We recently connected with Andrea McEwan Ridout and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Andrea, thanks for joining us today. What was it like going from idea to execution? Can you share some of the backstory and some of the major steps or milestones?

I have always owned my own business, though they all related to hardware. My last company was an eco-friendly True Value hardware store in Dallas, Texas. One of our missions was to promote local brands such as White Rock Granola. The products were so delicious that my staff and I would often snack on them during the workday. White Rock’s owner, Renee Latour, had begun making the granola at her bed & breakfast and we were one of few dealers selling it.

Fast forward to 2020. I had sold my hardware store and was looking for a new adventure but it was just at the beginning of the pandemic. I was at the farmer’s market on one of the last weekends that it was open and I ran into Renee at her granola stand. We sat and talked for awhile and she told me that she and her husband wanted to retire to Arkansas. Before I knew it, I ended up buying the company from her, with the help of my two sons who put up some of the funds.

As I mentioned, I had loved Renee’s granola when I used to carry it in my former retail store. I also felt that she was sitting on a goldmine if she could break into mainstream grocery and retail, which we are doing right now. Spreading this product around the country excites my team and me. Our customers are very loyal because our granola is truly delicious and much healthier than most other snacks and cereal.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your background and context?

I have grown and sold 3 award-winning hardware businesses but have never been in the food industry until the last year and a half with White Rock Granola. I was also a radio host for Mother Earth News and Ask Andrea Radio, did TV product demos for many years and am a published author. But there was a common thread through all of my activities; that I loved to support small businesses. I am intrigued by the journey of how small companies grow into larger ones, so it’s exciting to be able to do that with White Rock Granola.

What sets us apart? Many consumers these days are tired of fatty, sugary, salty, “bad for you” snacks and cereals. We aim to solve that problem by providing delicious, healthier, artisan snack and breakfast options. White Rock Granola is built on the belief that “good for you” food can also be delicious. Our 7 amazing granola flavors are made from wholesome ingredients – and are low-gluten, low-salt, vegetarian or vegan plus non-GMO – with an “air-baked” texture that is easy to eat and digest – plus each has a superfood in every bite!

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

As I mentioned, my sons and I bought White Rock Granola in November of 2020, during the height of the holiday rush. A few weeks after that, my mother fell and broke her hip and then she passed away in January of 2021. After her death, my father was very sad and his health declined rapidly. He caught Covid late in 2021 and also passed away. So it’s been a challenge to run a new business and build it up while also spending time with family and going through the grieving process. There were days when I just had to sit and cry. But my parents were our biggest supporters and I know that they are looking down from Heaven and urging my sons and I to make a success of White Rock Granola.

During this very challenging time, our staff literally took over baking and deliveries. We would not have made it through the last year and a half without them! But as a team, we have really bounced back. Even with our personal challenges, we’ve expanded dealer sales into over 50 regional and national retailers including Central Market and we are onboarding with other major grocery retailers right now. We are also selling into corporate break rooms such as Wingstop, Verizon and Intuit as well as college campuses, restaurants, hotels, and golf courses. Our granola was even used recently to make a blueberry and granola sour beer that was absolutely fantastic!

One of our main goals for White Rock Granola is to incorporate green practices into our operations. Our granola is already healthier than typical cereal or snacks but we are taking steps to make it even more so. Two of the our flavors are now vegan with plans to add a sugar-free KETO variety soon. We’ve also converted much of our packaging to bio-plastics, with more in development, and we recycle or compost the bulk of our waste from our baking processes. We also uses green energy as much as possible and hybrid vehicles for local deliveries. We would love to be a leader in eco-friendly manufacturing.

Can you talk to us about your experience with selling businesses?

I’ve founded, grown and sold three companies. The secret to selling any business is to have a strong network and to be open to odd possibilities. My first company was Hardware+Plus, a decorative hardware showroom, that supplied unique door hardware and designer products to homeowners, commercial projects, theme parks and movie sets. I sold Hardware_Plus to a local hardware store, Elliott’s Hardware, in the Dallas area. We had been friends and competitors for many years so they were a natural choice for a buyout.

My second business was a national door hardware brand, Nostalgic Warehouse, which we built up to be on display at over 2,000 showrooms across the US as well as Home Depot and Lowes. I sold that company at a trade show. I had noticed one of my fellow exhibitors trying to catch a cab at our hotel, to no avail, and so I gave him a ride to the convention center. He ended up buying Nostalgic Warehouse from me!

My third company was an eco-friendly True Value store, Rooster Home & Hardware, that I sold in 2016. While running the business, I had become friends with the CEO of Half Price Books. She would often come into the store while her daughter was at art classes nearby. When I told her one day that I was thinking of selling, she made me an offer that I could not refuse. I still visit the store often and I am so proud of how well it’s done for the new owners. It’s like watching one of your kids grow up and become successful!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://whiterockgranola.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whiterockgranola/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/whiterockgranola
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrearidout/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/andrea_ridout
• Youtube: https://youtu.be/wXnFkipHqX4

Image Credits
All photos except beer and Wingstop are thr rights of White Rock Granola LLC. Wingstop was provided by them. Rollertown Beerworks supplied the beer pic.