PROFILES free, he decided to change his life and business model, making his customers and employees a top priority and investing back into their communities. Michaelis supports his employees through their life battles, many of whom have been working for him since the beginning. He also gives them the freedom to be artisans and create new types of products every week. In that same spirit, Michaelis celebrates artistic freedom. Inside El Bolillo's Pasadena store is a hand-carved sculpture of a religious scene that a local artist had carved from a tree. Michaelis saw the beauty of the sculpture and asked the artist if wished to sell it. The artist agreed, and Michaelis decided to display it inside the bakery in a glass-enclosed case to protect it, so that all can enjoy its beauty, alongside the beautiful cakes and pastries on display at El Bolillo. JUNE 19 042_Pan_Jun19_Profile2_ElBolillo.indd 45 | PANADERĺA 45 5/24/2019 11:29:29 AM