At Woodend FM
Two young children, boy and girl about 10 and 8 y.o , approach the stall with big smiles on. Their parents were behind them talking to stallholders nearby.
Boy: Can we have a taste please? (he asks eagerly)
Me: Of course! Here you go. (I hand him and his sister a sample. Mum approaches and I hand her some too.)
Mum: What’s in it?
Me: The main ingredient is beetroot, over 40%, and all these nutritious delicious goodies (I point to the ingredient lists). Dehydrated, no sugar added and no preservatives.
Mum: Wow. (turns to her kids) Did you like that? (they nod their heads in unison) We’ll have a look around first, ok? (turns to me) Thank you so much.
Me: You’re welcome!
Mum and daughter come back an hour later.
Me: Hey you’re back!
Mum: Yes, Lindsay’s come to a decision. (turns to daughter) Are you sure you want this? (Lindsay nods) How much money do you have left?
Lindasay: three dollars
Mum: Ok, I’ll give you two more. (turns to me) They have $5 market money.
Me: Fantastic! Which one were you after? (Lindsay points to PM Berries) Here you go. (she hands me her money which Mum tops up) Well done Lindsay, thank you so much!
Such an important step in a young person’s life to make wise choices. Well done Mum & Dad!
Lindsay’s in the pink ?

Lovely Nan from a few tales ago (Pink Tale #59) phoned in.
Nan: Hi Judy here. Is this Pink Muesli?
Me: Yes, it is! Hi, it’s Marita how can I help you Judy?
Nan: That place you referred me to last time I called has run out of your product. How can I get some?
Me: I have an online store you can buy from.
Nan: When will it get to me?
Me: Well if you order now, I can post it today and it should get to you by Wednesday at the latest.
Nan: Oh that’s alright I’ll go there then. What’s your biggest bag?
Me: I actually have one kilo bags made to order but it’s not in the online store yet. Otherwise you can get the large 350gm. bag
Nan: I like the idea of the one kilo bags. How much is it?
Me: $65
Nan: Ok I’ll get two of them.
Me: With postage of $13.40 that will be $144.40 but look, my husband is going to Ballarat this arvo, he can drop it off and you save on postage!
Nan: That would be wonderful! I live an hour from Ballarat but have to go there for a medical appointment. I’ll meet your husband there then I get my muesli right away! (she gives her details)
Me: Glad it’s all worked out. Thank you so much!
Nan: You should get more shops to stock your product Marita, it’s taking off!
Me: I’ll do my best, thanks for your support Judy!
Nan: We love it! Good luck!
Nan’s so in the pink ?

At Ballarat Jiggety Jig Market
Mum with preteen daughter approach the stall intrigued by the “beetroot” sign.
Mum: Wow, what have we got here?
Me: It’s beetroot muesli. The only vegetable muesli in the country.
Mum: I’m sure it is! I’ve never heard of it before. That’s a really good idea! (reads the ingredients list) Oh wow and you’ve got all this in it too! I suppose you dehydrate it to keep it raw?
Me: Yes, I do! You’re about the first one to get it!
Mum: I’m a nutritionist so I know how it works.
Me: Excellent! So you appreciate the long production process. I source my ingredients as local as possible. The beetroot is from Spring Creek Organics (she nods knowingly) and the apples are from my neighbour.
Mum: Whereabouts do you live?
Me: Blampied
Mum: Oh! Say no more! That’s got the best soil for farming!
Me: That’s right, all that rich volcanic soil. Well proof is in the pudding. Here have a taste. Do you have gluten allergies?
Mum: I am more gluten intolerant and avoid wheat but oats I can eat.
Me: Great! Then you can taste all but the Cinnamon. (I hand them samples)
Mum and daughter nod their heads, look at each other in awe while making umming yumming noises.
Mum: Oh I must get them all, I’ll take one of each please. (turns to daughter) You can eat grains, would you like to taste the last one?
Daughter: Sure! So far they’re all so good. (I hand her the Cinnamon, eyes get bigger) Oooh I like that the best!
Mum: Ok, we’ll take a small bag of each to start and we’ll be back next month for more!
Me: Fantastic! Thank you so much!
Mum & daughter are in the pink ?

At Bendigo FM

Two young mums come up to the stall with big smiles on their faces.

YM1: Oh finally I get to taste the famous Pink Muesli!

Me: Wow famous! Thank you! how’d you hear about it?

YM2: Me! I keep telling everyone about it. I just love it, this one’s my favorite (pointing to PM Berries).

Me: That’s great! Thank you very much! Here have a taste (I hand samples to YM1)

YM1: Ummm, that is amazing! They’re all so different and all so yummy, but I think I’ll have the Berries, that’s the one for me. I’ll have a large bag please.

Me: Fantastic! So glad you like it too! (I hand a bag to YM1) And thank you so much for spreading the love (addressing YM2)

YM2: My pleasure! Next time I’ll get a new flavour maybe.

Me: Look forward to seeing you next month! Cheers!

Young mums are in the pink ?

At Woodend FM

Two groovy older ladies in bright cheerful attire spot the PM and approach with big smiles on their faces.

GOL1: I love your colours, so bright! We’re attracted to colour, as you can see.

Me: Thank you! I love yours too!

GOL2: So what’s Pink Muesli all about?

Me: It’s all about beetroot in the muesli, the only vegetable muesli in the country. No sugar added and no preservatives. It’s raw, dehydrated over several hours so there’s a whole lot of luuuvvvv in it. (we share lolz as I hand them samples)

GOL1: Ummm that is amazing!

GOL2: It’s not just pretty but it also tastes as good as it looks!

Me: And that’s what I say on the label too!

GOL2: Well isn’t it obvious? (lolz again)

GOL1: Ok, I’ve made my choice, give me one of the Citrus & Ginger and one of the Cinnamon.

GOL2: And I’ll have the Coconut. (I start to hand them the small bags.)

GOL1: Oh that won’t last me, give me the large bags please.

GOL2: Me too, large bag please.

Me: Thank you so much!  (I hand them their purchase)

GOL2: Can we order online?

Me: Yes, I have an online store and I ship anywhere in Australia.

GOL2: Perfect! I’ll take this home with me to WA.

Me: Even better! Spread the love over there for me willya?

GOL2: Will do. I’ll take a few of your flyers too.

Me: Cheers!

Groovy ladies are in the pink ?

This tale is too true not to share.
At Eynesbury FM
A small group of fit senior shoppers were slowly working their way from stall to stall, one gentleman would break away from time to time to look at other stalls. He came over a few times to check out the products without stopping for a sample stating “It’s too healthy for me!” Finally, the time has come for the group to stop at my stall, him included.
Me: Ahh, you brought everyone else with you. You sure it’s not too healthy? (with a wink; I hand them all samples, to which they all nod in surprised appreciation)
Gentleman: It’s not even fried!
Me: Yet it’s crispy!
Gentleman’s Wife: Ooh that is delicious! So they’re all made with beetroot are they?
Me: Yes, over 40% and slowly dehydrated so it’s raw muesli. I’m the only vegetable muesli maker in the country.
Another Gentleman’s Wife: Amazing, truly original, I’ve never heard of anything like this before! I’ll have the Berries one please, I like that the best. Small bag to start with.
Gentleman’s Wife: We’ll have the Ginger one, just a small bag too please.
Gentleman: We’ll have a large bag, there’s two of us, the small bag won’t be enough.
Me: Wow, thank you for being willing to try “too healthy” stuff! (I hand them their purchase)
Another Gentleman’s Wife: The proof is in the taste isn’t it? Thank you! (then they walk off)
Gentleman: If I start joining the marathon I have you to blame! (He shouts from afar laughing)
Me: I’ll take it! (I shout back lol!)
Gentleman’s in the pink ?

At Ballarat Steiner School Autumn Fair
Young couple comes strolling towards PM, their 2 y.o. toddler towing them along. He excitedly points to the shiny colourful jars full of pink goodness.
Mum: Oh wow, pink muesli! I’ve never heard of it before.
Me: No you wouldn’t have unless you come to my markets. It’s been out only since April of last year. I have 4 varieties on offer, all have at least 40% beetroot and no added sugar. Here have a taste (I hand them both samples, including their little man who had his hand outstretched)
Tot: Ummm (He holds out his hand again)
Dad: Did you like that?
Tot: Yummy (nods his head excitedly)
Mum: Look how he’s gobbling it up and wants some more (she looks happily surprised)
Me: Really good to see little kids appreciating healthy food! (I hand them all more samples which the little man accepts with obvious delight. Then he dances and points to PM Coconut Caramel Crunch for more. We share lolz)
Mum: Well, we better get this one then! So happy to have found a breakfast alternative but I think he will end up snacking on it!
Me: Even better! At least he’ll be snacking on something good for him.
Dad: I like it too! Let’s get a large bag of the Coconut, he was the most excited about this one.
Mum: Where can we get some more when we run out?
Me: I have an online store and I post anywhere in Australia.
Mum: Great! Thanks we’ll enjoy this! (I hand the large bag to the little man who was beside himself with excitement.)
Me: Thank you so much and have a lovely day!
Little man’s in the pink ?

At Clunes FM
This tale began exactly a year ago at this very town where PM had its first public appearance. One of my very first customers, Mr K, a lovely man has been buying a large bag, sometimes two or more every month. Each time he brings a new friend along to sample the pink. His friends invariably purchase a bag or two as well. In short, Mr K is a great ambassador for PM.
MrK: Hi, I’ve come for my usual fix!
Me: Why yes, it’s ready for you (I smile big as I hand him his favorite Citrus & Ginger) Have you tried my newest product, Cinnamon Carrot Apple & Raisin?
MrK: Ooooh, i don’t think so, I didn’t drop in last month but sent someone to buy my PM.
Me: Yes, I missed you last month. Here, have a taste. (I hand him a spoonful)
MrK: Oh wow that is good! I’ll take that one this time for me and the Citrus & Ginger for my friend who was so impressed by it. Give me a small bag as well so he can sample that one too.
Me: Fantastic! Thank you so much Mr. K for promoting my product!
MrK: It is such a good product, excellent quality and original to boot! (he exclaims with two thumbs up) word-of-mouth is your best advertising.
Me: So true, thanks to people like you.
MrK: My pleasure! See you next month!
Me: Yes, you will!
Mr. K is so in the pink ?

At Bendigo FM
T’was a beautiful sunny autumn day and people were flocking more than usual to PM (yay!) After a particularly busy spell, a brief lull ensued. An older lady came purposefully towards the stall.
OL: I had to come and see for myself what the fuss was about, I see so many people walking around with Pink Muesli!
Me: Fantastic! Would you like a taste?
OL: No thank you, let me just read the ingredients. (She peruses the lists and slowly nods her head). They all have really good stuff in it. So how do you make them so pink? Do you juice it first?
Me: No, I shred the beetroot and mix it with the rest of the ingredients then dehydrate them. And you know beetroot stains everything, hence the pink.
OL: Of course! That’s very clever. (she looks at all the products again) I’ll take the ginger one please.
Me: Don’t you want to taste it first?
OL: Naaah, I know it’s good. Everyone says so.
Me: (beaming) Thank you so much!
Older lady’s in the pink ?

At Ballarat Rural Lifestyle Expo
Young girl of about 9 y.o. was hurrying towards the PM stand, her grandmaother behind her catching her breath.
Me: Hello, come for a taste?
YG: Here it is Nan.
Nan: No thank you, she knows what she wants. Which one did you want sweetheart?
YG: I think it’s this one (pointing to PM Coconut Caramel). We bought some last year at another market and it was so yummy!
Me: The crunchy one is it?
YG: Yes, that’s it!
Nan: Can she have a taste just to be sure?
Me: Of course! (I hand YG a sample. Nan declines.)
YG nods her head excitedly.
Nan: Yes, we’ll take two large bags of that one please.
Me: Thank you so much! And here, take this flyer so you can order online for next time.
YG: Thanks!
So good when they start young appreciating healthy food!
Young girl’s in the pink ?