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Pumpkin Spice aMYLK is turning out to be the darling of the season. I had no idea how popular this new flavor would become! It lights me up. Before you head out to the pumpkin patch this season, swing by the markets to grab yours! It’s the perfect Fall feeling all bottled up.
Amy's Thoughts On Growth & A New Economy
I’ve been doing a lot of thinking lately about growth, both personally and professionally. It’s time. During a year where we have experienced a global pandemic and radical economic and social change, aMYLK has not only held fast, but continued to grow. I'm projecting our growth to be at about 15% this year, which is amazing considering everything that has been happening. Note: I've done this by and large through a grassroots farmers market model of selling mostly directly to consumers.
Something about how I'm running aMYLK is working and resonating with my community. Americans want real food, and are willing to pay for it.
I have a long list of ideas for aMYLK that I’ve been mulling over. It’s both exciting and terrifying. I'm talking to investors and publicists. I’m finding myself going inward as I consider my options. I’m perplexed by the fact that I’m sleeping a lot, when it feels like I “should” be working longer and harder and making big moves. (Work, Work, Work. Isn't that the American idea of success?) I've decided to honor my need for sleep and nurture myself as I step back to consider the next chapter for aMYLK and what's best for myself, my family and my community.
As I consider growth strategies, I believe it's important to focus on what brings me the most Joy. I love everything about aMYLK. I love my products. I love the team that I’m fortunate enough to lead. I love my customers and the community of aMYLK lovers who grace us with their business through MilkRun and our farmers markets. I love that I have created a company out of a dream and that I've never wavered in being my truest self.
Let me be vulnerable for a moment, I want to reach more people. I want aMYLK to become a national household name, but not at the expense of quality or my own integrity. I am also realizing that I can't do it alone.
It's time to grow, but I’m not sure how to do it. There doesn't seem to be a model in this economy that supports my ideals and the ideals that I believe are important to my customers. I am definitely and deliberately walking against the current. It would be so much easier if I’d just follow the current model of capitalism (bigger, cheaper, faster) and go with the flow.
I do not want to see my products on grocery store shelves or shipped all over the country on pallets in the backs of trucks or in the bellies of planes. I don’t want to bottle in plastic or consult food scientists on how make aMYLK last longer so I can distribute it further. I don't think that model is good for me, for the planet, or for you.
I believe we are at the beginning of a New Economy, one that will be centered around local communities, just like in the old days. I'm leaning hard into going big by being small. I'm creating my own model, one that doesn't sacrifice my well being or the well being of my customers in the name of profit.
What is the future of aMYLK?
I want to see aMYLK produced locally in multiple cities & sold fresh directly to consumers through farmers markets where my team and I live as a loving members of local communities. Is that possible?
I want to grow by being small, by holding onto my values and staying true to my mission to produce the very highest quality, most nutrient dense milk alternatives on the planet with no compromises.
It’s a wacky idea. It’s certainly the hard way to grow, but it feels like the only way in my heart of hearts. What do you think? Am I a rebel or a leader? Maybe I'm both.
aMYLK isn’t your average plant-milk, so it’s going to take a lot of loving, not so average customers to help me grow. Are you with me? Let's create a new economy focused on high quality, locally produced and distributed foods together. Stay tuned for future developments and send me a note telling me your thoughts.
I hope to see you at the Farmers Markets this weekend.
With Great Love,
Amy
Owner & Chief Joy Seeker at aMYLK
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