11/07/2025
Every morning, the smell of freshly baked bread fills our Chicago office thanks to Paul Barnes, Software Engineer, who shares homemade loaves with his teammates.
What started as a personal hobby has turned into a daily moment of connection that everyone looks forward to. It’s a small act that’s become a big part of our culture—proof that community can rise (pun intended) from something as simple as sharing bread.
“You wouldn’t guess that my bread hobby started with a childhood fascination with fungus,” Paul laughs. “I didn’t actually set out to make bread—it started from wanting to experiment with starter yeast.”
For Paul, baking is about more than just bread. “I’ve always believed that culture is founded on sharing food, and I get this mushy feeling when people enjoy what I’ve made. I started baking for a couple of friends in the office, but it spread quickly and became part of people’s morning routines. It’s fun to see that, and I don’t want to stop—I’m a fun guy, after all.” 🍞✨
