We were lucky to catch up with Kelli Reppert recently and have shared our conversation below.

Kelli, appreciate you joining us today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – walk us through the story?

The biggest risk I’ve taken was walking away from traditional work to build Blue Stone Bakery from scratch. There wasn’t a safety net or a perfectly mapped-out business plan — just faith and a growing conviction that God had placed something in me I was meant to use. I felt called to create something of my own, even if I couldn’t yet see the full picture.

At the time, it was scary. I had responsibilities, bills, and people depending on me. But staying where I was wasn’t truly security — it was draining, limiting, and no longer aligned with the life I felt led to build. Moving forward meant trusting myself and trusting the gifts God had given me, even when the path felt uncertain.

I started small — testing recipes in my kitchen, doing limited drops, and slowly building trust in my community one order at a time. What began as cinnamon rolls and stuffed cookies has continued to grow, including creating our Porch Market as another way to connect with the community and make what we do more accessible. Every step has required faith — faith that customers would show up, that I could learn the business side as I went, and that consistency would compound over time.

It hasn’t been easy. There have been long days, financial stretching, and moments of doubt. But there has also been deep pride — watching people line up for something I created, hearing customers tell me it’s the best cinnamon roll they’ve ever had, and seeing this small idea grow into a bakery and food truck with real momentum.

Taking that risk didn’t just build a business. It strengthened my faith, built resilience, and taught me to trust what’s been placed inside me. Even on the hardest days, I know choosing to step out in faith was worth it.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

My name is Kelli, and I’m the owner of Blue Stone Bakery, a small-batch bakery and food truck based in Lancaster County. What started as testing recipes in my kitchen has grown into a business centered around scratch-made cinnamon rolls, stuffed cookies, and creative weekly drops that bring people together.

I’ve always loved baking, and with an entrepreneurial spirit, I’ve always been drawn to creating. Over time, what began as sharing baked goods with friends and family grew into something bigger — a loyal customer base, pop-ups, food truck events, and eventually expanding into our Porch Market as another way to serve our community.

At Blue Stone, everything is made in small batches with intention. I focus on quality over quantity, consistency over shortcuts, and building real relationships with the people who support us. We’re not a mass-production bakery — we’re personal, hands-on, and constantly evolving.

What sets us apart is the experience. Limited drops create anticipation. Seasonal menus keep things fresh. The Porch Market makes access easy and community-driven. Customers don’t just buy a cinnamon roll — they follow along, show up, and become part of the story.

I’m most proud of building this from the ground up — learning the business side as I go, growing through challenges, and seeing momentum build through consistency and faith. Blue Stone isn’t just about baked goods; it’s about creating something meaningful for my family and for the community we serve.

We’d love to hear the story of how you turned a side-hustle into a something much bigger.

Yes, Blue Stone Bakery began as a side hustle and gradually grew into my full-time business. In the beginning, it was simply a creative outlet — testing recipes in my kitchen, offering small batches to friends and family, and seeing what resonated. I started with limited drops, which helped me control inventory while building anticipation and demand.

One of the first major milestones was consistently selling out and having customers from events begin reaching out for custom orders. That was the moment I realized this wasn’t just encouragement from people who loved me — there was real demand and genuine connection forming. People weren’t just buying once; they were coming back and asking for more.

Launching the food truck was another turning point. It allowed Blue Stone to show up physically in the community, not just online. It expanded visibility and gave customers a way to connect with the brand in person. Later, creating the Porch Market added another layer — a consistent, accessible way for customers to pick up products and stay engaged weekly through our Sunday hot plate drops.

The growth didn’t happen overnight. It was built through consistency, reinvestment, listening to customer feedback, and a willingness to adapt. What started as something small and uncertain has become a sustainable, full-time business that continues to evolve. Each milestone reinforced that stepping out in faith and staying consistent was the right decision.

What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?

The most effective strategy for growing my clientele has been consistency paired with intentional scarcity. From early on, I chose to operate through limited drops rather than trying to produce at scale. Our weekly Sunday hot plate drop creates rhythm — customers know when to expect it — and the limited quantities create excitement and urgency.

That consistency has built trust. When people order from Blue Stone, they know what they’re getting: quality, small-batch products made with intention. Over time, that reliability turns first-time buyers into repeat customers.

Showing up in person has also been key. The food truck and Porch Market allow customers to connect with the brand beyond social media. Those face-to-face interactions often turn into word-of-mouth referrals, which has been one of the strongest drivers of growth.

Ultimately, growth hasn’t come from one viral moment — it’s come from steady presence, listening to customer feedback, refining processes, and staying committed week after week. Consistency builds reputation, and reputation builds clientele.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.bluestonebakery.net
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blue_stone_bakery
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bluestonebakery