Today we’d like to introduce you to Kelsey Smoker.
Hi Kelsey, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
My story started pretty simply: I wanted to learn how to make sourdough. I started baking at home, sharing with friends and family, and before I knew it people were asking if they could buy loaves from me. What started as “let me just try this” slowly turned into a full business that I never really saw coming.
Once I got more comfortable with sourdough, I realized how many people wanted to learn but felt completely overwhelmed by it. So I started teaching classes with the goal of making sourdough feel less intimidating and more doable. I’ve always tried to keep my classes affordable and realistic because I don’t want people walking away feeling like they need to buy every fancy tool on the internet just to make a loaf of bread.
Since then, Smoker Sourdough Co. has grown into more than I ever expected. I bake weekly, host self-serve stand days, teach classes, do pop-ups, and somehow keep adding new things to the menu because apparently I don’t know how to sit still. It’s a lot of work, especially while also raising my kids and running life behind the scenes, but it has been such a blessing.
I think the biggest part of my story is that I just kept showing up. I kept learning, kept baking, kept trying new things, and the community kept showing up for me too. Smoker Sourdough Co. is built on good bread, hard work, and a whole lot of support from people who believed in me.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
No, it definitely hasn’t always been a smooth road. I don’t think I ever really anticipated starting a business, let alone growing it into what it is today. In a lot of ways, that has been the biggest learning curve: figuring out how to run and operate a business that I built myself from the ground up.
My background is actually in Panera Bread. I used to help run and operate local Panera locations in the area, so I do have experience with management, customer service, schedules, and the day-to-day pieces of keeping a business moving. But it feels very different when it is your own name, your own product, your own money, your own time, and your own decisions behind everything.
I’ve also learned that not every part of small business ownership is as supportive as people may think. I’ve had moments where other small businesses haven’t always been kind or encouraging, and that can be hard when you’re trying to build something honestly and with good intentions.
But overall, I’ve learned to adapt, adjust, and keep going. In previous jobs, I was always known for being resilient, and I think that has served me really well in this business. There have definitely been challenges, but every one of them has taught me something and helped me grow into a better business owner.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Smoker Sourdough Co. is a home-based micro-bakery and sourdough class business. I bake small-batch sourdough breads, cookies, scones, focaccia, and other baked goods, but a huge part of what I do is teaching. I host sourdough classes both at local businesses and in people’s homes, and I really focus on making sourdough feel approachable instead of intimidating.
I think I’m most known for keeping things fun, realistic, and affordable. There is so much information online about sourdough, and it can feel really overwhelming when you are first starting out. My goal is to break it down in a way that actually makes sense, without making people feel like they need a ton of fancy tools or expensive supplies. I want people to leave my classes feeling confident, not confused.
As far as baking goes, I love creating things that feel familiar but have a fun twist. I make traditional sourdough loaves, but I also love playing around with flavors, sweet loaves, focaccia, cookies, scones, and seasonal items. I think people know me for being creative and always trying something new.
What I’m most proud of is the community that has grown around this business. I started this from my kitchen, and now I have people showing up to classes, ordering weekly, coming to self-serve stand days, and cheering me on as the business grows. That support means everything to me.
What sets me apart is that I really care about making people feel welcome. Whether someone is buying a loaf of bread, coming to a class, or stopping by my self-serve stand, I want it to feel personal and approachable. I’m not trying to make sourdough feel fancy or out of reach. I want it to feel doable, fun, and like something people can actually bring into their own homes.
What matters most to you?
Personally, family matters most to me. They are the reason behind so much of what I do. Being a wife and a mom is such a huge part of who I am, and I think that naturally spills over into my business too.
A lot of Smoker Sourdough Co. is rooted in the idea of feeding people, gathering people, and making things feel warm and welcoming. To me, that starts at home with family, but it also grows into community. I love that something as simple as bread can bring people together, whether it is around a kitchen table, at a class, at a pop-up, or at my self-serve stand.
I think that is why this business has become so special to me. It is not just about selling bread or baked goods. It is about connection. It is about creating something that feels personal, familiar, and meaningful. Family is the foundation for me, and community feels like the natural extension of that.
Pricing:
- Breads $10-$15
- Classes $35
Contact Info:
- Website: https://bakesy.shop/b/smoker-sourdough-co
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smokersourdoughco?igsh=MXg5b2huZW5ybDUyMg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1EGyvBFSsi/?mibextid=wwXIfr
