1. The broad ask to close friends
Subject: Quick favor: know anyone who runs a bakery? Hi [Name], I'm building a simple inventory app for small bakeries, the kind with 1 to 3 locations where the owner still counts flour and butter by hand. I'm looking to talk to 10 bakery owners or head bakers this month, just to learn how they track stock today. Do you know anyone who owns or manages a bakery, café with an in-house kitchen, or cake shop? A name is plenty, I'll write something you can forward. Thanks, [Your name] Use this first, with the 10 to 20 people most likely to reply.
2. The forwardable blurb
Subject: Intro: [Your name] / [Bakery owner name] Hi [Bakery owner name], my friend [Your name] is building an inventory app for small bakeries. It tracks ingredients, flags when you're low on things like flour, eggs and butter, and helps cut waste on unsold bakes. They're not selling anything yet, just looking for 15 minutes with a few owners to hear how you handle ordering and stock. Would you be open to a quick call or a visit during a slow hour? [Your name] is copied here. [Friend's name] Send this to any friend who says yes, so all they have to do is paste a name and hit send.
3. The ask for a specific person
Subject: Could you introduce me to [Owner name] at [Bakery name]? Hi [Name], I saw you're connected to [Owner name] at [Bakery name] on [LinkedIn/Instagram]. I'm building an inventory app for small bakeries and their shop looks like exactly the kind of place I'm trying to learn from. Would you be comfortable introducing us? I've pasted a short blurb below you can forward as is. [Paste forwardable blurb] Use this after you search LinkedIn or Instagram for '[your city] bakery owner' and spot a mutual connection.
4. The ask to food-industry friends
Subject: You probably know bakers I should talk to Hi [Name], since you work in [restaurant kitchens / food distribution / commercial baking], you might know people I'm trying to reach. I'm building an inventory app for small independent bakeries and want to talk to owners, head bakers or kitchen managers about how they track ingredients and place orders with suppliers. Is there anyone from [a past job / your supplier contacts / culinary school] you'd feel fine introducing me to? Even one name helps. [Your name] Use this for anyone who has worked as a line cook, pastry chef, food rep or at a flour or dairy distributor, since they know dozens of bakery owners.
5. The group chat or family message
Hey all, small ask. I'm building an app that helps small bakeries keep track of ingredients so they stop running out of things mid-shift or throwing away stock. If you know anyone who owns a bakery, cake shop, donut shop or café that bakes its own pastries, could you send me their name or tag them here? I just want to hear how they do it today. No pitch. Thank you! Post this in your family WhatsApp, old school group chat or neighborhood group, where people forward things without being asked twice.
6. The LinkedIn or Facebook post
I'm building a simple inventory app for small bakeries. Before I build more, I want to talk to 10 people who run one: owners, head bakers, kitchen managers. If that's you, or you know someone who orders the flour and butter for a bakery, I'd be grateful for an intro. 15 minutes, no pitch, and I'm happy to share what I learn from other bakeries. Comment or message me. Post this on your personal profile once you've sent the direct messages, so friends of friends can find you.
7. The follow-up and thank-you
Subject: Re: Quick favor Hi [Name], just bumping this in case it got buried. Even one bakery owner name would help. And if [Owner name] already said yes, thank you, we're meeting [day]. I'll tell you how it goes. [Your name] Send this 5 to 7 days after your first ask, and report back after every intro so people keep sending more. Hulby, an AI cofounder, can draft and track these asks for you each day so none fall through.
Mistakes to skip
- Asking 'know anyone who'd want my app?' instead of naming a clear person, like a bakery owner with 1 to 3 shops.
- Making your friend write the intro instead of giving them a blurb to forward.
- Pitching features in the intro when you should ask to learn how they track stock today.
- Never following up or thanking the friend, so they don't introduce you again.
Want this done for your inventory app for small bakeries, every day?
Hulby finds the people asking for what you built, writes every reply and email, and keeps you on it until they pay. Free to start.
Find my first customersQuestions
How many friends should I message?
Start with 20 to 30 people. Expect a few names back, and each owner you meet can introduce you to others.
Should I ask for a sale in the intro?
No. Ask for 15 minutes to learn. Bring up a paid pilot on the call once you understand their problem.
What if I don't know anyone in food?
Use the group chat and social post templates. Almost everyone knows someone who runs a bakery, café or cake business.
When is the best time to meet bakery owners?
Mid-afternoon on a weekday, after the morning rush and before closing. Avoid early mornings and weekends.