Today we’d like to introduce you to Kellee Everts.
Hi Kellee, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I’ve been baking since I was a young child. Growing up with my father, we baked our bread and made granola weekly instead of purchasing from the store. This was largely because we had very little money, and making our own from scratch was economically sound. However, this is where my love for baking began. Fast forward numerous years to 2017. Our family welcomed our first grandchild into the world. Wanting to spoil her, as every grandmother should, I didn’t want to give her processed food or preservatives. The search was on for the treat to give when my little granddaughter came to grandma’s house. One afternoon, while grabbing ingredients for a recipe, I picked up a box of graham crackers and thought, “I bet I can make these from scratch, and they’d be way more delicious and far healthier.” I grew up loving graham crackers as a treat and was so dismayed at how bland and cardboard-like they’ve become in the stores. This became the spark that launched a thousand recipes! The ‘ OG ‘ cracker was born through trial and error and much taste testing. By this time, one grandchild became three, and this exclusive group approved wholeheartedly that these were the best graham crackers ever!
On another fateful afternoon, the whole family was together. The grandchildren were enjoying their graham crackers from Grammie, and the question was laid on the table, “Mom, these are good, and the kids love them. Why don’t you sell these?” This, though, was waved off with a polite, “I don’t think so,” but the seed had been planted.
If you live long enough, everyone gets nudged to do something. You may not know why or how, but you must do it. The seed that had been planted became a nudge, then turned into a thump, and eventually, through this series of events, encouragement from family, and lots of prayers, the answer came while reading yet another news article about some horrific event that had happened in the world. I couldn’t stop asking myself how to make a positive difference. “Spread the love, one graham cracker at a time.” This thought became foundational, and soon, I found that I couldn’t sleep because there was so much to do! On October 1st of 2022, Grammies Crackers, LLC. We launched at the Bandera Farmers Market in San Antonio, Texas. When we launched, we weren’t sure if anyone besides the family would love our graham crackers, but as it turns out, many people love the product and can’t wait to get more. The OG, Chocolate Dream, and Cina-yum classic flavors regularly sell out, and our new raving fans can’t wait for the latest limited editions to be revealed and launched. I’m so thankful for that nudge that wouldn’t go away so we can share a bit of wholesomeness and love, one Grammies Cracker at a time.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The journey to our goals isn’t a smooth road! The bumps, dips, wrong turns, and potholes along the way have only made us stronger and more prepared for the next journey and goals. The biggest challenges have been building a bakery business while working a full-time “day” job as a full-time wife, mother, and grandmother. There’s also the challenge of building a business without going into debt! However, I appreciate the struggles and have become stronger, more prepared, and more determined because of them.
I appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Having a background in customer service, customer experience, and brand management has helped in this venture. I spent numerous years in retail management before shifting to retail development and property management. I eventually became a vice president of learning and organizational development and hospitality in that field. After that, I became a Customer Experience and Management consultant. Simultaneously, I was a Certified Jazzercise Instructor for 7 years and only put that aside to build my Grammies Crackers business. Currently, my “day job” is supporting shareholders for a mutual funds company, which allows me the time and energy to build Grammies Crackers.
If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
The most important characteristic is a positive, “can-do” attitude and lots of faith! Second would be lots of patience and exceptional time-management and organizational skills.
Pricing:
- Classics Full-Size $12.00
- Classics Ity-Bity $5.00
- Classics Snack-Paks $3.00
- All Crumbs $5.00
- Limited Edition and Specialty varieties, just a bit more
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.grammiescrackers.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grammiescrackers/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/grammiescrackers/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grammiescrackers
Image Credits
Autumn Davida Photography
