We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Malinda Sawyer. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Malinda below.

Malinda, appreciate you joining us today. Getting that first client is always an exciting milestone. Can you talk to us about how you got your first customer who wasn’t a friend, family, or acquaintance?

When I think back to my very first sale, I’m reminded of how blessed our business has been from the very beginning. We were facing unexpected medical bills, and I was searching for ways to earn extra income. I decided to offer sourdough loaves on a donation basis—no set price, just the hope that people might enjoy the bread and help us reduce the need for debt.

When the orders started coming in, it was humbling. Friends and neighbors not only donated—they gave with overwhelming generosity. We were able to cover the bills we had been so worried about, and something stirred in my heart. That experience planted the seed for Malinda Joy Sourdough. What began with love, faith, and trust during a time of need has grown into a business where I get to connect with people through bread, faith, and stories of grief and hope.

Every loaf I bake still carries that same spirit of gratitude. I’m deeply thankful for the support of my community—it all started with them.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I’m Malinda, the owner and baker behind Malinda Joy Sourdough, a micro-bakery based in Lakeside, California. I’m a wife, a mom of two young boys, and I work full-time while running this business as my second job—a true labor of love.
Baking has been a passion of mine since I was in elementary school. About five years ago, I was first introduced to sourdough, and it quickly became more than just a hobby—it was a way for me to slow down, connect with something greater than myself, and focus on creating. During a challenging season of life, it grew into a business.
I specialize in handmade sourdough loaves—classic artisan-style bread, a sandwich-shaped loaf for convenience, and a variety of other sourdough baked goods. I also host sourdough-making classes, teaching others how to create their own bread from scratch, because there’s something truly special about making bread with your own hands.
What sets Malinda Joy Sourdough apart is the heart behind each loaf. Every bread I bake carries a story of gratitude, faith, and resilience. I share openly on social media about my journey through grief and many of my followers connect deeply with these stories. Baking sourdough isn’t just about making great bread—it’s about embracing imperfection, slowing down, and finding comfort in the simple moments.
I’m most proud of how my business has become a space where people feel seen and understood. Whether it’s someone learning how to bake sourdough for the first time, finding encouragement in a story I share, or simply enjoying a fresh loaf of bread, I want every interaction with Malinda Joy Sourdough to leave people feeling seen.

Alright – let’s talk about marketing or sales – do you have any fun stories about a risk you’ve taken or something else exciting on the sales and marketing side?

When I first started sharing about my grief, I was incredibly hesitant. My father’s unexpected death rocked my world, and while baking became a way for me to process and heal, I wasn’t sure how my audience would respond to such deeply personal stories. As my micro-bakery began to grow, I found myself wondering if I should stop sharing about grief altogether.

Then, last summer, we lost my father-in-law unexpectedly. I was once again hesitant to share so openly, but with my husband’s encouragement, I felt a nudge to be vulnerable. I posted a reel of me making bread with a text overlay referencing the loss I had experienced.

What happened next blew me away.

The post started gaining traction, and the comments flooded in. People reached out, sharing their own stories of loss, grief, and healing, and many expressed how my openness encouraged them to be more open about their own struggles. In that moment, I realized I wasn’t alone—and neither were they.

What began as a risk—something I feared might hurt my business—turned out to be the catalyst for growth. My follower count grew exponentially, but more importantly, I found a community of people who understood my journey. They didn’t just want my bread; they wanted to connect with me as a person, with my story, and the hope I was sharing through it all.

Now, every time I share something personal about grief or faith, I see more people coming alongside me, following along, and engaging in ways I never expected. I’ve learned that the more real and raw I am, the more people feel seen, heard, and understood. It’s not just about the bread anymore—it’s about the connection and shared experiences. And that’s what I’m most proud of.

Can you open up about how you funded your business?

When I first started baking for Malinda Joy Sourdough, it was to help cover unexpected medical bills. In the beginning, I had just the basics—a Dutch oven, a food scale, and a few other tools I already owned. At that time, I didn’t purchase anything new for the business. I simply used what I had, and I even borrowed extra bowls from friends to make it work.

As we realized this could turn into a real business, we decided to save every bit of profit from the first year and reinvest it back into the business. This allowed us to gradually buy essential equipment like a commercial fridge, a mixer, and our Simply Bread Oven.

We’ve been incredibly blessed by the support of our customers, who made it possible for us to grow. Their generosity has not only helped us through difficult times but also allowed our business to thrive and expand. Every step of the way, we’ve reinvested in the business to keep improving and providing the best sourdough we can.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://hotplate.com/malindajoysourdough
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/malindajoysourdough/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Malinda-Joy-Sourdough-61556223135509/
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@malindajoysourdough