CHICAGO, Oct. 19 // -- In 1995, Kim and Scott Holstein started their soft pretzel business in the kitchen of a studio apartment in Chicago, with a vision, hope and a credit card. Today they run a 35,000 square foot bakery, employ more than 75 staffers and project annual sales between $10-15 million. With the current economic challenges and so many people out of work, the entrepreneurial spirit is thriving. It's invigorating to know that you can take an idea and pave a path for your future and others.
It's Kim and Scott Holstein's philanthropic ingredient that makes their tasty business model one to not only imitate, but also aspire to. Kim and Scott are grateful that their all-natural, nut-free, twisted-by-hand gourmet pretzels are flying off the shelves of Whole Foods Market, Super Target, major grocery chains, smoothie chains, coffee shops, movie theaters, and airports around the country. It's their bigger commitment to the company's mission to nurture, love and feed the stomachs, spirits and souls of the world community that keeps them churning out pretzels with a purpose.
Many business organizations are taking note of this unique business plan. Last month Kim was named the 2009 Entrepreneurial Woman of the Year by the Women's Business Development Center of Chicago. In her speech to more than 1,400 business people, Kim stressed the need for a small business to include social responsibility as a critical component of its foundation from the start. On Wednesday, Oct. 14, Kim again shared her passion and commitment to building a business with purpose to the Professional Women's Club of Chicago.
"Our business is built on Pretzels with a Purpose," says Kim Holstein. "We remind ourselves daily that we're not just here to make pretzels, but we're a thriving, profitable pretzel business that is committed to making a positive difference in our world."
Kim & Scott's has twisted "Pretzels with a Purpose" into its business through its empowering kids with "Pretzel Power," raising funds for organizations with its "Pretzels for Peace" initiatives, or supporting schools with a new box top program called "Pretzel Dough." The deliciously unique "Twist For The Cure" Pink Ribbon Pretzel enables the company to twist for the cure and raise awareness of breast cancer, and this past year, they planted thousands of trees to support the bakery's Green Initiatives.
In 2010, Kim and her company will be recognized by the Women's Business Enterprise National Council as a Women's Business Enterprise Star. This nationally recognized award will be presented to Kim for her unique, and socially responsible way of doing business.
"In today's economy, it's crucial that while we not only continue to succeed, but also work to improve the communities we live in," says Kim Holstein. "As business owners, this is our privilege and responsibility."
Kim & Scott's Gourmet Pretzels was founded in 1995 by husband and wife team Kim and Scott Holstein. Since inception, the company has prided itself on its all natural, twisted by hand soft pretzels made in a nut-free bakery. The pretzels can be found in the frozen grocery aisles of Albertson's, Jewel, SuperTarget, and Whole Foods. Kim & Scott's products and philanthropic efforts were highly praised in 2004 by Fortune Magazine as a company "Breaking Big" and recognized by Inc. 5000 as one of the "fastest growing companies in America." Additionally, they have been deliciously touted by USA Today, Entrepreneur, CNBC's Power Lunch, CNBC's Donny Deutsch's "Big Idea," Food Network's Dean Brothers and Food Network's Roker on the Road who even called the pretzels "the talk of the Windy City." For the past seven years, the pretzels have been sold on QVC to an audience of more than 87 million. In September 2009, Kim was recognized as the Entrepreneurial Woman of the Year by the Women's Business Development Center of Chicago.
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SOURCE Kim & Scott's Gourmet Pretzels, Inc.
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