Meet Randi Addington | Managing Partner, Zendo Greens LLC

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

Hi Randi, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
Zendo Greens actually started with a birthday gift. I gifted my husband Dylan, our Master Grower, a bonsai tree for his birthday. He really enjoyed the concept of bonsai as the “art of patience” and the Zen nature of bonsai. He became intensely interested in tree and plant growth cycles. It started our fascination with growing microgreens. Thus Zendo Greens LLC was born.

Zendo Greens was launched in January of 2022 and is the premier grower and distributor of microgreens in Southern Colorado. Our microgreens are proudly grown at our urban farm in Pueblo, Colorado. What are microgreens you ask? Microgreens are young seedlings of edible vegetables and herbs. Despite their small stature, microgreens pack a nutritional punch. They actually boast a more intense flavor than more mature vegetables and herbs, featuring complex flavor profiles. In addition to their nutritional content, microgreens boost color, enhance flavor, and add texture to any dish.

Owning our business in the Pueblo community, with its rich history and culture is very important to us. We are grateful for the unique community collaborations that exist in our hometown. We were approached early in our launch by Blackbox Coffee and Provisions, a unique Pueblo cafe that offers coffee, pastries, and chef designed breakfast, brunch, and lunch options, as well as a unique retail shopping area. They have a commitment to featuring locally grown and produced products and we were offered retail space at their location for our microgreens. Our microgreens are also featured on their menu.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
The flavor profiles of our microgreens are what set our business apart. We harvest our greens for peak perfection. Our microgreens can be added to sweet and savory dishes. In addition to their nutritional value, they can add flavor, texture, and color to salads and sandwiches. They can also be added to smoothies or used as a garnish. As well as adding nutritional content, microgreens can boost color, enhance flavor, and add texture to any dish.

We are also big supporters of mindful eating practices which involve being fully attentive to your food- as you buy, prepare, serve, and consume it. In Zen Buddhism, the zendo is a place where sitting meditation is practiced. Our urban farm is our “Zendo” where we can cultivate our microgreens with intention to nourish the mind, body, and soul. Thus our tagline “consciously cultivated.” So many people are constantly on the go and don’t take time to fully enjoy what they eat or are multitasking as they eat. We wanted our greens to encourage people to appreciate the unique flavors in the dishes they eat.


Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
When people visit Pueblo, I often talk about my “tour of Pueblo” list. Pueblo is rich in culture and traditions and our local restaurants embody that. You wouldn’t want to come through town without starting your morning off at The Sacred Bean, a unique mobile coffee shop housed in a VW bus for their unique flavor creations and vegan pastries. Of course, you have to visit Blackbox Provisions, the hippest place in town (where you can buy and try some of our microgreens!) Breakfast in the Mesa Junction area at The Pantry will start anyone’s day off right. The Pueblo Riverwalk is a must, with the shop lined streets and fine dining. Visiting the place most near and dear to my heart, one has to go to the Bessemer/Eilers neighborhood, with homestyle Italian fare at La Tronicas and Gagliano’s Market. Eilers Place is an amazing tiny pub and cultural icon. Gus Tavern is one of the best places for their famous “Dutch Lunch.” Finally the Mill Stop Cafe is a must for local Mexican food. There are too many great businesses to name and visiting Pueblo is the best way to experience them! Our community will definitely keep you well fed for your entire trip!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
We wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for the family, friends, and local businesses who continue to support the vision for our small business. Pueblo has a unique culture built on community and collaboration. We are grateful to be a part of it and are definitely “Pueblo Proud.” The drive, motivation, and encouragement to grow our business comes from the support from those around us.

Personally, I have always wanted to be a business owner. I dreamt for many years of owning and operating a family business. My father owed his own automotive mechanics business, Summit Auto, in the Bessemer neighborhood of Pueblo, Colorado for over 36 years. Much of my aspirations to become an entrepreneur come from his example. It was a family business and I spent much of my childhood at his shop.

Website: https://www.zendogreens.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zendogreens/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/zendogreens

Image Credits
Natasha Rose Photography Blackbox Coffee & Provisions