We’re looking forward to introducing you to Julie Schultz. Check out our conversation below.
Julie, a huge thanks to you for investing the time to share your wisdom with those who are seeking it. We think it’s so important for us to share stories with our neighbors, friends and community because knowledge multiples when we share with each other. Let’s jump in: What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
It’s summer as I write this article, so what brings me joy is my vegetable garden. While it can be a lot of work, I love to enjoy fresh produce from my garden. I can’t wait until everything starts producing and then make so many fresh meals with all the produce. I also spend a lot of time preserving our harvest. I freeze, can, and dehydrate as much as I can to be able to eat our homegrown fruits & vegetables the entire year.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My husband Grant & I are the proud owners of Costas Candies, a 106 year candy shop in Owatonna, MN. We purchased Costas 16 years ago, from the Boosalis family who had owned & operated it for the first 90 years, 3 generations of their family, in the same location we are still in today. When we purchased Costas it was a restaurant and candy shop. In 202o during COVID we closed the restaurant temporarily, but 3 months later made the announcement that we would be closing the restaurant permanently in order to expand the candy. In 2021 we did a full remodel of our store to become solely a candy store. We now have a large modern kitchen, with a viewing window where customers can watch the candy being made. After 106 years we continue to make all the candy we sell by hand at our store in downtown Owatonna. We made caramels, toffee, turtles, truffles, buttercremes, nut clusters, and more. Our biggest seller continues to be our caramels, but everyone has their favorites. We currently make over 60 different candies and have customers all over the world. Our candy has been shipped to all 50 states & over 30 countries. Making candy is both an art & a science and every piece of candy is created with passion for making a product that makes our customers keep coming back for generations. We are families that have had Costas candies as part of their holidays for 4 generations now. We love creating memories for our customers and families with decadent, special handmade candies.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. Who taught you the most about work?
My parents taught me the most about work, working hard, yet enjoying what you do. Work is a part of life and when you enjoy what you do it doesn’t feel like work. That doesn’t mean you won’t have parts of your work that you don’t like, or that there won’t be challenges. My parents are crop farmers and while I was growing up they were also hog farmers. They worked hard daily and set a good example of what it means to do your best no matter what your profession is, to work together as a team with your spouse and to involve your children in the process. There were many ups and downs in the industry they were in and it wasn’t always easy. But they taught me the importance of grit, determination, hard work, never giving up and being proud of what you do. They taught me how to find family time in the midst of a never ending job that was always calling. Farming has so many similarities to what my family does in our profession of owning a candy shop. I work on a daily basis with my husband, we have very busy seasons to our business, and our kids have been very involved in our business. We’ve had so many ups and downs over the years, but have learned to work through it.
Is there something you miss that no one else knows about?
There are days I miss teaching. I had wanted to be a teacher ever since I was in Kindergarten. I taught for 4 years, then left when our oldest child was born to be a stay-at-home mom with the intent to return to teaching. 2 years after our oldest was born we purchased Costas and became business owners. I have occasionally subbed at our children’s school (which is where I taught) throughout the past 16 years. I do get to be a teacher is some sense at Costas as I employee high schoolers that are many times working their first job. So I get to teach them how to work a job. But there are days I miss being a teacher for young children.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
I believe they would say that my faith and family are what matters the most to me. I think they would say that my faith is the center of my life and how I life my daily life shows what my values are.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. When do you feel most at peace?
I feel most at peace when I know my family and friends are safe and healthy. When I know our store is fully staffed and business is good, then I can relax and feel at peace.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.costascandies.com
- Instagram: www.instagram/costascandies
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/costascandies
