Reality sets in.

So, I promised a yummy dessert recipe this time around… not happening. Instead I feel compelled to share something special – our one year anniversary. I looked at the calendar the other week and noticed that September 24 was arriving faster than I realized. It is this Friday that marks the anniversary of purchasing Bliss Organic Ice Cream. Oh, the excitement, nervousness, anticipation, fear and joy that went into the decision to venture out on my own. Back then, I had so many ideas and a strong vision of where I wanted the company to go. I guess I still have those ideas and the vision – but so much has changed. Reality has set in. I have learned a tremendous amount about running a food business – regulatory issues, distribution modeling, forecasting, working with buyers, ingredient management, etc. I am humbled by the details. Humbled and buried. Buried so deep that sometimes I’m not sure where to go next – but I hear that this is normal for a start-up company. Someone said to me recently, ”you don’t own a small business – it owns you”. Yes, this is true. I am owned by Bliss Organic – a company that challenges me, pisses me off, makes me proud, and most importantly, keeps me on my toes.

I'm not sorry.

Bliss Organic Ice Cream did a demo this past weekend – it’s an event at a store where we hand out free samples of our wonderful product and hope consumers will be so taken back by the flavor that they immediately fall in love and buy up every last pint in the freezer.
While handing out samples, I was quite surprised at how many people stopped, looked at me and asked, “Is this a dairy product…. Yes? Oh, I don’t eat dairy”. There are so many people who are not eating dairy for so many different reasons, which I respect. I found myself saying “Sorry, this is a dairy ice cream” often. But, really, should I be sorry? I wish I had the perfect product that everyone would fall in love with and eat everyday. I wish I could provide a product that would make everyone happy. Having an ice cream that is dairy, with sugar, immediately takes away many of my potential consumers. But, I am not sorry that my ice cream is made with milk and cream. Deep down, I know it’s the best organic ice cream I have ever tasted. I’ll share it with whoever wants to try, and I’ll continue to conduct more free ice cream tastings and tell everyone I meet how wonderful my organic ice cream is. And maybe someday, I’ll have a product that will appeal to everybody – even if they are dairy-free – because I just want everyone to be happy.

Balance? What balance?

I have never been busier. It’s summer and it's National Ice Cream Month, so sales are really picking up (yeah!). However, with everything on my plate it feels as if there is no end in sight. Not to mention: budgeting, sick children and dogs, delivery schedules, cooking, consulting projects, a neglected husband, paperwork, social plans, travel plans, working out, dishes, laundry, meetings, administrative tasks, production and cleaning the house. There is no balance in my life. I multitask and think about work when I'm with family and think about family when I'm working. Rather, my life is a BLEND of all the things that make me, me. I manage this wonderful little business, maintain a house and nurture two amazing, young children. Every now and then, I feel like I’m fulfilling my duties as a wife and friend. Mostly, I make to do lists and prioritize every aspect of my life. How else would I get dinner on the table every night?

Ice cream is not candy.

Ice cream is not candy. These words were spoken in a meeting with our advertising agency and they have stuck with me ever since. Many people eat ice cream with loads of “candy” in it… but what about the pure flavor of the actual ice cream? What about the sweet, creamy, smooth, cold texture of it? As the agency and I pondered the brand essence of Bliss Organic Ice Cream we listed some of our best selling flavors… coconut chocolate chip, honey lavender, strawberry, lemon blueberry, ginger. The wholesome ingredients really set us apart. Just today, while walking the ice cream aisle at a grocery store I noticed a “peanut butter candy crunch” flavor on the shelf. So many “big” brands have opted to put every combination of chocolate, peanuts, caramel and marshmallow into ice cream that you forget about the actual ice cream. Of course, Bliss Organic uses chocolate chips and other added yumminess… our chocolate mint chip is a wonderful blend of flavors that makes a very sweet treat. But it’s an uncomplicated blend – very straightforward in its combination of mint and chocolate. I certainly think there is a place for candy, and ice cream may be one of them. But for me, pure, organic, fresh flavors are what I want. Now that’s ice cream.

hello

This blog is about a small, starting up, organic ice cream company. It's about the challenges of growing a business and balancing work, life, family and friends. It isn't about our daily grind, but rather the inspirations in business that allow us to be better people and better citizens in our community. It's about the choices we make every day that influence our environment and our surroundings.

And every now and then, it's about discovering a new organic ice cream flavor or dessert recipe that knocks your socks off.

Welcome, and come back often.