The month of December was busy with so much to squeeze in. With it being the end of the fourth quarter, I knew I needed to keep pushing forward to carry this momentum to 2025. I had a work trip to Portland where I was invited to Oregon State University Food Innovation Center’s Holiday Bazaar hosted by Market of Choice. The trip itself was packed with massage clients, trail runs, entrepreneurial meet-ups, meetings with PSU students, co-packers, and marketing Shredder Cheddar at the holiday bazaar.
Portland State University students with the StudentWork program( which is their ad agency) finished my packaging design. We didn't really see eye to eye on my brand, which was challenging. They saw the mouse as a mascot. I can see their perspective, and because I am not an expert, I listened to them. I would like to share why I designed Shredder Cheddar. Shredder Cheddar isn't just a cute little running mouse squeezing a wedge of cheese. Shredder Cheddar is the athletic spirit in all of us; that mouse represents each of us that never takes no for an answer. This mouse pushes the limits, has perseverance, determination, confidence, strength to never give up, and go BIG everytime. Shredder Cheddar also loves cheese and makes people smile. Shredder Cheddar isn't just about pushing the limits in athletics, but it's a reminder to push out of your comfort zone in all aspects of life. Life is short, and we have to do what makes us THRIVE.
This month I had a friend pass away from cancer and he was the ultimate Shredder Cheddar. He took big leaps, adventures, and inspired those around him to push themselves. He thrived even on his darkest days. Shredder Cheddar will find its place, whether it is the inspiring goal driven mascot or the front and center brand. I believe in Shredder Cheddar, because I also believe in myself. The packaging the students designed is the start to something incredible. They were thoughtful and creative with my colors, copy, story, and design. Also, I received the “white paper” which has an explanation of why every retailer should put Shredder Cheddar on the shelves. I thought this was a very important component and I am grateful they put this together for me. This experience taught me about branding and I appreciate the hard work they put into Hull-some Foods.
After I launched my website, we noticed that when looking up Shredder Cheddar on the internet, it always defaulted to “shredded cheese.” I knew there must be a way to override this. I figured out a way, and going forward you will see “Squeeze” in front of Shredder Cheddar. Try typing “Shredder Cheddar” vs “Squeeze Shredder Cheddar,” and see what happens. I am deep diving into more SEO and branding with Patrick Prothe with Design Buddah to see what else I can do to keep Shredder Cheddar at the top. I feel so fortunate to always meet such wonderful and inspiring humans on this journey. This has really been an incredible experience, and I am forever grateful as I savor this challenge. Does anyone else see "savor" everywhere right now? I know 2025 is the year for Shredder Cheddar to disrupt the healthy snack market.
I had a meet-up with Oregon Entrepreneur Network Pub Talk in December. The people involved with this group are always so helpful and inspiring. We all want each other to succeed! OEN has given me endless support and feedback, as well as a space to practice my pitch. I can’t say enough about how grateful I was to be connected to them by my SCORE advisor, Paul Menig.
Every time I have a meeting with a co-packer I just get so excited. I tell myself every time, “This is the one!” If it isn't the one then they usually can give me a lead on something to help me push onward. The co-packer I spoke with in early December said they couldn’t manufacture it for me, but that they knew someone who might be able to help. I was given a few contacts, and unfortunately most of them were no longer in business. One of them had sold, but I was then connected to the new owner. In this last month, I have connected with three possibilities and I am continuing the conversation to see which facility will be the best fit for Hull-some Foods. I can feel that my hard work is paying off, and I will be launching very soon.
OSU FIC Holiday Bazaar was my first time to showcase Shredder Cheddar at a food event. Wow, I was amazed by how many innovative products there were. I was so impressed by what each of these founders had produced, and how their stories. I love a good story! I arrived early to set up my table, and picked out good table space. I put my bright orange table cloth down, then set up some tabletop trees and moss. Something I came up with very quickly with a trip to Fred Meyers the night before. I put Shredder Cheddar in an organizer bamboo box with some pretzels, then laid out some merch, and hung my banner. Ha, I finished setting up in just a few minutes, which left me with plenty of time to look around to see other displays. Everyone was selling their products, but I only had samples. I felt like I was there to learn and prepare for the next event. I took note of their displays, and I met as many of those founders as I could. I was talking with a founder at the table next to me and he said he was from St. Petes(FoodwithRoots), and I told him I was living in Pensacola. We were surprised, then I met another founder(BijuBrownButter) who said her partner was also from Pensacola. I met another founder(PapaTony'sHotSauce) that he, also, had a partner from Pensacola. I was in Oregon, yet there were all of these people from Florida. I thought that was serendipitous, but I liked they had all found themselves in the NW where I am from. Why did they all come to the NW, well, they said the opportunities were here. I totally agree, and that is why I will always be headquartered in Portland(my home!). I tried Pepperberry Foods Italian biscuits that were AMAZING, so I bought a few bags. It was funny, the founder realized she was a former massage client of mine. I hadn't seen her in over 10 years. It was amazing to connect with her in our new project. If I remember correctly she was formerly a nurse. I hear a lot of science based backgrounds end up in food entrepreneurship. I guess that makes sense. I also met a founder(Ringa) that was from a very small town in South Dakota that a friend of mine is from. The night had so many synchronicities. Market of Choice buyers stopped by my booth and let me pitch Shredder Cheddar. One of the buyers ate several Shredder Cheddar pouches. She even ate Shredder Cheddar on my friend’s biscuits. I thought that was a very good sign. I didn't win the shelf space, but mostly because I wasn't ready for that yet. I would have loved that opportunity, but it was just awesome to see how much they loved the Shredder Cheddar and its mascot. It was enough for me to see a very happy group of people smiling at my booth. I, too, was smiling. I took a moment after the show to ask some questions with a buyer and was given a lot of positive feedback which expanded my knowledge in retail sales. I had such a great time at the holiday bazaar at the FIC. Sarah Masoni with FIC and the million dollar pallet put a few pouches of Shredder Cheddar on their shelf at the Food Innovation Center to show that they were proud of my product. I was stoked!
I finished the weekend off with running in the woods with friends and passing around Shredder Cheddar on the trails and making more people smile. I get all fired up on Shredder Cheddar’s potential.
This Christmas, my favorite gift was Shredder Cheddar merch, and was well received by many. My eight year old niece who absolutely loves Shredder Cheddar is now the first to sport one of my favorite extra soft hoodies. She said the size is perfect and the fabric is very cozy and soft. I can say the Shredder Cheddar towel for post-run and it is super soft on my face. Shredder Cheddar is always crafted with care and a whole lot of love, because your satisfACTION matters. I would highly recommend making a purchase on www.hullsomefoods.com or https://www.hullsomefoods.com/category/all-products to support my upcoming manufacturing costs.
Thank you! Remember, Squeeze Shredder Cheddar!
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