 |
 |
| Splash photo by Kelly Moore |
Great Harvest Bread Co. Owner Ross Umbdenstock considers himself a jack-of-all-trades when it comes to store operations. Whether he’s behind the counter, in an office or busy baking bread, he said he does it all.
|
More News
March Marvel-Calvary a catalyst for historic Gonzaga run
In Gear for Good
Kramer puts integrity first at Christian Brothers
City commissions offer chance to serve, enhance community
When Danetta “Dg” Garcia’s bid for a Liberty Lake City Council seat fell short, she didn’t give up on the idea of serving the city she calls home.
TT's Brewery and Barbecue Expands to Neighborhood Liberty Lake Location
In the smoky realm of barbecue, TT's BBQ has carved a niche for itself as a beacon of mouth watering flavors and culinary expertise for both their beer and food.
Daughters of The American Revolution
The Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) is a volunteer women’s organization that has been dedicated to historical preservation, education, and patriotism for over a century. Across the United States, there are over 3,000 chapters supporting an estimated current membership of 200,000, with over one million total members since their founding in 1890.
HOA’s have different rules what it means for Police and streets
The city of Liberty Lake is known for its winding paths, street trees and homeowner’s associations. Recently, however, residents of some neighborhoods have been questioning the services they receive from the city, particularly police patrols and traffic enforcement.
Vietnam Veteran Pat Payne Receives his Combat Infantry Badge
Spokane Valley resident and Vietnam Veteran Pat Payne personifies bravery, resilience, and a profound commitment to supporting his fellow service members. Having served in the Vietnam War, Pat received both the Bronze Star and Purple Heart medals for his exceptional contributions and sacrifices. Unfortunately, at the time of his service discharge, a key ‘box’ was left unchecked, and he did not receive his Combat Infantry Badge or CIB until fifty-six years after leaving Vietnam.
Return Ticket Home; Fisher helped establish LL city roots
In the acclaimed 1940 novel, “You Can’t Go Home Again,” author Thomas Wolfe paints the picture of ambitious writer George Webber who leaves his rural hometown roots to seek fame and fortune in New York City.
At Home on Air – Media fixture Owsley relishes local roots
Sean Owsley’s first big break in the media world came when he was living in a modest apartment on Skipworth Road in Spokane Valley.
Spokane Valley Library employee is recognized by the Library of Congress
Spokane Valley Library was recently honored to receive a Certificate of Appreciation from the Library of Congress for its involvement in the Veterans History Project. The Library of Congress recognized the library's continuous dedication to preserving the stories and experiences of our nation's veterans. As part of this recognition, Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers presented a Certificate of Appreciation to Jeremy Mullin, a local resident actively involved in the project.
Council social media training degenerates into confrontation
Spokane Valley City Council training on policy regarding social media accounts and use of the city’s logo turned from benignly informative to heatedly combative after an exchange between two council members at the Jan. 9 meeting.
Central Valley School District Prop. 1
Eat, Shop, and Be Merry
Water Works
2023 Candidate Guide
Sporting in Liberty Lake
Closing the Chasm
Congratulations First Ridgeline High School Graduating Class of 2023
2023 Liberty Lake Kiwanis Yard Sales are Coming!
Click here to register today! Only $15 to get into the printed and online guide!
Public Safety Raised to New Level
Parks and Art Commission
Looking Ahead to 2023
Eat, Shop and Be Merry
New city administrator
Liberty Lake Kiwanis Yard Sale Interactive Map!
Liberty Lake Kiwanis Yard Sale Guide - Now Available!!
Conrats 2022 Senior Graduates
Pavillion Park
You Are Invited
Destination Liberty Lake
Liberty Lake's Lego Home
Making and Impact 2022
|
|
|
|
Bread-and-butter business
4/11/2012 9:45:43 AM
By Kelly Moore
Splash Staff Writer
Profiles:
Ross Umbdenstock
Great Harvest Bread Co. franchise owner Ross Umbdenstock became a business owner at the age of 24, when a family friend asked him to partner in opening the Liberty Lake store. That venture opened the door for an array of community involvement that keeps him rooted in all-things-Liberty-Lake.
Last year he became the sole owner of Spokane's South Hill Great Harvest location and someday hopes to start up a third location. All the while, he said his main marketing strategy is giving back. The Splash recently caught up with Umbdenstock to learn a little more about his philosophy and what life is like in his shoes.
Q: I know Great Harvest does a lot to stay involved in the community. What are some of the things you guys do?Advertisement
A: This year, we did a fundraiser for the Central Valley Kindergarten Center and one for Greenacres Elementary School where the kids went around door-to-door and sold loaves of bread and then a portion of those sales went back to the school. I think between the two we ended up raising about $6,000.
Q: Wow. That's a lot of bread.
A: (laughing) Yeah, the kindergartners actually did a really good job of selling bread. They sold over 1,700 loaves of bread, so that was a really big thing.
Q: OK, I know it doesn't stop there. Where else in the community are you involved?
A: Well, we got started in the community with our Easter honey bunny sales. We donated $2 of every honey bunny to the Spokane Humane Society. Great Harvest likes to do stuff for the Yard Sales, the Liberty Lake Days. We also donate coffee to the Liberty Lake Kiwanis every week and help them by sponsoring their golf tournament. We also provide quite a bit of donations, not just to food banks in the area but also to local non-profit organizations. We donate a lot of auction items to people's fundraisers. Just recently we helped sponsor the library's edible book contest. I think that's about it.
Q: Do you guys help out with Blessings Under the Bridge too?
A: We do, actually. Apparently we were one of the first people to agree to donate to her way back when they got started so we've known them for a while. It's a great organization to be involved with.
Q: Well it sounds like you guys have plenty to keep you busy. What is the philosophy behind your giving back?
A: That's kind of my marketing, to tell you the truth. We like to get the word out there and we like to make people aware of Great Harvest. It always seems to get a better response when you do that in partnership with nonprofits that are out there doing great things.
Q: So you seem kind of young to be a business owner. How did you get started?
A: The lady who owned the South Hill Great Harvest store, Jacquie Sanchez, actually approached me to help her open this store in 2007. For the first 18 months she was the majority owner and then I was able to buy her out of this store. About two years after that, I bought her out of the South Hill Great Harvest as well. (Laughing) I was kind of her exit strategy, I guess.
Q: Were you a Great Harvest employee before?
A: No, I was actually digging holes in Montana for a landscaping company, and I decided I didn't want to dig holes for the rest of my life, and the plan was to go back to graduate school. I started talking to my parents about it and in that process, I learned Jacque had already approached my parents and my twin sister saying she wanted me to help her run this. It was kind of like either go to grad school or open a business. I just chose opening the business. It's always been my dream to own my own restaurant, so a bakery wasn't too far off.
Q: So in the five years since you started out on this venture, what are some of the unexpected lessons that stand out in you mind?
A: Every day, there's something unexpected. Employees seem to be your biggest asset and your biggest liability at the same time. When everything's going great, things are all smooth, but of course when things go south it's really bad. It seems to all hit at once.
I've definitely learned to juggle tasks and become a jack-of-all-trades - delivery driver, accountant, marketing guy and personnel manager. Whatever you want to call me, I'll answer to it. Baker, that's another one.
Q: Do you have a philosophy for the way you manage?
A: Yeah, actually our mission statement is painted on our wall here. It's run fast to help customers, bake phenomenal bread, create strong and exciting bakeries and give generously to others. We try to incorporate that not only into the business side of things, but also the employee side too. I like to have it fun in here with upbeat music. We want you to be tapping your foot or snapping your fingers when you walk in the door. We try to go for a whole customer experience.
Q: What is a typical day in your life like?
A: Oh boy, I don't really have a typical day. It can be up at 2:30 in the morning to come in and do baking. Normally, when I do that it's a 2:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. day where I try to move into marketing and other paperwork in the afternoon. When I don't do baking - which isn't nearly as much anymore - I'm normally here by 7 a.m. or so and do paperwork or deal with employees or marketing. Like I said, I'm a jack-of-all-trades. I could be fixing the oven; you never know. (Laughing) Whatever fire needs to be put out, that's what I'm doing that day.
These days I usually only do baking to fill in or when there's a big holiday coming up, like Easter. I'll have to go back to the South Hill store at 6 tonight and I'll probably literally work till 10 a.m. tomorrow morning doing honey bunnies.
Q: I also heard you like to ride your bike to work.
A: I try to. That might change soon because I'm just about to close the sale of my condo in Liberty Lake. But I like to do pretty much anything outside. I have a backpacking trip planned this week for the Colville National Forest. I try to be active, but Great Harvest consumes a lot of my time.
Q: Do you have any hobbies?
A: Cooking. I like to go home and make a nice dinner when I can't get outside. That's pretty much it. It's work, cooking, and trying to stay active outside.
Q: Talking about the Spokane store, that's a fairly new venture for you, right?
A: It is. The store has been there for about 30 years. I remember going there as a kid, so that was pretty fun to go from being the little kid riding my bike in to get the free slice of bread to now being the guy handing the slices out. I just bought it in August. It's about three times the size of this one and does about twice the volume. It was a good venture for me. We started doing most of our production out there and shipping it out here, so that helped consolidate the two stores.
Q: So are you busier since taking over that one, or is it about the same?
A: Yeah, I'd say I'm probably busier - which I didn't think was possible - right now since it is so new. But I think down the line it'll allow me to step back and delegate duties to managers because I can't be in two places at one time. (Laughing) I'm learning that very quickly.
Q: Do you have any plans for the future?
A: Yeah, I want to do another store up north. That's my next venture, but I don't know how soon that's going to happen. I haven't even started looking, but it would be fun to have a third one up north. From there, I have no idea. It was my goal to have three by the time I was 30, but I think we might have to push that back till I'm 35 (laughing).
Profiles:
Ross Umbdenstock
Age
29
Owner
Great Harvest Bread Co.
Favorite book
"Travels With Charley," by John Steinbeck
Education
Bachelor's degree in business administration from Montana State University
Proudest Moment
Becoming a business owner at age 24
|
 |
