What makes a bagel legendary? Is it the texture, the crust, the chew, or the history behind it? In this episode, we’re diving deep into the story of Emily Winston, the founder of Boichik Bagels, a Bay Area sensation bringing old-school New York flavor to the West Coast.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
• How Emily went from being a mechanical engineer at GM, working on car doors, to a full-fledged bagel artisan.
• The emotional connection behind recreating her taste memory of the legendary H&H Bagels from NYC.
• The challenges of scaling from a small passion project to multiple locations and a frozen bagel empire.
• The historic significance of Boychick’s flagship location, which was the original home of Noah’s Bagels, and how she got the founder’s blessing to continue the tradition.
• How Boychick stands out, not just for its bagels, but for its bold social justice stance and commitment to inclusivity.
Why listen?
Whether you’re a bagel purist, a food entrepreneur, or a branding enthusiast, Emily’s story is an inspiration. It’s a masterclass in following your passion, perfecting your craft, and building a business that resonates deeply with people.
Key takeaways:
• Great branding meets great product. How the Boichik aesthetic became a symbol of quality and authenticity.
• The bagel battle is real. Why Emily believes we’re entering a new wave of bagel wars and how she plans to win.
• Managing rapid growth while keeping company culture intact. Insights into leadership, trust, and empowering a team.
Don’t just take our word for it—get yourself a Boichik Bagel (especially the frozen ones if you’re not in the Bay Area).
Follow and subscribe to the Kirk and Kurtts Design Podcast for more deep dives into creativity, business, and the stories behind the brands we love.
Connect with Emily here:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/emily-winston-8392672/
About Kirk and Andy.
Kirk Visola is the Creative Director and Founder of MIND THE FONT™. He brings over 20 years of CPG experience to the packaging and branding design space, and understands how shelf aesthetics can make an impact for established and emerging brands. Check out their work http://www.mindthefont.com.
Andy Kurts is the Creative Director and Founder of Buttermilk Creative. He loves a good coffee in the morning and a good bourbon at night. When he’s not working on packaging design he’s running in the backyard with his family. Check out Buttermilk's work http://www.buttermilkcreative.com.
Music for Kirk & Kurtts intro & outro: Better by Super Fantastics
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