I grew up with my grandma making the most delicious homemade granola. She and my grandpa also loved to garden, so we were always eating fresh food straight from their backyard. My mom was the same way—always giving us food that was real and healthy.

I never thought much about it until college, when I had to buy my own groceries and make my own meals. One day I wanted granola, so I grabbed a bag at the store. But when I looked at the label, it was packed with sugar and filled with ingredients I couldn’t even pronounce. All I wanted was simple, healthy granola—and I was so frustrated to realize it didn’t exist on the shelves. I didn’t want to spend hours making it myself, but in that moment I told myself: one day, I’m going to sell my grandma’s granola.

Life went on—I got married, had two kids—and it never felt like the “right” time. But the thought kept burning in the back of my mind. I’m not the entrepreneur type, and I hate risk, but eventually I realized the only way to quiet that thought was to just try. If I failed, at least I’d never have to wonder what if? And if I didn’t fail—well, even better. So one day I walked into city hall, got my business license, and that was the beginning.

I launched Pendleton Granola in March 2024 out of my home, thinking I’d just sell a few bags to friends and family. A year and a half later, I’m shipping nationwide, selling in multiple stores, setting up at markets, and now working out of a professional commercial kitchen with official packaging and the whole nine yards. It’s been a roller coaster—and I’m so excited to see where it goes next.