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Roots & Spoon

@rootsandspoon

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Helping small food businesses grow.
Storytelling • Marketing • Creative Support
Creating community through food.
Let's work together ↓

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The amount of times I’ve said “I’m not working today” while actively working. 😂

The parking lot emails. The 11 PM ideas. The “I’ll just respond really quickly” that turns into 45 minutes.
And somehow? I wouldn’t trade building my own business for anything.

Small business owners, please tell me the most ridiculous place you’ve answered a work message. I know I’m not alone.

#SmallBusinessOwner #WomenInBusiness by @rootsandspoon

The optimism was there. The ambition was there. The content? Not so much. 😂

The confidence of a woman with a content calendar. The execution of a raccoon with an iPhone.

Another productive day as a small business owner, content creator, and professional camera roll filler.
Please tell me I’m not alone in this. 😂 by @rootsandspoon

I’ve spent a lot of time building, learning, making mistakes, figuring things out, and occasionally wondering what on earth I’m doing.

But somewhere along the way, I realized something.
I’m not even close to being done.

There are bigger ideas, new opportunities, more collaborations, and a whole lot of things I haven’t even attempted yet.

And if there’s one thing entrepreneurship has taught me, it’s that you’re allowed to keep reinventing yourself, raising the bar, and going after things that once felt completely out of reach.

So, respectfully, I’m about to become a little more ambitious, a little more unapologetic, and a whole lot more intentional.

Let’s see what happens when I turn it up a notch.
#EntrepreneurLife #WomenInBusiness #SmallBusinessOwner #BusinessGrowth #RootsAndSpoon by @rootsandspoon

Rich in life, and that’s a kind of success I don’t take for granted. ☕️

Some days it’s sweatpants, a messy bun, and my third cup of coffee before noon. Other days it’s meetings, farmers markets, and a calendar that has me running in every direction.
But the best part? I built a business that allows me to choose.

The work I do. The people I work with. How I spend my time. And what success looks like for me.

Don’t get me wrong, entrepreneurship isn’t always easy. There are long days, plenty of uncertainty, and a whole lot of figuring things out as I go.

But getting to wake up and build something I genuinely love, alongside people I believe in?
That’s my definition of rich.

#EntrepreneurLife #SmallBusinessOwner #RichInLife #WomenInBusiness #RootsAndSpoon by @rootsandspoon

One of the best parts of entrepreneurship is getting to build a business on your own terms. But one of the hardest parts? Knowing who to trust with the business you've worked so hard to create.

I've been on both sides of that equation, and I've seen how much of a difference the right (or wrong) support can make. Whether you're hiring someone for marketing, photography, a website, bookkeeping, or anything in between, the decision should go beyond price.

It's about communication, transparency, realistic expectations, and finding someone who understands what you're trying to build. Because the goal of hiring help isn't to add another headache to your already overflowing plate.

It's to give you more time, energy, and freedom to focus on what you love doing. Swipe through for five things to consider before bringing someone into your small business.

What's one thing you wish you'd known before hiring someone?

#SmallBusinessTips #EntrepreneurLife #SmallBusinessMarketing #FoodEntrepreneur #RootsAndSpoon by @rootsandspoon

I swear, sometimes I feel like I’m running a small business rehabilitation center.

I’ve had business owners come to me after spending thousands of dollars, receiving poor service, seeing little progress toward their goals, and feeling completely defeated.

And the hardest part? They’ve lost trust in letting someone else handle any part of their business.
So before we can even talk about websites, marketing, social media, or strategy, we have to rebuild that trust.
I 👏 GET 👏 IT 👏
When you’ve poured your heart, time, and money into building something, handing even a small piece of it over to someone else is a BIG deal.

That’s why I believe in honest conversations, realistic expectations, transparency, and treating someone else’s business with the same care I’d give my own.
Because small business owners don’t just need another service provider.

They need someone in their corner who genuinely wants to see them succeed.

#SmallBusinessOwner #SmallBusinessMarketing #EntrepreneurLife #FoodEntrepreneur #RootsAndSpoon by @rootsandspoon

It’s the little things in small business ownership.

The late nights, endless edits, second-guessing, and pouring your heart into your work... all worth it when a client says, “Everything is perfect. Thank you so much!”

Because when you’re a small business owner, happy clients aren’t just good for business. They’re the reason you do what you do.

And yes, I will absolutely be celebrating like this every single time.
Anyone else get ridiculously excited over a happy client?

#SmallBusinessOwner #EntrepreneurLife #HappyClients #SmallBusinessHumor #RootsAndSpoon by @rootsandspoon

Running a small food business is not for the faint of heart.

Between making your products, managing inventory, keeping customers happy, marketing, bookkeeping, and about a hundred other things, it's easy to feel like you have to do EVERYTHING.

But here's something I've learned from years in the food industry, both as a maker and working alongside other small businesses:

Working harder isn't always the answer.

Sometimes it's about working differently.

A little strategy, better systems, stronger relationships, and knowing when to ask for help can make a world of difference.

Here are five things I'd encourage every small food business owner to rethink.

Which one resonates with you most?

#SmallFoodBusiness #FoodEntrepreneur #SmallBusinessTips #FoodBusinessMarketing #RootsAndSpoon by @rootsandspoon

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned as an entrepreneur is that building a business and building a community are two very different things.

You can work hard, wear all the hats, and figure out a whole lot on your own.
But the real magic happens when you start connecting with other people.

The conversations. The collaborations. The shared experiences. The people who challenge you, encourage you, and sometimes tell you what you need to hear.
I’ve learned just as much from the people around me as I have from running my own businesses.

And I think that’s something we don’t talk about enough in entrepreneurship.
Success isn’t just about what you build. It’s also about who you build alongside.

#SmallBusinessOwner #EntrepreneurLife #SmallBusinessCommunity #WomenInBusiness #RootsAndSpoon by @rootsandspoon

Good food, great conversations, and a room full of inspiring women? Count me in!

The food and farm industry has historically been a male-dominated space, which makes opportunities like @womenwhoinspirema in Food that much more meaningful.

There’s something pretty powerful about getting together with women who understand the challenges, celebrate the wins, share their experiences, and genuinely want to see one another succeed.

Because moving this industry forward isn’t just about what we accomplish individually. It’s about the connections we make, the doors we open, and how we support the next generation of women in food.

A huge thank you to everyone who made this gathering possible and to @meimeidumplings for bringing us together!

And let’s be serious for a second... I will NEVER turn down an opportunity to eat dumplings, especially from one of my favorites, Mei Mei!

Here’s to more women supporting women, more meaningful conversations, and more seats at the table.

#WomenInFood #WomenSupportingWomen #FoodCommunity #BostonFoodScene #RootsAndSpoon by @rootsandspoon

I can talk all day about how much I love working with small food businesses, but sometimes it's better to let the people I work with do the talking...

From websites to newsletters to social media and creative support, every business I work with has its own story, challenges, and goals.

That's exactly why I love what I do. I'm incredibly grateful for the trust these business owners put in me and for the relationships we've built along the way. Swipe through to hear about a little of their experiences!

Have a small food business that could use an extra set of hands? Let's chat!
@lamore.della.pasta @xfromskratchx @homegrowncreativecollective @bubblebarbostononmain
#SmallBusinessSupport #FoodBusinessMarketing #SmallBusinessGrowth #WomenInBusiness #RootsAndSpoon by @rootsandspoon

A couple of weeks ago, I met up with someone who had sent me their small business plan to review. Naturally, I was excited to help. Between coaching small businesses and mentoring through accelerator programs, helping people succeed is one of my favorite things.
But the conversation went sideways. FAST.

It got heated enough that someone approached me afterward and said they thought they might have to call the police.
Not exactly your typical coffee date.

After some reflection, here are 7 lessons I walked away with:
1. Clarity is everything. If you can’t explain your business in one sentence, you’ll get lost in the details. Simplifying your big idea is HARD, but necessary.

2. Not everyone wants to be pushed. My instinct is to encourage, challenge, and motivate. But not everyone wants that, even when they ask for feedback.

3. Ideas and execution are different things. Loving the idea of entrepreneurship doesn’t mean you’re ready for the work, accountability, and follow-through.

4. Empathy matters. You can walk a mile in someone’s shoes, but until you’ve carried their load with their flat feet, bunions, and crappy shoes, you may never understand their journey.

5. Entrepreneurs don’t always make great employees. But being a bad employee doesn’t automatically make you an entrepreneur. There’s a BIG difference.

6. Patterns in feedback matter. If multiple people are pointing out the same issues with your pitch, plan, or approach, maybe it’s time to listen.

7. Not every conversation needs to be a coaching session. Sometimes people want advice. Sometimes they want encouragement. Sometimes they just want to be heard. Learning the difference matters.

Entrepreneurship is messy. People are complicated. Growth isn’t always comfortable.

I’ll never stop cheering people on, challenging them, and helping them succeed.

But I might ask a few more questions before that second cup of coffee.

What’s one uncomfortable lesson entrepreneurship has taught YOU?

#smallbusinesssupportingsmallbusiness #entrepreneurship #entrepreneur #smallbusinessmarketing #smallbusinessowners by @rootsandspoon