Meet Valeriia Koltsova | Sourdough baker

We had the good fortune of connecting with Valeriia Koltsova and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Valeriia, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I’ve always struggled to find good quality bread in the States, having come from Europe. Most options have endless ingredient lists, which I couldn’t settle for. After discovering some sourdough videos, I was mesmerized by the delicate and complex process of making it. I started baking for family and friends, who loved it and encouraged me to start selling. I created an Instagram account, and it took off from there.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
About the Business:

YeastCo was born out of a longing for the comforting sourdough bread my husband and I grew up with in Ukraine. After moving to the U.S. in 2013 and working in Manhattan’s tech scene, we still felt something was missing. When we moved to Houston in 2022, we decided to recreate the bread that meant so much to us. What started as a personal project quickly grew into a passion, and soon we were sharing our sourdough with friends, neighbors, and the community.

What Sets Us Apart:

At YeastCo, every loaf is made with love and care. We’re dedicated to preserving the traditional methods passed down by our grandmothers, but we also put our own twist on things. We use alkaline water, Himalayan salt, and a 4-year-old sourdough starter that adds depth and character to our bread. These ingredients aren’t just for flavor—they’re part of our commitment to quality and authenticity. Our bread is a connection to our roots and a tribute to the rich traditions we cherish.

Pride and Excitement:

There’s something incredibly special about seeing people enjoy the bread we make. We’re proud of the community we’ve built around YeastCo, and it’s exciting to watch our bread bring comfort and joy to others. Whether it’s at a farmers’ market or through an online order, each loaf we bake is a reminder of how far we’ve come and how much we love what we do. We dream of opening a brick-and-mortar bakery where people can come together to share in the experience of real, handcrafted bread.

Challenges and Lessons:

Starting YeastCo hasn’t been without its challenges. Moving to a new city, navigating the complexities of running a business, and balancing our personal and professional lives—it’s been a journey. But through it all, we’ve learned the importance of perseverance and staying true to our values. We’ve faced obstacles, learned from them, and kept moving forward. The biggest lesson we’ve learned is that the love and care we put into our bread are what make it special, and that’s what keeps us going.

Our Story and Message:

YeastCo is our heart and soul, a reflection of where we come from and the journey that brought us here. Every loaf we bake carries with it the warmth of our family’s kitchen, the lessons learned from our grandmothers, and the love we pour into every step of the process. We didn’t just set out to make bread—we wanted to bring a piece of our past into the present, to share the comfort and connection that real, honest food can bring.

When you taste our bread, you’re not just enjoying a product; you’re sharing in our story. It’s the story of two people who left their home but never let go of the traditions that shaped them. We use alkaline water, Himalayan salt, and a 4-year-old sourdough starter because these aren’t just ingredients—they’re the essence of what makes our bread so special. They connect us to our roots and to everyone who takes a bite.

Our dream is to create something lasting, something that brings people together around the table, just like our families did back in Ukraine. We want to share that feeling of comfort, of home, of belonging. YeastCo is more than a business to us—it’s our way of giving back, of creating something that matters. And we’re so grateful to everyone who has joined us on this journey, helping us turn a simple love of bread into something much bigger than we ever imagined.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Stroll Buffalo Bayou Park, enjoy Frank’s Pizza, the Museum District, and Xochi; visit NASA, Killen’s BBQ, the Arboretum, and Uchi; explore the Zoo, The Heights, Coltivare, and Axelrad; experience the Rothko Chapel, Ninfa’s, Chinatown, and Miller Outdoor Theatre; have fun at Kemah Boardwalk, T-Bone Tom’s, Galveston, and Gaido’s; brunch at Dish Society, explore Montrose, dine at Hugo’s, and enjoy drinks at Z on 23; end with breakfast at Common Bond, a visit to Rice University, a final meal at Ninfa’s, and a loaf of YeastCo sourdough.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Shoutout to my husband, who admired every failed loaf I baked and never let me give up.

Website: https://www.yeastcobakery.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yeastco/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/YeastCo/61553839708191/

Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@yeastco