Sourdough

By Nitza Masri

"I am not 'daughter of', I am Nitza." This phrase became my mantra throughout my journey as an entrepreneur in the restaurant industry. Being a young, entrepreneurial woman brings with it a unique set of challenges, especially in a world where connections and last names seem to open doors more easily than talent and passion.

Founding a bakery together with my mother has been an enriching experience and an immense pride for me, pushing her to do a business that was unknown to both of us has been a work and family challenge. I think the most difficult thing has been in terms of establishing roles and making decisions without emotions interfering. Each one of us has a different rhythm and something different to contribute to the business, my mom her recipes and her passion for cooking and me my desire to start and operate this business. However, despite the great opportunity of having their support and collaboration, my goal has always been to forge my own path, to demonstrate that my success does not depend on a family legacy, but on my own effort and dedication.

Gastronomy, and particularly bakery, is a sector traditionally dominated by men, which did not make the road easy (neither for her, nor for me). From the beginning, I was faced with the need to overcome gender stereotypes and to constantly demonstrate my ability and knowledge. We are often perceived as less capable in roles that have historically been masculine, and in my case, demonstrating that a woman can lead a successful bakery, which also uses complex techniques such as sourdough, was a constant challenge.