We recently connected with Carolann Dvorak and have shared our conversation below.

Carolann, appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.

It was the beginning of 2022, and I was four months postpartum with my third child. I had to go back to work at eight weeks with my first and second. I was so grateful that I didn’t have to do that this time around. I had quit my job that I was at for almost 15 years. My husband works for the railroad, and is on the road during the week. This meant whenever one of my kids got sick, or needed to be picked up from daycare / or school early I had to leave work. My employer would ask, “Why can’t your husband pick them up?” Well, by the time my husband left work in Montana, and made it to Illinois (where we live) it wouldn’t be feasible. I tried going part time, but if I wanted to they couldn’t give me set hours. So my husband and I talked it over and I became a stay at home mom. I was grateful to be able to do that, but at the same time I still wanted to contribute financially. I just didn’t know what I could do that let me be home and present with my kids as well. We got pregnant with our rainbow baby at the beginning of 2021. During this time I was watching Ballerina Farms Instagram reels of Hannah make sourdough bread from scratch. She was running a farm, a business, and she had I believe 5 children at this time as well. I thought to myself, if she could do this why can’t I. So fast forward to being four months postpartum with my third child. I was listening to The Lumineers nonstop while creating my very own sourdough starter. Ten days later my starter was ready to make bread, and needed a name. What better name than Ophelia. I made my first loaf, and it brought me so much joy. I couldn’t believe my own two hands had made this! At this time I was just making bread. I didn’t think this would be anything more than that. We have a lot of small businesses in our community, and one day I went to pick up homemade salsa from Ron who made it fresh from his home. When I went I gifted him a loaf of my sourdough bread. I said if it’s bad just throw it out. About ten minutes after leaving and going to target for my pickup my Instagram started blowing up with notifications from Heart of New Lenox. He was an Instagram profile that highlighted local businesses. I was so confused why he was tagging me. (I did not have a business profile at the time just my personal profile) I checked it out, and he was friends with Ron the man who I just gifted a loaf of my sourdough bread to. He had tried it, and was telling people to message me to get a loaf themselves. I couldn’t believe it. People started messaging me, and I was like ok let’s do this! I got my cottage license and started to do some openings. People were selling me out right away. I was so grateful. It is now three years later, and I’m growing, and learning, and absolutely so incredibly grateful for all the love and support from everyone. I’m still selling out, going to events now, collaborating with other businesses, and able to contribute financially to our family all while being home, and setting my own hours. I am so excited to see what else the future holds.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Hi! I’m Carolann, and Sourdough Carolann is my sourdough cottage bakery. I’m based out of my home in Mokena, IL. I do weekly preorder openings on Fridays for sourdough breads, bagels, cookies, scones, English muffins, and rolls. People are then able to pick up their orders the following Friday at my house.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

Being myself, and having a great product. There are many cottage bakers where I am. It can be intimidating. When I first started this business I was speaking with a boutique owner. She said there are so many boutiques out there. But you have to remember there is a lid for every pot. This was a lightbulb moment. It’s so true. People are going to go where they want to. So I just stayed true to who I am, and put my all into my sourdough products.

What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?

The best source of new clients for me has been word of mouth. I honestly have the best customers. They share their baked goods from me with others, and it becomes a domino effect. I couldn’t be more grateful.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sourdough_carolann?igsh=YWU2YjdkeWZjdnJx
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/15yaqzjoJM/?mibextid=wwXIfr