Today we’d like to introduce you to LuAnn Himebauch.
LuAnn, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
My story actually stems from a very sad part of my life. My mother, Sadie Dunham, was killed in a car accident in December of 2005 – 9 days away from my 50th birthday. I have always been very close with her brothers and sisters in Northern Minnesota and Grand Forks, North Dakota. So that summer of 2006 I just had to “go north” to visit them. While visiting my Aunt Anita in North Dakota she told me that “I just had to try this new recipe for Honey Butter that she had gotten.” So, we went to town, picked up the ingredients and went back home and made a batch. IT WAS WONDERFUL! When I returned home I made several batches and gave them to my friends in my Bible Class at church. They loved it and asked if they could have the recipe… I hesitated… thinking to myself I might have something here. I called my aunt and asked her if she would like to go into business with me and sell the Honey Butter. She said no but if you want to “go for it”! So that winter, I made some and sold them at local craft fairs. The response was wonderful.
I had a lady approach me and wanted to sell it in her store. She asked if I had a license – I said no – she said: “I think you need one”. So, I contacted the state – got my license – rented a commercial kitchen – and was off and running!
For the first 3 years or so, I only had the Honey Butter. Then, over the years, I have added several flavors. I am now at 8 – Honey Butter – Strawberry Honey Butter – Chocolate Honey Butter – Cinnamon Honey Butter – Cranberry Butter – Rhubarb Spread – Apple Butter and my newest Raspberry – Cran Spread. (The last 3 do not contain butter.)
In 2014, I had saved and saved and was able to build my own commercial kitchen on our farm in East Troy, Wi. I wholesale my products and I also sell at Farmer’s Markets, craft shows and different locations around Wisconsin and Minnesota. My daughter, Jami Pieniazek and friend Sandy Adamson help me with some of the product makings and shows that I do. I could not do this without them.
I truly believe my mother had “a hand” in making my business what it is today. She was my rock and instilled in me the values that I try to live every day. I miss her terribly but I know she would be proud of what I have accomplished and the person I am today.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
The only bumps in the road were – the commercial kitchen that I had to rent for the first 8 years was a little way to drive for me. Barbara had a beautiful kitchen and there was never any conflict with us, I could always make a product when I needed to. But the drive and carrying the ingredients and finished products up and down the stairs were kinda difficult (her commercial kitchen was in her basement).
When I would try to “perfect” a new recipe, there, of course, would ALWAYS be “trial and error”! Otherwise, things went fairly smooth.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with LuAnn’s Homemade Butters – tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
I am kind of a unique business – no one else around here makes what I make. My customers seem to love my products. My busiest time is between September and December. I do a lot of shows in that time frame and December is by far my busiest month of the year. I do hundreds of gift boxes and baskets for the Christmas season. I have a yearly Christmas Open House on the Saturday after Thanksgiving.
I am the sole owner, operator, with the exception of my daughter and friend. Other family and friends will come and help on my Open House day.
My flavored butters are truly a unique product. When customers sample them for the first time they are almost always “hooked”. I have met and kept such wonderful friends through my business. We all get to be just like family – very close relationships.
The proudest aspect of my company is that I remain small and family orientated. I treat ALL my customers with respect and the blessings come back tenfold.
I never have any problem getting into shows and craft fairs, as no one else sells what I do. But being small does have its drawbacks, I get so many requests to do shows but being only 1 of 3 people (my daughter and friend have other full-time jobs) that I can’t do them all – and I sometimes feel bad about that.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
I have no big plans for the future as of now. I am always looking to add flavors that are unique and different. I will be working on a Pumpkin Honey Butter for this Fall. We’ll see how that goes!
No big changes – I like that I am small and can handle the majority of the work myself.
Pricing:
- Honey Butter – 4oz Jar – $4.00 / 8oz Jar – $6.50 / 16oz Jar – $12.00
- Cinnamon Honey Butter – 4oz Jar – $4.00 / 8oz Jar – $6.00 – 16oz Jar – $11.00
- Strawberry Honey Butter – 4oz Jar – $4.00 / $8oz Jar – $6.00 / 16oz Jar – $11.00
- Chocolate Honey Butter – 4oz Jar – $4.00 / 8oz Jar – $6.00 / 16oz Jar – $11.00
- Cranberry Butter – 4oz Jar – $4.00 / 8oz Jar – $6.00 / 16oz Jar – $11.00
- Apple Butter – 4oz Jar – $4.00 / 8oz Jar – $6.00 / 16oz Jar – $11.00 (Seasonal – Fall))
- Rhubarb Spread – 4oz Jar – $4.00 / 8oz Jar – $6.00 / 16oz Jar – $11.00 (Sometimes Seasonal – Spring/Summer)
- Raspberry – Cran Spread – 4oz Jar – $4.00 / 8oz Jar – $6.50 / 16oz Jar – $12.00
Contact Info:
- Address: LuAnn’s Homemade Butters
34422 High Drive
East Troy, WI 53120 - Website: www.luannshomemadebutters.com
- Phone: (262) 215-2527 or (262) 534-2527
- Email: luann@luannshomemadebutters.com
- Facebook: luannshomemadebutters
Image Credit:
My mother Sadie Dunham, LuAnn Himebauch
Getting in touch: VoyageChicago is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
