Meet Michelle Williamson | CTO- Chief Toffee Officer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Michelle Williamson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Michelle, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I have been in the food industry as long as I can remember. I started off working at a retreat home (Manresa in Bloomfield) when I was a Freshman in high school. I left there to work the counter at McDonalds. My first waitress job was at Pizza Hut. I moved into the Kruse and Muer Corporation and waitressed there for many years. I did this to pay my way thru college I graduated from CMU with a BAA in Corporate Health with a minor in Marketing ( I know, crazy…not even related to food, right?) I worked in Cardiology at Beaumont for 8 years. During those 8 years, I got married and started having kids….what would become the E and L in Mel’s. I am the M. Through this time, food was always front and forward in my brain. I used to come home from my 8 hour shift and watch the latest and greatest on the Food Network.
As the girls were growing and inching towards school age, I kept asking myself what I wanted to do while they were in school. Food was always there. I started a 5 layer pretzel company out of my house. The 5 layer pretzels were joined by chocolate covered popcorn, turtles. chocolate covered Oreos…. I decided I needed to choose ONE product and do it well. ENTER toffee.
I tried the two main toffee companies that were offered in the stores. I thought, “I could try to make this”. I found a recipe on the internet, tweaked it until it bacame mine. That ONE thing I set out to do now has 8 flavors. My products, before 2020, had been in 5 states. Now, they have reached 47 states. It’s been an interesting road.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I love to work with my hands….and play with my food. I feel I do both of those very well. My toffee is different from others in the way that it’s all about flavor. I have flavors from spicy to plain. I think that that flavor range sets me apart from others. I am most proud that my company has survived through a global pandemic. Those were crazy times, as we all know. My company not only survived a pandemic, but thrived IN the pandemic. Through the years after the pandemic, I have been trying to come up with different ways to sell my products AND come up with new ones, as well. I am proud that I have mostly directed this company by myself. I don’t have a business degree. I have a business minor. I mostly listen to my gut for bigger decisions. My gut is rarely wrong. I am proud about how big my company has become. I have gone from doing craft fair events to multi day events in Chicago (with my husband by my side). I have gone from having clear bags to preprinted bags. I have just added tins and mini tins at the holidays to offer more of a “gift”.
This thing called entrepreneurship is NOT easy. It’s you against “them” always. It’s keeping your focus ahead of you and watching behind your back at the same time. Ownership means coming in early and staying till the job is done. It means wearing many different hats even though you may have your favorite hat. Ownership is hard, but, the rewards, perks and successes make it so worth it.
I have worked hard every day since I started my company 10 years ago. This company is something I am very proud of. I love what it has become and what is TO come. This is not an easy road. There are many bumps and setbacks in the road. You have to take it minute by minute and day by day. I wouldn’t trade it for the world. You can’t possibly learn what I have learned “manning” this ship for as long as I have. I have been very fortunate with the people I have met, the opportunities I have been given and the strengths I have found that I never knew existed. It’s hard, but so worth it.
I have learned that when things are hard and you just want to quit, you have to ask yourself “why”. Why did you start the company? What would you be giving up if you quit? What would you miss the most? What are you going to do next? I have learned that you need to think outside the box all the time. We have all learned that we need to be really creative to find lasting solutions in this ever changing world. It was MAGNIFIED to me that you are going to have people who don’t hope for the best for you. In fact, they are waiting to see you fail. I have many of these. Having these people who wish to see you fail does the opposite for me. For me, it stokes the fire from within. As if to prove them wrong time and time again. Don’t feel overwhelmed by them. Prove them wrong so many times they’ll stop.
I have a few surprises coming soon. I can’t mention them here. Follow me on Instagram or Facebook….and you’ll be amazed. IF I can start a company and have it run for 10 years, anyone can. It takes dedication, goals, patience and persistence. You need to build a village of like minded people that you can go to for guidance and comradery.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
We’re gonna do a tour of Michigan. Saturday, we start in Detroit, MI. We’re going to start the day off at Eastern Market. We are going to lazily peruse allllll of the sheds. I’m going to stock up on road trip snacks for the week. There are so many great vendors down there. I can’t wait. After shopping, we’re going to duck down the alley and end up at Eastern Market Brewery. We will order carryout from Mistos Greek Food a block away. While, we are waiting for the food to be ready, we order a few beers and sit out on the picnic tables and soak up the sunshine. Food arrives, we eat. It’s so fresh and gooood!!! We check into the Siren Hotel. We get ready for dinner at Wright & Company. We spend a leisurely dinner splitting our small plates and watching traffic and people below from the window next to our table. We mosey over to the Monarch Club, have a nightcap and call it a night.

Sunday, we get up, grab a coffee and a bite to eat from Madcap Coffee. We hit the road and travel north. We end up in Ferndale. Ferndale is a perfectly funky town. We get to Rust Belt and shop from the many vendors they have inside. We travel up Woodward Ave to Birmingham. Birmingham always has LOTS going on. It’s a bright and busy suburb of Detroit. We stop by the Farmer’s Market, grab a few items and head across the street for lunch at Luxe Bar. We then get back in the car and head north on 75. We stop for a light bite in West Branch at Highway Brewing. They always have the best apps and beer!. Then, we stop by the outlet mall and do some power shopping. We hop in the car and continue on 75N to Charlevoix MI, on the west side of the state…right on the water. We check into our hotel and get some rest, it’s been a busy day.

Monday, we get up. We go and check out the Mushroom Houses by the beach. I love seeing these. They’re very cool. We stop at the beach and search for Petoskey Stones and beach glass. We stop for lunch and hang out and watch the boats and ships on the water. Later, we check out the light house and watch for freighters coming and going. We shop and shop. Dinner is at Grey Gable. It’s an old house turned into a restaurant. We have dinner and drinks and call it a day.
Tuesday, we move to Petoskey. Petoskey is a very family friendly city, on the water, in Northern MI. We get out and shop the many stores on the strip. We move over to Symon’s General Store and grab one of their delicious sandwiches and beverages. We go to the waterfront and have a picnic and people/boat watch. We check into our hotel and spend time there. We’re feeling casual so, dinner is at Tap30. We’re not ready for the day to end, so we mosey over to Mammoth Distilling. We order a few drinks and do some serious people watching.

Wednesday, we move on to Harbor Springs. First stop is Pond Hills Farm. Pond Hill is a cute farm, live animals, petting zoo, and also has a spot for a winery/cidery/brewery….with food. We sit outside, eat, drink and enjoy the view. We drive the never ending back roads, sight see and make our way back into town. Dinner is at Rodrigo’s, a tiny, family owned Mexican restaurant. They have the best margaritas and food!!! After dinner, we go to the water and watch the sun set.
Thursday, we hop on the ferry at Mackinac City. We make our way to Mackinac Island. We grab bikes right off the ferry. We spend LOTS of time riding thru the island. We’re tired, so we drop the bikes off and look for lunch. We decide on Yankee Rebel Tavern. We eat lunch and leave to shop and grab some fudge and ice cream at Ryba’s . We check into the Iroquois Hotel. We rest up and go to the Pink Pony for drinks and dinner. Another fun day.

Friday, sadly, we get back on the ferry. We get back in the car and head south to Frankenmuth MI for the night. You can’t go to Frankenmuth without having their multi course chicken dinners. We decide on Zehnder’s. After dinner, we walk off dinner and visit the many, many shops. We worked up a thirst. We go to Tiffany’s and have a few drinks. We check into our hotel for the night.
Saturday, ten pounds heavier, we make our way back home!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My biggest fan has always been my husband, Glenn. I know, sorry Glenn, you didn’t get a letter in Mel’s. Glenn has always been supportive, every step of the way. My girls, Erin and Lauren have always been by my side. All three of these guys have been there for the high highs and the low lows. They have always been ready for high fives and hugs of encouragement. I’m really lucky. One of my first coaches in this “marathon” was my Innovative Counsellor from MSU Product center, Micah Loucks. I don’t know what I would have done without Micah. He was an enormous resource for me. I had no idea what was what when I started. He held my hand, was always there with encouragement, always very supportive. I wouldn’t be where I am without him. I learned so much in a short time. He was always a quick call away. I miss having him here. I am happy he found a dream job in another state.
I have an amazing friend group. Some friends I have known most of my life, some I met thru this crazy world of food. I would love to shout out to Cyndie Major, Patti Serafini, Rajani Konkipudi,Laura Benedict, Andrew Prentice, Tammy Badyna, Ann Barkey-Moss, Billie Jo Delfin, Jennyfer Crawford, Colin McConnell, Sue McCoy, Lynne Irving, Darren Irving, Gina Martini, Denise Weston, Michele Byrd…and the list goes on and on.
On the side: I would like to shout out Patti Serafini. She works hard at her Pet Service company, Patti’s Pet Services.

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