It's a sweet life to own your own business.
"It's a dream that came true for me after a lot of saving up and a lot of hard work," said Sal Schroeder.
For Sal, that dream began as a little girl: to one day be a baker in her very own shop.
And while the past two years have certainly been rewarding...
"We were awarded 'Best in the Valley' for 2018," said Sal pointing to a plaque on the wall.
...this little bakery off 35th Avenue and Greenway nearly gave up last month.
"Having had this happen to me three times in two years I was just ready to say, 'I can't do this anymore,'" said Sal.
Last year she was hit not once, but twice by thieves, both times setting the business back thousands of dollars.
"I can't even cry anymore, I've cried so much I don't think I have tears left," said Sal.
The small business owner operates on a sprinkle-size budget and is hardly rolling in the dough, so when the burglar seen in the surveillance video hit them again last month, it was especially painful.
"They came to this back door and used a crowbar to pry open the lock," said Sal.
The video shows the thief making a beeline for the security equipment, busting down an office door and ripping cords from the wall in hopes of hiding his actions, but it didn't work. He then took aim at the business's safe.
"He managed to laser open our safe, stole both my iPads from my cash register system," said Sal.
She says while this latest incident is a major setback, it was the family she's formed in the community that has kept her spirits high.
"My wonderful customers who all reached out and came and were so supportive," said Sal.
That support was just icing on the cake for a woman determined to not let a few bad eggs ruin her dream.
"I can't let this person or persons win by shutting down, when we love what we do," said Sal.
Phoenix police are asking for the public's help finding the burglar. If you have any information on this case your asked to contact Silent Witness at 480-WITNESS or 480-TESTIGO.
