What happens when a side project in the kitchen turns into something the whole community gets behind? In this episode of Elevating Everyone, Freddie Martinez sits down with Lorenzo Moreno, co-founder of Bessemer Bread Co., a Pueblo-based micro bakery built around sourdough, community, and a willingness to figure things out along the way. Lorenzo didn’t come from a culinary background. Before Bessemer Bread Co., he worked in the corporate world as a sales analyst and planner. When he received a sourdough starter and began experimenting at home, he taught himself through trial and error, online research, and a lot of flour. What started as baking for friends and family quickly became something bigger. Lorenzo and his husband, Michael, officially formed Bessemer Bread Co. in December 2025 and opened their first pre-orders in January. They started with three loaves: classic sourdough, jalapeño cheddar, and brown sugar cinnamon. Since then, the menu has grown to include more than a dozen sourdough flavors, mini loaves, burger buns, sourdough granola, banana bread, seasonal creations, and other experiments inspired by their customers and the Pueblo community. But this conversation is about more than bread. Lorenzo shares why they chose the name Bessemer Bread Co., how Pueblo’s historic Bessemer neighborhood became part of the identity of the business, and why honoring the community matters to them. He also talks about the reality behind building a young business. That includes late nights in a shared commercial kitchen, baking until 3 or 4 in the morning, farmers markets, pop-ups, learning production from scratch, and figuring out when it is time to grow beyond doing everything yourself. One of the strongest moments in Lorenzo’s story came during the local wildfires. Bessemer Bread Co. offered free sourdough to evacuees and volunteered their time, kitchen, and energy. Customers responded by asking how they could donate and help. For Lorenzo, that response confirmed something bigger than business: Pueblo was supporting them because they were trying to support Pueblo. In this conversation: • How Bessemer Bread Co. started with one sourdough starter• Lorenzo’s transition from corporate work to entrepreneurship• The story behind the Bessemer Bread Co. name• Building a business without formal baking experience• Lorenzo and Michael’s partnership behind the company• The Steel City Sampler and the original three sourdough flavors• Creating new products based on customer feedback• Collaborating with other Pueblo businesses• Farmers markets, pop-ups, and the realities of scaling• Why Bessemer Bread Co. uses a pre-order model• Giving back during the wildfires• What Lorenzo hopes comes next for Bessemer Bread Co. Bessemer Bread Co. Order fresh sourdough and see current offerings:https://www.hotplate.com/bessemerbreadco Follow Bessemer Bread Co. on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok:@bessemerbreadco Sponsors • Everyday People Digital SystemsLead response systems and digital solutions for local businesses.https://www.epdigitalsystems.com/ • Freddie Martinez AgencyFarmers Insurance, serving Pueblo and the surrounding community.https://agents.farmers.com/co/pueblo/freddie-martinez/ Elevating Everyone is a Colorado-born podcast focused on the people who make a difference in their communities. No fame or flash. Just conversations with business owners, community leaders, creators, and everyday people who show up for others. This episode is a reminder that sometimes a business starts with something as simple as a sourdough starter, an idea, and a community willing to show up.
