Kristin Middleton didn’t let age, depression, or detours hold her back. After a rich career in wine and a life-changing health scare, she launched BougieGougies.com — a Seattle bakery reviving the French cheese puff.

This conversation dives deep into courage, reinvention, and the kind of clarity that only comes with time. Kristin's story reminds us: it’s never too late to dream again.

Timestamps:

0:00 – Intro + Kristin’s Early Dream of Entrepreneurship

0:03 – First Brush with Baking & the Magic of Gougères

0:08 – Career Detour: Banking, Wine, and Depression

0:16 – Hitting Reset in Her 60s + Canyon Ranch Turning Point

0:21 – COVID, Recovery, and the Idea That Wouldn’t Let Go

0:26 – Testing Bougie Gougies at Parties (Market Validation)

0:30 – Reading Candace Nelson’s Book: The Deciding Moment

0:33 – Launching Bougie Gougies in her 60's

0:36 – Mental Health, Energy, and Morning Structure

0:41 – The Role of Consultants and Business Support

0:45 – Goop Feature + Holiday Spike + Co-Manufacturing Plans

0:48 – Why Starting Late Can Be a Strength, Not a Weakness

Here is the list of a few books, Podcasts, Business Consultant, and Digital Marketing Consultant Kristin touched on:

Books

-Sweet Success by Candace Nelson https://amzn.to/3EWLF4Z

-The 5AM Club by Robin Sharma https://amzn.to/4k63b5w

-On Brand by Aliza Licht https://amzn.to/43iQNto

-Small Graces: The Quiet Gifts of Everyday Life by Kent Nerburn https://amzn.to/43mkz0k

-Dare to Lead by Brene Brown https://amzn.to/3ETdsmW

Podcasts

-Powerful Ladies (Host: Kara Duffy)

-Robin Sharma (for daily inspiration)

-A Touch More (Megan Rapinoe and Sue Bird)

Business Consultant: Kara Duffy (Kara Duffy.com)

Digital Marketing Consultant

-Marissa Stahl

-Cherry-Creative.com

Public Relations with Food & Beverage Specialty

-Delaney Vetter (Delaneyvettercommunications.com)

📬 Follow the journey on Substack (www.unlostcause.com) #UnLostCause #EncoreEntrepreneur #ReinventionAfter40 #Gougères #BougieGougies