From Garage to 1,000 Stores: The Yeshi Dressing Story with Paul Kleinschmidt

Yeshi Foods

When you think of artisan salad dressing on Vancouver Island, one story stands out for its heart, health, and hustle: Yeshi Foods. Recently, I sat down with founder Paul Kleinschmidt to discuss his inspiring journey from discovering a gluten intolerance that transformed his health and mindset, to building a food brand now stocked in over 1,000 stores across North America.

From Brentwood College to the Farmers Market

Paul’s story began at Brentwood College’s salad bar, where he first developed the Yeshi Dressing recipe. What started as a personal health solution born from a gluten intolerance diagnosis became something friends, family, and eventually strangers could not get enough of. Paul and his wife scaled from a Mill Bay garage operation to regional farmers markets before catching the attention of national distributors.

A Gluten-Free Vision for Clean-Label Foods

At the core of Yeshi Foods is a commitment to gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan, and clean-label products. Paul opened up about how a personal health journey became a business vision focused on making food that’s not only delicious but genuinely good for you. This philosophy resonated with consumers and retailers alike, driving Yeshi from local markets to LA grocery shelves and Expo West.

Scaling from Garage to 1,000+ Stores

The journey from garage to national distribution required resilience and patience. Paul shares candid stories about scaling production, navigating grocery buyer meetings, and what it really takes to grow a food brand from local farmers markets to store shelves across North America. His advice: build relationships, stay consistent, and let the product speak for itself.

Parenting Through Personal Change

Paul also opened up about parenting through personal transformation and how health shaped his business vision. Running a food company while raising a family on Vancouver Island requires balance, resilience, and a clear sense of purpose. For Paul, Yeshi Foods is more than a business—it’s a reflection of the values he wants to pass on.

Want to Try Yeshi?

Whether you’re a food entrepreneur, a wellness enthusiast, or someone curious about how a homemade dressing can become a movement—this episode is packed with heart, health, and hustle. Find Yeshi Foods at select grocers across North America and discover dressings crafted with clean, wholesome ingredients that are gluten-free, dairy-free, and full of flavour.

Kael Campbell is the President of Red Seal Recruiting Solutions. He is a father, husband, and entrepreneur who helps clients in the manufacturing and construction industries find the people needed to service customers and grow. He has over 20 years of experience starting companies and serving on corporate, charity, and non-profit boards.

Red Seal Recruiting Solutions Ltd is the Top Recruiter in Canada and USA for Manufacturing, Mining and Construction Clients for Management, Engineering, Trades and Technical Roles.