MY TASTEFULLY SIMPLE STORY
It all started with a little jar of Seasoned Salt. Seriously. ❤️
More than 23 years ago, when my kids were little, I went to a friend’s Tastefully Simple party and fell in love with the products. Then I found out the consultant was quitting.
I was devastated!
My first thought was, “Wait…how am I going to get my favorite products now?”
So, what did I do? I joined Tastefully Simple myself!
At the time, we were called consultants, and things looked a whole lot different than they do today. I held parties, met people at events, and actually carried inventory with me to parties. Customers could choose what they wanted and take their products home with them that night.
Getting ready for those parties was a family affair—and honestly, it felt a little like Christmas at our house!
My kids would help me unpack boxes of inventory, put my labels on products and catalogs, and help me get everything ready to go. Those are some pretty special memories when I look back on them now.
My Kids Grew Up With Tastefully Simple
Today, the business has evolved so much. Customers can order online and have everything shipped directly to them, which certainly makes things easier! I still love doing vendor events, though, because that’s when I get to see people face-to-face, talk about the products and have products available for them to purchase right there.
Fast-forward all these years, and those little helpers are now 24 and almost 29!
The really special part? Tastefully Simple is still part of their lives. They grew up cooking with these seasonings and products, and now they use them in their own everyday cooking.
That’s one of the things I love most about looking back. I originally joined because I loved the products and wanted easy, flavorful food for my family. I had no idea it would become something that stayed with us through so many stages of life.
And About That Seasoned Salt…
The product that started it all is STILL a staple in my kitchen.
I don’t even keep regular table salt around for everyday cooking anymore. If something needs salt, I’m reaching for Tastefully Simple Seasoned Salt—even in the water when I’m boiling pasta or vegetables!
Regular table salt pretty much only makes an appearance when I’m baking during the holidays.
And somewhere along the way, another seasoning joined my can’t-live-without-it list: Garlic Pepper Seasoning.
We go through that one like crazy! Vegetables, meats, pasta—you name it. It’s one of those seasonings I never want to run out of.
And trust me, I have plenty more favorites…but we’ll save those for another day. 😉
It Became More Than Food
Tastefully Simple also gave me something I desperately needed while raising my family: flexibility.
My daughter danced competitively, and if you’ve ever had a child in competitive dance, you know those classes, costumes and competitions add up quickly!
Tastefully Simple helped me earn extra money to pay for her dance expenses. I always joked that I made the money so Dad didn’t have to see all those prices! 😂
But when I look back over all these years, this business gave me something else I never expected when I signed up just because I couldn’t live without my Seasoned Salt: friendships.
I’ve met so many wonderful people and fellow consultants through Tastefully Simple over the years. Some of those friendships have truly become lifelong friendships—people I know will always be a part of my life.
We’ve traveled to conferences together, laughed together, shared ideas, learned from one another, supported each other through the ups and downs, and made more memories than I could ever count. I’ve learned so much from the people I’ve met along the way, and those relationships are a huge part of why Tastefully Simple has remained so special to me.
There have certainly been ups and downs over the years, and the business itself has changed a lot. But the flexibility, friendships, experiences and memories it has given me are things I never could have imagined when I first joined.
Why I’m Still Here
Today, I’m an empty nester, and my reason for doing this has evolved right along with my life.
Now I want to help you.
I know how frustrating that daily question can be:
“What’s for dinner tonight?”
I’m here to help make that answer a little easier—whether you need a quick dinner idea, a new way to use a seasoning that’s sitting in your pantry, something simple for entertaining, or just a little inspiration to get out of the same-old dinner routine.
Tastefully Simple has been around for 31 years, and I love seeing how the recipes, products and ways we help families continue to evolve.
I joined all those years ago because I couldn’t imagine living without my Seasoned Salt.
Little did I know there would be so much more.
And that’s my story—and I’m sticking to it! ❤️
Come back and visit me here at Simple Meals with Vicky. I’ll be sharing more of my favorite products, recipes, meal ideas and simple tips to help answer that never-ending question…
What’s for dinner?
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