Edna Suarez, owner of Artesan Bread Inc. Photo by Susi Franco, JEFAS Magazine.
By Karlha Velásquez
At 7 a.m., the aroma of fresh-baked bread drifts through the streets and draws neighbors toward Artesan Bread Inc., located at 215 North Main St. in Fremont, Nebraska. The woman behind this daily ritual is Edna Suárez, originally from Puebla, Mexico, who decided to turn her passion into a business.
For many, this bakery is the starting point of the day. Whether it’s with coffee in hand or a ham-and-cheese filled croissant, the workday doesn’t officially begin until customers stop by this Latina-owned bakery, which has become a community landmark.
From Puebla to Fremont: Fulfilling a Dream
While sweet treats like traditional conchas and the famous tres leches cake are the most popular, savory breakfasts have been part of the secret to a success that has remained strong since 2015.
Suárez recalls that as a child, she knew the kitchen was her calling: she sold her first cake at just 9 years old. Years later, she would meet Raúl Moreno, a professional baker and, more importantly, the man who became her partner in both life and business. What began as a shared dream materialized when they decided to take the leap and open Artesan Bread Inc.
The initial investment came from a friend, a loan, and a lot of trust. “We worked day and night, with just one full-time employee and two part-time workers. There was no other option: Either it worked, or it worked,” Suárez recalls with a smile that reveals more pride than exhaustion.
A Mother’s Heart and Entrepreneurial Spirit
If opening a bakery is challenging, doing it while raising six children is almost an Olympic sport. Suárez admits that with the first three it was tough because the business demanded every minute of her time. However, she learned to find balance. Today, alongside her husband, she runs a nearly military-like family logistics system: one stays at the bakery while the other goes to soccer games, karate, or school activities.
“We take turns. If I miss a game, he goes; if he’s tired, I go. In the end, the kids always have one of us in the stands,” she explains.
A Colorful Display Case
Artesan Bread’s success isn’t just about the quality of their baked goods, but also Suárez’s eye for beauty. “The secret is in the team and the colorful display case,” she shares.
She manages schedules and payroll, takes care of employees, and ensures the display case always looks attractive. “There are breads that aren’t very popular, but we like to have them. They look beautiful and keep the display case colorful,” she says.
That attention to detail also keeps her employees around for years, though she acknowledges with humor that some still struggle taking orders from a woman. “With my husband there’s no problem, but with me, that’s when the machismo comes out. They still work well, but sometimes they have trouble obeying me. I don’t let them get away with it, of course,” she says with a laugh.
Edna Suarez, owner of Artesan Bread Inc. Photo by Susi Franco, JEFAS Magazine.
Perseverance Is Key
After years of 16-hour days while caring for her family, Suárez realized she needed time for herself. Now she indulges in small pleasures: going to the beauty salon, having coffee with friends, or shopping trips. “It doesn’t always happen, but when it does, it feels glorious,” she says.
Her husband even encourages her. “Go ahead,” he says. “I’ll take care of the kids.”
These days, as Suárez watches familiar faces file in for their daily treat, she reflects on the journey that brought her here. She is proof that dreams aren’t baked overnight. They require patience, hard work, and perseverance. Her advice is clear: “Never stop fighting for what you want. Sometimes it takes longer, but it’s always worth it.”
As she lives this philosophy, the bakery continues to fill with loyal customers drawn by the magic of her fresh-baked bread and the persistence of a woman who turned sacrifice into success, transforming her oven into a warmth shared across Fremont.
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