Starting a home bakery looks different with multiple sclerosis
This process has taught me how to make room for my ambitions and my health
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When I was a little girl, I spent many days at my grandmother’s house while my parents worked. We tended to her garden, gossiped on the front porch, and baked together in the kitchen. I reminisce about those days with love, happiness, and comfort, as they are some of my fondest memories.
From then on, my love for baking continued to grow. Every time I bake, I am reminded of those special days spent with my grandmother and the memories we created together in her kitchen, which I will always miss.
I never imagined that those cherished moments would one day inspire me to start a small home bakery. After earning my PhD in May, I found myself ready to step into a different chapter. However, relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis has a funny way of limiting my ventures.
Building a business while caring for myself
In the midst of launching Lucky & Severus Bakery Co., some of my symptoms began to manifest in ways they hadn’t in a while. My migraines became more frequent and intense, triggering eye strain.
It was frustrating because I was in the middle of building something that brought me so much joy. I was excited about the bakery’s possibilities and about learning what it meant to run a business. At the same time, my body was reminding me that I couldn’t simply push through everything the way I had before.
Launching a business was supposed to start a new chapter for me. Instead, it quickly became a lesson in building something while also making room for the realities of my health. I had to ask myself difficult questions about what I could realistically take on, when I needed to slow down, and what it would mean to grow a business without sacrificing myself in the process. These questions aren’t anything new because I have often found myself taking on much more than I can bargain for.
Throughout this process, I have learned more about myself than ever before. There is something incredibly rewarding about taking a collection of ingredients and turning them into a product that becomes part of someone’s celebration. Whether it is decorating a cake, experimenting with a new flavor, or watching an idea come together in a way that looks even better than I imagined, baking gives me a sense of accomplishment that is difficult to put into words.
At the same time, building a bakery has taught me that loving something does not mean I will always have an unlimited capacity to do it. Baking can be physically demanding. It involves hours spent standing, mixing, decorating, lifting, cleaning, packaging, marketing, and making sure every little detail is right. When my symptoms became more noticeable, I had to confront the reality that the version of baking I had envisioned for myself might not be sustainable.
Lucky & Severus Bakery Co. is still growing, and so am I. I am learning how to build a business that makes room for both my ambitions and my realities. I am learning that I do not have to choose between taking care of myself and pursuing something I love. I can find a way to do both, even if that means taking a different path than I originally imagined.
In many ways, the bakery has become more than a business; it’s another part of my journey. It is teaching me about creativity, perseverance, patience, adaptability, and myself. And perhaps the most important thing I am learning is that there is no single way to build something meaningful. Sometimes, you have to create your own recipe.
Note: Multiple Sclerosis News Today is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Multiple Sclerosis News Today or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to multiple sclerosis.
Lisa Bowser
I wish you all the best in your new venture. I also have fond memories of my grandma growing up. We were there every Sunday growing up, and we spent Saturday's together going grocery shopping and eating lunch. Those were some of my most treasured memories. Have a blessed rest of your day and continue to be a blessing through your writing. I always look forward to your next article. Thank you!