As a small business, community isn’t just something we support — it’s something we rely on. From the farmers who grow our beans to the baristas who pour each cup of coffee, we thrive because of the people who make it all possible. We know that for small businesses to grow, they need strong relationships and people who believe in their mission. That’s why we love welcoming other like-minded businesses into our cafes — especially those that are making a real impact.
This Valentine’s Day, we partnered with Bobbie, an organic infant formula company, to create a space where moms could meet, share their feeding journeys, and connect with one another over lattes and pastries. Parenthood, much like running a small business, isn’t something you do alone. It takes support from others, advice, and sometimes just the reassurance that you’re doing your best. That’s why Bobbie’s mission — offering parents a high-quality, judgment-free formula option — is one that resonated with us.
Founded by moms who couldn’t find the formula they wanted for their own babies, Bobbie was built with the same kind of grit, passion, and community-driven support that fuels small businesses like ours. Its founder, Laura Modi, took an industry dominated by large corporations and carved out a space for something better. She approached the challenge not as an impossible task, but as something that, when broken down into the right steps, was completely doable.
Or, as she puts it:
“It’s not rocket science, unless it’s rocket science.”
The idea that we often overcomplicate things — whether it’s how to feed your children, business decisions, or personal goals — is true for so many. We had the chance to sit down with Laura to hear more about how Bobbie came to life, what it means to build a company rooted in community, and why support systems matter for both parents and entrepreneurs alike.
Q&A with Bobbie Baby Formula Founder, Laura Modi
Bobbie was born from personal necessity. How did you go from an idea to launching the first new infant formula company in the U.S. in six years?
"Going from idea to launch was, I mean, honestly, more of, like, a passion project. It was waking up every single day, having enough courage and persistence to be able to build a supply chain, work with the regulatory experts, hire the right scientists, and just keep pushing forward despite the challenges. There was no clear roadmap or guidebook for this—there hadn’t been a new infant formula company to launch in six years, so we had to figure it out as we went. Every day was about making small steps forward, making the right connections, and ensuring that what we were creating was truly needed. And, of course, having more babies along the way made it all feel even more personal. It wasn’t just about launching a company—it was about creating something that moms, including myself, could trust and feel good about. Persistence and motivation were key. If we weren’t waking up every day with the drive to keep going, it never would have happened."
What was the scariest part of officially deciding to go for it and make the leap to commit to Bobbie?
"The scariest part of getting into it is always the unknown, right? You’re stepping into something where you have no experience, no formal education in the field, and no real playbook to follow. It’s not like you can open the yellow pages and find a list of infant formula manufacturers or a step-by-step guide on how to start a business like this. It’s just you, staring into the ether, trying to figure out where to even begin. There’s a thrill to that, but it’s also terrifying. On one hand, there’s an excitement in that naivete—going in with a fresh perspective and a belief that you can disrupt an industry. But on the other, you’re constantly battling the ‘what ifs.’ What if it doesn’t work? What if I fail? What if this is impossible? That fear of the unknown never fully goes away, but you learn to manage it and lean into the excitement of building something new."
What were the biggest challenges you faced in getting Bobbie approved by the FDA and onto shelves?
"I think the biggest challenge when working with regulatory standards is figuring out how to align the stringent requirements with our vision and supply chain. It’s a balancing act—finding the perfect Venn diagram where what we want to create aligns with what regulators expect us to deliver. In the world of a regulated product like infant formula, the industry and its regulations are always evolving, but often the regulations are playing catch-up to innovation. So there’s this push-and-pull of wanting to introduce something new and better while also making sure that we meet every necessary guideline. Regulations are critical for safety and trust, but they don’t always move as fast as new ideas do. That can be frustrating, but it’s also part of the process. Learning how to navigate that and find the right solutions was one of the biggest hurdles we had to overcome."
Your motto is, “It’s not rocket science, unless it’s rocket science.” Can you share a time when this philosophy helped you navigate a tough decision at Bobbie?
"I love that motto because I think if you approach everything in life as though it’s overly complicated and difficult, you’ll always feel blocked. The reality is, most things can be broken down into simple, manageable pieces. With Bobbie, at the end of the day, we are making powdered milk, and we are trying to help mothers feel good about that decision and give them peace of mind. If you strip it down to that essence, it’s clear—this isn’t rocket science. We need to make a great product, ensure it meets the highest standards, and support moms in their feeding journeys. When you look at it that way, everything feels a little less daunting. You don’t get caught up in the overwhelm—you just focus on the next step in making good milk and helping moms feel great about using it."
What personal experiences as a mom shaped the way you built Bobbie?
"I’ve built a lot of core values for Bobbie based on my own personal experiences as a mother, and one of those is nurturing the tension. As a mother, you’re constantly navigating that balance—getting quality time with your child while also wanting time for yourself, enjoying a glass of wine while also focusing on health, embracing the chaos and messiness at home while also craving order. There’s always a push and pull, and I’ve carried that into building Bobbie. Internally, there’s tension between wanting to move fast and break things versus ensuring there’s rigor and safety in what we create. It’s a constant balance between pushing innovation and maintaining the highest standards for an FDA-regulated product. So much of what I experience as a mom—embracing the mess, the imperfection, the need to adapt—has shaped the way I run this company."
What’s one piece of advice you’d give to new moms navigating the challenges of motherhood?
"I know this sounds so simple, but my biggest advice is just to take it day by day. It’s so easy to get caught up in what’s next, what’s coming, what other people are doing, and what you should be doing. But motherhood isn’t a formulaic journey. If I had tried to plan everything out perfectly with each of my four kids over the last nine years, I would have lost my mind. Every phase of motherhood is different, and instead of stressing about the future, I’ve learned to just focus on the month in front of me, the few weeks ahead, and truly enjoy that phase. It’s about being present and not getting overwhelmed by the unknowns. Parenting is unpredictable, and the best thing you can do is meet each day as it comes."
Why is community such a cornerstone of Bobbie’s mission?
"We have this phrase—'Make sure to keep the main thing, the main thing'—and for us, the main thing has always been community. From the very beginning, we wanted to ensure that when a mom using Bobbie down the street from another new mother joins our community, they have the opportunity to meet and support each other. Feeding choices, especially transitioning to formula, can feel isolating. There’s a lot of emotion tied to it, and we want moms to know they’re not alone. Knowing that there are other parents in your neighborhood, in your city, going through the same experience—that can be incredibly reassuring. So much of motherhood is about finding your village, and we want Bobbie to help moms connect with each other and feel supported."
Why do you think community is so important for mothers?
"No one prepares you to be a mom. You spend your whole life being told that you can do anything—climb the career ladder, go to college, compete in any industry—and then suddenly, motherhood happens, and it’s this huge shift. And it doesn’t always happen at the same time as your friends or family, so you often find yourself needing to rebuild a community. You’re going through this monumental life change, learning as you go, and it’s so important to have people around you who understand. Without that sense of community, it can be incredibly isolating. Motherhood is beautiful, but it’s also daunting and scary at times. Having a support system—people to share experiences with, ask questions, and just be vulnerable with—makes all the difference."
If you could go back and give yourself advice at the start of this journey, what would it be?
"If I could go back, I’d tell myself to embrace the naivete. It’s so easy to feel like you have to know everything before you start, that you need to have all the answers and experience to succeed. But looking back, I realize it was the very fact that I didn’t know everything that allowed me to disrupt this industry. Not knowing the traditional way of doing things meant I was able to challenge the status quo and ask questions that others weren’t asking. If I had been too caught up in feeling like I needed to be an expert before starting, I might never have taken the leap. So my advice would be: don’t get daunted by what you don’t know—embrace it. That’s where the magic happens."
