Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Stephanie Baudhuin. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Stephanie, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. One of the things we most admire about small businesses is their ability to diverge from the corporate/industry standard. Is there something that you or your brand do that differs from the industry standard? We’d love to hear about it as well as any stories you might have that illustrate how or why this difference matters.

This particular topic has been both a pain point and a growing opportunity for Crummies. Yes I make Vegan food and my target audience is most definitely plant based folks. What I want to talk about is that, to me, Veganism comes with a host of stigma and negativity. I want even the most die hard meat eater to try my food and have an open mind about it. You would not believe the conversations I have had. I started selling my product at the Greeley Farmers Market back in 2019. Weld county as you may or may not know is very, very, pro meat. It is what fuels the economy and who em I to try and change the minds of anyone. Its not in my power or capability, nor my responsibility. I know why I started eating plant based and why I make the food that I do, but its not a lifestyle for everyone all the time.

All I want is an open mind and productive conversation. Its not about winning an argument or trying to convince an individual that what they are doing is wrong.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

Hello, Im Stephanie Baudhuin, owner and co-founder of Crummies. Alaskan born but Colorado is where my home is. I made my career as a graphic and print designer, prior to becoming a vegan food entrepreneur. My husband and I and our 3 doggies live in Milliken. We moved here back in 2010 and have watched the area grow immensely, all while keeping a nice small town vibe.

The founding of Crummies began back in 2017 when I gave up on commercialized meat, “cold turkey”. My husband and I began to navigate meals in our newly established multi-vore household. One meal in particular was giving us a real hard time each week, WHAT TO DO ABOUT TACO TUESDAY?
We quickly discovered that most of the Plant Based products on the grocery shelves were filled with Soy, Fillers, and frankly, unnecessary ingredients. I just wanted veggies!

After research and a lot of taste testing, we came up with our Meatless Crumble recipe. All natural, clean, and as versatile as ground meat.

Ingredients from the land, not the lab®

The Greeley Farmers Market in 2019 was where we made our first sale. The response was overwhelming and we both knew Crummies was on its way. Since then we have proud to add Tamales to our line and I have to say that they are absolutley amazing! I still fill my summer with Farmers Markets in Northern Colorado and have actually began to organize some as well. I like seeing beyond the booth, if you will, at the logistical side of things. Veganza is an all Vegan Vendor Market that we are hoping grows to be a festival type event. Milliken Market Day is a season long farmers market that me and a friend started. We kick that off 4/23 so hoping for a successful and fun season.

It was the farmers market environment that gave me my start and I believe that the community and energy at market is what every entrepreneur needs to experience.

Crummies provides Vegan and Gluten Free Food nation wide. Our tamales and meatless crumble can be found online or at a store near you.

We’d love to hear about you met your business partner.

This is a funny one because my co founder is my Husband Nick.

As I mentioned earlier it was our navigation into my new way of eating that landed us this business. He has been running his own business since 2012 and I was always so inspired by what he accomplished.

We met back in 2008 in Fort Collins. We were actually neighbors for over a year and didnt even know it! I was doing laundry in the shared laundry space the apartment complex provided. I left my load in the washer a little too long, apparently, because when I came back to change it, he was taking my things out to wash his own load. The nerve I thought and how embarrassing!

Quite the ice breaker and we have been together ever since. He is my best friend and Im still so thankful for my laundry procrastination.

Can you talk to us about manufacturing? How’d you figure it all out? We’d love to hear the story.

Coming from a Graphic Design background and not having any previous food industry experience presented its share of interesting moments. I was lucky enough to have a friend who is an amazing caterer and she took me under her quidance and was absolutely essential in my journey. She built a gorgeous commercial kitchen on her property, which I still use to this day.

She is a mentor and friend but more importantly, her experience and expertise have made me a better chef and business owner.

From licensing to quality control, all the way down to just a shoulder to cry on. I could not have done it without her.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.coloradocrummies.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crummiesco/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/crummiesco/

Image Credits
@kaylaklausphotography [email protected].