I started my bakery three years ago with everything I had. It was my dream since childhood. Now rising costs, supply chain issues, and a changing economy threaten to take it all away. I mortgaged my house to open this shop. I spent a year renovating the space myself — painting walls at midnight, installing equipment on weekends, perfecting recipes until they were just right. When we opened our doors, the community embraced us. Lines around the block. Rave reviews. For a while, it felt like a fairy tale. Then costs started climbing. Flour, butter, eggs — everything doubled. I could not raise prices fast enough without losing customers. Then my main supplier went out of business. Then the strip mall raised the rent by forty percent. I have four employees who depend on this job. They are like family — they believed in this dream alongside me. The thought of telling them we are closing keeps me up at night. I am not giving up. I am exploring every option — online sales, catering, partnerships with local restaurants. But I need a breakthrough, and I need it soon. I am asking for prayers for creative solutions, for favor with lenders, for loyal customers to spread the word, and for the endurance to keep going when every instinct says to quit.