Jessie Vallorosi shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Good morning Jessie, it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? What do you think is misunderstood about your business?
Many people don’t realize how much discipline goes into crafting a bagel. I’ve dedicated countless hours to perfecting the process—each Bagel Babe bagel is rolled by hand, boiled, and baked fresh daily with fresh, high-quality ingredients. But the most important ingredient? Passion and love. This is not uncommon for us Bagel Babes. With New York City roots and Italian blood– we believe loyalty, presentation and tradition matter. We build our sandwiches with homemade schmears, freshly-cracked eggs and hand-sliced meats. Each bagel creation that leaves our assembly line is something we are proud of.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Jessie, and I’m the owner of Bagel Babe Co., our family-owned bagel business. I started experimenting with hand-rolled bagels in my own kitchen, using my family—self-proclaimed food critics—as my taste testers. It took months to perfect the process, but one day, I finally got it right. Now, I craft bagels every single day!
For the past two years, my family and I have been operating Bagel Babe Co. out of a food incubator called Foodie Labs. We have big plans to grow and can’t wait to move from the shared kitchen into our very own shop in the heart of St. Petersburg.
My family and I came into bagel-making with no professional experience—no culinary degrees, no restaurant background. What we do have is a tight-knit crew of food lovers who know how to cook and eat with passion. My sisters and I were raised in the kitchen. Even as little girls, barely tall enough to see over the counter, we stood beside our parents and grandma, watching and learning what it takes to create meals that leave a lasting impression.
When I moved to Florida in 2021, I decided to quit my job as an Athletic Trainer and roll up my sleeves to learn the art of bagel-making. After experimenting with recipes and lots of bagel rolling, I decided to move forward with the idea of opening a bagel shop. With my family’s determination, innovation, and a darn good bagel, we transformed a spontaneous idea into Bagel Babe Co.
Every aspect of our business is family-operated, with each member playing a meaningful role in our success. My older sister, Jamie, kickstarted our brand and introduced Bagel Babe Co. to the St. Petersburg community and beyond. A graduate of the Fashion Institute of Technology with a degree in Advertising and Marketing Communications, she’s been instrumental in growing our customer base and social media presence. Beyond that, she and her boyfriend, Dean, are both artists. Jamie’s creative eye helped bring our brand to life—from our voice to our visuals—and together they designed our adorable logo, the Bagel Babe gal!
My younger sister, Jordyn, and my parents are truly the heart of the business. They handle bagel assembly and menu creation, ensuring every detail reflects our family’s love for good food. Jordyn also brings our brand’s playful energy to life through her one-of-a-kind TikToks. And of course, none of this would have been possible without my dad—his entrepreneurial spirit, work ethic, resilience, and trust (plus a little funding, LOL) turned our dream into a reality.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
I think my family saw me for who I was—and who I could become—long before I did. Growing up in a close family means having built-in best friends who accept you completely, for who you are and who you’re not. The reflective conversations I’ve had with my sisters have helped me understand myself in ways I never could have on my own. Their perspectives constantly challenge and shape how I see myself and the world around me.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
If I could tell my younger self one kind thing, it would be: you are more than enough. As a child, it’s easy to lose sight of your own strength when you’re trying to navigate life and the world feels so much bigger and scarier than it really is. Figuring out who you are—and becoming the best version of yourself—is a lifelong process. The pressures of the world are constant, and that’s why it’s so important for children to be reminded of their worth.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
I think my closest friends would say that feeling appreciated and staying loyal are two of my core values. One of the greatest feelings in the world is when someone shows you how much they appreciate you. I’m a big believer that actions speak louder than words—even the smallest gestures of kindness can carry a lot of weight.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: What will you regret not doing?
Starting this business was a risk I was willing to take. If I didn’t put my whole heart and soul into making this dream a reality—by going all in and taking those leaps of faith—that’s what I would regret most.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://bagelbabeco.com/?srsltid=AfmBOooD1OhvdQpM8odV4pTfHwmHx8SVYLLds0WcmALSPxj2NFXkae5B
- Instagram: @bagelbabeco
- Facebook: Bagel Babe Co.
- Yelp: Bagel Babe
