How many kids do you have and what are their ages?
I have two girls. They are 2 and 5 years old.
What do you love about living in Stamford?
This place truly feels like home. My older daughter (now 5) and I moved here after my divorce, and we were welcomed in ways I can’t even fully put into words. Now, I live here with my boyfriend and our two daughters, surrounded by his big, loving family. Most of our relatives are just a short walk away, which makes everyday life feel really connected.
I also feel incredibly lucky to be in a place where everything is so close and accessible- whether it’s spending time with amazing friends and family, hitting up nearby hangouts and playgrounds, or grabbing food from great restaurants and grocery stores all within 10 minutes.
What are your favorite family activities in the area?
My favorite family activities are just anything my kids will enjoy. I like to keep things simple and close to home – short drives, easy outings. We love popping into local events and turning them into little adventures or just taking a walk to the nearest playground and letting the day unfold from there. Then coming home and popping a fresh loaf of bread in the oven .
Tell us about your sourdough business.
At the heart of my sourdough business is my dehydrated sourdough starter “Poppy”. “Poppy” comes with all the instructions necessary to start your sourdough journey in just a few days. I also have some digital instructional guides. Click here to follow on Instagram! Click here for my Etsy Shop!
What is a sourdough starter?
It’s a natural mix of flour and water that captures wild yeast – your key to baking bread without commercial yeast.
Why this starter and these instructions?
Whether your brand new to baking or just sourdough-curious, “Poppy” comes with super straightforward, no-fuss instructions to help you confidently begin your own sourdough journey. I focus on keeping things simple- especially for busy moms and home bakers who are already juggling a lot. This isn’t about perfection, it’s about doing a hobby that can be relaxing, creative and nourishing. You aren’t just learning to bake you are finding joy in slowing down and feeding the people you love with something better and simpler. I also teach ad hoc sourdough classes to those that enjoy learning in person and truly ‘hands on’.
How did you get into making sourdough?
Before I go any further, I am not a baker. I am surprised my bread even came out when I started my journey. The most advanced thing I did prior to this was pizza bagels or boxed cookies. Last year, I started looking for ways to simplify what we were eating at home, fewer ingredients, more intention. I had never heard of a sourdough starter until a friend introduced me, and something about it sparked my curiosity. The more I researched, the more I realized sourdough was more than just bread, it was a process rooted in patience, nourishment, and tradition. I told my father-in-law about my new hobby I was trying and he encouraged me and told me that one of his core memories from childhood through his adult life was his mother making fresh bread. How it gave everyday a loving feeling and she would leave bread bags with fresh bread on family members and friends doorsteps. That was it, I was determined to make this work.
When I baked my first loaf, I was hooked. My kids also loved it, which lets be real. Kids are usually picky. Now I drop fresh bread to friends and family every week.
Do your kids make it with you? What do you hope to teach them?
My girls love helping make bread, especially getting the first piece from the oven. It’s messy, there’s usually flour everywhere but it’s a fun way to spend time together. We usually have the music blasting. Baking sourdough with them has become one of our favorite routines. When our bread is complete the girls are so proud of their accomplishment!
More than anything, I hope they learn that something from scratch is worth it. That slowing down is okay and that even the messiest days can end with fresh-baked bread.
What is your advice for anyone interested in making their own sourdough?
As I mentioned, I am not a baker. If I can figure out sourdough, I truly believe anyone can. Like most things, getting started is the hardest part.
There’s a ton of information out there and its easy to get overwhelmed. My biggest advice? Stick to one process, master the basics, and don’t overcomplicate it. Once you’ve got the basics down you can start getting creative.
Just start, you will be surprised what you can do with a little flour, water and patience.
What is the best piece of advice you’ve gotten from another mom?
“Don’t wait until its perfect, just start”.
Whether it’s baking bread, starting a business, or raising kids, that advice has stuck with me. As a mom, there’s always a mess, always something unfinished. But if you wait for the perfect moment, you’ll miss the magic in the process. It doesn’t have to be flawless it just has to be yours.
Photos by @danielled_photography