LOCALadk Magazine

44 Summer 2019 LOCALadk Magazine LOCALadk Mountain Tomboy Baker y is an accidental business that keeps growing. Keene resident Betsy Richert is a doer—it's in her DNA—and she is happiest when she is able to do the things she loves, which include skiing and hiking in the Ad- irondacks. Betsy runs a successful environmental consulting busi- ness, Richert Environmental Consulting, that she started 26 years ago from her basement. She is passionate about envi- ronmental protection and in particular clean water, and saw a great opportunity to work for protecting the planet, while also pursuing a mountain athlete lifestyle that would keep her happy and in the mountains. Working remotely was not really "a thing" in 1993, but Betsy made it work, even without the luxur y of email, cell phones, and the Web. Five years ago, however, things took an unexpected turn for Betsy when she was involved in a serious accident that resulted in a long, slow recover y. With time on her hands during her recover y, and not able to participate in the athletics she loved, Betsy decided to tr y baking items that were "clean," and which created low inflam- mation in a healing, recovering body. This included removing ingredients such as sugar and animal products from reci- pes. Eating healthy was always important to Betsy—baking healthier treats, was a no brainer. Her products were initial- ly just gluten-free, but, as she says, "the dog wouldn't even eat them." Sharing the cookies with a few willing friends was as far as she thought her "customer base" would extend. As time went on the products improved and her friends encour- aged her to think about selling the cookies at the Keene Val- ley Farmers Market while she continued to heal. That was not part of the plan, but Betsy, an entrepreneur at heart, went for it, and in May 2015 created Mountain Tomboy Baker y. With cookie names like Trouble Makers, a double-espres- so cookie, or the Triple Threat Brownie, a thick brownie with double chocolate, cinnamon, and chipotle, how could it not be a success? Mountain Tomboy also offers an almond but- ter chocolate chip cookie, double chocolate rosemar y drops, juicy macaroons, and what will become your favorite peanut butter cookie. Betsy also wants to empower young "Mountain Tomboys" through athletics, and in particular, Nordic skiing. She is do- ing this through a living legacy fund with the Adirondack Foundation, which is helping girls get started skiing. Bet- sy also participates as a mentor and business owner in the Hamilton College Adirondack Program in which students pair up with local businesses to learn about small business and entrepreneurship. Mountain Tomboy Baker y is also proud to sponsor local athlete Sarah Keyes who fuels herself with these healthy and nutritious goodies while training and com- peting in ultra running trail races. Mountain Tomboy Baker y products are sold at farmers markets in Keene, and Saranac Lake, and at several local shops, such as Northwood Baker y in Schroon Lake, ADK Mar- ket in Keene and Old Mountain Coffee in Keene Valley. Thank you, Betsy, for giving a terrible accident a delicious silver lining. Mountain Tomboy Bakery by Anne Brewer

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