In 1955 a young secretary decided to pursue her dream of becoming a business owner.
Grace Grissom and husband Herbert founded Mrs. Grissom’s Salads. This brief six minute video
will give you an insight into the family who’s brand of sandwich spreads and dips is a household
name in the Southeastern United States and demonstrate why and how
Mrs. Grissom's Salad became and remains so popular.
The year was 1955.
America was still recovering from the effects of WWII. There were no golden arches
and the term "fast food" didn't exist.
Women had entered the workplace during the war and discovered life outside the home.
They also discovered the overwhelming challenge of preparing family meals
from scratch after working all day in the factory.
That was also the year Grace Grissom, a young Knoxville, Tennessee secretary, dreamed
about owning her own business. One of Grace's friends had a small, struggling company nearby
that made prepared sandwich spreads and sold them through local grocery stores.
Grace instinctively knew this was the business she had dreamed of starting.
Grace, and husband Herbert, became business partners with
their friends and before long were making major improvements
in the way the products were made and sold. Within a year,
the Grissoms bought out their partners and Mrs. Grissom’s
Salads was born.
Since then, Mrs. Grissom’s Salads have spanned the spectrum
from local neighborhood groceries to Wal-Mart Super Centers.
While the method of distribution has changed, one thing has
remained constant over the past 55 years. That’s Grace Grissom’s uncompromising commitment to quality and old fashion goodness.
Mrs. Grissom Celebrates Turning 90
By Introducing New Product Line.
Mrs. Grissom remains active in the business today and is loved, admired, and respected by all who know her. At an age where most folks have long since retired, Mrs. Grissom celebrated her 90th birthday in August 2008 by announcing the introduction of a new line of cheese dips!
She has been honored by National Association of Women Business Owners for her outstanding record of achievement.
“My husband and I worked day and night to build the business and loved every single minute of it,” smiled Mrs. Grissom as she reminisced about the company’s early days.
"I still enjoy coming in and working. Of course, I leave the 18 hour days up to the younger folks now," she laughs.
Today, when you pick up a container of Mrs. Grissom’s Salads, you can be sure you are getting the same goodness and quality that Mrs. Grissom’s customers have been enjoying for over 55 years.