Meet Molly Mahoney of Molly’s Mills in Mesa

Today we’d like to introduce you to Molly Mahoney.

Molly, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I had always absolutely loved garlic and started tinkering with my garlic salt for myself and family. In 2003 I started Molly’s Mills as a summer job in college in Moscow, Idaho where student jobs were scarce. It helped fuel and expand my love for cooking. I continued crafting my spices on weekends in the summers and for my website but after 13 years in graphic design and marketing I finally took the plunge in 2018 and went full time with it. Now you can find me at the local farmer’s markets each weekend along with collaborating with other market vendors to create recipe ideas for our customers along with high quality photos of each concoction.

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?
Unlike traditional spice companies, my spices have been sold in something similar to a pepper mill (hence the name Molly’s Mills) since day one. In 2003 spice grinder packaging was scarce so I was constantly changing it based on what I could find in local stores. After realizing I see my customers weekly and need something consistent that won’t let them down I finally worked with a company that designed my mills completely just for me. I want people to focus on their food and to enjoy my spices hassle free. With them having moving/mechanical parts I always keep extra mill caps on hand and ship out replacements with no questions asked. It keeps customers happy and coming back for refills and sharing the product with friends.

Tell us more about the business.
Right now I am a one person show! I have friends who help me with additional farmer’s markets and the packaging from time to time. I had my website built in a way that I create all of my content including building each product, taking and uploading the photography and adding recipes. I love garlic, I love finding all the other garlic fanatics out there too and feeding our habit. My favorite part of each Saturday is hearing feedback from customers and what they created with it. Some are already phenomenal cooks and others are just getting into it. My spices work great for every skill level and are so versatile that they are great on anything you’d add salt or pepper too. Cooking and inspiring others to cook is what it’s all about for me!

Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I feel like I was really lucky to start my company as a farmers market based business. Not only am I surrounded by wonderful vendors full of knowledge and great products but all I needed was a table, tent and my product to get started. The investment was low to get a start and got my product in front of the right customers right away. I did try a little brick and mortar shop in Portland, Oregon for a few months in 2004 and quickly went back to my market scene and focused more on my website instead. The only bad luck I have from time to time is the weather. A rainy or windy day can kill all of your sales for the week.

Contact Info:

• Website: MollysMills.com
• Email: molly@mollysmills.com
• Instagram: @MollysMills
• Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/MollysMills/

Image Credit:
Grace Stufkosky Photography

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