Tastefully Simple names Dahl president, launches new business model
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7/17/2015
ALEXANDRIA, Minn. — Tastefully Simple Inc., the original national tasting party company, has named Nancy Dahl as president and chief operating officer. Jill Blashack Strahan, who founded Tastefully Simple in 1995, will continue her role as CEO, partnering with Dahl to optimize their strategic direction. Tastefully Simple also announced that it’s launching a new business model that marks a shift in the company’s selling strategy, from selling individual products to also offering mealtime and entertaining solutions.
“Nancy is passionate and inspiring, with strong collaborative leadership skills. She is vigilant about developing people,” said Strahan. “In addition to being an amazing culture fit, she is an innovative catalyst who provides crystal clarity in identifying priorities and has high standards of excellence. I am honored to have Nancy on our team.”
Dahl looks forward to working with Strahan and other members of the leadership team to maximize the impact of the company’s strategic plan. “Tastefully Simple has a stellar reputation,” she noted. “Every person I spoke with about the company remarked on its incredible brand and strong future. It’s a company with a strong entrepreneurial spirit and long runway ahead of it, full of opportunity.”
Dahl joins Tastefully Simple from Lifetouch Inc., a $1.2 billion company based in Minneapolis, where she advanced through a series of promotions, eventually serving as president and chief operating officer for Lifetouch Portrait Studios and later, Lifetouch National School Studios. She is an alumna of Gustavus Adolphus College, University of St. Thomas and the University of Minnesota Carlson School of Management’s Executive Program.
A New Business Model
On July 1, Tastefully Simple will roll out part of their new business model that provides expanded food collections that are simple and delicious. The collections are themed around ten- and thirty-meal plans as well as Holiday Fun. This marks a notable shift for the company, which has already expanded its business model from traditional tasting parties to include freezer meal workshops that address mealtime needs of busy families.
“People hate making decisions about what to eat, whether it’s a dinner decision or having your friends over to socialize,” said Strahan. “Our new collections, replete with recipes, menu planners and grocery lists, are designed to relieve that headache.”