From backyard shed to Michelin Star supplier

Added on 17 October 2024

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From backyard shed to Michelin Star supplier

Photo Courtesy of Indoor Ag-Con

In just a few short years, Malaia’s Microgreens has transformed from a humble backyard operation to a thriving business supplying top-tier microgreens to some of California’s premier Michelin Star restaurants. Co-founders Malaia Martinez and Jaebin Yoo took a bold leap into the world of indoor farming with no prior experience, relying on passion, perseverance, and innovative problem-solving to scale their business. In this month’s CEA Q&A, Malaia shares their journey, the challenges they’ve overcome, and their vision for the future, offering valuable insights for anyone looking to succeed in the controlled environment agriculture (CEA) industry.

When did you open for business and how did you take the plunge into indoor farming or….What was your “I can do this!” moment?

In the winter of 2020, we purchased a small shed and built a ‘micro farm’ located in a neighbor’s backyard. We literally used our entire savings and even pawned off Jaebin’s camera equipment! Our decision to fully commit to indoor farming stemmed from the bold optimism only a pair of 20-year-olds could muster. During these nascent stages it was impossible for us to foresee all the impending challenges. Driven by our passion for plants, we charged ahead, undeterred by what we couldn’t yet see.