Pickled Egg Business Finds A Niche

2023 - Volume #47, Issue #2, Page #06

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Hilltop Pickling is a woman-owned business in Strum, Wis., specializing in canned and pickled products, especially its regionally famous pickled eggs.
Owner and founder Rachel Gullicksrud dreamed up the business concept in 2019 when she had surgery on her leg and needed to recuperate at her parents’ home. “During that time, my mother was making her annual secret recipe pickled eggs for the guys at deer camp. So, I brought up the idea to her - why don’t we make a business out of this?”
Initially, both parents were very skeptical of her idea. “I can still hear my dad in the background saying, ‘You want to do what?’” laughs Gullicksrud.
Fueled with motivation to prove them wrong and show that a cannery could be a success, Gullicksrud got Hilltop Pickling up and running. She started by distributing to two stores, but since then has expanded to 147 stores across four states.
“Our eggs attract a variety of people,” says Gullicksrud. “People who’ve never tried a pickled egg before absolutely love them now!” To date, the sweet and hot-flavored eggs remain the consistent favorite.
Everything is made in a commercial kitchen with the help of three staff members. Gullicksrud manages all deliveries herself and hopes to ship nationwide in the future. “My future goal is to keep adding stores around the Midwest. We want everyone to taste our product and to see a smile on returning customers’ faces.”
It’s taken Gullicksrud a bit to perfect her process. As she explains, “There is ‘art’ that goes into making the perfect pickled egg.” Gullicksrud and her crew typically boil about 200 eggs at a time before peeling them by hand to prep for the pickling process.
Although there’s been plenty of growing pains starting her cannery, Gullicksrud has no regrets about following her intuition for starting the business.
“My advice, especially being a ‘women-owned’ business, is not to let that stop you from making your dreams come true!” she says.
For order inquiries, you can contact Hilltop Pickling directly through its Facebook page.
Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Hilltop Pickling Company (ph 715-533-9345; Facebook: Hilltop Pickling Company).

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Pickled Egg Business Finds A Niche SPECIALTY/SERVICES Hilltop Pickling is a woman-owned business in Strum Wis specializing in canned and pickled products especially its regionally famous pickled eggs Owner and founder Rachel Gullicksrud dreamed up the business concept in 2019 when she had surgery on her leg and needed to recuperate at her parents’ home “During that time my mother was making her annual secret recipe pickled eggs for the guys at deer camp So I brought up the idea to her - why don’t we make a business out of this?” Initially both parents were very skeptical of her idea “I can still hear my dad in the background saying ‘You want to do what?’” laughs Gullicksrud Fueled with motivation to prove them wrong and show that a cannery could be a success Gullicksrud got Hilltop Pickling up and running She started by distributing to two stores but since then has expanded to 147 stores across four states “Our eggs attract a variety of people ” says Gullicksrud “People who’ve never tried a pickled egg before absolutely love them now!” To date the sweet and hot-flavored eggs remain the consistent favorite Everything is made in a commercial kitchen with the help of three staff members Gullicksrud manages all deliveries herself and hopes to ship nationwide in the future “My future goal is to keep adding stores around the Midwest We want everyone to taste our product and to see a smile on returning customers’ faces ” It’s taken Gullicksrud a bit to perfect her process As she explains “There is ‘art’ that goes into making the perfect pickled egg ” Gullicksrud and her crew typically boil about 200 eggs at a time before peeling them by hand to prep for the pickling process Although there’s been plenty of growing pains starting her cannery Gullicksrud has no regrets about following her intuition for starting the business “My advice especially being a ‘women-owned’ business is not to let that stop you from making your dreams come true!” she says For order inquiries you can contact Hilltop Pickling directly through its Facebook page Contact: FARM SHOW Followup Hilltop Pickling Company ph 715-533-9345; Facebook: Hilltop Pickling Company

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