It was 2001, and Moni Piz Wilson was taking it a day at a time.
She didn’t have any formal business training. She had never run a company before. Yet she was about to take out two loans, buy a noodle company and move operations to a larger location.
Now, 10 years later, Wilson has received the Lloyd J. King Entrepreneurial Spirit Award for her innovation and leadership with Grandma’s Frozen Egg Noodles. The Arvada Economic Development Association gave the award last week.
On a recent day, Wilson walked through the production line as machines mixed ingredients, rolled out thick ribbons of dough and collected noodle strips into plastic bags. Workers smiled and waved, yelling congratulations over the whirl of machines.
“I wanted to take everyone with me when I accepted the award,” she said. “This is about them, not just me.”
Wilson said she has received immense support and encouragement as she took Grandma’s Frozen Egg Noodles from a small business to one that produces 200,000 cases of noodles a year. She credits her small staff for being the powerhouse behind operations, as well as her supportive husband Robert L. Wilson.
She also leans heavily on her faith to guide her life, she said.
Those who know Wilson said she’s not one to brag about her leadership.
“She rolls up her sleeves, but always gives credit to others. She lifts others up and doesn’t want recognition for herself,” said Hazel Hartbarger, director of the Arvada Economic Development Association.
Wilson’s personal story, however, is what grabbed AEDA’s attention.
More than 10 years ago, Wilson was married to Grandma’s Frozen Egg Noodles owner Dirk Piz. As a stay-at-home mother, Wilson was only somewhat familiar with the noodle company’s day-to-day operations.
After their divorce, she had even less to do with the company. Then, in 2001, things changed.
Just 10 days after Wilson re-married, she learned Piz had died unexpectedly. Wanting to keep the business in the family for her children, Wilson said she prayed about what to do. Then she took out a loan and bought the company.
Wilson admits she was taking a risk by becoming the noodle company’s owner.
“I didn’t even know my own home’s finances. Meeting bankers, being approved for loans … I didn’t even know how to read a financial statement,” she said.
So Wilson hired an accountant, Joan Chandler, and threw herself into learning the ins and outs of Grandma’s Frozen Egg Noodles.
After looking at the production location, she decided to move operations somewhere that better fit the company’s needs. She snagged an under-construction facility on 60th Avenue that allowed her to customize the production room, offices and truck bays.
“I wanted Grandma to have her own home,” she said.
Now, Wilson said she is happy to see Grandma’s thrive. During production season, the facility hums with activity as refrigerated trucks move noodles to local stores and machines churn out fresh pasta. September through April is the company’s busiest time of year.
Wilson is not only focused on the business of noodles. AEDA has also recognized her as being active in community events, including donating noodles to local food banks and participating in fundraisers.
One of her biggest projects was serving on the fundraising board that helped build the new Foothills Animal Shelter.
“I just pestered everyone I could and cozied up to them to get them to donate,” she laughed. “I just believe in helping out.”