Today we’d like to introduce you to Maria Rosario.
Hi Maria, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My journey, like many parents, started at home, prioritizing my kids. But I’ve always had a creative itch and a desire to contribute financially—nothing crazy, just something to help us out. That led me down a few fun paths over the years. I tried selling intricate 3D paper crafts, making face masks back in 2020, and crafting beautiful polymer clay jewelry and woven cushion covers. I was always hustling, always learning!
The real game-changer was sourdough. It happened purely out of curiosity last year. I got fascinated by the starter—the science, the fermentation, how it actually works. I literally just wanted to ‘play with the science behind it.’ My first loaf was dense, but it tasted good, and that small success launched an obsession. I kept practicing until I could consistently pull out a beautiful boule.
The transition from hobby to business required a push. I had this profound moment at church where I realized my default answer to everything was ‘fear of uncertainty.’ I felt a nudge to stop overthinking things and just jump in. That day, I went home and immediately started researching how to build a micro-bakery.
I finished the class, took a deep breath, and set a pre-order date for October 1st. My prayer wasn’t for riches; it was just for one single order to validate that I was on the right track. And you know what? I got one order—for one loaf! I celebrated that sale like I had just sold out a stadium. It was the most incredible feeling.
The next sale, I asked for ten, and I got twelve orders. The support from the community has been absolutely amazing, and every time the business grows, I see it as a blessing. I truly want my faith and my personal values to be the core of what I do, which is why I named it ‘Heaven’s Secret Bakehouse.’ It’s a constant reminder that this business came from a place of curiosity, commitment, and significant divine encouragement. It’s hard work, but it’s fun, rewarding, and completely mine.”
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
“Smooth? For the most part, yes! The love and support have been overwhelming! I’d be lying if I said it was always easy though. The biggest hurdle, honestly, is the nerves that kick in right before I announce a new bake sale date. It’s not the baking itself, but the intense planning that follows. I start worrying: will the logistics work out? Will I be able to deliver everything perfectly on time?
And then there are the tiny details that can trip you up—like the packaging! Making sure I have the exact ‘right’ container for each type of cookie or loaf is a surprisingly stressful task. You just don’t want to miss those small details, because when you’re a micro-bakery, those little things are everything to the customer experience.”
We’ve been impressed with Heaven’s Secret Bakehouse, LLC, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
My small business, “Heaven’s Secret Bakehouse” is essentially a home-based micro-bakery, specializing in sourdough baked goods. That’s what sets us apart—we take that unique, slow-fermented flavor that people love in bread and put it into everything we make!
Right now, we offer a small range of products. Of course, the traditional sourdough bread loaves, some classic and others with fun inclusions like my seasonal Pumpkin loaf, or savory ones like the Italian spice and cheese. We also make some decadent blueberry lemon sourdough scones and tasty croissants.
But the surprising star of the show, the one everyone comes back for, is the sourdough chocolate chip cookie. They are definitely our best seller!
Looking ahead, I’m excited to expand our cookie and scone menus, and I’m currently developing a whole line of gluten-friendly products. That testing phase takes time to get right (my poor husband!!), but I want to make sure those are perfect before launch.
The way we operate is also pretty unique. Since we’re a micro-bakery, everything is done through a limited pre-order system on our online store. I’ll open a sale date for a set time, and once orders hit a certain number, we close. It keeps the quality high, and it makes the sale date feel a little exclusive! If readers want to make sure they never miss a sale, they can subscribe to get email or text notifications—that’s the secret way to get your hands on a loaf!
How do you think about luck?
That’s an interesting concept. I actually don’t really believe in ‘luck,’ whether it’s good or bad. For me, ‘luck’ implies just waiting for something to happen without any effort or purpose—it’s just chance.
I operate on a completely different premise: trust and guidance. My faith is the foundation of everything. When I put my trust in God, I believe He guides my actions, which is what works for me and the bakehouse.
This principle is actually built into my brand. As I mentioned, the business is called ‘Heaven’s Secret Bakehouse,’ and it’s inspired by the Bible verse, Jeremiah 33:3. That verse holds special significance because I’ve seen the number 333 everywhere since I was a child. It became so frequent that I finally decided to sit down with my Bible until I understood the message behind it, and that’s how I found Jeremiah 33:3.
So, when I see that number now, it’s not about hoping for a lucky break; it’s a moment for me to pause, say a quick prayer, and pay attention to the direction God is leading me. That guidance is much more powerful than any amount of luck
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heavens_secret_bakehouse
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61579387838886
- Other: https://app.simply-bread.co/heavenssecretbakehouse/signup
