Meet the Minnesota Makers

12/29/2025

This is a maker story about how small changes make big differences.

It is a story about how makers’ products shape pieces of people’s celebratory traditions.

This story also involves a sailboat.

Sara and Andy Kubiak founded the Vanilla Bean Project in Lakeland. They bottled their first batch of extract in November 2017. Their business is a “project” because it is their goal to always be making vanilla better. “There’s an invitation in our name,” says Sara. “It brings people along, everyone who uses vanilla. Together we can improve this product and the condition of the people who grow and produce it.”

Vanilla is the fruit of an orchid. Originally from Mexico, vanilla plants made their way to England where they were prized greenhouse items for wealthy collectors.

Sara noted the power of the vanilla orchid’s story. “Vanilla allows us to talk about pollinators, climate change and also workers rights. There’s also a story about how pure vanilla extract totally transforms a dish. It’s the real impact of quality ingredients.”

There is a deep cost to transport the vanilla from its origin to Minnesota bakers. That’s where the sailboat comes in. “Shipping by commercial sail cargo allows us to have vanilla beans without the environmental impact of the typical transportation carbon load. Using the wind is something that we used to do to move products around the world.”

“It’s just been such an adventure,” reflects Sara on building their business together with Andy. “Instead of working for someone else’s business, we decided to invest in ourselves and see what happens. The coolest part has been figuring it out. We have created something out of nothing. That’s kind of cool.”

Sara uses their vanilla extract frequently in banana bread or carrot cake. She recommends the paste for carrot cake’s cream cheese frosting. “I love using the paste in frosting to get the specks,” smiles Sara.

Twin Cities locals will find Vanilla Bean Project vanilla in delightful treats at St Paul’s Cafe Latte or at coffee shops including Roots Roasting Backstory Coffee Pumphouse Creamery uses it in their vanilla ice cream.

Full feature at meettheminnesotamakers.com

12/22/2025

Coffeewomple: derived from Coddiwomple [verb] to travel purposefully to an unknown destination.

Based in NE Minneapolis, Nicole Bolea and Zach Whitney are the cofounders of Coffeewomple Roastery, the United State’s first electric roaster of directly-sourced coffee beans. Their roastery commits every day to making the more sustainable choice regardless of cost. These choices include their personal connection with their farmers around the world, their roasting process itself and their compostable packaging and shipping materials.

Nicole shares that, “We love coffee and wanted to do it with purpose. We wanted to leverage our backgrounds to roast and package more sustainably.”

Every time I talk with Nicole and Zach I learn something new about the science of roasting, the nuance of coffee’s flavor profiles or what they, as roasters and coffee aficionados, look for to create the desired flavor profile from each batch of beans.

Coffeewomple fans notice how Nicole and Zach’s process highlights the natural flavors of the beans in nuanced ways. “You can make good coffee just by starting out with a good bean. That will get you 90% of the way there,” explains Zach. “That final 10% requires a lot of testing. The palette is huge. One thing you learn early on is that you can’t add a flavor that’s not there. If it’s not in that green bean to start, you’re not going to find it.”

The search for a high quality, durable and yet compostable coffee bag was an intentional choice, even though it increases their supply costs. “Living in Minnesota where we have access to really good commercial composting, we choose to support that infrastructure. We want to show that reducing the negative environmental impact of coffee can be done. It has to be done if we’re going to still have a viable coffee crop for the next generation of farmers.”

Nicole and Zach love to invite people into their space. It’s an opportunity to share what they’ve learned about the process and product of coffee. Nicole laughs, “We relish any chance to nerd out about coffee. It is truly our favorite.”

Find Coffeewomple at the this winter.

Full feature at meettheminnesotamakers.com

12/19/2025

You know what really makes the “Shop Minnesota” gift guide by Meet the Minnesota Makers Special?

The people who dream, push, grow, create and wear all the hats to make these creative small businesses possible.

As we creep towards the final countdown to the winter holidays, we’re excited to share a few more faces from the guide.

Growing up, his family sponsored a number of international students who attended school at St Catherine’s in St. Paul. A student from India invited Mark Petersen’s family to her apartment for dinner. “She served us hot curry chicken on rice. I loaded up my plate and my mouth was on fire,” recalls Mark. “That was my first time knowing that food could be like that. I kept eating more. I was sweating from the spice and it was so flavorful. I was hooked. It was so delicious and interesting.”

Fast forward to when a couple of Mark’s uncles regularly made hot sauce as a hobby. They showed Mark the process and what they had learned to embrace the distinctive flavors of each variety of pepper. “What they taught me is the same process that I use today for all of the Facepunch sauces. It’s exactly what I demonstrate for inspectors,” says Mark. “I love having that connection back to my family and my childhood in every batch I make.”

Based in Stillwater, Facepunch Foods produces spice blends, six pepper snacks, and a gorgeous palette of hot sauces from mild to wild.

Facepunch Foods is introducing a Quarterly Subscription box that is solely curated by Mark, the maker of Facepunch Foods. No selections needed, just enjoy the curated flavors of the moment by Mark! There will be sauces, seasonings, snacks, or even some Research & Development products not quite on the market!

Facepunch’s award-winning banana pepper sauce is the hot sauce to slip in the stocking of anyone who doesn’t think they like hot sauce. Its bright flavor makes a zingy salad dressing!

Find Facepunch Foods products at Rose & Loon at Rosedale Mall, Shamrock’s in St Paul, Brine’s Market, Pinch n Rub Spice and Tea Hub, and Jordan’s Meat & Deli or at www.facepunchfoods.com

Explore all 141 makers at https://meetthe
minnesotamakers.com/holiday-gift

12/18/2025

Feeling frazzled by the countdowns?

Noticing the pressure to buy fast with promised convenience?

Here’s a different message that matters to your community.

There’s still time to shop locally.

The “Shop Minnesota” Guide by Meet the Minnesota Makers includes retail locations throughout the state and listings of makers pop up market events. There are still local markets to visit this weekend. Many of the makers listed in our guide offer experience gifts or gift certificates for future use.

People are still using our guide to choose unique and thoughtful gifts that benefit both the maker and the recipient. It never stops being a thrill to look at our engagement map and find the blue dots pulsing. (Swipe through to see what I mean.)

Don’t let the last minute panic click ads get to you.

There’s still time to shop differently this winter holiday season.

Visit our 141 makers at meettheminnesotamakers.com/holiday-gift

12/15/2025

How many of these creative local businesses did you already know?

Our platinum sponsors are an amazing group of Minnesota small businesses.

Swipe through for a preview of their gift guide listings. Browse meettheminnesotamakers.com/holiday-gift to view their full listings.
Today we celebrate the unique products, creative spirits and community generosity of…. (drum roll please)

Five Pines Candle Co & Trading Company (Ely)
Keepsake Cidery (Dundas)
Nashke Native Games (Ham Lake)

The “Shop Minnesota” is accessible to businesses of all shapes and sizes. Our sponsors’ support makes a project of this size happen while keeping it accessible to businesses of all sizes.

A local gift makes a difference.

Make your neighbors’ dreams come true when you choose to support their business. Choosing local is more than a slogan. It builds community strength.

Swipe through to learn more about these local businesses. Comment Gift Guide below to receive a direct link to the guide.

12/13/2025

It may be frightful outside but the makers markets, farmers markets, and festive pop ups will be cozy and inviting.

These in-person shopping options will be worth braving the cold!

Find the makers from the Meet the Minnesota Makers “Shop Minnesota” gift guide at these markets throughout Minnesota.

Did we miss your market? Tag it in the comments section to help shoppers find you on Small Business Saturday.

Want to skip the snow and shop from home? Browse the our gift guide at meettheminnesotamakers.com/holiday-gift

Many of our local makers ship or offer local pickup/delivery. See what local treasures you find when you shop locally.

12/12/2025

What an amazing treat to gather with Stephanie Hansen and Stephanie March on Weekly Dish myTalk 107.1 - Minneapolis/St. Paul for their annual gift show. They invited me to share food and beverage highlights from our “Shop Minnesota” guide last weekend.

Here are the incredible local food and beverage makers included:

CannonBelles Cheese - Gouda,Toni S Luschen S LuschenFresh Cheese Curds

Earthtani a Community Supported Bakery: Holiday Cookies, HomemKeepsake Cideryake Cideryal Monthly Menus

Keepsake Cidery : Natural Ciders and Wines, GHazel Heart Farmseart Farmsider Membership

Hazel Heart Farms : Hazelnut Gift Box—contains hazelnut oil, roasted hazelnuts, hazelnut tea, salted hazelnuts, spicy mapleThe Bee Shede Bee Shed Salty Midwest Munch

The Bee Shed : Seasonal Honey; 3-Jar Flight Gift Boxes; Hot Shed Honey

Not Half Bad Bakehouse️ : Bûche de Noël (GF/V Yule log cake), GF/V Bakehouse cookies, GF/V Donut mini cakes

Listen to the full segment, including gift ideas from Crocus Hill at: https://www.mytalk1071.com/episode/12-6-25-hr-1-cooks-of-crocus-hills-and-minnesota-makers

Thank you to all 141 makers who make Minnesota’s small business landscape so vibrant (and delicious). Your stories deserve to be told.

Thank you again to Stephanie and Stephanie for including our stories as a part of their annual gift show. We so appreciate you sharing your platform with Minnesota’s creative food and beverage makers, highlighting their local sourcing and creativity.

Shop their products: https://meettheminnesotamakers.com/holiday-gift/

12/11/2025

12/10/2025

Here’s the local shopping inspiration you’ve been waiting for!

Our gold sponsors are an amazing group of Minnesota small businesses.

Swipe through for a preview of their gift guide listings. Browse meettheminnesotamakers.com/holiday-gift to view their full listings. (We make it easy for you to shop locally even during a snowstorm from the comfort of your own home—perhaps with some local snacks on hand?)

Today we celebrate the unique products, creative spirits and community generosity of…. (drum roll please)

Facepunch Foods
Hart Country Meats
Healthy Eating On The Go
Isadore Nut Company
The Bee Shed

The “Shop Minnesota” is accessible to businesses of all shapes and sizes. Our sponsors’ support pays for all the unglamorous behind-the-scenes pieces that makes a project of this size happen.

Where you spend your money matters.

A local gift makes a difference.

You make your neighbors’ dreams come true when you choose to support their business. Support a broad local community when you choose local first.

Swipe through to learn more about these local businesses. Comment Gift Guide below to receive a direct link to the guide.

12/08/2025

We’ve done the shopping for you.

Seriously.

Better yet? It’s all locally made often with local ingredients.

Who is on your list? We have Minnesota-made suggestions.

Comment below with the sort of gift you need. I’ll share a match from our “Shop Minnesota” gift guide.

Want to upgrade your stocking stuffers? Ask that below too.

Have a Secret Santa you don’t know very well and a strict budget? Let us help.

A sampling of options:

Cooking Classes
Kids Books
Bath and Body Care
Gourmet Baked Goods
Upcycled Products
Crocheted Whimsy
Hand Poured Candles
Wooden Puzzles
Dining Experiences
Gifts for Artists
Gifts by Artists
Winter Accessories
Clean Ingredient Snacks
Premium Spirits
Year Round Grilling
Games
Stationery
Chocolate
Cheese
Fishing Aficionado
Jewelry
Poetry
Hot sauce
Cookbooks
Gift boxes
Garden design
Salts
Clothing
Sassy hostas
Soap
Calendars
Ice Cream
Planners
Tea
Coffee
Ribbon Pants
Sausage Making Class
Ornaments
Nuts
Nut Free
All the gluten
Celiac safe
Strudel
Matcha
Elderberries
Pancakes
Wooden Bowls
Wooden Pens
Wooden Books
Spices
Honey
Tonics—for cocktails or zero proof Mocktails
Puzzle Rooms
Stained Glass
Live Music
Fresh Bread
Ginseng
Mushrooms
Glass Dishes
Earrings

And more…

Seriously, let us connect you with local makers.

We’re here to make it as easy as possible for you to shop locally.

You’ll give a gift that brings joy at least three times over—from the maker, from you knowing your bought something of quality that supports your local community and whoever receives the gift. Browse the guide at meettheminnesotamakers.com