Today we’d like to introduce you to Malinda Sawyer
Hi Malinda, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Baking has always been a passion of mine, dating back to my childhood. I can still remember spending hours at my friend’s house in elementary school, experimenting with different recipes and learning the joy of baking. Those early days of baking together left me with a love for the process that has stayed with me throughout my life, though it has taken different forms in different seasons.
About five years ago, a friend introduced me to sourdough bread. She had just learned how to make it and offered me some of her starter. I was immediately hooked! I started baking sourdough regularly. There’s something special about pulling a loaf of freshly baked bread out of the oven—it’s both satisfying and comforting. I began making sourdough loaves for my family, friends, events, and special occasions, and it quickly became something I truly loved doing.
In the fall of 2023, my family faced some unexpected medical bills, and we needed to find creative ways to cover the costs. A few friends suggested I try selling my bread. At first, I laughed at the idea—I couldn’t imagine people actually buying my bread! But I decided to give it a shot and offered loaves to close friends and members of our church in exchange for donations. The response was incredible, and thanks to the generosity of our community, we were able to raise the funds we needed. It was such a rewarding experience, both financially and emotionally.
Right around that time, our church, Rise City Church was preparing for its annual “Christmas Offering,” an event where all funds raised are donated to charitable causes. I thought it would be a great opportunity to contribute, so I offered up my bread again, this time with all donations going to the Christmas Offering. I also hosted a sourdough bread-making class, where participants could donate whatever they felt comfortable giving. The success of both efforts sparked an idea: what if I turned this passion into a small business?
My husband and I started brainstorming what it would look like to sell bread from home, and by the end of 2023, I was officially approved as a cottage bakery by the county. Over the past year, we’ve been reinvesting the profits back into the business, which has allowed us to purchase a commercial fridge, a bread oven, and a mixer. And that’s how it all began!
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Starting a business, like life itself, is a journey with its fair share of ups and downs. While the joy I find in baking has been a constant, there have certainly been challenges along the way. One of the biggest struggles I’ve encountered is the temptation of comparison. It’s something I talk about with everyone who takes one of my sourdough bread-making classes: comparison can be a thief of joy. It’s easy to get caught up in what other bakers are doing, but I’ve learned to focus on my own path and what brings me fulfillment in the process.
In 2024, our family faced an unexpected and heartbreaking loss with the passing of my father-in-law. He lived with us part-time, and his loss was felt deeply by all of us. I had originally planned to expand the business that summer, but we made the decision to scale back and prioritize spending time together as a family. That choice turned out to be a blessing, though it wasn’t easy. I’m incredibly grateful for the time we had, and for the understanding and support of my customers who were so patient when I took a break from baking.
It wasn’t the road I had planned, but I’ve come to realize that taking that step back was exactly what we needed. It gave me the space to reflect, regroup, and come back to the business with renewed energy and perspective.
Now, I’m slowly ramping back up and feeling really excited for what the future holds. I’m eager to continue growing the business, learning new things, and sharing my love for sourdough with even more people.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
In addition to running my sourdough bakery, I work full-time as an Assistant Director at a university, where I’ve been fortunate to work with students and colleagues for over 10 years. It’s a role I truly enjoy, but being a mom of two is by far the most rewarding job I have – cliche, but so true. Balancing family, work, and my bakery is always a challenge, but it’s one I’m thankful for, and my husband and I are constantly learning how to make it work.
In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
So much has changed in our family and business over the past five years, so I won’t pretend to predict exactly what the future holds. However, I do hope that more people will continue to recognize the value in supporting small businesses and buying food made with high-quality, thoughtfully sourced ingredients. As for my own bakery, I’d love to expand by sharing more of the recipes I’ve developed—perhaps through e-recipes or a short e-cookbook. Maybe even creating a class people can take online. Ultimately, I hope to keep baking for my community and building relationships through the bread I make.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://hotplate.com/malindajoysourdough
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/malindajoysourdough/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Malinda-Joy-Sourdough-61556223135509/?_rdr
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@malindajoysourdough
