In a tale of transformation fueled by love and purpose, 48-year-old Chan Su Yin transitioned from a decade-long career in pharmaceutical sales to becoming the founder of Yin's Sourdough Bakery & Cafe, a thriving bakery chain in Malaysia.

Raised in a family that valued education in Ipoh, Chan never envisioned running a bakery. With a father who taught secondary school and a mother who conducted private tuition, baking was an activity learned in her childhood kitchen, helping her mother with cakes and traditional pastries.

After earning a degree in biochemistry from Universiti Malaya, Chan spent ten years in the pharmaceutical industry, where she even contributed to the supply of Covid-19 vaccines. Yet, a love for baking was rekindled during her two-year stay in Portland, USA, where she discovered the delights of sourdough.

"The flavor and texture captivated me, and I immersed myself in baking every day, experimenting with fermentation techniques,” she recalled. It was here that she became aware of the potential health benefits of sourdough, including its ability to stabilize blood sugar.

Returning to Malaysia with a mission, Chan began baking sourdough to assist her diabetic mother—who, after regularly consuming this healthful bread, saw significant improvements in her glucose levels. This success spurred Chan to open a tiny bakery in Balik Pulau in 2013.

At first, locals were skeptical of sourdough's distinct flavor, with some mistaking it for spoiled bread. But through perseverance and education, the bakery slowly gained traction and a loyal following, emphasizing quality ingredients and traditional techniques.

With the support of government initiatives and a successful crowdfunding campaign, Yin's Sourdough flourished despite the challenges posed by the global pandemic. The bakery's mission expanded beyond profit: it became a platform for social mobility, employing individuals from rural communities and providing internships for aspiring pastry chefs.

Today, Yin's Sourdough boasts ten outlets—six in Penang and four in Kuala Lumpur—with plans for five more this year. Chan is committed to maintaining quality, opting for slow, deliberate growth over rapid expansion.

"It's the meaningful moments, like a mother requesting salt-free bread for her child battling cancer, that truly motivate me," Chan shares, underscoring her dedication to health and community.

With ambitions to further enhance consumer confidence through halal certifications and the establishment of a new central kitchen, the story of Yin's Sourdough is just beginning, embodying a journey of love, health, and determination.