Posts filed under 'Brownie News'
Teddy Enjoying a Snack
Thanks to all of you who reached out to me via email, phone and Facebook in response to my Mompreneur blog post. Your stories have inspired me! I am feeling so much better; hearing all about how you make it work lets me know that everything is going to be okay. NO,
better than okay!
What I have found helps most to get through the tough times is visualizing my son getting off the school bus (in about 4 years) and being there to greet him. Other than being dedicated to making the most delicious brownies in the world, that is my “why”.
One positive aspect of having a business and baby (hmmm… possible book title?) is that it doesn’t allow for much downtime to over- think; we’ve got lots of fun and wild stuff happening around here!
Mother’s Day is always hopping and soon we’ll be in the heart of wedding season! Have you seen our wedding favors? I had them at my own wedding and they were a huge hit (the brown linen box). 
One of my bridesmaids almost got taken out when guests saw her carrying some extra brownies! Hopefully your guests are a bit more refined. Actually, can I really blame my family and friends for their brownie enthusiasm? 
We’re also about to offer a couple of new products that will be perfect for corporate events! I’d love to get the word out about our corporate gifting program. If you know a HR person in charge of planning business conference and events, please let them know about us! Very soon we’ll be offering individual brownies in their own special gift box (a 2 pack is also on the way!). They will look similiar to the 3-Pack. 
Imagine… one scrumptious brownie all wrapped up in a little gift box made just for you. I think these will make amazing favors for all types of business events and parties. Again, would love to hear what you think…
Feels good to be blogging again; my hope is that we’ll have lots to chat about… everything from brownies to babies to business (hmmm… even better book title?). Please write!
Warmly, Shawna
April 29th, 2012
At Work With Mommy
I find myself promoting/marketing
Mother’s Day a lot more this year than in years past. It must be because I’m a mom now and I know what a precious gift that is. Last year was technically my first Mother’s Day but promoting anything other than grabbing a few hours of sleep, a short walk and a decent meal were well beyond me; I’m sure all of you moms out there can relate!
Well… 13 months later I am gearing up to celebrate my second Mother’s Day. This has been the best year of my life… spending tons of quality time with my little guy by working primarily from home and creating a bond that will last a lifetime. But now it is time to get back to the office a couple days a week.
I am grateful to own my own company, especially a brownie company! But don’t be fooled, the balance between motherhood and running a company is beyond any challenge I could have ever imagined. I’m not sure if I experience “mommy guilt” so much as a deep sadness at the end of the day when I have not spent as much time with Teddy as I would have liked. Yes, I have flexibility, but also the weight and ultimate responsibility to care for and grow a company that I am extremely passionate about. I am excited and scared out of my wits every day; the mornings greet me with an intense combination of enthusiasm and fear as I try my best to navigate the mompreneur path.
Teddy has just surpassed the one year mark so going back to the office part-time sounds easy-breezy, right? Well, truth be told, I have spent more nights than I would like to admit agonizing over what is “right” as well as trying to look beyond the first few years of Teddy’s life. I’ve grown a company that I’m proud of and want to see grow by leaps and bounds over the next several years; this is sounding an awful lot like motherhood! Keep in mind, Vermont Brownie Company was my baby before I had a baby!
So many people have told me that it’s good for us both that I go back to work part-time; Teddy can socialize and get used to being taken care of by someone else a few days a week. This is a notion I struggle with. It’s funny… this kid has always had a full social calendar; he makes me look like a bump on a log! I’m basically his scheduling secretary/Sherpa – both jobs that I LOVE! I’m also pretty sure this is a lot harder on me than it is on him.
Therein lies the problem… the motherhood bug bit me BAD! I went from a person who wasn’t entirely sure she wanted kids, to doing everything in my power to be home with my son. The friendships we’ve fostered over this precious first year and the closeness I feel with my son are things that will be ours forever. Moments that can never be taken away.
This blog isn’t about stay-at-home versus working moms. I feel strongly that our children will thrive as long as we love them and do right by them every day. The Europeans seem to have figured this out… a year maternity leave that can be split between mom and dad. That sounds so humane compared to six weeks!
I’d love to know how you moms out there make it work, whether it’s balancing motherhood with work, a hobby or simply something you feel passionate about. Mommy guilt is inevitable but what are some of the little tricks you can share with me and other moms out there?
I could write endlessly on this topic but would really like to know what you’re thinking! While writing this blog it hit me that I should make it a point to think about my “why” when I get up in the morning and before I go to bed at night. Ok, that’s step number one!
One more thing (and it’s a big thing)… my sincerest gratitude goes out to the fabulous moms I work with at Vermont Brownie Company. They have shown me continuous patience, guidance and support throughout my mompreneur journey.
Warmly,
Shawna
April 22nd, 2012
Dear Friends,
As you know, communities around Vermont – and many of our friends and coworkers – continue to recover from the aftermath of tropical storm Irene. We’ve all been searching for ways to help.
That’s why on Friday, September 16, Vermont Brownie Company and other Vermont businesses like Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, Inc. and Cabot are hosting an Irene Flood Relief concert at Higher Ground in Burlington, Vermont.
The concert features energetic afro-indie pop band Rubblebucket and Latin jazz and salsa dance band Ritmo Masacote.
Tickets are $10 each, with proceeds benefitting the Vermont Foodbank. Tickets are now on sale – please click here to purchase tickets.
If you can’t join, you can still help! Text FOODNOW to 52000 to donate $10 to Vermont Foodbank today.
September 15th, 2011
Dear Friends,
Vermonters are now busy cleaning up and doing repairs in the aftermath of Irene this past weekend. The devastation caused by this storm is heart-breaking. The states historic landscape has been altered forever.
We want to sincerely thank our customers for the emails, phone calls, and genuine concern you’ve shown for Vermont Brownie Company and the well-being of our employees. Unlike many small businesses around the state we were not hit hard, other than a loss of power. We were very lucky.
Vermont Brownie Company is sending special “Brownie Care Packages” to shelters that have been set up throughout the state and making other donations to those affected by the flood.
To our friends that have been affected by the Irene flood disaster, our thoughts are with you.
Warmly,
Katherine & Shawna
September 15th, 2011
The White Library (blog) by Sandra Downie
August 9, 2011
Today is a sweet day for so many reasons, but one of them is because of the yummy giveaway from the Vermont Brownie Company. I first learned about the company and owners, Katherine and Shawna by watching an episode of “Throwdown With Bobby Flay” in which they did a brownie face off! After that episode, I immediately ordered a sampler packet of their brownies.
As a brownie aficionado, I simply feel in love with the wide variety of decadent brownie flavors they offered. They are rich, moist and have very deep chocolate flavor. I have to admit, I couldn’t choose just one, so I ordered their sampler packet. My favorite? Their Maple Toffee Crunch is ridiculously divine! I also love that they are a company that supports sustainability and that they source their ingredients locally from VT. I am all about that! So my lovelies, if you are a die hard brownie fan like myself, then you are going to want to get your hands on this sampler pack. Who knows, you might just decide you want to share some of them.
http://www.thewhitelibrary.com/
August 11th, 2011
Previous Posts
One of my bridesmaids almost got taken out when guests saw her carrying some extra brownies! Hopefully your guests are a bit more refined. Actually, can I really blame my family and friends for their brownie enthusiasm? 
Imagine… one scrumptious brownie all wrapped up in a little gift box made just for you. I think these will make amazing favors for all types of business events and parties. Again, would love to hear what you think…
