Hey Toads!
Long time no see? Yeah, that’s on me. Or at least, past me. That guy is so irresponsible and flaky. Today is a new day, and I am a new toad! Shame on that past toad for his transgressions.
What does this new toad think? Actually, maybe I should be nicer to that old toad. It looks like today I’m going to talk about change.
If you haven’t noticed, we’ve changed a bit since we first hopped on the scene in 2023. First of all, we are no longer “ToadStone Dried Goods” and presently are a bold, “ToadStone Tea”.
Did you know we used to sell spice packs and dog treats alongside the tea? …yeah…we did that! We showed up on the scene not really knowing what would come of things, but here I am over two years later typing up a blog for our website. Who knew?
I didn’t. Even now, I don’t think I’m much better at predicting the future, but this new toad is happy to keep taking steps forward in spite of the unknown. It’s worked out so far, why not keep going?
My wife and I took what should’ve been a down payment on a house and took a leap into the north woods. Did you know our first booths were at art fairs and shows? We traveled around showing off Gabby’s artwork which gave mixed results. We built a reputation, but we needed something more stable to pay the bills. My wife signed us up for the local farmers market with the idea that we would sell art alongside–something. WE DIDN’T KNOW! We built a ragtag brick oven in our front yard because we thought we might sell stone fired bread
I’m not trying to tell you what to do here. Merely, I’m trying to convey to you the fact that at one point I was absolutely terrified to give up my corporate chef career and the stability that provided. Yet, at that time, I had no idea that my wife and I would craft dozens of original organic tea blends that are both delicious and sustainably created.
I could make a list of all the things I didn’t know before ToadStone that I do now. I know that turmeric and chamomile, with black assam tea are a delicious pairing in our Dirty Daisy. I know that working directly with farmers leads to better working experiences (farmers are fun people). I’ve also learned that when you take the best of what is out there in the world and find a way to blend it with things available locally in your everyday life, you will find amazing new possibilities with tea and with your own life.
Things keep moving, time goes on, but good tea is just good tea! Remember when you’re out there in the world change is inevitable, the least you can do is try to stay bumpy!
Till next time!