Love, Cookies & Karaoke?

Hopefully by now you know that you can find an array of delicious, unique, hand crafted food products on Foodzie. But that’s only half of it. The other half is the story behind the cookie you’re munching on. And in Liz Lovely’s case – there is quite a good story behind their Vegan, Fair Trade, Gluten-Free & Organic cookies. But first lets talk about the cookies. Sometimes something that seems too good to be true – really is true. While these cookies are about as socially responsible as you can get they are also really freaking good. Between the perfectly spicy and chewy Ginger Snapdragons, the Lovely Oh’s (think vegan chocolate covered Oreo®-style cookies) or the hearty Goats a’ Grazin’ cookies (Oatmeal Raisin) you will be hard pressed to think they are anything but delicious. Free Shipping Today Only with a minimum order of $30!

As for the story behind the cookies, Liz Lovely was started by high school sweethearts Dan and Liz. Liz’s greatest love affair has always been with sugar. And Dan’s greatest love affair has always been with Liz. And that is where their story begins. Two star-crossed lovers: high on chocolate, but down on their luck. They set out on a mission to create products that were made in the most authentic, responsible way possible and they sure have done it. I’ll let Liz Lovely’s co-owner Dan AKA ‘Cowboy Dan’ tell the rest of the interesting story behind Liz Lovely located in Waitsfield, VT.

 

1. Hey there Cowboy Dan. So the story of Liz Lovely begins with: "Two star-crossed lovers: high on chocolate, but down on their luck." Tell us more.
Liz Lovely was created to fill the tandem void in employment and fulfillment we were experiencing at the end of the dot-com hysteria of the early 2000’s.  SmartGorilla, my web application business, had failed. Our subsequent jobs laid us off.  We wanted to do something we really cared about.  Liz said, “I’m going to make jobs for us.” And she did. In fact, she made like five jobs for just the two of us.  It was pretty brutal in the beginning.  Lots of long hours.  But it was very exciting.  We baked and packaged.  We gave out samples in stores, and delivered cookies in a pickup truck.  And nearly eight years later we’re still here.  Still growing organically through word of mouth.

2. Your cookies are ‘good’ in every sense of the word. Organic, Gluten-Free, Free Trade and Vegan. Oh yea, and delicious! What drives you to make such a conscious cookie?
Our relentless integrity is possibly a character flaw gleaned from our childhoods social service oriented households.  Liz’s dad was a Methodist minister, my mom was a community center director, it’s in the blood.  Our goal was never the money.  Money is easy, you just value everyone and everything else below yourself and mislead your customers into overpaying.  We’ve always prioritized quality, social responsibility, and fairness above our own personal gain.

3. Among some of the many things you’ve done in your life, I see that you battled cancer at 17. How has that affected you and your business?
Actually surviving the cancer was the most jarring experience.  I was really at death’s door for the better part of 18 months, then they sent me home in remission and said, “have a good life!” It took a long time to fully digest the gravity of the experience and what the rest of my life would be about. The idea of mission and purpose has taken on a big role in my thinking.  Also, the idea of helping and healing others in a variety of ways.  With good food.  With music and art. With insight.  With emphasis on coaching and personal growth with our staff.  Life is a one-way trip, I think we owe it to ourselves to express ourselves and improve as we go.

4. What are three adjectives that describe your cookies?
Indulgent, artisanal, responsible.

5. Do you have a favorite Liz Lovely cookie?
You know there are 16 flavors now.  So that’s a tough question.  I guess, all things being equal, my go-to cookie is still the second cookie we released back in 2003: the Peanut Butter Classics.  How can you go wrong with organic peanut butter and dark chocolate?

6. We normally only do 5 questions, but I’ve gotta ask one more. Apparently you host Karaoke shows on the side? What’s your go-to song?
I host a family-friendly karaoke show monthly at the Big Picture, which is a movie theater, restaurant, bar, and café under one roof. It’s Vermont, we have to “bundle” our entertainment. Anyway, based on the reviews from the last show, it’s definitely “Gimme Shelter” by the Rolling Stones.  My falsetto is pretty bad-ass.

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