SHREDDER CHEDDAR®️ Back in your Pack
Updated: Sep 3
Wow, are we already in September? I swear this summer flew by. When I take a quick look back at August, I can say three things: it rained, I ran, and I sold a lot of SHREDDER CHEDDAR. So let’s take a moment to look back at what I actually accomplished during the last month of summer.
Finding My Stride Again
I hit double digits on my long runs for the first time since running with my Portland crew last December. I cannot believe I’m saying that because I’ve been consistently running those kinds of miles for the past 10 years.
But my priorities shifted. Running a business took over, and I was also dealing with some ongoing nerve pain when I ran fast. So I decided to slow down and start taking each step a little more kindly.
Now I’m back, and I’m really happy to be running again. Running has a way of making me feel whole. It gives me self-awareness, confidence and strength. Most importantly, running empowers me.
Shredder Cheddar Is Back in the Pack
Shredder Cheddar is gaining momentum again, and I couldn’t be more excited.
We make a surprisingly delicious, high-protein, shelf-stable adventure snack for eating on the go. It’s naturally savory and the first-of-its-kind single-serve cheese snack with electrolytes made for adventurers.
Our OGEEZ flavor is a sharp, creamy cheese blend made with high-quality, clean ingredients. And after a challenging year with manufacturing, I am SO HAPPY with how things are going with my new co-packer.
I feel incredibly fortunate to have found a manufacturing partner who understands Shredder Cheddar and can meet my expectations. I can stand behind this product again—and be PROUD of it.
And the results are showing. Since producing our latest batch, sales have been trending upward.
I delivered new inventory to Fleet Feet stores in Mobile and D’Iberville and even received a photo of the first OGEEZ sale at the newest D’Iberville location. I love seeing a new Shredder Cheddar crew member smiling ear to ear. I’d love to hear their story!
I’m also shipping nationwide. One of my favorite orders this month came from someone preparing to fuel with Shredder Cheddar on the Appalachian Trail in September. They wanted to know how OGEEZ would hold up in a hot car for several days.
So, naturally, I tested it.
I put a pouch in my center console, out of direct sunlight, for four days while temperatures ranged from 75°F to 110°F. On the fourth day, the pouch still tasted delicious.
Tested. Approved. Grab OGEEZ and go.
That gives me another reason to feel confident recommending Shredder Cheddar for adventures like the AT and PCT.
Getting Shredder Cheddar Out Into the Community
August also brought some fun opportunities to get Shredder Cheddar into the hands of more people.
I was invited to partner as a vendor with the Humane Society, Market Mutts and Portside Pickle for Dog Days of Summer. I loved sharing cheese with pups and humans alike—and collected more than a few cheesy kisses from some very lovable dogs up for adoption.
It was really hard not to take one of those puppies home.
I also sold Shredder Cheddar at a Pop-Up Art Garden Party in the Pensacola community, and I’m sponsoring the Wildcat Ultra on September 5, where Shredder Cheddar stickers will be included in the swag bags.
Learning, Growing & Looking Ahead
One of the biggest highlights of August was being selected for the Built Oregon Accelerator Level Up Cohort.
I’ve already felt the tremendous support from this program. Our first class focused on contracts and co-packing agreements, and I’ve learned so much in just two classes.
A few takeaways that really stuck with me:
Always read your contract thoroughly. Have an attorney review it. Follow up with your retailers. Never stop educating your customers. And sometimes, retailers choose you.
I have another class tonight, and I’m excited to spend two hours with other like-minded CPG founders. We also get to select a mentor by watching their bio interviews. These mentors are founders and experts in marketing, finance, design, operations, retail and CPG.
And there’s even more.
Through the Built Accelerator, I was selected for their pitch program, where I’ll pitch Shredder Cheddar in October to regional PNW retailers including New Seasons, World Market, Market of Choice, Elephants Delicatessen and Tender Loving Empire.
Of course, I would LOVE to see Shredder Cheddar on all of those shelves.
And how cool would it be to have someone grab Shredder Cheddar at the PDX airport before boarding a plane at Tender Loving Empire? Or find it in the grab-and-go section at Elephant’s Deli? I can see it being a hit at New Seasons and Market of Choice because they have some of the best snack aisles.
Wait a minute—World Market is nationwide!
I can see so much opportunity in this chance to get Shredder Cheddar in front of these buyers.
There’s something really special about imagining my friends and family walking into a grocery store and seeing Shredder Cheddar sitting on the shelf. I can only imagine how they would smile seeing that bright yellow pouch on the shelf.
A Fresh Look for Shredder Cheddar
During my Venture Mentor Services meeting this month, we talked about my website and the importance of making it more sales-focused.
I learned that my website needs to help sell, while social media can do more of the storytelling.
So I took that advice and ran with it.
With help from a Shredder Cheddar friend and the creator of Mind n Mirror web design, along with feedback from my mentors, I updated the website and revamped the shop page to bring the focus back to sales.
It’s still a work in progress, but I’d love for you to take a look and tell me what you think!
We also had a professional Shredder Cheddar photo shoot this month with my incredibly talented friend and photographer, Ashley Livingston.
We had a lot of fun being cheesy—but keeping it classy.
We spent time capturing the story of Shredder Cheddar, including the neighbors and even the FedEx delivery driver. The photos are coming soon, and I can’t wait to share them.
The fun never stops with Shredder Cheddar!
And One More Thing…
I was interviewed on the Darwoft podcast this month—exactly one year after my last appearance—to share all of my latest updates.
I’m not going to say it was my best interview. You know how some days you wake up ready to take on the world, and other days you’re just…tired?
Well, that day was the latter.
That's life, and ’m always going to show up as my authentic self.
I’m real—just like my cheese.
And that’s a pretty good way to wrap up August.
September, I’m ready for you. Let’s go!!
Look for us in September at Wildcat Ultra, Portside Pickle, Fleet Feet, Fairhope Brewery, and around Portland.
SHREDDER CHEDDAR®
Real Cheese. Packed AdventureTM
I love this journey and thank you for all of your support. You can check out my new video on my GoFundme as I am raising funding for manufacturing costs.
Thank you!
Meg
IG @hullsomefoods
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