Sisters Turn Summer Into a Sourdough Startup with 'Dough Babies Bakery' in Copper Lakes
In a cozy kitchen tucked inside the Westlake section of Copper Lakes, the smell of freshly baked sourdough wafts through the air as Bailey and Blair Shipp, ages 8 and 5, pull another golden loaf from the oven. The sisters are the heart—and hands—behind Dough Babies Bakery, a summer business born from curiosity, community, and a whole lot of heart.
What began as a creative family idea to keep the girls engaged over the break has quickly grown into a real neighborhood favorite. “We, as parents, wanted them to do something productive and worthwhile over the summer,” explained their mother, Jillian Shipp. “We discussed many ideas going through the pros and cons of each. Ultimately we decided on something that could be recurring revenue and something they could grow into doing almost by themselves.”
From Playtime to Profit Margins
The idea took root with the help of their dad Nate, a corporate financial consultant who helped the girls crunch numbers, evaluate costs, and settle on a fair price—$10 per loaf, with extra for mix-ins. “We sat down with them, calculated cost and looked at what competitors charged and came up with a similar price to the market here in Houston,” Jillian shared.
The girls chose sourdough not only because they love eating it, but because they understood it as both challenging and unique. "Sourdough is something they both like to eat a lot and we discussed that it's very versatile and something that others find difficult to do on a regular basis," said Shipp.
With Nate’s love of advanced baking projects and the girls' years of kitchen experience at their side, Dough Babies Bakery was born.
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Meet the Dough Babies
Bailey, the eldest, is a natural helper with a love for teaching and organization. She’s already talking about becoming a teacher one day. Blair, the younger of the two, is full of energy and eager to learn from her big sister. Together, they tag-team each bake, sometimes working on separate mixers to keep up with demand.
“They both love learning to cook and bake with us,” said Jillian. “Bailey likes the packaging process and making it pretty. Blair enjoys the shaping process and learning the designs for the top.”
Their process is impressively professional. Starting with a well-fed starter from a family friend, they scale ingredients, mix dough, shape it, allow it to proof for over a day, bake it for an hour, and let it cool before packaging. The result? Artisan and sandwich-style sourdough loaves that have caught the attention of neighbors and family friends alike.
Neighbors Eat It Up
So far, Dough Babies Bakery has served mostly the Copper Lakes community, with pick-ups coordinated via email and order form. And while the business is young, the feedback has been positive and heartwarming. “We have heard good things from people that have bought from us,” Jillian said.
The girls are even dreaming up a self-service bread stand outside their home if interest continues. But what sets their venture apart isn't just the bread—it's the heart behind it.
“When they learned about people that don't have homes they immediately made loaves for the homeless,” Jillian said. “Whenever we are in an area we normally see someone asking for food or money we have started to bring bread and share with them.”
This heartwarming illustration captures sisters Bailey and Blair Shipp of Copper Lakes, Baking Up Bigger Dreams
In just a few weeks, the sisters have picked up more than baking skills. They've learned about cost management, financial responsibility, and customer service—often pushing past nerves to talk with adults and coordinate pickups. “We have tried to teach them about separation of personal and business finances, taking responsibility for getting orders out on time, and doing things that make them nervous,” their mom noted.
Watching their enthusiasm has been a pleasant surprise for the family. “How excited they are when someone orders and that they love sharing the things they make so much!” Jillian added. “Also, I was surprised at how much they wanted to pay off their debt to us for helping them buy their materials.”
Looking ahead, Bailey and Blair hope to continue Dough Babies Bakery into the school year—and maybe even expand to a pop-up stand or local farmers market, provided they can fund it themselves.
More Than a Loaf
When asked what message she hopes readers take away from their story, Jillian didn’t hesitate. “That by supporting this small business they are helping shape two young girls' lives in important ways.”
Dough Babies Bakery may be small for now, but its impact—on two young entrepreneurs, their family, and their community—is rising fast.
Order a Loaf
- Email: doughbabiesbakeryhtx@gmail.com
- Order Online: HERE
Stay tuned with My Neighborhood News for more inspiring stories from Cypress, Copper Lakes, and beyond.
Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.
