My love for baking began early, inspired by my nana, my mom, and my aunt. I attended culinary school through high school and into early college, where I had the privilege of being mentored by incredibly talented chefs who shaped both my skill and my appreciation for the craft. I fell in love with the art of bread, the science of pastry, and the way food brings people together.

Alongside that, I worked at Starbucks and, after years of learning and growing there, earned the title of Coffee Master — a role that deepened my understanding of coffee and hospitality. Coffee became more than a drink to me. It was connection. It was conversation. It was community.

But somewhere along the way, I stepped into a different path. I shifted into the medical field during college and, in the process, slowly lost a part of myself. I was chasing something that didn’t quite fit the calling on my heart.

Then God rewrote my story.

I met my husband; a Marine, and stepped into life as a military spouse. In what felt like a whirlwind, we welcomed two babies in under two years. Motherhood changed me. It refined me. It called me back to what mattered most.

In the quiet (and sometimes not-so-quiet) seasons of raising little ones, I began to feel the pull back to what I loved — slow living, intentional homemaking, fresh bread, strong coffee, and gathering people around a table.

We began homesteading. We chose homeschooling. I leaned more deeply into church, into biblical motherhood and femininity, and into creating a home centered on faith, warmth, and purpose. And in that return to intentional living, I rediscovered myself.

One day, I felt a sudden, inexplicable nudge to reach out to someone I didn’t even know — Alysia. Something in my heart told me she might be part of the dream God was stirring in me. I sent her a message, unsure what would come of it, and the response was immediate warmth and encouragement. From the very first conversation, Alysia’s heart for people and faith-filled vision felt like home. Meeting her family — her husband, her four daughters, and the love that filled their home — only confirmed it. Their welcome was so genuine, so wholehearted, it felt as though God had been quietly preparing the path for this partnership all along.

Honey and Leaven Co. is the fruit of that journey.

It is more than a coffee shop and bakery. It is a reflection of the life we are building — one rooted in faith, community, simplicity, and hospitality. A safe place to gather. A place where moms can breathe, families can connect, and conversations can linger over fresh bread and good coffee.

This space represents returning to your calling. It represents slow mornings, open doors, and living with intention.

Hello sweet people 🤍
My name is Alysia. I’m married to my high school sweetheart, Shannon, a proud Marine veteran, and together we are blessed with four beautiful girls: Addyson, Alayna, Avalynn, and Alyza.

For over 15 years, I worked as a dental assistant. After welcoming our third child, I felt a pull to follow a dream that had been quietly growing in my heart. I went back to school for culinary arts and graduated in 2023 with my Applied Science degree in Culinary.

I’ve always loved cooking, but somewhere along the way, baking stole my heart (just kidding fam, I still love you guys the mostest 😉).

For years, I dreamed of opening a bed and breakfast, a place where I could host people, love them well, and serve food made with care. While that dream isn’t within reach just yet, God had a different plan. He called me into the community to be His hands and feet, sharing His love one baked good at a time.

God placed this dream together slowly, piece by piece, until He brought the missing ingredient: Hope. Not just metaphorically but physically my new partner, Hope Primozic. What a perfect name for what this world, and my heart, needed. I am so grateful for the answered prayer of a business partner who shares the same vision and faith. Thank you, Lord, for bringing hope and Hope into this journey.

My prayer is that when you walk into Honey & Leaven Co., you feel God’s presence and the peace you need in that very moment. That you feel loved, encouraged, and welcomed. And for those who don’t yet know Him, I pray you leave with a curiosity or even a hunger for Jesus.

“Gracious words are like honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.”
Proverbs 16:24

“The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into flour until it worked all through the dough.”
Matthew 13:33

In the Bible, honey represents sweetness, abundance, and God’s goodness.
Leaven, though small, represents growth and transformation.

Honey & Leaven is more than baking ingredients. It represents:

• Sweetness that nourishes the soul
• Small beginnings that rise into something beautiful
• Faith working quietly but powerfully
• A place of warmth, comfort, and gathering

Let us all strive to be the Honey and the Leaven in this crazy world and always remember to be the Salt of the Earth. 🤍

Blessings, 

Hope and Alysia