Today we’d like to introduce you to Jessica Lefkowitz.
Hi Jessica, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I run a small home bakery that began during a season of big change. After college, I moved to Dallas for my first full-time job and suddenly had evenings and weekends free for the first time in years. Living alone and not knowing many people yet, I naturally returned to something I’ve always loved—baking.
What started as baking for myself and my team at the office quickly grew into something more. I decided to see if I could sell at a farmers market, both to offset ingredient costs and to meet people and build community. It took a couple of years, but once I got connected with the Saint Michael’s Farmers Market, everything became “real.” That’s when I went from baking for friends to baking for strangers—and getting paid for it. More importantly, people genuinely wanted what I was making.
The Saint Michael’s Farmers Market was an incredibly supportive community. Fellow vendors made early Saturday mornings and long summer days something I truly looked forward to, and they generously shared advice and encouragement as I learned how to grow. Because baking is a passion project rather than my full-time job, I’m able to experiment, try new techniques, and focus on one order at a time—putting care and love into every bake without pressure. Today, I focus on custom orders and event dessert catering, and while I no longer have time for the market, it played a huge role in helping me get to where I am now.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Thankfully, it has been an incredible experience overall. Since Poppy Seed Pastries is a side project, I am able to keep it light, fun, and creative. I have the flexibility to step back when work or life gets busy and return to it when I can fully devote my time and energy—something that has helped keep stress to a minimum. It also allows me to keep finances separate so that the bakery earnings can go towards covering bakery related costs rather than personal bills as well.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Professionally, I work in IT with a degree in computer engineering and a focus on cybersecurity. Since the work is technical, I am able to use the bakery as a creative outlet and stress reliever.
What matters most to you?
What matters most to me is making really tasty desserts that make people happy. I love having fun with presentation and trying creative designs, but the ultimate goal is always flavor. A cake at a wedding isn’t just for pictures—it’s what guests eat and remember. I love experimenting with recipes and giving people exactly what they want, whether that’s sweeter, less sweet, or a unique flavor combination. Being able to do that and see people enjoy it is what makes the work meaningful to me.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/poppyseedpastries/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/poppyseedpastries/
- Other: pseedpastries@gmail.com
