Meet Pamela Davis | The Grazing Fox Founder

We had the good fortune of connecting with Pamela Davis and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Pamela, as a parent, what do you feel is the most meaningful thing you’ve done for them?
As far as work goes, I believe in the importance of learning how to work hard. I continue to watch my parents work hard which I believe has instilled my love of work and my entrepreneurial spirit. My 6 year old often comes to work with me. He watches, asks questions, helps out, and is often at my side for deliveries. He is learning why and how we work, what kind of jobs are helping our community operate, and he meets and interacts with the people working those jobs. It is important that he grows up knowing that the janitor is every bit as important as the CEO.

What should our readers know about your business?
I am the most proud of the way my company has grown. There were next to no grazing companies in the U.S. 5 years ago so I was lucky to be able to grow my company organically. Even though this was how my friends and family enjoyed many of our meals, I wasn’t sure that Americans would agree. I figured that it would catch on or it wouldn’t, and lucky for me it was like wildfire. I wouldn’t say it was easy but now that there are thousands of grazing companies in the U.S. I think people are understanding and grasping the concept. As a veteran of the Grazing world and after 20+ years in the restaurant industry, my experience and ability to really understand who my customer is has set The Grazing Fox apart. I don’t need fancy advertising and complicated marketing. My success is because one client told another, or read about my company in Forbes or The Wall Street Journal…this all comes easy (and free) when you serve your community with love and treat them like family. For a few years I have been bursting at the seems with creative ideas and ways to grow but have been pushing this all down so I can be with my son while he is small. Now that he is in Kindergarten I can finally entertain the idea of a brick and mortar shop, mentoring and supporting women in leadership roles, and implementing the other business ideas that have been poking at me. Stay tuned!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
One of my favorite things is to share Vail with others! You must: See the damage from when Lionshead’s Rock rolled down down down into Minturn. It’s a short walk along the train tracks and you will not believe what happened when it landed. Kids and adults will love studying this scene for hours. It is science at its best. Have breakfast at The Sonnenalp Hotel. My advice is not to eat for 3 days beforehand. Pop into Root and Flower for a drink and a small plate or two. Hang out with owner Sam Biszantz. She is funny, brilliant, and I believe she will single handedly breathe new life into this town for years to come. Go early and grab the one and only window seat at Yama. The chef will keep the sushi coming and you can watch the interesting choices of skiwear/summerwear go by. Eat a few meals at Mountain Standard. Order their signature margarita before you even open the menu and have a conversation with manager Donovan Sornig. He is a Marine Recon turned service extraordinaire. Visit Matsuhisa even if it’s just for a drink and the atmosphere. If you can afford more than just a drink, you have to order everything on the menu. Order a Fox Box to throw in a backpack and go to an outdoor concert, hike, snowshoe, etc. Just because you are enjoying the outdoors doesn’t mean you have to eat granola bars. Mountain Bike Village to Village in Beaver Creek. It is beautiful and a must-do for bikers of all abilities. Grab a slice of Snow Pig and a cold beer at Vendettas. It’s a Vail tradition. You will most likely sit at the bar next to someone who hasn’t left that particular bar seat in 500 years. Ski the Minturn Mile and end up at The Saloon for Mexican food, margaritas and a great time. This is one of the last ski-town feeling places around so get it while it lasts.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My husband Barry-We’ve started a slew of restaurants together and his encouragement, mentorship, support, and motivation is unwavering.

My son Ziggy-I wouldn’t have slowed down and started to grow if it’s weren’t for him…I left a toxic business partnership half way through my pregnancy, took some time off, then started up The Grazing Fox 2 years after giving birth.

My friend Kate-She gave me the push to start this business and convinced me that American’s  want to buy my product.

My Parents-They showed me what it means to work hard. They encouraged my “small businesses” as a child-from attempting to teach dance classes for money, sell things I had made, or answering phones at my mom’s work. They also 100% supported my decision to leave community college and start working…I was never cut out for school.

Website: www.TheGrazingFox.com

Instagram: TheGrazingFox

Other: Phone 970-279-1342

Image Credits
Rob Prechtl