American Faces #101 - Spice it up!

A recent trip to Wabasha, Minnesota for my American Faces series to meet with Jaden and Erica Peck who own Mississippi River Flavor Company was simply amazing.  Their quaint storefront filled to the brim with spice blends filled my senses as I entered . Maybe it’s the warm smiles and the  “we care about you” attitude that drew me right off the street or all the aromas from a plethora of spice blends.  Truthfully, it is all of that and more. Their “we care about you” attitude is built from years of trials and seasons of tribulation. 

American Faces No. 101

Both Jaden and Erica have been through military careers in the Air Force. As a family, they experienced a season of  homelessness. Yet through it all they worked hard to grow from it and raise their four children with depth of character and love.  So with that little bit of background of who they are we can now move on to what they are.  They are a spice company that has been built from the ground up with a “pull yourself up by the bootstrap” attitude and  purpose in mind. Erica, Jaden and the rest of the Peck family care for the veterans and the community not only by providing tasty ways to enhance food but also by giving back to their military family as a portion of each sale goes back to the Wabasha VFW.  Even after 4 years in business, their spice blends are still handcrafted from beginning to end in the local VFW commercial kitchen. This ensures every spice blend is made in small batches to give customers the freshest seasonings around with the fun and funky names, such as Cluck Norris, Jukebox Jive, Sweet Reaper, Cow Tippin’ and Saved by the Bell Pepper. 

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That bootstrap, stick to it attitude has built their business to what it is today. They have taken no loans.  They have however put on the miles and have done many farmers markets, give-aways and have their spices helping to enhance the taste of foods in local restaurants.  They have a storefront in Wabasha and have created nearly 30 spice blends with an additional 18 in development. What the Pecks have done is the epitome of the American Way…seems pretty fitting for an American Faces subject. 

So you the reader need to do an awesome trip down Highway 61 turn left into Wabasha, MN go directly to 162 Pembroke Ave, Wabasha, MN and pick up some award winning spice blends.  Oh and take time to chat,  You will make some spicy new friends in Jaden and Erica Peck

Photos and story by: Nielsen Studios 

Editing by: Cristine Nielsen

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American Faces #100 - Be a kid, bring a kid and buy a toy!

Well, I reached the 100th American Faces story. I can hardly believe it.  Honestly,  when I started this series I really had no idea where it was going to take me, how many faces I would meet, or the impact it would have on me as a person, photographer and storyteller.  The only word to describe it is: profound.  Buy me a cup of coffee and I will tell you more;-). 

I have thought about number 100 for a few months.  I have contemplated who would be the subject for this milestone story.  As I finished number 99 I knew Miranda and LARK Toys were the perfect subject to help celebrate. With no further delay…

American Faces No. 100

Introducing American Faces 100,  Miranda Gray-Burlingame!  She along with her husband Scott, their daughter and Miranda’s parents, Kathy and Ron Gray are the owners of LARK Toys in Kellogg, MN.  To me LARK Toys and Miranda are the perfect subject for the 100th American Faces; they embody all that is good for the soul: smiling faces, a playful heart and delight around every corner.  Miranda and her family love owning LARK Toys, creating legacy quality toys and providing a space that breathes creativity and playfulness.

From the entrance of LARK, to the intricately carved creatures that whimsically fill the full size carousel, you are transported to magical places.  These hand carved carousel figures beckon you to enjoy a ride in the bright, sunlit room they inhabit. Halls then transport you to rooms where carefully curated games and puzzles fill walls and shelves.  Handcrafted wooden toys and cuddly creatures abound in other merry spaces .  

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Oh, but that is not the end of the sense of wonder and awe that is LARK.  When you make it all the way back to the reading room, you will see scores of children's books lined up on shelves in a delightful, inviting space, and you may also find the entrance to a very special room called The Happiness; it is part dance studio, part party room, part creative space.

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It was so inspiring to sit with Miranda and her mother,  to hear of the chance these wonderful people took when they bought LARK Toys in 2008 from the original owners.  I was privileged to witness the passion these dear souls have for people.  They yearn to put a smile on the face of everyone who enters their toy emporium and all who may receive a toy as a gift .  I am not sure if there could be a better choice for the 100th American Faces.

Ok so now how do I end this 100th American Faces? A call to action. A call to whimsy. A call to joy.  Go to LARK Toys, be a kid, bring a kid and buy a toy (I did), maybe buy some ice cream.  Dream and above all else smile, laugh and tell someone dear to you that you love them.

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Shawn's toy

P.S.  I did intentionally position the photobomber carousel figure in Miranda’s main photo;-)

Photos and story by: Nielsen Studios 

Editing by: Cristine Nielsen

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American Faces #99 - What's next?

So, 99 subjects and their stories has led me to an understanding of people that I think I should have come to right away. It’s that each person is unique, and their story or journey is just as unique. No two people are alike. Maybe that's why I have enjoyed this series more than any other personal creative project I've done. I don’t go in with an agenda, other than to take some photographs and hear someone's story – what they have overcome, or built, or in the case of Megan Effertz, what they have written. I’ve known Megan as a client and a friend for closing in on two decades. She’s a woman with incredible drive, and an entrepreneurial spirit that doesn’t stop. That drive has led her to write  a book titled Maddie + Max. It’s a love story that unfolds in the Excelsior, MN and surrounding Lake Minnetonka area.  – the same area where Megan grew up. It seemed like the perfect place to create the photos for her American Faces story.  Water Street shops, Haskell’s and the Port of Excelsior  in the background to help anchor us in Megan’s experience (Sorry for the nautical theme, but it is the Lake Minnetonka area after all).

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As Megan and I enjoyed our drinks of choice at Dunn Brothers in Excelsior, we caught up on family news, the changes in our business worlds and talked about Megan’s decision to write a book – no easy undertaking (but with Megan’s focus, something she could surely handle). As she talked about her book she shared that the process actually helped her through the grief of her dad’s death. She was able to relive the places, times, sights and sounds of her youth as she wrote about her fictional character’s’ lives. But maybe more than that, she got to think back on her time with her dad and mom, her family’s life around Lake Minnetonka and the person those experiences helped her become.  It was evident as Megan spoke that this book brought healing to her heart. Maybe that's the most profound part about Megan becoming an author –she’s worked through the grief she felt as she wrote the love story of two young people. Megan’s story is unique to her. But like all of us, her story has layers and complexities. It has health and heartache. It has promise and hope. If her story had a cover, it would have  “bright future” written all over it. Megan doesn’t know what the word stagnate means. She’s a “what’s next” kind of person. Check out her LinkedIn profile and you’ll understand.

Wow. How do I end this one? Maybe by first saying “thank you” to Megan for impacting me, my business and my family, as she shared wisdom for my business. Megan was also one of the first people to ask me to create content that emulates the kind of work I’ve created for this American Faces Series. In closing, I encourage you to push into the unknown and uncover who you are yet to become. It helped Megan work through her grief. What’s next for you?

Finally, Megan, I think your dad would be so proud of you! He would also probably say, “What’s next?”

Photos and story by: Nielsen Studios 

Editing by: Scott Whitman

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