Much Ado About Megan

 
Megan Coffin joined the We Olive Ventura bunch last March.  A member of the Ventura High School Culinary Arts Program at the time, she knew her way around from her experience with the program's annual holiday showcase in the store.  She impressed us immediately with her strong work ethic and her diligence.  However, she was so reserved we wondered if our larger-than-life team overwhelmed her.  It wasn't too long, however, before Miss Megan demonstrated that she'd just been quietly working in the background taking it all in waiting to step out onto the sales floor and charm the customers with her new-found knowledge and service-oriented approach to sales.  And charm them she did, impressing us at the same time and even bantering some Perry-isms about!  Did I just hear Megan tell that customer "That's our  trouble table" when motioning to where the chocolate and dessert sauces are displayed.  And, of course, there's laughter all around.

Megan's favorite part about working at We Olive Ventura is sharing her knowledge about all of our great  products with the wonderful people who visit the store.  It's no surprise that she has such great people skills coming from a family with three sisters, three brothers and another brother on the way.  Having graduated high school in June, Megan is currently a freshman at Ventura Community College completing her general education.  She also enjoys hanging out with friends preferably at the beach or on a hike.

She recommends our hostess gift as a great all around grab and go.  With a bottle of any of our bulk olive oils and one of our balsamic vinegars, a dipping dish and pretty packaging, how can you go wrong?

Megan may have a lot of siblings, but she also has no shortage of moms.  Her moms at home and at her We Olive Ventura home.  Not that Megan needs mothering.  She's capable and confident, but just so nice.

After helping a senior couple, Steve overheard the man ask Megan "Will you be my Granddaughter?"  Well, sir, we LOVE our customers, but for the record, Megan is ours!

Gabbing About Georgia

Are you an F.O.G.?  If you spend any length of time in Ventura County you likely will become a Friend Of Georgia -- Georgia Perry that is!  F.O.G. is a term coined by one of several Friends of Georgia who frequently stop by We Olive to try a new Georgia-recommended product, grab a hostess gift or just get something for dinner.  The store could probably survive on Georgia-referred sales alone -- well almost! Georgia Perry is our resident hostess, committed community volunteer and lifelong Ventura County dweller.   She is also the Senior Sales Associate at We Olive Ventura.  Seems almost everyone knows Georgia and it is impossible to not like her. One day while getting some alterations done at an across town seamstress, I was discussing Georgia who had referred me.  Another waiting customer piped up and said "You mean my Georgia?"  Turns out, the customer was yet another F.O.G.

When not lending her talents our way, Georgia is an Events Coordinator and an active volunteer with the Ventura Educational Partnership, which makes her a natural fit with us! Having raised two handsome sons with husband Dennis, Georgia has a heart for all school kids. Her gal pals include the Superintendent of Schools,the President of the Ventura Educational Partnership and the head of  the Ventura Family/School/Community Partnership.  Among her favorite things about working at We Olive Ventura is the community involvement fostered by store owner Steve Tobey an example of which includes the Ventura High School Culinary program relationship.  Through that connection students have showcased their culinary skills using We Olive products with in-store demonstrations and we have gained valuable employees such as our current recruit Megan.  Relationships like these (and Georgia's enthusiasm) encouraged another employee to become an active local school volunteer. 

My funniest Georgia moment at We Olive also involves, of course, Perry.  While Georgia and Perry were providing their signature customer service they had an engaging conversation with a very appreciative customer.  Part way through, Perry introduced himself and the gentleman motioned to Georgia and asked if she were "The lovely Mrs. "Perry"  Perry laughed and said yes, she is Mrs. Perry, but not his Mrs. Perry, Mrs. Dennis Perry!.  They all had a good chuckle.  Georgia's current three favorite products are the We Olive Green Olive & Lemon Mustard, (2) Sable & Rosenfeld's Mediterranean Olive Bruschetta and (3) We Olive Balsamic Truffles.  For gifts she suggests a jar of Pasolivo Body Butter or a new parents or housewarming favorite of our gourmet pasta with a jar of Italian Salsa.  A gift I think Georgia would love to receive (hint, hint Dennis) is a  decorative three-section condiment tray with a selection of three condiments or tapenades and an Old River Road spoon (or 3!), 

Georgia offers the following easy recipe ideas:  Pork Roast marinated in Chaparral Gardens Blackberry Roasted Pepper Vinegar for a least a couple hours or overnight and barbeque or cook on low in a slow cooker.  Serve our gourmet pasta tossed with Sonoma Gourmet Basil Parmesan dipping oil. Rebecca is her go-to gal for quick fix appetizer or meal ideas using We Olive products.  Georgia also loves sharing with the Weight Watchers members our Zero Points House Balsamic.  Rumor has that Georgia alone may be responsible for the new lilt in Jennifer Hudson's song! Our hostess with the mostest loves setting the mood and the tone.for our after-hours private group tastings allowing guests a more in-depth look at the world of olive oil uses and benefits.  When it comes to We Olive Ventura, Perry likes to think he's in charge, but we all know it's Georgia Perry who really runs the show!

How Do You Clean Those Bottles?

Viewpoints researched various ways to do this.  Best results seemed to be for those who fill a bottle with very hot water, add a few drops of either gel dishwasher detergent or a grease cutting liquid soap like Dawn and some plain white vinegar.  Shake to mix and let sit for a few minutes to a few hours (for garlic).  Rinse thoroughly until water runs clean and dry in a warm oven to remove in water droplets.  For balsamic vinegar or oils mixed with herbs, try adding some rice and/or baking soda to liquid mixture to act as an abrasive in removing any particles or gummy residue when you shake.  Then bring your bottles back to We Olive Ventura for refilling!