Business Beacon: Inside Ella’s Sourdough Microbakery
Editor’s note: This month’s Business Beacon is a spotlight on Ella’s Sourdough Microbakery, a made-from-scratch operation featuring sourdough loaves, bagels and cookies. Owner Ella Morry talks to us about the art of sourdough, prioritizing clean ingredients and the baking waiting game. You can find her on Instagram at @microbakery30a.
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1. How did you get the idea or concept for your business?
EM: I found myself walking through grocery stores and looking at the labels of all the different types of bread. When I saw lists of 10+ ingredients, I knew that was an issue. I created sourdough with the intention of taking my passion for baking and mixing it with my passion for health and wellness. My love for baking and learning turned into my sourdough journey. After sharing my creations with locals and receiving such positive feedback, I decided to start my microbakery!
2. Let’s discuss numbers: What year did you open? How many locations do you have? How many people do you employ?
EM: I started my business in 2024. I don’t currently have any additional employees, and I work out of my home!
3. What do you sell or what service do you provide? What’s your best seller?
EM: I sell sourdough loaves, sourdough bagels and sourdough chocolate chip cookies. My best seller is definitely my loaves.
4. What’s unique about what you do or offer?
EM: Sourdough is an art. Each loaf is handcrafted over a period of time, with attention to detail and patience in the process. My sourdough starter has been carefully nurtured over time and grows completely naturally. Each item is made fresh, with clean ingredients.
5. How would you describe your business to a potential customer?
EM: My microbakery is built on the passion for creating the finest sourdough, made from scratch, using high-quality ingredients. I take pride in each product and the fermentation process that enhances flavor and allows for easy digestion. Above all, my business was born with the intention of sharing my love of sourdough with my community.
6. What do you love most about your line of work?
EM: I have always loved art and baking. My business allows me to take the two and put them together. In addition to that, I absolutely love the way sourdough has created a community. I love when people want to learn about the benefits, and I love educating as much as I can!
7. What sorts of trends are you seeing in your industry?
EM: Sourdough has grown tremendously over the past few years! With consumers becoming more knowledgeable and mindful of where their food is coming from, sourdough has become a craze. People are finally ready to prioritize clean ingredients, which is extremely refreshing. These days, most of our favorite baked goodies can be created with gut-healthy sourdough starter!
8. Tell me in just a sentence or two what you feel sets you apart from your competitors.
EM: Everything I make is crafted with so much care and attention to detail. My approach ensures each item is unique and made with love, bringing a true experience to every customer.
9. Who or what inspires you? This could be a family member or celebrity, a particular quote or even a book/movie/podcast. The sky’s the limit!
EM: I grew up watching my mother share her love with others through cooking and baking. She always told me to watch everything she did so one day I could create delicious recipes for my family. She has inspired me to bake, take a leap of faith creating my business and form relationships through my creations.
10. What’s the best thing about being a part of the Emerald Coast, personally and/or professionally?
EM: The best thing about being a part of the Emerald Coast is the community. I have found the people here are driven, have entrepreneurial mindsets, are supportive, creative and most importantly, always so kind. I love being surrounded by beautiful beach towns but also all of the wonderful people who live and visit here!
11. Are you/your business involved in the community in any way? Volunteering or giving back? If so, how?
EM: I plan to involve my business in the community as much as possible as it continues to grow and flourish!
12. What does a typical day in your business look like? (Pretend it’s Monday (or Friday!) and take me through the highlights of your day.)
EM: My typical day starts with an early wake-up to feed my sourdough starter. Once it doubles in size, roughly seven hours later, the process of making my batches of dough begins. I am normally making a variety of different goods at once. It is a slow process as the dough must naturally grow and ferment for extended periods of time. During the waiting times, I spend the days promoting and sharing my business with the community, whether that’s passing out flyers or sharing on social media. I then follow the next steps, which always includes shaping each item and then proofing overnight. The morning is when all of the baking happens, which is the most rewarding. I then message for pickups or deliveries after the cooling process takes place. The highlights of my days are staring into that oven and watching my creations come to life in such a beautiful way, as well as seeing the joy on my customers’ faces when handed their order. The process and the people fuel my passion each and every day.
13. What’s your best “insider tip?” (This could be a community tip for vacationers or homeowners or even a tip for customers related to your business.)
EM: Shop local! The Emerald Coast is blessed with a variety of hidden gems, with wonderful locals and beautiful products.
14. How do you recharge or relax when the day is done?
EM: When the day is done, my favorite way to recharge is by lounging at the beach with my current read.
15. Just the deets, please! Where are you located? Business hours? Social media profiles and/or website links we need to know about? (Please feel free to add social media handles or direct links!)
EM: I can be found on Instagram @microbakery30a. I take orders, inquiries, and questions through my social media account and phone number (508) 776-5818. I am always accessible!
16. One final question: If there was just one thing you wish the public knew about your business, what would it be?
EM: I don’t just bake bread. I craft a beautiful product that’s full of love and patience with the intention of enhancing nourishment in our favorite treats.
