A quarter century of excellence is a measurement of success that few know well and even fewer understand how to maintain. Strong values, a firm foundation, and the ability to persevere and adapt to the changing market tides are just a handful of elements that hold the front lines steady and secure. As Shaft’s Cheese & Co. celebrates its 25th anniversary this year, the company is sharing the cornerstones of what makes it a thriving operation in the premium cheese category, and I could not be more excited to learn about the tenets that make it tick.
“Our success has been based on six principles that we continue to pursue today: tradition, elegance, family, artistry, innovation, and community,” Erica Smith, Marketing and Business Development Manager, shares with me. “For 25 years, we have cultivated these principles, elevating our deep commitment to the cheese category.”
In part one of this series, we examined tradition and elegance. In part two, we will discover how family and artistry define Shaft’s.
“Shaft’s has been a family-owned and operated business since it was founded in 1999. So, in some sense, we literally mean the family that is running Shaft’s,” Erica begins. “But in another way, we love to bring people together around a table for appetizers, cocktails, and a meal. Who are the first few people you think of when we describe this? That’s who we see as family. You could say we’re just making cheese, but we are also creating space for family and friends to experience community.”
This deep family value drives the company’s vision and, paired with artistry, it continues to grow Shaft’s fundamental roots in new and sophisticated ways.
“Food is art. Artistry in our business is juxtaposed to the nitty gritty of production and industry. But if you’ve ever seen blue cheese blue when it’s cut or Serendipity stacked perfectly in our facilities, you’ll see that it is an art form. We see this principle as simply creating a beautiful product. We think we’ve done a pretty good job,” Erica expresses.
Over the past 25 years, the Shaft’s family dynamics have shifted, as they do with families everywhere, Erica adds. Today, the growing team includes friends who happily fall into the family fold. And the artistry has evolved, too, modernizing as the company has expanded its team and brought to the table new ideas and creativity.
When I ask Erica how each principle aligns and elevates the company’s vision through products, processes, and branding? She tells me a story that only deepens these values.
“Shaft’s brand and story are built on family. John ‘Jack’ Gibson Sr. founded Shaft’s back in 1999, and, today, his son John owns and operates the business with family friends, Andrea and John Whitfield!” she says. “This partnership with the current Owners was first built on great friendship and many meals together where Shaft’s cheese was at the center of the table. There was a clear vision of what the brand was and could be.”
For artistry, Shaft’s develops new products, like its Blue Cheese Olives as an example of its continued ingenuity.
“We are always looking for opportunities to provide customers with beautiful choices. Whether that’s beautiful packaging, creative recipes, or delicious cheeses,” Erica shares.
What could further elevate such a company’s program of excellence? Stay tuned as we bring you the principles of innovation and community—and how this anniversary story of dedication and passion has stood the test of time.
