Meet Charity Gingerich | Owner, Spice & Spreads Connoisseur, Mother

We had the good fortune of connecting with Charity Gingerich and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Charity, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
Growing up many of the adults in my life were business owners. My father was a multi generation farmer who taught me to be passionate about working and enjoying God’s creation. My mother sold a lot of crafts she sewed. I also married into a farm family and we were privileged to become owners of the farm. While farming is my husbands passion it was never mine even thought I love being a part of it. For many years I was fortunate to be a stay at home mother but as my children starting growing up and attending school I realized I could teach them so much to prep them for one day being business owners themselves. I started praying for something that would be a great fit that I would enjoy to present itself. While I wanted to supplement our families income a little the goal was more to do something I loved while teaching my children. I had also come to realize that I enjoy cooking, helping people and inspiring others to enjoy what they are doing as well so being in the food industry seemed to be a perfect fit for us!

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
One thing I was not expecting with this business is how much joy it would bring me! I make all natural, no additive hand-mixed spices that smell so good and make your taste buds explode. We also make many different flavored butters which often takes people by surprise. There’s nothing like watching a customer when you offer them a sample of butter. At first they get a confused look-why would anyone sample butter?! They hesitate a bit, then take a cautious taste. Almost immediately their eyes get this shocked look and they utter “That is amazing!” and suddenly want to try every flavor!! Having a unique product not only gets people excited but also helps them remember you! Our dressings always amaze them as well when they taste those. There’s just something about a product that has been created and made out of pure joy and love. Our heritage (Amish/Mennonite) has always made gathering around the dinner table a place where memories and conversations are made. Nothing makes me happier than to think of families crowded around the table and knowing that our products are helping make their meal special!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Where I live is like taking a trip back in time. Our small towns population is 2,180. We would have to hit up one of the multiple coffee shops in the area. As we’re sitting outside enjoying our coffee and watching the Horse & Buggies go by we would realize what a rich culture this small town has! A trip to the local Amish owned Health Food Store to buy a few things and enjoy the scenery is in order. You could spend an entire week going to the many small shops or checking out the incredible talent at some of the local cabinet/woodworking shops. Many roadside stands to stop for fresh produce during the summer may have us getting something to make for dinner. As always, no day is complete without sitting around the dinner table (eating that delicious flavored butter!) and having some great conversations. However, sometimes a girl just needs a pedicure and a department store so the next day a 45min drive to a “real” city would be in order!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My first shoutout goes to my mother who was raised in an Amish/Mennonite home and let me tell you-they can cook!! Her food is always delicious and inspired me to enjoy creating meals others would enjoy. Fortunately for me several of my Aunts also loved to cook. One of my Aunts created several recipe books and started the business I would eventually purchase. Another Aunt took it over for a few years and kept it growing. As life has a way of doing, their schedules got to where they could no longer keep up with the business and I was so incredibly blessed to be able to purchase it.

Another shoutout to my amazing husband. He not only runs his own business he makes time to support my dreams and is always willing to help out however he can. He is my biggest supporter!

A final shoutout to my children. I never dreamed when we started this how much fun it would be to work with them and watch them learn. Yes, there are days they would rather do anything than help mom again but when it’s crunch time and there are things to be done they buckle down and can outwork me! They make the exhausting days so worth it!

Instagram: simplyspice

Facebook: Simply Spice

Other: simplyspicestore.etsy.com

Image Credits
Courtney D Photography