Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Melissa Houser. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, Melissa thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Naming anything – including a business – is so hard. Right? What’s the story behind how you came up with the name of your brand?

While the name doesn’t scream cheesecake, it speaks to the story, my story. I grew up among farmers, and baking grandmothers, yet always cherished the experiences and opportunities of the city. I found value in the moments so unique to the countryside, yet also felt so richly connected to city life. Eventually, I realized how special it is to walk freely between both worlds. The Urban Farmhouse is me-a little bit city and a little bit country. It honors the richness and legacy of all things homemade, while simultaneously embracing the beauty of diversity and opportunity.

Melissa, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Storytelling is perhaps one of the greatest ways to connect with others. It’s a pathway to understanding and a bridge to common ground. This is my story (well the extremely abridged version) and that of the unpaved roads of The Urban Farmhouse.

I saw this African Proverb that read, “No matter how long and winding the road might be, it will always lead you to your destination.” I grew up in Pennsylvania and went to college to major in subject I thought would help me “change the world”, aka human services. I aspired to positively impact the lives of young people: specifically, marginalized youth. After graduation, I moved to New Jersey where I served in Americorps, which is perhaps one of my most life changing experiences to date. Eventually, my road led me back to PA where I continued my career in the social service field. Throughout my years of professional employment I was placed in positions of progressive leadership and eventually went on to obtain my Masters Degree in Strategic Leadership.

So, how do I go from a 23 year career in social services, leading programs and organizations to making cheesecake? Let me tell ya, that road, it’s a windy one. I believe God provides us the path to acquire all the essential skills and knowledge to successfully live out our purpose. From my first job at the ice cream shop to my last professional position, it was all intentional. The Urban Farmhouse allows me to embrace my most authentic self: connecting individuals through a legacy of homemade, while emphasizing an innate ability to lead, and ultimately highlighting my heart for youth.

Fast forward to the part about TUF (definitely the most fitting, yet unplanned acronym-I said this was me, right?). You know how we all have those “if I ever won the lottery ideas”, well, this was mine… except it didn’t come at the hand of a lottery ticket. Instead, it was a bit of self-actualization that encouraged me to go after what was laid in my heart so many years before: a vision of opening a bakery (baking has always brought me joy), with a very specific and intentional connection to underserved youth. While cheesecake was never specifically on the agenda, it quickly became the way. The way to my destination…The Urban Farmhouse.

Through this journey I have learned so much about success. Not the success most commonly defined in business and certainly not because of financial gain, but success through finally living out my purpose and being my most authentic self. TUF is my home, my safe space, and I want it to feel that way for anyone who walks through the doors.

Where do you think you get most of your clients from?

While social media and formal marketing efforts certainly have their place, I can’t say enough about some good old fashion word of mouth. Word of mouth has undoubtedly been what has gotten me to this point. Full transparency, it’s what I consider the most flattering means by which to meet new “guests” (as we like to call them). I’d like to think the way we connect with the people who walk through our doors, the way we listen and share stories (and of course our phenomenal cheesecake) is what makes people feel at home. It’s what makes people want to tell people. I can’t speak enough about how each and every day we are greeted by new faces that say, “I heard about you through a co-worker, a friend’s post, someone brought it to work, a shared review, my family”. When you do good work and are good to people, they feel good about sharing that.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

I’m a single mother who found herself without a job in the midst of Covid and decided to take the biggest leap of faith and start her own business with only a few pennies to rub together….surely, resilient is one of the descriptive characteristics that apply. TUF is still so new. I’m the accountant and the baker and the social media expert. I’m the business owner, the HR team, the maintenance staff and grounds keeper. These are the hardest days, but as my 8-year daughter will remind me, “we have to have the hard days, to get to the easier days”. Between financial setbacks, failed recipes, and feelings of uncertainty, I always find a way to return to my purpose, and push forward in the truest application of resiliency.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.theurbanfarmhousepa.com
• Instagram: @theurbanfarmhousepa
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/theurbanfarmhousepa