Today we’d like to introduce you to Debbie Meritsky
Hi Debbie, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
It’s been quite the journey to get here both in Knoxville and with Eat my Granola! Originally from Cleveland, Ohio, my passion for food and the subsequent journey has taken me all over the USA. I began falling in love with food when I was very young, worked in my 1st restaurant when I was 15, and I was smitten! But after short stint at OSU, I realized I needed to take a deeper view of my future and figure out how to support my very unknown career and my lifestyle.
I found the New England Culinary Institute and knew I was home! An intensive 2 year hands on program teaching me every aspect of the restaurant and business world, I lived all around the east coast and finally made my way back to Cleveland, Ohio.
After almost 10 years in the restaurant industry, I took a little break and learned some new skills, made my way back into the world of food when I created the 1st of it’s kind Personal Chef service and this began my personal career into entrepreneurship, I’ve never looked back!
I enjoyed an amazing 20 year journey with my 1st Company My Personal Chef, Inc. but I was growing restless and needed a new challenge and location, so my husband and I found an amazing property in the Finger Lakes region of NY State and began a love affair that lasted another 20 years, in this process we took a dilapidated Octagon structure built in 1859 and slowly rehabbed it into the Black Sheep Inn and Spa, the regions 1st Farm to Table Bed and Breakfast. While running the Inn, our 1st blend of granola was created, It’s still our #1 selling blend and it’s our personal favorite still… Orange Cardamom Cashew!
Today in 2025, we’re close to celebrating our 5 year anniversary of moving to Knoxville after selling our Inn the month prior to Covid… While trying to get our bearings after a long 20 years, we found the home we reside in presently and spent the 1st year+ rehabbing this home to make it our own during Covid, it was an interesting 1st year!
Today, EMG has 8 standard blends on the menu with 2 seasonal options and a new R.A.D. blend coming out next week at the opening of the Winter Farmers Market at Historic Market Square. We are incredibly proud of the way we are continuing to build this little food production company… We source as much organically as possible, we NEVER use seed oils or processed sugars, offer you the opportunity to build your own via our website link https://eatmygranola.net/collections/make-your-mix and we sell on line, in person at a multitude of markets because we love catching up with our fans! We also offer some custom gluten free desserts (Maple Pecan Bars and 7 layer bars)
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Having created several businesses over the last 35 years, I have found that no business has a smooth road… I thinks it’s a false dream to believe that it should all be roses and dreamy.
Business is exciting and hard, and it’s even more challenging post covid, I coach others who are trying to figure out how to be the best at what their creating and the conversations are always loaded with ways to find opportunities that you may never have considered. I love a good challenge, and I always look for something to take us to the next level.
A big challenge is coming into a market where you have no connections! This is our 2nd time doing this and it’s turned out pretty good so far!
As you know, we’re big fans of Eat my Granola!. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
We are a small batch, gluten Free Granola production company located in Knoxville, TN. Our claim to fame is all about the fact we never use processed sugars, seed oils or strange additives and we offer both with gluten free organic oats and 4 blends without!
We also offer a Build your own option via our website: https://eatmygranola.net/collections/make-your-mix allowing our clients all over the USA to craft a blend we bake fresh and ship because as much as many love granola, the big box versions are loaded with “ingredients” that are just awful for our bodies! We focus on whole-real food, geared towards keeping our clients healthy and happy!
Any big plans?
As part of my passion for whole-real food, and I have dealt with my own health issues I have become a certified health and food coach with my training thru the RCP. So, because of my success and my personal desire to help others heal at the cellular level, I offer my services to those who know there’s a better way to address their symptoms~.
You can schedule time to learn more and share your personal story with me by connecting at debbie@catalystforrealhealth.com
Pricing:
- $14, per quart, cash
- $14.50 per quart, CC
- $48 for 3 # custom blend
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.eatmygranola.net
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eatmygranolanow
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eatmygranolanow
