THE TOP... 2009... 2010... 2011... 2012... Emmy® Awards... MTV® Awards 30 Under 30 Award -. Top Young Entrepreneur Award -. AgriMissouri Member of the Year -. Young Alumni Award |
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Mother's Day Edition Issue Date: May 2012 |
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Article Excerpts: Taran Hensley had more than a few doubters when she announced she and her mother were going into business together. “I heard ‘You’re going to sell pretzels?’ so often,” she says, laughing. “Friends and family were hesitant at first. I was 25 when we started Mom’s Originals. For me to be the salesperson and have our business be taken seriously was a big challenge.” ... “You don’t realize what your kids know after college,” Jody admits. “I’m constantly blown away by how smart she is. That’s been one of the biggest surprises and pleasures for me.” ... “We have a product that is so different, and it’s a food item, too,” she says. “In times like this, people want something a little indulgent. Maybe they can’t go out and spend alot on a nice dinner, but they can grab a treat on the way to soccer practice.” Taran also began to pursue corporate clients, landing St. Louis whoppers like the Cardinals and the Fox Theatre. Today, the Mom’s Originals client list includes casinos in Las Vegas and other nationally known event venues. ... “We have a no-fear attitude. Big company executives are people, too; they just have a cooler job title than most.” ... The company is also a certified Women Owned Business. “A lot of larger companies have requirements to meet for using minority-owned vendors,” Taran says. “Having that certification fills their need. Plus, the pretzels are delicious, so who wouldn’t want them?” For Jody, the best part of this business—aside from professional athletes, politicians and celebrities enjoying her pretzels—is Taran. “I’m the luckiest mom in the world to work every day with my daughter, and I have such a supportive husband, too,” she says. “I’m one of the luckiest people I know.” |
THE TOP... 2009... 2010... 2011... 2012... Emmy® Awards... MTV® Awards 30 Under 30 Award -. Top Young Entrepreneur Award -. AgriMissouri Member of the Year -. Young Alumni Award |
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Article Date: 12-11 |
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On Air: 12-20-11 Mom's Originals is a St. Louis, women-owned company. Jody Hensley always made wonderful treats and pretzel rods. But Jody wanted to do something more and decided to open a business with her daughter Taran Hensley, who is wonderful in her own right... .......... |
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2011 Sway Holiday Gift Guide Article Date: 11-11 "Not all of us are creative in the kitchen, but that doesn't mean we can't give the gift of decadent deliciousness!" |
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Home & Away weekly insert Article Date: 10-11 |
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"Those who are willing to fail are those who will ultimately succeed." - Taran Hensley "I believe one of the most challenging assignments is to write about one’s self. How can I sum up my quirky personality, competitive nature, devotions, imaginative thinking, thirst for success, love of life, and constant craving for adventure? Maybe I just did." Biggest career accomplishment: My biggest career accomplishment has to be Mom’s Originals in its totality. We literally rejoice with each new learned process, account, employee, and fan message. To pin-point one event or milestone as “the biggest” would immediately be an outdated statement. From the time Mom and I shook hands to today; there has not been a day without something new to experience, to learn, to overcome, or to revel in. Who do you aspire to be: While I only aspire to be “the best me I can be”, if I had to choose one other person it would most certainly be my Mom. Her pleasant nature, joyful attitude, love and kindness are always refreshing. Not only is she sugar, spice, and everything nice, she is also smart, secure, and independent. These simple yet powerful traits are ones that I hope people will also see in me. Ultimate professional goal: To bring the company my Mother and I started from ground floor to global recognition. Ultimate personal goal: Marrying my Mr. Right next year and maintaining ideal balance between work and play. Most rewarding volunteer experience: My first experience has to be my most memorable. When I was young my parents and I added magnets to little figurines, put them in little stockings, and handed them out to the workers at The Disabled & Handicapped Workshop near our home in California. To see the appreciation on their faces taught me firsthand at a young age the joys of giving. Something people may not know about you: I was born in Montana; was at the starting line of the Iditarod when I lived in Alaska; began my modeling career when I lived in California; my only overnight hospital stay was when I studied abroad in Thailand; I walked the Great Wall of China at age 25; finally, I have not owned a microwave in four years. Childhood hero: My Hero has always been my Dad. In fact we used to call him Mr. Wizard because he always had answers to my questions. Where they always right? I can’t be sure, but I hung on every word, including the quote I have always lived by, “If opportunity doesn’t knock, build a door.” |
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St. Louis Small Business Monthly Article Date: 07-11 Marketing: Pretzel Logic Q: How do you market a company with a great product, but a small budget? A: Non-traditional marketing and social media. When your product is a delicious blend of sweet chocolate, soft caramel and a salty pretzel, word of mouth marketing seems an obvious way to grow your business. That’s exactly what Taran Hensley decided when she and her mother, Jody, founded “Mom’s Originals, Inc.” We chatted with Taran about what she’s accomplished with a limited budget and limitless creativity. Here are some highlights: ... Read More |
The sweetness doesn't stop with the pretzels. As a key tactic in her nontraditional marketing plan, Taran Hensley, President of Mom's Originals, Inc., works to make a positive impact in the community. She knows that her customers want to do business with companies that care. |
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"In youth and beauty, wisdom is but rare!" - Homer (Greek poet) The Top Young Entrepreneurs in this section exemplify a kind of brash and raw entrepreneurship not always found. Bucking trends by unapologetically following their passion and showing a penchant for business that is usually reserved for their elder colleagues. --------------- Taran Hensley lives her life by something her dad has always said to her: “If opportunity doesn’t knock, build a door.” So when Hensley was downsized from her corporate job as a marketing specialist, she kept her father’s advice in mind. She saw an opportunity in helping her mom, Jody, turn her hobby of making gourmet pretzels into a business. “We shook hands, and I took the initiative to take on the sales and marketing since my mom had the product,” says Hensley. After spending most of the first year branding and building out the Mom’s Originals production facility, Hensley continued to expand the business. “Of course we have our online sales, but we also do a lot of corporate gifting. We work with the food service industry as well as wholesalers and retailers,” she says. “Our national exposure continues to grow throughout all of these, and we are always welcoming new additions, such as our growth in the gift basket industry.” Hensley has also grown her team, which she refers to as the MOI family, to 12 full- and part-time employees. “The smartest thing we have done as a business is bringing in the right people, for the right job, at the right time,” she says. |
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2011 MTV MOVIE AWARDS and DAYS OF OUR LIVES Hollywood Walk Gala click the photo of E!'s Catt Sadler to view Press |
Saint Louis Bride Magazine Article Date: Spring/Summer 2011 |
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The CoMo Collective: Foodie Find Article Date: 05-13-11 They take snacking to a new level by elevating pretzels to dessert status. I was a little leery because I am not always a huge fan of nuts. But soon I was lost in the caramel/chocolate/salty goodness. There’s something about that sweet/salty combination that gets me every time. And I even loved the pecans. ...They make the perfect gift, party favor, or just snack to have around the house...(read more) By the way, I wasn’t compensated in any way for this post. I just really dig their pretzels. |
BasketWhiz National Publication Article Date: Spring 2011 Although you will find several delectables here to choose from, you will most certainly not want to pass up the best of the best which is the gourmet pretzels. These are ultra fresh pretzels that are coated with an exquisite layer of caramel, then hand dipped in the finest chocolate, and rolled in pecans or walnuts, or white chocolate is generously drizzled over them. Finally they are each carefully wrapped for preservation and presentation. You may want to pick up a few extra when stocking up your gift basket inventory, as no doubt you will be tempted several times over just to try them out. |
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ALIVE Magazine: ALIVE Blogs Five Gift Ideas For St. Louis Moms Article Date: 05-11 #3 "Sweets" Mom’s Originals — Because many a mom has a sweet tooth, this gift idea is bound to appeal. Mother-daughter duo, Jody and Taran Hensley are the creators of the biz specializing in gourmet pretzels. In fact, the treats were enjoyed by those at the 37th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards. You can pick up some sweet and salty goodness at many places throughout the Arch City but here’s a list in case you’re wondering... |
FEAST Magazine: FEAST FAVES Article Date: 04-11 |
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PRESS RELEASE: The Omni Majestic is Sweetening Your Stay February, 2011 In a relentless effort to provide the finest in local flavor, guests of the Omni Majestic will receive the opportunity to experience the finest in luxury hotel accommodations as well as the refreshingly unique choice in Mom’s Gourmet Pretzels. “We are confident that both leisure and business travelers are going to experience a true St. Louis treat in this partnership.” Said Martin Pittman, General Manager of the Omni Majestic Hotel. “The history of the Majestic coupled with the national notoriety of Mom’s Originals solidifies each brand’s commitment to providing the ultimate customer experience.” “Impress from first glance, to last bite!” Taran Hensley, President of Mom’s Originals, Inc. tags in each of her signatures. “What a great fit for our ideal; walking through the front doors of the Omni Majestic will certainly impress at first glance, followed by the renowned hospitality of the entire Omni staff. We believe this partnership is the perfect marriage of customer care and sensory indulgences.” |
THE TOP... 2009... 2010... 2011... 2012... Emmy® Awards... MTV® Awards 30 Under 30 Award -. Top Young Entrepreneur Award -. AgriMissouri Member of the Year -. Young Alumni Award |
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Mom's Originals at the 37th ANNUAL DAYTIME EMMY® AWARDS and 31st ANNUAL SPORTS EMMY® AWARDS Click the Emmy® to view our photos and press. |
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Sauce Magazine: Holiday Guide Article Date: 11-01-10 #3 : Mom's Originals Gourmet Pretzels These cute caramel and chocolate covered pretzels, made by a local mother-daughter team, are the perfect salty-sweet stocking stuffer... |
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St. Louis Small Business Monthly Article Date: 07-10 Case Study: Tweeting Toward Success In 2007, Taran Hensley and her mom, Jody, became business partners. Having come to a crossroads in her career as a marketing specialist in the corporate world, Taran decided to take her skill set and apply it to the launch of Mom’s Originals, a gourmet pretzel company with the product made, of course, by Taran’s mom. Hensley began marketing Mom’s Originals. She started by creating a website, ... Read More |
GoDaddy.com Article Date: 06-18-10 Quick Shopping Cart Success Story: www.MomsOriginals.com MomsOriginals.com specializes in gourmet pretzel treats. This women-owned business is based out of St. Louis, Mo. and uses Quick Shopping Cart® to market and sell their pretzels online. Taran Hensley, president of Mom's Originals™, shared some tools of their online success. ... Read More |
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Webster University | School of Communications Alumni News Article Date: 06-15-10 Mother/Daughter Duo Making a Name for Themselves Webster University alumna Taran Hensley will grace the red carpet later this month at the 37th Annual Daytime Entertainment Emmy Awards in Las Vegas, Nev. — and it’s a gourmet pretzel that got her there. Hensley (BA, Media Communications, 2003) is a marketing professional, an entrepreneur and president of Mom’s Originals, a local business specializing in gourmet pretzels, treats and more. Hensley and her mother Jody will travel to the ceremony to distribute their treats to stars traversing the red carpet. ... Read More |
STLToday.com | Breaking Schmooze Article Date: 06-15-10 “Mom” and Taran Hensley of Mom’s Originals to hand out gourmet pretzels at the daytime Emmys A HENSLEY HIGH: The local mother daughter team of Jody and Taran Hensley thought they’d scored big when they were asked to include their Mom’s Originals gourmet pretzels in gift bags that will be given out at this year’s Daytime Entertainment Emmy Awards show. And then they were invited to hit the red carpet and help hand out their amazing caramel-chocolate-pecan-walnut-dipped-wrapped-and-rolled pretzels at the 37th annual awards ceremony in Las Vegas on June 27. Are the ladies excited? You betcha! “Ecstatic,” in their own words. ... Read More |
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Article Date: 04-30-10 31st Annual Sports Emmy® Awards |
Article Dates: 04-09-10 DIGITAL CLARITY: Building successful Twitter profiles Just like Facebook fan pages, you should consider what your Twitter profile offers visitors. What is the value to your followers and customers? Why should they care? What can you do for them? Mom’s Originals is known for gourmet pretzels, treats, and other confections. After pouring through different small business Twitter profiles, Mom’s Originals is, hands down, one of my favorites. With more than 2,000 followers, this Twitter profile is doing something right. While at first glance, I thought the background could be better optimized and they should be listed more with that many followers, I continued reviewing the profile. What I found was engagement. Not only does Mom’s Originals post content about products, this business has taken the time out to engage with followers. During my review, I noticed the Twitter stream (series of posts from Mom’s Originals) contained retweets, general statements, positive comments to other Twitter users, questions being asked, and product information. |
THE TOP... 2009... 2010... 2011... 2012... Emmy® Awards... MTV® Awards 30 Under 30 Award -. Top Young Entrepreneur Award -. AgriMissouri Member of the Year -. Young Alumni Award |
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Air Dates: 06-16-09, 08-10-09, 05-15-10, 01-01-11, 02-05-11 |
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* CLICK HERE TO WATCH * (Video will open in a new window) |
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St. Louis Business Journal Article Date: 04-17-09 Mom’s Originals' Sweet -and Salty- Success |
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Sauce Magazine: The Daily Sauce Article Date: 07-09-09 Mom’s Pretzels While most of us cringe at the thought of being in business with our mothers (“You’re wearing that to the board meeting?”), Taran Hensley and her mom Jody went into a business where twisted is acceptable. For 10 years, Jody made all sorts of delicious treats, especially cakes and gourmet pretzel rods; Taran was always nearby, lending a hand. Mom baked and Taran got a media degree. It was only a matter of time before mom’s handiwork was taken to a new level: Mom’s Original’s, Inc. Those pretzel rods are the company’s bread 'n' butter: a thick pretzel hand-wrapped with caramel and dipped in chocolate before being rolled in chopped nuts or simply drizzled with white chocolate. While the mom-and-daughter company caters to online customers, you can pick up Mom’s sweet ’n’ salty treats around town. |
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THE TOP... 2009... 2010... 2011... 2012... Emmy® Awards... MTV® Awards 30 Under 30 Award -. Top Young Entrepreneur Award -. AgriMissouri Member of the Year -. Young Alumni Award |