Mood: melancholy. ish.

As I head toward my wind down at Food & Beverage Innovations, I want to express deep thanks and gratitude to a community that gave their all to try to move this #startup across the finish line. I’ve learned so much over the past three years, with the most important lesson being about the people you surround yourself with. It begins and ends with the people. The tribe, as it were.

We started the layoff process in August '19. To the colleagues that moved on then (and a few before), I miss working with you every day. Andrew Kinskey, Josh Kramer, James Jenkins, Reymond Hernandez, Stan Levitsky, Cody Burch, Lane Logan, Jon Gordon, Brian Lee, Amy Zimmerman, Michael Conte, John Emoto-Tisdale, Gracie Quezada. I’d jump at the opportunity to work with any of you again.

A huge debt of gratitude to the skeleton crew that insisted on seeing it through: Tyler Williams, Michael Blodgett, Taylor Abdie, Courtney Jensen, Andy Craig. True blue. Loyalty runs deep with these professionals.

Thank you to the consultants/advisors along the way who have all provided a spark many times throughout the journey: Michael Lichtenwalter, Kim Martinez, Thomas Ash, Jeremy Ball, Dana Alexander, Dave Stamey, Angela Perkins, Teena Tarabochia-Swanson, Rick Hawkins, Raymond Cheung, Caleb Piling, Jason Imhoff, Mark Eklund, Stuart Friedman.

Thank you to the suppliers who have shown an amazing amount of grace and professionalism. Your ability to consider the human side in a difficult economic situation for your own companies humbled me: Daniel Burger, Nan Shu, Tim Sterling.

Thank you to the many investors. Startups are hard, startups creating a market are their own kind of problematic. I hope you all continue to believe in big dreams.

And sincere appreciation for friends/confidants/co-conspirators: Matt Howard, Laci Engel, Chris Nolan, Ari Niemi, McKenna Finley, Brian Young. You listened to the stories, offered great wisdom and, perhaps most importantly, shared laughs when needed the most.

I’m getting asked the ‘what’s next?’ question a lot. Professionally, I don’t know. I love leading the blend of Finance & Accounting and Biz Ops – I’ll look for opportunities where I can add value and have impact in those focus areas. Personally, I’ll hit the spin bike consistently again; spend the next two weeks with my daughters while they are still on winter break; catch up with contacts and (hopefully) meet new folks - open to lots of tea and coffee dates!; update a long neglected blog; read, read, read.

Peace and love!

Cindy