Mum rises to the occasion with sourdough workshops

A neighbourly chat about the challenges of baking sourdough has provided the starter for one local mum's dream business.

Stanwell Park local Kirsty Richardson has two children, a degree in naturopathy and a passion for supporting people's wellbeing. Channelling her personal and professional experience into a small business seemed like the natural next step, so in July last year she went ahead and founded the No Fuss Sourdough workshops.

"I did one workshop in Stanwell Park, which booked out so I opened more and so on," Kirsty says.

"As a parent of two young children, I understand firsthand how real the juggle of everyday life can be – balancing work, family, and health."

Kirsty has been holding her classes at local cafes in Stanwell Park, Helensburgh and Thirroul. Workshops attract eight to 10 people and her goal is to share practical advice.

"The idea for this workshop actually started during a conversation with a neighbour who said sourdough just seemed too hard and intimidating to try. That really stuck with me, because I realised a lot of people probably feel the same way.

"I wanted to create something that shows people sourdough doesn’t have to be complicated – you just need a little guidance and support to get started."

Kirsty thrives on meeting locals and giving them the confidence to bake their own bread.

"I love helping people realise that it’s actually something they can do themselves, and that it doesn’t have to be complicated," she says. "It’s really rewarding to watch that shift where people see they do have more control over their health and over what they’re putting into their bodies and feeding their families."

Like many small start-ups, Kirsty has found that spreading the word about her services is the biggest challenge.

"Investing a lot of money into marketing can feel like a big step, so at the moment I’m really focusing on word of mouth, which naturally takes time to grow. But at the same time, it’s incredibly rewarding to hear what people say about the workshops and to see that positive feedback being shared within the community."

Maintaining a work-life balance is key and, when she's not busy baking, you'll find Kirsty at the beach or enjoying a nature walk in the Royal National Park. 

Workshops cost $80 for a 90-minute class and this includes a starter that participants use to make a dough they can take home to bake later. Contact Kirsty@naturallyinterested or check out www.nofuss-sourdough.com.au