Meet Emily, the heart and soul behind Country Roads Sourdough, whose journey through motherhood, sourdough baking, and entrepreneurship has captivated a vibrant community of bread enthusiasts. Raised on a small farm in Vermilion Ohio, Emily’s roots are firmly planted in the simplicity and joy of country life. From riding horses as a child to moving across the United States—Utah, Idaho, Ohio, and now West Virginia—Emily’s story is as rich and textured as the sourdough loaves she crafts. As a mom of two young boys, Rowan and Brier, Emily brings a unique, no-stress approach to sourdough baking that resonates with both beginners and seasoned bakers. Her philosophy? Sourdough is for everyone, mistakes and all. Whether it’s skipping a starter feeding or improvising with a forgotten ingredient, Emily’s relatable, “just throw some butter on it” attitude makes sourdough accessible and fun. In this special influencer interview with The Sourdough People, Emily shares her journey from struggling with her first starter in 2019 to building a thriving social media presence, teaching classes, and inspiring a worldwide community of bakers. Get ready to dive into Emily’s world of flavored focaccias, kitchen hacks, and heartfelt family recipes.
Could you share your personal story of how you began your journey with sourdough bread baking and what inspired the creation of Country Roads Sourdough?
Back in 2019, I attempted to make a sourdough starter but hit a few bumps along the way. I was so confused about what I was supposed to do, and I quickly ran out of patience. After bidding farewell to my first attempt, I swore off sourdough forever—or so I thought.
A few months later, I decided to give sourdough another shot and took a class from a friend. The moment I opened the oven and laid eyes on my first successful loaf, I was on cloud nine. I couldn’t believe that a girl who had never even made a loaf of bread before could bake an artisan sourdough loaf. That’s when I realized sourdough wasn’t the complicated ordeal I once believed.
I created Country Roads Sourdough with the mission of showing others that sourdough doesn’t have to be overwhelming. I firmly believe that anyone can do it. It doesn’t have to be so serious, and you don’t have to abide by all the rules. It’s just bread! So, you skipped a feeding, left the dough out a little too long, or forgot a step? It’s going to be okay! Throw some butter on it and call it a day.
What do you find uniquely satisfying about sourdough baking compared to other forms of baking?
I love that just three ingredients—flour, water, and salt—can make such a beautiful and impressive bread. Making sourdough bread gave me so much confidence in the kitchen and pushed me to try new bakes I never thought I could do. Plus, it makes a great gift that everyone loves!
Can you describe the process you go through when experimenting with and finalizing a new sourdough recipe?
Oftentimes, I draw inspiration from recipes I grew up loving. If I have a family recipe, I’ll start there and then add my own spin on it—of course, incorporating sourdough. Then, I bake it and make tweaks as needed to get it where I want.
One of my favorite series I’ve created is called Flavored Focaccias, where I swap out the water for a different liquid in my focaccia recipe. It’s been so much fun experimenting with new flavor combinations and really thinking outside the box. Not all of them work, but it’s been a blast to just experiment and get creative.
How do you plan and create content for your Instagram audience, especially your videos and photos?
When planning and creating content, I focus on my followers and try to identify their needs. I think about the season and what recipes they might be looking for or what questions they might have about sourdough. I always try to keep things real on my Instagram, making people feel like they’re in my kitchen baking with me.
My hope is that after someone watches my reel, they think, “Oh, I can make that,” instead of, “I could never.” I want my followers to feel confident and encouraged to try any sourdough recipe.
In what ways has social media, and Instagram in particular, shaped your journey as a sourdough baker and artisan?
It’s made all the difference. When I first started doing in-person sourdough classes, I had no expectations for my business. I was feeling lost in motherhood and needed something for myself. After several months of posting, a few posts went viral, and it changed everything.
As my following grew, I realized I needed to take my business seriously and see where it could go. It’s been so much fun building it over the last two years and continuing to grow in my craft.
You often incorporate different products, tools, and brands in your content. What considerations guide your choices in these collaborations?
I only share what I genuinely love. If I’m never going to use a product or I’m just not interested in it, I won’t share it. Building trust with my followers is everything to me, so I only share what I know they’ll have a good experience with.
What challenges do you think beginners most commonly face in sourdough baking, and what advice can you give them?
One of the biggest challenges is the sheer amount of information available. Everyone has a different method and approach to sourdough, so it’s easy to get sucked into a rabbit hole. Soon, all the information becomes so overwhelming that it can be paralyzing.
My recommendation is to start small—follow one blogger or influencer whose baking style resonates with you, and practice their method. Jumping from one method to another in search of the “perfect” recipe will likely leave you more confused. Once you feel confident in one method, you can start branching out and exploring new techniques.
How do you select the ingredients for your sourdough bread, and what impact do they have on the final product?
When I first started making sourdough, we were really poor. My husband was in medical school, and I was working part-time, so I used Great Value Flours from Walmart because it was all we could afford. The good news is that it still made delicious sourdough bread.
I share this because people often think they need organic or premium flours for success, and that’s just not true. If all you can afford is basic flour, go for it—just start!
That said, I do notice a difference in my bread when using high-quality flour, especially whole wheat flour. The flavor and texture are unbeatable. My favorite whole wheat flour is from Sunrise Flour Mill, and my affiliate link provides 20% off product orders.
Is there a particular sourdough recipe or type of bread that you are especially proud of? What’s the story behind it?
The Flavored Focaccia series is something I’m really proud of. There are so many standard recipes and classic flavors out there, but I love how unique this series is. The flavors are unlike anything I’ve seen, and it’s inspired others to think about what other liquids they could use in place of water in their recipes.
For those new to sourdough baking, what essential tools or products would you recommend?
I always recommend:
- A digital kitchen scale: It makes baking easier with fewer dishes.
- A bread oven or Dutch oven: I prefer a bread oven for its shallow base and tall lid.
- A magnetic bread lame: Perfect for scoring dough, and it can be kept high on the fridge, away from kids.
- A straight-edge container: Ideal for tracking dough rise.
- Proofing baskets: Essential for shaping dough.
How do you stay inspired and continue to innovate in your sourdough baking?
I browse grocery store aisles for inspiration, looking at new products or flavor combinations. I also explore seasonings, sauces, and my grandma’s cookbooks to spark creativity.
What future goals or aspirations do you have for your Instagram account and your sourdough journey?
I just launched a collaborative cookbook for the holidays and would love to publish my own sourdough cookbook in the next year or two. I’m also planning a sourdough baking retreat in 2025 to connect with my followers in real life.
How do you balance the creative aspects of baking with the business side of things, like working with brands and managing social media?
My degree in marketing and corporate experience prepared me to start my own business. However, some things I’ve had to figure out as I go, and it’s been a learning process.
Lastly, what is one piece of essential advice you would offer to someone who is just starting out with their own sourdough baking journey?
Just start! So many people are scared to start or fail, but trying something new is never a waste. You’ll never know if you love it if you don’t try. Keep practising, learning, and growing. One day, you’ll open your Dutch oven lid, see the most beautiful loaf, and feel so proud of yourself for just doing it!
Closing Thoughts
Emily’s story is more than a tale of sourdough success—it’s a testament to resilience, creativity, and community. From experimenting with family recipes to creating inspired content for her growing Instagram audience, Emily has redefined what it means to be a sourdough influencer. Her journey, shaped by cross-country moves, motherhood, and a deep love for baking, reminds us that sourdough doesn’t have to be perfect to be delicious. Through Country Roads Sourdough, she’s not only teaching people to bake bread but also to embrace imperfections, take chances, and find joy in the process. Whether you’re curious about her creative Flavored Focaccia series or looking for tips on getting started with sourdough, Emily’s expertise and warmth make her the perfect guide. We at The Sourdough People are deeply grateful to Emily for sharing her time and story with us, and for inspiring bakers around the world to take the plunge into sourdough. As she dreams of publishing her own cookbook and hosting a sourdough retreat, one thing is clear—Emily’s journey is far from over, and her mission to make sourdough approachable for all is just beginning. If you’ve ever thought, “I could never bake bread like that,” Emily is here to prove you wrong.
So, what are you waiting for? Roll up your sleeves, get baking, and have some fun with sourdough!
