Ze-Dahr has no physical storefront but its gourmet pastries reach thousands of customers all over the States.
The online bakery's founder, Umber Ahmad, is an MBA who launched a business to help luxury food brands expand internationally. Celebrity chef Tom Colicchio was one of her clients and was so impressed with a dinner at her home that he told her she should go into the culinary arts herself. Ahmad came up with the model of a store-less bakery that could cater to the entire country. Initially only serving NYC, a Kickstarter campaign to buy a van and a flash freezer expanded the online bakery considerably.
Now, the online bakery plans to open a small storefront in New York but will continue with its model of delivery to the rest of the country. Although only New Yorkers will be able to experience the aromatic atmosphere of Mah-Ze-Dahr pastries, the vivid imagery of the site renders a physical space unnecessary.
Gourmet Online Bakeries
This Online Bakery Delivers Exquisite Pastries All Over the U.S.
Trend Themes
1. Virtual Bakeries - The rise of online bakeries like Mah-Ze-Dahr that deliver gourmet pastries to customers all over the country present an opportunity for virtual bakeries to emerge and cater to a nationwide audience.
2. Direct-to-consumer Delivery - The success of Mah-Ze-Dahr's delivery model highlights the potential for disruptive innovation in the direct-to-consumer delivery industry, where businesses can eliminate the need for physical storefronts and reach customers directly.
3. Crowdfunding for Expansion - The Kickstarter campaign initiated by Mah-Ze-Dahr to buy a van and a flash freezer showcases the potential for crowdfunding as a means for businesses in the food industry to raise funds and expand their operations.
Industry Implications
1. Online Bakeries - The success of Mah-Ze-Dahr as an online bakery demonstrates the potential for growth and innovation within the online bakery industry, where businesses can leverage e-commerce platforms to reach a broader customer base.
2. Food Delivery - The direct-to-consumer delivery model employed by Mah-Ze-Dahr offers disruptive innovation opportunities for the food delivery industry, allowing businesses to streamline operations, reduce costs, and provide nationwide access to culinary offerings.
3. Crowdfunding - The use of crowdfunding by Mah-Ze-Dahr to expand its operations reflects the disruptive potential of crowdfunding in the food industry, providing a means for businesses to secure capital for growth and establish a dedicated customer base.