From Our Backyard to Bentonville

November has always been a time to slow down, gather around the table, and reflect on the things we're grateful for.

And this year, Randy and I have something pretty incredible to add to that list.

Even writing those words still feels a little surreal.

Thirteen years ago, we had a backyard garden overflowing with cucumbers, a few recipes we were experimenting with, and absolutely no idea where this little adventure would take us.

We've come a long way since those first jars of pickles.

And while building a business certainly has its ups and downs, every once in a while, something happens that reminds you why you took the leap in the first place.

This was one of those moments.

A few months ago, I submitted an application for Walmart's Open Call, an opportunity for American businesses to pitch their products directly to Walmart buyers.

We knew it was a long shot.

Thousands of businesses apply, and only a small number are invited to Bentonville, Arkansas, to pitch their products in person.

So when we found out in early September that Backyard Brine had been selected, we were thrilled!

There was just one little problem.

We already had a vacation planned for those exact dates.

Now, I love a good vacation. But Randy and I also know that sometimes an opportunity comes along that you just can't pass up.

So we canceled our vacation, packed our bags, and headed to Bentonville instead.

And since we'd already planned to take the week off, we decided to make an adventure out of it. We arrived a couple of days early to prepare our pitch and presentation, going over every detail and trying to anticipate every possible question.

And believe me, there were plenty of questions we asked ourselves along the way!

We had no idea what the outcome would be, but we knew we wanted to give it our very best.

By the time pitch day arrived, we'd spent days preparing, practicing, and probably overthinking every little detail. Our Walmart merchant walked into the room carrying nothing but his laptop.

It was getting toward the end of the day, and I'll admit, a little doubt was starting to creep in.

We shared our story, talked about our products, answered questions, and then came the taste test.

He sampled our product, loved our packaging, and the conversation seemed to be going well.

But we still had absolutely no idea what was coming. Then he opened his laptop.

And pulled out a GOLDEN TICKET!

He'd been hiding it in there the entire time! Randy and I were stunned.

After all the preparation, anticipation, and years of building this business of ours, we were actually holding a Walmart Golden Ticket. And the celebration didn't stop there.

Outside the pitch room, we were greeted by a hallway full of people clapping and cheering. Walmart employees had formed a human tunnel for us to run through, followed by pictures and a whole lot of excitement. It was such an incredible moment.

And one of the things we'll remember most is just how wonderful the Walmart team was. From the encouragement to the genuine excitement they shared with us, they made the entire experience something truly special.

We went to Bentonville hoping for an opportunity. We came home with a Golden Ticket and a memory we'll never forget.

Once the excitement settled, we had a couple of extra days to explore Bentonville. And what a wonderful surprise that turned out to be! Between the museums, incredible art scene, beautiful nature trails, farmers market, and fantastic restaurants, we fell in love with the area.

We'd originally planned a vacation somewhere else, but somehow this unexpected trip turned into one of the most memorable adventures we've taken together.

And we came home with a Golden Ticket!

Not a bad trade for a canceled vacation.

Here's something we haven't shared yet.

When Randy and I headed to Bentonville, we hadn't told many people where we were going or why. Just a handful of people close to us knew about the opportunity.

The day before our pitch, we decided to let everyone in on our little adventure.

We posted on Instagram, shared what we were up to, and asked our friends, family, and Backyard Brine fans to send a little luck our way.

Well, apparently, you all understood the assignment!

We got the Golden Ticket! 

And when we shared the news, the outpouring of love, excitement, and encouragement was overwhelming. Reading your messages and seeing so many people genuinely happy for us brought us to tears.

Building a business, especially in the retail world, isn't always easy. There are challenges, setbacks, and plenty of moments when you wonder what you've gotten yourself into.

But having people in your corner who believe in you, cheer you on, and remind you why you started makes all the difference. It's the fuel that keeps us moving forward.

And something else we've discovered along this crazy journey is just how wonderful the people in the specialty food community can be.

We've met other brand owners who understand the highs, the lows, and everything in between. In Bentonville, we made new friends, shared stories, exchanged ideas, and found even more people to share this adventure with. 

There's something really special about people who are willing to share what they've learned, offer a helping hand, or simply encourage someone else to keep going. Randy and I have always believed in paying that kindness forward whenever we can.

Because the best part of success isn't just what you accomplish. It's the people you meet, the relationships you build, and the opportunities you have to help someone else along the way.

It's a beautiful full-circle kind of thing.

And this Thanksgiving, we're feeling especially grateful for every single person who's been part of ours.

As we head into Thanksgiving, we've been thinking a lot about how quickly life can change when you're willing to take a chance. A few months ago, we had a vacation planned.

Instead, we found ourselves in Bentonville, Arkansas, standing in front of a Walmart buyer, hoping he'd love what we'd created.

We never could have imagined the Golden Ticket, the hallway full of cheering people, or the incredible support waiting for us back home.

And while we're excited about what this opportunity could mean for Backyard Brine, we're equally grateful for everything that brought us here.

The people who bought our very first jars.

The friends who shared our products.

The fellow business owners and colleagues who offered advice and encouragement. And everyone who took a moment to send a little luck our way.

We're still the same two people who started making pickles because our backyard garden produced more cucumbers than we knew what to do with.

We just have a few more stories to tell.

So this Thanksgiving, we're raising a glass to taking chances, unexpected adventures, and the wonderful people who make the journey worthwhile.

Happy Thanksgiving!

With love and gratitude,