Jill Blashack Strahan

Jill Blashack Strahan is a prominent entrepreneur and the Founder & CEO of Tastefully Simple, Inc., a company renowned for its home tasting parties that offer easy-to-prepare foods and gifts. Under her leadership, Tastefully Simple has grown into a substantial enterprise with over $140 million in sales and more than 28,000 independent consultants across the U.S. Strahan's journey began in a modest 1,200 square-foot shed with no running water, where she initially used a pool table as a packing station. She funded the startup with her savings, a $20,000 Small Business Administration loan, and an investment from Joani Nielson.

Strahan's entrepreneurial spirit was evident from an early age while growing up on her family’s farm near Villard, Minnesota. After attending the University of Minnesota-Morris, she transferred to Alexandria Technical College, where she graduated with an associate's degree in sales and marketing. This educational experience included developing a state-award-winning business plan. Before founding Tastefully Simple, she managed and co-owned a small restaurant with her father and operated a retail gift basket business, which she later transformed into Tastefully Simple in June 1995.

Strahan has faced significant personal challenges, including the tragic deaths of her brother and husband shortly after starting her company. These losses, though profoundly impactful, fueled her perseverance and dedication to her business and personal life, where she raised her son as a single parent. Her resilience and leadership have earned her numerous awards and recognition, including inclusion in the Twin Cities Business Hall of Fame and being named a "CEO All Star" by Inc. magazine.

In addition to her entrepreneurial achievements, Strahan is an accomplished author and a motivational speaker. Her book, "Simply Shine: Stories That Stirred the Fire," published in 2007, shares her personal and professional journey, offering inspiration and guidance to others. As a speaker, she addresses topics such as overcoming obstacles, entrepreneurial success, and building a positive business culture, traveling from Minnesota to engage with diverse audiences across the country.