A Real Doozy
This picture was taken in a moment of minor delirium–setting out what would be only 1/4 of Tuesday’s necessary shipping and getting a moment of sunny fresh air. I believe this was day 4 of granola baking, little sleep, and major shipping logistics the likes of which I’ve never had to orchestrate. There was a lot of USPS googling, some Pay Pal live-chatting, a bit of pacing around our living room, and a few ‘get yourself together’ pep talks from Sam. I wanted to write a special breakfast post for you this week but it’s just not going to happen. So I thought I’d write a simple post talking about what we’ve been cooking or doing around Seattle but I can’t even do that because it would look like a whole lot of coffee, take-out and work. I’ve been joking that the house motto this week is “All Granola. All the Time.” In my most exhausted state, I’ve considered answering the phone that way. Let’s just say, it turns out that people still read The Wall Street Journal.
Probably six months ago, a wonderful writer for The Wall Street Journal ordered granola from me online. I followed up with her to see how she liked it, and this began a months-long casual chat about granola and small food businesses in general. She loved the product but wasn’t sure when it would be a good fit in the paper. I moved to Seattle, as you all know. And we revamped the Marge packaging and the website and now have a full line which I’m over the moon about. And that, my friends, was enough to be newsworthy. So I got an email a few weeks ago that the paper needed the granola overnighted for a photo shoot. I started stocking up on oats, nuts, and seeds and taking casual polls amongst friends about how many orders it would result in. Maybe none? Maybe just a few retailers will reach out?
The piece ran this past Saturday and the response has been overwhelming. I don’t know how to describe it to you, really. I try and describe it to my family on the phone and come up with nothing substantive or helpful, just a lot of tired blabbering. Sam has devised an absolutely genius spreadsheet for us to track incoming orders and fulfillments. I’m not sure what I would do without him. He is truly good at all the other things that drive me to curl up in a ball. And my sister Rachael is now helping out once or twice a week, packaging and organizing shipments. This makes me really happy. When I paid her a few days ago I almost cried to finally have an official helper. But then again, that could’ve been that “All Granola. All the Time” exhaustion, too. Let’s just say that it was. So for this week’s post, I just wanted to say hello from ‘Whoa, Baby” land and that I’m thinking of you and can’t wait for things to normalize just a touch and get back into the kitchen and the garden. Until then, have a wonderful rest of the week. See you back here very soon.
Welcome to A Sweet Spoonful, my blog devoted to seasonal cooking, whole grain baking, and casual gatherings in our Pacific Northwest home. My name is Megan Gordon and I'm so glad you're here.
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Shanna
I love this. Love that you were in WSJ, love that you took that picture in front of the boxes, love that you have your sister and Sam and enough left in you to write thoughtful, interesting updates like this one. Rooting for you from over here in Nashville!
Janet
LOVE IT! So proud of you -- and so super excited to try the new flavors. Hope you get a break soon!
B @ Crags and Veggies
Wow, beautiful picture, so excited for you! I can't wait to try them :)
Danielle
THAT is the most adoring photo of you ever. EVER!! You know that I'm ecstatic for you and, in a way, relieved that I caught you in the pre-WSJ period so that we had some time to catch up. Now that you're famous, I think Marge has some serious merchandising opportunities here: granola for campers being one of them, and how about a t-shirt or a bumper sticker that says "All Granola. All The Time."? ;)
xoxo to you and Sam.
Abby
I'm so happy for you! Sounds like you have an excellent team backing you up, too. Good luck!
Marge employee 1
I cried on the way home today. I'm so proud of you. Love being employee #1....and I was serious about those uniforms boss ;)
Aunt V
I'm not surprised that people still read the WSJ but I am surprised that the people who read the WSJ eat granola! Are there more women ordering than men?
Wonderful pictures and I love the colors in the first photo.
Sounds like you have a great team!
See you soon.
Love...Aunt V
Mary
Congrats - my fave granola. So well deserved, Megan! Charlotte Druckman has the most exquisite taste on the planet. If she recommends it, it's the gold standard. For your readers who haven't picked up WSJ's Off Duty, it's a must read.
la domestique
This post brought a smile to my face- that top photo is truly wonderful. Congratulations!
Aunt Kim
Great job ! I am so proud of you. I can rest easy knowing that the next generation does have a good work ethic and doesn't give up on their dreams.
Eva
Yay! Congratulations and I really hope the success continues. I...think I'll hold off to make my first order for a little while. ;)
Jacqui
high fives to you, girl. you totally deserve some cake and ice cream right now. :)
molly
HOOT!!!
Oh Megan, GOOD for you! And good for them. And everyone who orders it. Win, win, win!
Now back to that granola...
xo,
M
Burt Kozloff
I can't tell you how much I admire what you have done, and how you have done it.
EmmaC
I'm really so thrilled for you, Megan! I'm also happy to see you smiling in the midst of so much chaos. :)
Sara Farley
So happy for you...enjoy this moment you've worked hard for it.. It's the start of a successful business so enjoy the ride :)
Amy P
It seems like you guys are doing an awesome job with your response to the press and I can only imagine that the world will be a better place with more people eating your oats:)
Pat
This is so awesome, Megan! Very happy for you :)
Christine
What a wonderful thing to happen for you! I can't imagine having that much happen in such a short amount of time, and be able to handle it without a breakdown. :) Congratulations!
Sara L.
Woohoo! Congrats to you! Truly wonderful news.
Sue/the view from great island
Congratulations, you deserve all the notoriety!
nicole
This! Is really so awesome! When it rains it pours, no? You are inspiration - good luck with it all - and keep on laughing (tired or not!) :)
Anne Zimmerman
Go, go, go!
Jacqui
Congratulations on your business taking off! My husband and I have a small business too and we always find it amazing what a bit of press will do. And welcome to Seattle too!
Denise - Chez Us
Great Photo - love it!! Congrats, I knew you would wow them with your amazing granola. So happy for you!!!! xo
Amanda @ Once Upon a Recipe
Congratulations Megan! Enjoy this well-deserved recognition and success!
Kasey
Megan, you deserve all of this monumental success! Matt and I were just at Heath this weekend and I felt so proud to see your granola in its beautiful new packaging. I love that photo of you. Can't wait to see you and celebrate everything amazing this year. xoxo
Jessica
Congrats!
ileana
Amazing. Congrats to you! Love that first pic. :)
Katie
Love the colors in the first photo and the expression on your face. Congrats on the publicity and success it's leading to... Looking forward to seeing your new granola flavors on the shelves at BiRite!
JenMarie
HOw wonderful! Congrats to you. Enjoy it!
And don't get overwhelmed.
Sara Mendez
I just had to say that I completely LOVE that picture of you with the boxes! I'm so happy and excited for you! Keep up the good work!
megang
Thanks, Sara! See you soon!
megang
Thank you so much, Leela! I'm working on Pastaworks in your neck of the woods ... hopefully that'll work out soon. Hope all is well with you, friend, and thank you for your sweet comment. Happy weekend. xox
leela
megan,
loved reading this and seeing your deliriously happy smiley face there in the first photo. your granola is so good. like real good. game changing good. fiendishly good.
so happy it's getting out in the world and into tummies!
leela
momgordon
My copy of the WSJ sits on the coffee table here in Lake George and gets pulled out for anyone who appears at the screen door. My 81 year old neighbor was duly impressed, the guy that mows the yard was just a little confused :) I wonder if I can make it an agenda item at the annual Cottagers Association meeting? Love the smile amidst the "chaos"!
movita beaucoup
I couldn't be happier for you! Well deserved, indeed. Congrats... and soldier on!
megang
Thanks, Molly! Yeahhhhhh!
megang
Love Charlotte Druckman, Mary. Couldn't agree more. AND she's just lovely to chat with, too. Hope you have a wonderful weekend! ~m
megang
V-Strangely I'd say it's a really even split gender-wise. Lots of granola eaters out there! Can't wait to see you soon!
megang
Eva: I appreciate that more than you know! Happy weekend, ~m
megang
Thanks so much, Aunt KIm! Love that you're reading the blog and need to get some granola into your hands soon....when things calm down. Hope all is well there. xox, m
ahu
fabulous - congratulations!!
Jen @ Savory Simple
How exciting!!!
amy akers
I love your blog, its so awesome!! Thanks for sharing your journey, and for making me want to keep coming back to reading more.
Krista
Congratulations! How exciting. Good luck. A fan of your blog, Krista
Kelsey
Incredible, Megan. And you are beaming in that photo with the boxes. A keepsake. Good juju to you this week -- xo
Laura
What an incredible photo to capture such a happy occasion. Many congratulations to you!
Ashley
yay yay yay! Have a wonderful little break. You sure do deserve it!
Paige
Ahh Megan I love that picture of you! Congrats! Hope you are staying sane!
Jess
I'm late, I'm late, but I still wanted to jump in to say, "Hey, awesome famous lady! Congrats!" Now, I'm going to have to get my hands on some of this granola...
megang
Jess! Thanks!!!
kickpleat
Hip hip hooray!!! Congrats on your success and that photo is the best. Phew! Glad you're off enjoying time away. Well, well, deserved.
Christine @ Fresh Local and Best
Amazing! Congratulations!