We recently connected with Kate & Matt Ekren and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Kate & Matt thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What do you think it takes to be successful?

As my wife and I have journeyed through life as entrepreneurs and business owners, we’ve discovered that success is something worth defining with intention. When we acquired OAT, our vision of success wasn’t rooted in numbers or titles—it blossomed from our love of real, wholesome food and the joy of sharing it with the communities we cherish.
For us, success doesn’t have to be complicated. It can be as simple as a smile sparked by a delicious meal, or as meaningful as knowing we’ve shared our blessings in a genuine way. Through every slice of toast, bowl of oats and every drink, we hope to bring a small slice of joy to someone’s day. And more importantly, we see our work as an opportunity to share God’s story—through meals made with love, purpose, and care.

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.

Once upon a time, there was a girl named Lindsey who really, really loved food. But not just any food—real food. The kind that grows from the ground, fuels your body, and makes mornings feel like magic. Frustrated by the lack of breakfast spots offering truly wholesome, exciting meals, she decided to create her own. So in 2023, Oat & Toast was born.

Armed with a breakfast cart, a playlist of good tunes, help from her mama, and a whole lot of passion, Lindsey set out to make mornings better. She served up oat bowls and toast with zero added sugar, no seed oils, and absolutely no ingredients you couldn’t pronounce. Just real, beautiful food—packaged with purpose and made with love. Her little cart quickly became a beloved friend to Fargo.

Fast forward to 2025, and the story takes a new turn
Lindsey passed the torch to Matt and Kate Ekren—a husband-and-wife duo who had fallen head over heels for the Oat & Toast vibe. Longtime fans of the cart and believers in its mission, Matt and Kate bring a deep love for honest food, community connection, and joyful mornings.their goal is simple…KEEP THE HEART OF OAT & TOAST ALIVE WHILE SPRINKLING IN THEIR OWN CREATIVITY AND CARE.Under their stewardship, you’ll still find all your favorite nourishing oat bowls, toast combos, drinks, and surprise specials—crafted with clean, Midwest-sourced ingredients and a whole lot of heart.

This isn’t just breakfast. It’s a movement rooted in wellness, transparency, and joy. Whether you’re a regular or a first-timer, we’re here to make sure your day starts with something real—and something really good.

Let’s move on to buying businesses – can you talk to us about your experience with business acquisitions?

When we first discovered Oat & Toast, it felt less like stumbling upon a business opportunity and more like finding a piece of our own hearts. From the very beginning, we were drawn to its foundation—built on Christ, rooted in authenticity, and guided by a love for real, transparent food.
Breakfast has always been our favorite meal of the day—the time when hope feels fresh and the table is filled with comfort. Oat & Toast embodied that spirit perfectly: wholesome meals, crafted with care, and shared in a way that felt genuine and nourishing. We knew right away this was something special, something we wanted to steward.
Purchasing Oat & Toast wasn’t just about becoming business owners. It was about carrying forward a mission we already believed in. The heart of the brand—honest food, uplifting community, and a Christ-centered foundation—spoke to us deeply. We didn’t want to change its essence; we wanted to nurture it, protect it, and help it grow.
One of the things we were most excited about was expanding the menu with new drinks—creative, refreshing, and joyful offerings to start someone’s day off right. Each sip and bite is an opportunity to share not just flavor, but also blessing.
For us, Oat & Toast is more than breakfast. It’s about creating a small, meaningful moment of joy in someone’s day, honoring God’s story through food, and celebrating the beauty of simple, honest meals.

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

Our Instagram isn’t just a page—it’s a community. It’s where our customers share their love for the wholesome food and drinks we create, and where we get to reflect that love right back. From the beginning, we built our page on authenticity—real content, real moments, and real connection.
As we started doing pop-ups and public events, one thing remained a top priority: bringing our audience along for the journey. We wanted them to feel part of the experience, to share in the joy and excitement of what was ahead, and to see the heart behind what we do.
For us, Instagram is more than a platform—it’s a way to stay consistent, stay connected, and celebrate the genuine relationships we’re blessed to have with our growing community.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://oatandtoast.com/about
• Instagram: @oatandtoast
• Facebook: Oat & Toast

Image Credits

Image credit

@livbygrace.brands