Volume 4 Chapter 10: From First Birthday Cake to First Street

Volume 4 Chapter 10: From First Birthday Cake to First Street

If you love innovation, community investment, and delicious baked goods, this episode is for you. In this episode of Snohomish Storytellers, hosts Sheila and Maygen sit down with Lauren Anderson-Porter, the founder of https://grainartisanbakery.com/Grain Artisan Bakery [https://grainartisanbakery.com/] in downtown Snohomish—a beloved dedicated gluten-free bakery known for high-quality pastries, sourdough, and a strong community-first approach. Lauren shares her inspiring journey from baking out of necessity for her son’s first birthday to building a thriving brick-and-mortar bakery on First Street. You’ll hear how Lauren grew from a WSDA Cottage Foods [https://agr.wa.gov/cottagefood] permit to farmers markets, to commercial kitchens, and finally into her own storefront—opening in November 2020 after a successful community-backed Kickstarter. Along the way, she talks candidly about what it takes to run a food business with slim margins, why transparency matters, and how Grain is working to make allergen-friendly baked goods more accessible through community partnerships. WHAT YOU’LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE * How Grain Bakery grew from a cottage kitchen to a storefront in downtown Snohomish * Why farmers markets (Snohomish + Capitol Hill) were key to building a loyal customer base * The realities of running a small food business: pricing, margins, staffing, and sustainability * How Lauren approaches business growth with a “Point B exists—I’ll figure out how to get there” mindset * What it means to lead with transparency (and why customers respond to it) * How Grain used Main Street America / American Express grants to invest in equipment, systems, and community impact * Grain’s partnership with the Snohomish Food Bank to provide gluten-free, dairy-free vegan scones FEATURED GUEST Lauren — Founder of Grain Artisan Bakery [https://grainartisanbakery.com/], downtown Snohomish Lauren shares her background moving from the Midwest to Washington, her early years hustling through markets and custom orders, and how relationships in the Snohomish community helped open the door to a permanent storefront. Podcast Presented by the Historic Downtown Snohomish Association [https://www.historicdowntownsnohomish.org/].

Volume 4 Chapter 9: Come to Snohomish, Find a Farm!

Keith Stocker, fourth-generation farmer and owner of Stocker Farms, shares the story behind one of Snohomish’s most beloved destinations. From the early days of local farms embracing agro-tourism to the collaboration that helped put Snohomish on the map, Keith offers a behind-the-scenes look at the land, legacy, and creativity that continue to shape the valley. He also gives us a peek at what’s new at Stocker Farms this year, including speed dating, car shows, and fresh ways to welcome visitors into the story.

Volume 4 Chapter 8: Surprise! From Behind the Mic to Center Stage with Trent DeVerter

Just like Snohomish spring weather, podcast plans don’t always go exactly as expected… and this month’s episode is the perfect example. While we originally had another guest lined up, we’re excited to bring you a delightful surprise instead — Trent DeVerter, owner of Red Trux and the very person who helps make this podcast happen behind the scenes. In this episode, Trent steps out from the producer’s chair and into the guest spotlight to share his journey from corporate America to small business ownership — with a meaningful detour through volunteer leadership and graduate studies in communication. If we had to describe Trent in one word, it would be advantageous — someone who sees opportunity, builds connections, and shows up in big ways for his community. You’ll also notice a surprise swap-out at the host mic… an up-and-coming podcaster in the making? We’ll let you be the judge.  This episode may be arriving one week later than planned, but we promise — it was worth the wait. We hope you enjoy this unexpected and inspiring conversation.

Volume 4 Chapter 7: The Art of Volunteer Stewardship

Some people volunteer, some people serve, and then there are people like Terry Lippincott— a retired middle school teacher turned civic force of nature. Terry is one of Snohomish’s newest City Council members and a longtime champion of community life, having served 12 years on the Planning Commission. She’s also the president of Friends of the Library, a member of the Lions Club, the Carnegie Foundation, the Giving Circle of Women Taking Over the World—and that’s just what we managed to write down. But titles only tell part of the story. Terry is a community connector, someone who understands the power of relationships and uses her social capital to bring the right people into the right rooms at the right time. In our conversation, she shares what she’s learned about volunteer stewardship, leadership, and how strong communities are built—not by a single hero, but by people who know how to invite others in. If you’ve ever wondered how things actually get done in Snohomish, or what it takes to sustain volunteer-driven organizations, this episode is a masterclass. Basically… if something meaningful is happening in Snohomish, Terry probably had a hand in it.

Volume 4 Chapter 6: The Love Language of Stewardship

In this episode, we sit down with Melody Clemans, one of the founding members of the Snohomish Carnegie Foundation and a steadfast steward of one of our town’s most beloved landmarks. Melody’s story is one of quiet determination and deep love—proof that some things are worth fighting for, even when the timeline stretches longer than anyone expects. After more than 20 years of dedication, Melody saw her vision realized as the Carnegie building once again became the heart of Snohomish—a place where core memories are made, the community gathers to celebrate, and legacy continues to live on. This conversation reminds us why the work we do matters—not just for ourselves, but for generations yet to come. Our actions, care, and persistence ripple outward in ways we may never fully see, shaping lives and stories far beyond our own.