As with most great businesses, Stepladder Creamery evolved from a hobby. Founder Jack Rudolph had a love affair with food from an early age. He tinkered with all types of fermentation in his home kitchen while working for a tech-start up in the Bay Area. Eventually, Jack took the leap, taking over his grandparents’ 750-acre ranch on the Central Coast of California, buying 10 goats from a nearby farm and adding a small creamery to the property. When Jack met his wife Michelle, she quickly joined the milking team and the two now manage the farm and creamery together. While the focus is always going to be on goat milk cheeses, the duo buys cows milk from a neighboring farm to make a handful of other cheeses as well as their incredible butter. Bonus – they also have a big guest house on the property so you can book yourself a stay during kidding season!