Healing, Homeschooling & Homemade Bread: How Whitney Ivy Built Her Microbakery

In this episode of The Bread Winner Podcast, I sat down with Whitney Ivy—founder of Southern Bread Company, homeschool mom of four, and passionate microbakery owner—to talk about how her health journey led her to sourdough… and eventually to business ownership. Whitney’s story is a beautiful example of how listening to your body, trusting your gut (literally), and starting small can grow into something meaningful—both personally and professionally.

Her story isn’t just about bread. It’s about advocacy, healing, community, and the courage to build something right from your own kitchen, even in the midst of struggle.

From Health Struggles to Homemade Healing

Whitney’s microbakery journey began with a toothache and a gut feeling that there was more going on beneath the surface.

✔ After being told she needed a root canal, she sought out a holistic dentist who uncovered sleep apnea and a tongue tie.

✔ That led to more discoveries—thyroid issues, chronic fatigue, and a diagnosis of Graves' disease.

✔ Through it all, Whitney researched deeply and committed to healing from the inside out—with food playing a major role.

💬 “Baking sourdough became part of my healing—physically, emotionally, and spiritually.”

Even when she couldn’t eat the bread herself during her elimination diet, Whitney kept baking for her family. And that commitment to nourishing them became a springboard for something bigger.

Turning Healing Into a Business

Baking had become part of her rhythm, and over time, Whitney realized she wasn’t alone in her desire for clean, nourishing, traditional foods.

✔ She started by bringing a few extra loaves to her local farmer’s market alongside her kids’ lemonade stand.

✔ With no business page, no grand plan, just a folding table and a beach umbrella, she sold out—and discovered her community was hungry for real bread.

✔ That was the moment Southern Bread Company was born.

💬 “I just brought a few extra loaves to see what would happen… and people flocked to the table.”

Growing a Microbakery While Homeschooling Four Kids

Whitney shared what life looks like behind the scenes—full of controlled chaos, rhythms, and real life.

✔ She uses block scheduling to manage her days and bakes around her existing homeschool routine.

✔ Her kids help with chores and even earn money by pitching in with prep and set-up.

✔ She leverages tools like ChatGPT to plan her baking schedule around busy weeks or doctor appointments.

💬 “Sourdough actually fit right into our homeschool rhythm—it taught me patience, and the kids got to be a part of it, too.”

Mindset Shifts: From Comparison to Confidence

Whitney opens up about the challenges that came with watching other bakers pop up in her area.

✔ She initially felt territorial and unsure—wondering if there was room for everyone.

✔ But she realized that was coming from a scarcity mindset—and she chose to shift it.

✔ By connecting with other bakers like Kayla Hembree, she built a network of support rather than competition.

💬 “I had to surrender my bakery to God and remember—there is enough for all of us.”

That shift helped her grow with grace and purpose.

How She Scaled—Without Debt

Whitney is passionate about encouraging others to start where they are and grow sustainably.

✔ She began with just a home oven and a few Dutch ovens—no fancy equipment.

✔ When demand grew, she used frugal methods like the two-loaf pan bake method to increase output.

✔ She read Profit First by Mike Michalowicz and structured her finances to avoid burnout or debt.

💬 “The goal isn’t to bake 100 loaves a week if your life isn’t built for that. It’s to build a business that fits your family.”

Eventually, after selling out at a 3-day market, Whitney invested in a Rofco B40 oven—funded with profits and a small inheritance, not debt.

How She’s Growing Today: Bread Academy

Now, Whitney’s expanding her business by teaching workshops under the name Bread Academy.

✔ She teaches hands-on sourdough classes using all the tips she’s picked up along the way.

✔ Inspired by fellow baker Kayla Hembree, she’s creating space for others to learn and grow with confidence.

✔ She’s dreaming big: hoping to one day invite other bakers to teach under the Bread Academy umbrella, too.

💬 “It felt so natural. The class just flowed. I had dough in every stage and made it all hands-on—and it was a hit.”

Her Top Advice for Aspiring Microbakers

If you’re just starting out, Whitney wants you to remember:

Start with what you have. Don’t wait for the perfect oven, mixer, or setup.
Be intentional. Choose what you want to be known for and build a product lineup that reflects your values.
Set a schedule. Don’t take one-off orders at all hours—create structure early on.
Get out in your community. Pop-ups and markets are great ways to build trust and visibility.
Know your capacity. Your market, energy, and family life should shape how much you bake—not someone else’s Instagram.

Final Thoughts: Your Story Matters

Whitney ended with a message that I think every baker needs to hear:

💬 “Don’t be afraid to share your story. People connect with real experiences. And someone out there needs to hear yours.”

She’s living proof that microbakery success doesn’t start with a logo or a business loan—it starts with a story, a loaf, and a little courage.

Resources & Links

🌟 Follow Whitney on Instagram: @southernbreadcompany

🌟 Connect with Whitney on Facebook: Southern Bread Company

🌟 Follow me on Instagram for more microbakery tips: @carolinebower_sourdough

🌟 Find links to all of my sourdough microbakery favorites including packaging, pans, and more! www.carolinebower.com/links

🌟 Download the FREE Guide and Checklist, Your First Steps to a Successful In-Home Bakery at https://www.carolinebower.com/checklist to begin building YOUR thriving microbakery!

If this post encouraged you, I’d love to hear from you! Tag me and Whitney when you share this episode—we love seeing where you’re listening from and what part of the story resonates most.

Until next time, happy baking.

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