When Logan Schneider received a cancer diagnosis, the last thing the self-described perfectionist and workaholic wanted to do was drop out of law school. However, after a medically-necessary transition back home to Wilton, Logan has found a new calling based on a childhood dream.
“I was at a point in my life where I felt like everything I had worked for was just kind of ripped away from me… and I was really struggling with trying to find a purpose. I just felt like I was either going to go down a really dark path or I was going to change my life for the better.”
‘Mom & Me’ bakery rose from the ashes of Logan’s old life, but she has no desire to go back. Instead, she is pouring love, hard work and food dye into the baking business she co-founded with her mother, Susan Schneider.
The founding of their business traces back to Logan’s childhood.
“I would sit her up on the counter— they’ve always been baking with me,” Susan shared, referring to her children. “I taught them math with how to bake. It was like play time for them.”
Susan, a freshly retired nurse, has always loved baking. It was a skill she learned from her own mother and grandmother (plus all of the cooking shows she watches) and one she naturally passed down to her own children.
“It’s our happy place,” Susan said.
Now, it’s become a business — but Logan and Susan claim that mixing work with pleasure hasn’t detracted from the joy.
“There are times when it’s extremely stressful, but it’s enjoyable. We’re hanging out all day, doing what we love,” Logan explained.
Logan and Susan shared that they received many warnings about the potential minefield of going into business with a family member, but that this was never a problem for them.
“We love being together. My mom and I have a really close relationship.” Logan said.
“She’s my hero.” Susan added.
You may know ‘Mom & Me’’s myriad selection of treats from their Village Market display, which often includes almost a dozen different types of freshly baked goods.
They do it all — from classics such as cookies and brownies, to seasonally decorated rice crispy treats or personalized cakes. Luckily for them, they each have a different specialty.
“It’s great that we’re a team, because there are jobs that I’m like — this one’s for you,” Logan joked.
“I love the cookies, the fondant work, the sculpturing.” Susan explained.
“She likes the classic, like, you just came home and mom baked. Her cookies are phenomenal, and she’s very artistic.” Logan added.
Logan also expressed her passion for creating tasty vegan and gluten free products after dealing with dietary restrictions throughout her life.
“We’re really proud of our gluten free and vegan products. Actually there are some that I’m like, if I’m gonna eat this cake, I’m gonna make it vegan and gluten free instead. It’s a real science.”
Experimentation and imagination are at the heart of their business. Both Susan and Logan agreed that they’re happy to create products based on a specific vision a customer has, but they really thrive when given room to sprinkle in some of their own creativity. Each customer is different, and they love catering to each individual need.
“We both care about not just the quality of our products, but the customer satisfaction. I would never put out anything that I wasn’t willing to pay the same amount. That would just eat me alive at night.” Logan said.
The results are speaking for themselves. ‘Mom & Me’ has taken off since its founding just over a year ago. It has become a full time job for Logan and the newly retired Susan, who are serving clientele in Connecticut and beyond.
In addition to their Village Market display, they are looking ahead to expanding into other grocery stores and maybe even opening a location of their own.
“I have absolute faith in our product,” Logan expressed. “It’s just figuring out, do we want to be on wheels so we can go out and sell, or do we want a store front where people are coming to us. So yeah, we’re just in the talking phases.”
Regardless of what the future holds for the duo, who operate out of their home in North Wilton, they’re both loving the process.
“When we started doing the bakery — I know it sounds corny, because it’s like, oh it’s just a dessert — but the satisfaction I get from seeing people’s faces light up when we give them something that we made, it just fills my heart and I’m like, ‘This is the best job ever.'” Logan said.
“I’m so proud of her. I really am,” shared Susan. “It makes me so happy just to watch her light up when someone comes in and she gives them whatever she’s made.”
You can learn more about their selection and place an order of your own via the Mom & Me Bakery website.
