Today we’d like to introduce you to Michelle.
Hi Michelle , we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
About Love Wildly Co.
Hi, I’m Michelle—a Korean-American, California-born event planner turned Midwest sourdough baker, mama of two amazing boys, and the hands behind Love Wildly Co.
I started baking sourdough a little over two years ago as a passion project. At first, it was just about learning the craft and keeping my starter alive, but it quickly became so much more. Baking turned into a creative outlet and a way to connect with my family, friends, and eventually my community.
Before moving to Missouri, I co-owned an event planning business in California, where creativity and connection were at the heart of everything I did. Leaving behind my home, family, and lifelong community to start fresh was one of the biggest transitions of my life. In that season of change, I found comfort and healing in learning something new. What began as a simple goal—to cook nourishing meals for my family—turned into a deep love for sourdough, baking, and creating.
When we moved to Missouri, I began sharing loaves with neighbors, and what started as a hobby grew into Love Wildly Co.—a cottage bakery built on organic ingredients, long fermentation, and the joy of nourishing others. Today, I balance being a mom of two boys with running my cottage bakery, collaborating with local businesses, and building a brand that celebrates real food, community, and creativity.
In Korean, there’s a saying—손맛 (sohn-mat)—which means “hand taste,” the love and care that comes through a mother’s hands in cooking. That’s exactly what I hope you feel in every loaf, every class, and every offering I share. My hands carry the story of motherhood, of growth, and of love—shaping not just dough, but a life filled with intention and heart.
This journey is dedicated to my boys, to the friends and family I carry with me from California, and to the new community I’ve found here in the Midwest. Love Wildly Co. is about embracing change, creating with care, and finding joy in the unexpected.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It definitely hasn’t been a perfectly smooth road. When I first started sourdough, I made plenty of flat, dense loaves and had to learn patience and persistence. On top of that, I was navigating a big life transition—leaving California, moving to Missouri, and building a new community while raising two young boys. There were moments when I felt isolated, overwhelmed, or unsure if I could really grow a business from something that started as a hobby in my kitchen.
Running a cottage bakery also comes with its own challenges—juggling early mornings, strict fermentation timelines, and balancing family life with the unpredictability of bread. There were weekends I baked all night to be ready for markets, and times I questioned if the work was sustainable.
But every struggle has also been a teacher. Sourdough itself is a constant reminder that growth takes time, consistency, and care. The tough moments have shaped me into a more resilient business owner, and they’ve made the sweet moments—like seeing my boys proud of me, or watching someone take home my bread with a smile—that much more meaningful.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
At Love Wildly Co., I specialize in crafting organic sourdough breads and baked goods made with high-quality ingredients, long fermentation, and a lot of heart. I bake everything from classic boules and sandwich loaves to creative flavors like blueberry bagels, jalapeño cheddar loaves, and browned-butter sourdough cookies. My goal is to create food that’s not only delicious, but also deeply nourishing.
I think what sets me apart is the intentionality behind everything I make. I’m proud that I don’t just hand someone a loaf of bread—I share a story, a process, and a piece of myself. From sourcing organic flours to sewing my own linen bread bags to teaching sourdough classes, every detail is infused with care. I also draw on my background in event planning, which means I bring a sense of creativity, beauty, and community-building to my work.
One of the things I’m most proud of is how this journey has created connection. I’ve met so many families, moms, and small business owners who’ve become part of my story. Hearing that someone’s child requests my bread every week, or that a customer feels inspired to start their own sourdough journey because of me—that’s what makes all the early mornings and long fermentation hours worth it.
At its heart, Love Wildly Co. is about more than bread—it’s about creating something that feels warm, real, and wildly loved.
Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
I’ve learned that starting anything new comes with risk, and for me, sourdough was no different. Leaving California, my family, and everything familiar to move to Missouri was one of the biggest risks I’ve ever taken—it meant starting over with no safety net, no built-in community, and figuring out who I was in a brand-new place.
Launching Love Wildly Co. was another leap. Baking bread for my family is one thing, but offering it to neighbors and eventually building a business around it meant putting myself out there, being vulnerable to failure, and trusting that what I had to offer would resonate with people. Financially, too, it was a risk to invest in ingredients, packaging, and events without knowing if it would all work out.
My perspective on risk is that it’s not about being fearless—it’s about moving forward with fear and uncertainty, but doing it anyway because something inside you says it’s worth it. Every risk I’ve taken—whether it’s starting over in a new state, saying “yes” to collaborations, or baking 80 loaves for an event—has stretched me and brought growth I wouldn’t have experienced otherwise.
I don’t see myself as a reckless risk-taker, but I do see value in leaning into the uncomfortable. That’s where the magic (and the best sourdough) tends to happen.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://lovewildlyco.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lovewildlyco/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lovewildlycomichelle/
- Other: https://www.hotplate.com/lovewildlyco
