We were lucky to catch up with Leah Townsend recently and have shared our conversation below.

Leah, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with 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.

How did I come up with the idea of Leah’s Wholesome Bakes? My love for baking began when I baked my first official cake in Home Ec—a Cinnamon Streusel Coffee Cake! I excitedly took the recipe home and baked it over and over until it reached perfection. This experience, combined with watching my grandma bake her legendary pound cakes and sweet potato pies, sparked my baking journey.

Alongside my passion for baking, I developed a love for clean eating and learning about how to fuel my body. These two interests eventually merged, leading me to explore different recipes and ingredients, primarily using whole wheat flour and olive oil. As my skills grew, I felt confident enough to share my wholesome creations with friends and family.

After hearing the classic line “you should sell these!” a few times, I finally took it to heart. I baked a batch of my delicious recipes and brought them to my first market. The response was overwhelmingly positive—everyone loved them! That’s when Leah’s Wholesome Bakes was born, and I knew I was onto something special.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I used to weigh 260 pounds as a teenager and into my young adult years. I was devastatingly overweight, mainly because my family lacked knowledge about proper nutrition. We regularly consumed junk food, and even when we thought we were eating healthy, we weren’t. I decided to take control of my health by researching healthy eating and discovering a new way of nourishing my body. This, combined with regular exercise, helped me lose nearly 80 pounds!

My journey inspired me to educate others about healthy eating and offer delicious baked goods made with cleaner ingredients—something you won’t find in typical grocery store bakeries. Today, I proudly provide diet-friendly products like gluten-free, dairy-free, and low-sugar desserts to anyone who needs them.

What sets Leah’s Wholesome Bakes apart from other bakeries is our commitment to clean, wholesome ingredients and our dedication to teaching others how to bake these products at home. I am most proud of my perseverance in developing healthy baked goods and my willingness to cater to those with strict dietary needs, ensuring they have access to delicious treats for their special occasions.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

A lesson I had to unlearn was the belief that wholesome foods were inherently unappetizing. Growing up, I thought the only way to enjoy food was to compromise my health by eating items with little nutritional value. Over time, I discovered that the opposite is true, especially with baked goods. Using ingredients like whole wheat flour, cultured butter, and avocado oil adds depths of flavor that are often missing in overprocessed, overly sweetened baked goods. This realization transformed not only my approach to baking but also my perception of what healthy eating could be.

Have you ever had to pivot?

Yes, I started my business right before COVID-19 hit the USA in November 2019. Just as I was beginning to sell at markets and get my name and products out there, everything shut down. I considered giving up and closing my business since markets were all I knew. Instead, I decided to adapt by advertising online, offering promos, tightening up my kitchen sanitation, and selling my products to anyone looking for healthy alternatives to grocery store baked goods. When things began to reopen, I immediately returned to the markets and continued to get my name out there. It felt like I had never left! I am so glad I stayed open through those hard times, no matter how slow business was.

To anyone going through a hard time and thinking of giving up, I encourage you to keep pushing forward. Challenges and setbacks are part of the journey, but they also provide opportunities for growth and innovation. Stay true to your passion, adapt to the circumstances, and believe in your abilities. You never know what amazing things await on the other side of perseverance.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.leahswholesomebakes.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leahswholesomebakes
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/leahswholesomebakes
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3NJtF6GLLLrku0jEZ-xVvQ
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/leahs-wholesome-bakes-monroe