Lori Finch - March 2025 Entrepreneur of the Month
The NIACC John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center and North Iowa Area SBDC are proud to announce Lori Finch of Gabby’s Gluten Free Goods of Britt, IA as the March 2025 Entrepreneur of the Month.
Lori Finch, founder of Gabby’s Gluten Free Goods, turned a personal challenge into a business that provides high-quality gluten-free baked goods to customers across North Iowa. After she was diagnosed with celiac disease, Lori found that local options for gluten-free treats were limited. "I was just disappointed with the options I had available," Lori said. "When you're out and about, if you go to a restaurant or coffee shop, there just aren't gluten-free options, or if they are, it's something like a dry granola bar. I knew there had to be something better."
A lifelong baker, Lori began experimenting in her own kitchen. What started as a passion project soon became a business that now supplies gluten-free products to coffee shops and boutiques. Gabby’s Gluten Free Goods is a dedicated gluten-free bakery, licensed by the Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals. Lori focuses on wholesale distribution rather than operating a retail storefront, allowing her to provide fresh, high-quality gluten-free baked goods to businesses. "We're not trying to be a retail business," Lori explained. "We want to provide quality gluten-free products on a wholesale level, where more people can access them."
Lori’s entrepreneurial journey began when friends and family encouraged her to sell her baked goods. Though she had experience in the kitchen, she was new to running a business. "I knew I could bake, but I didn’t know the business side," she said. She reached out to the NIACC John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center and North Iowa Area SBDC, and enrolled in the North Iowa cohort of the University of Iowa’s Venture School. Through Venture School, she refined her business model and gained a clearer understanding of her target market. Originally, Lori had considered opening a gluten-free coffee shop, but the program helped her recognize that wholesale distribution was a better fit. "I started Venture School thinking I wanted to open a coffee shop with a gluten-free bakery," she said. "But through the program, I realized that what I really wanted was to focus on the bakery."
The support and mentorship she received through Venture School allowed her to navigate the challenges of starting a business. She worked closely with her coach to develop strategies for scaling production and improving efficiency. "They helped me think critically about my business and make necessary adjustments," Lori said. She also learned how to adapt her offerings based on customer demand, focusing on top-selling products such as gluten-free cake balls, which have become one of her best sellers. "We have a coffee shop that sells out of our cake balls every week," Lori said. "People who eat gluten-free and those who don’t all love them."
One of the biggest lessons Lori learned was the importance of taking time to grow the business sustainably. She has deliberately started small, working with a limited number of businesses to refine her processes before expanding. "I want to make sure I’m doing it right," she said. "Is my packaging correct? Can I handle the volume? I’d rather take my time and make sure I have a solid foundation."
Lori encourages aspiring entrepreneurs to take advantage of the free resources available through organizations like the Small Business Development Center and the Pappajohn Center. "There are so many people out there who want to help you succeed," she said. "The connections you make are invaluable." She also emphasizes the importance of persistence, explaining that building a business takes time and effort. "Just because something doesn’t work the first time doesn’t mean it won’t work later. Keep applying for opportunities and learning from those who have done it before."
Entrepreneurship is not something that happens overnight, and Lori believes that new business owners should not feel pressured to scale too quickly. "It’s okay if things go slower than you expect," she said. "If you take your time, you can refine your process and make your business better." By focusing on perfecting a few key products and making careful adjustments along the way, she has been able to build a strong foundation for Gabby’s Gluten Free Goods. Her advice to others is to seek guidance, use available resources, and be patient with the process. Lori continues to refine her business, expand her reach, and ensure that high-quality gluten-free treats are available to more customers.