An Interview with Sondra Wells
The following interview was conducted April 21, 2010 for Abe's Market.
What inspires you
Prowess!
...any field, any industry, any situation.
Favorite part about creating your products
There is something about working with your hands... Incorporating the organic herbs and spices into the dough is very satisfying. I love the way the kitchen smells both as we are preparing the dough and as it is baking. True aroma therapy. I find it intoxicating.
Toughest part of your day
Being an entrepreneur, you are CEO to Janitor and everything in between. It is a ton of hard work and new challenges pop up daily, but I welcome that. The tough part is that I am also a wife and mother of two who has started a business by choice. My elementary school aged daughter thinks the company is cool and that I rock! (her words, not mine). But dropping my almost three year-old son off and having him look at me through the "good-bye window" and every now and then mouth to me "don't go" is, well... heart-breaking. It doesn't happen frequently, but when it does a chilling doubt of "Am I doing the right thing?" pierces me.
Best day in company history
Being a foodie I have dreamed of going to the Fancy Food Show. I imagined aisle after aisle of gourmet food. Getting lost in meats, and cheeses and olive oils oh my! We were fortunate enough this past year to not only attend but exhibit. I can mark that one off my bucket list.
Biggest decision you ever had to make
Oh this is tough. We are in the process of making it right now. To Co-Pak or not? To me having a Baker's soul means letting your work transform you and in return putting all that love, energy and good thoughts into our cookies. I believe you can taste it. When you get large enough to outgrow an artisanal environment and move to automation is it possible to keep that soul? Is it possible to embrace technology and economies of scale and remain true to your roots? I'm afraid I don't have an answer just yet. Truth be told it is something that can keep me up at night.
Where do you see yourselves in 5 years
There is an amazing resonance, a balance, a peaceful state of mind when you are doing something that you love and are called to do. I have a huge plans for Botanical Bakery, but I also try to remain present and in the moment to enjoy what we have now and stand ready for what is next. I look forward to walking down this natural path.