The other day a young lady named Sophia came into our store with her mother. They were looking for lavender essential oil and asking many questions about what it is and how we made it. Seems we had just what they had been looking for.
Sophia’s grandmother had made lavender caramels back in the day. Well it turns out they had found grandmothers old recipe and wanted to try to make the lavender caramels. The recipe called for lavender essential oil. Luckily they found out about Wayward Winds Lavender and came over to see if we had any. They were really excited to find lavender essential oil made right here in Oregon. They purchased the lavender essential oil and bid us goodbye.
As they were leaving I mentioned how much I would like to try the lavender caramels when they had some made. The next weekend Sophia and her mother brought in some caramels – wow were they strong! You’d have to be real lavender lovers like us to really enjoy them. They were big and gooey and very lavendery. The following weekend they came out to the store again for us to sample what Sophia had concocted. This time too weak. Hardly a hint of lavender. You’d have to be real lavender lovers like us to even notice the lavender in them. They were still big and gooey and yummy though. The third weekend guess what – the lavender caramels were just right. It may have been a process akin to Goldilocks and the Three Bears but it worked.
We asked Sophia if she would like to sell her lavender caramels in our store. She was hesitant at first, not sure that anyone would actually buy them. We assured her they would. After all, they are incredibly good.
Sophia the teenage entrepreneur now sells her lavender caramels at Wayward Winds Mercantile and several other locations. Customers love the caramels and they love that they are made by a teenager using her grandmothers recipe. Sophia’s little brother is now making vanilla caramels using grandmothers recipe as well. We may have to sell his too. During the Yamhill Valley Lavender Festival Sophia gave samples of her lavender caramels to the crowds. Boy did she sell a lot of caramels that day.
We wish the best of luck to Sophia and her continued lavender endeavors. She’s building a nice college fund. We’re so glad that Wayward Winds Lavender could help. You go girl!
For the love of lavender…
September 2, 2006
Lavender caramels, a teenager’s opportunity
