How a 7-year-old’s hobby gave rise to a booming family bread business

By Monica D. Spencer, Senior Maricopa Reporter
Jul 21, 2025

It all started when Caleb Thompson learned how to make sourdough bread from his grandmother.

At age 7, Caleb Thompson scores a loaf of sourdough bread in his Rancho El Dorado kitchen in 2023. [Jenica Thompson]

At age 7, he learned the ins and outs of creating a starter, the stretch and fold and fermentation process. That prompted him to start his own small business — Caleb’s Sweet & Sourdough — which premiered a couple of years ago at the Maricopa Kids’ Entrepreneur Market.

But after becoming overwhelmed with a growing business, his mom Jenica Thompson of Rancho El Dorado stepped in to take the lead.

“He was like, ‘Mom, I don’t want to take all these orders. I want to bake when I want to bake because I like it,’” recalled mother Thompson, 42.

After supplying Maricopa with artisan, organic sourdough for two years, Thompson Family Sourdough company this month launched a pop-up shop inside Mandy’s Wine Bar.

It has most certainly stayed a family affair. Now aged 9, Caleb continues to operate his own sourdough business, while his 7-year-old sister Mikayla makes sweet treats to sell with the family.

What about Dad?

“He’s our oven watcher,” Thompson said. “We’ve had three ovens running at a time … he’s really monumental in keeping an eye on all three ovens and all the timers.”

Thompson Family Sourdough bakes specialties like rosemary garlic, jalapeno cheddar and parmesan garlic bread loaves, as well as the occasional unique flavors like everything bagel or chocolate cherry. They also sell handmade scones and bagels.

One of their most unique options is a bread flight for those who can’t quite decide which flavor to take home. The bread flights double as a fun treat for kids at Mandy’s while their parents sip the real stuff.

“It’s a sampler essentially, so it’s three tiny loaves of whatever flavors we have this week,” Thompson said.

The miniature and regular sized loaves are available for pickup from Thompson’s Rancho El Dorado home, as well as at Copa Farmer’s Market, Maricopa Water & Ice and the pop-up shops inside Mandy’s Wine Bar, which will happen every first Wednesday.

And while making and selling bread is a great way to make additional money for the family, Thompson said that’s not her favorite part.

“I love that we are building community. It’s just been really wonderful building friendships and literally feeding the community,” she said.

As for Caleb?

“Working together as a family,” he said.

Monica D. Spencer, Senior Maricopa Reporter

Monica is a government and economic development reporter for InMaricopa since February 2023. Previously, she worked for The Arizona Republic’s breaking news desk and visuals department.