Norfolk mom rises before dawn to build sourdough business from scratch

NORFOLK, Neb. — You don’t need a bakery to make great bread, just ask one Norfolk woman who’s been selling it right out of her own home.

Brittney Hoeft began baking sourdough in 2020 out of boredom during the pandemic. Six years later, she’s now 11 days into her role as a full-time bread baker, selling sourdough treats and enlisting her family’s help in the process.

“Yeah, I’m more of the taste tester and accountant,” said Dustin Hoeft.

Hoeft says she wakes up around 3am to start her bread-making process. She says some days there can more orders than others, so dad will make sure the boys are ready for the day. 

“I am done around seven. If I am not, Dad obviously comes in wakes them up around seven, makes sure that they get a bowl of cereal or, if they’re lucky enough, they get a fresh cinnamon roll or fresh bagel and are heading out the door,” said Brittney Hoeft. 

In a full house, her workspace is the family's kitchen, and her job as a mom remains full time. Still, she fulfills every online order while continuing to feed the mouths at home.

“It’s hard to decide because it’s all really good,” said Ryan Hoeft.

“Probably now the cinnamon rolls,” said Derek Hoeft. 

For those who want to start baking sourdough but don’t know where to begin, she says to ignore videos online and to stick to the basics.

“Don’t watch all the videos and all the things because everyone does it so different all the recipes are so different. Start with a very very basic sourdough recipe and you will get far,” said Brittney Hoeft.

Hoeft doesn’t have any current plans on moving into a store, but she has talked with her husband about making their home kitchen bigger.