About Me

Ann is a senior technical writer and an entrepreneur: an eclectic combination of left brain techno-nerd and right brain artist.

I am Ann Zuccardy, President and CEO of Vermont Shortbread Company, mother of one child, technophile, food preparer and consumer extraordinaire, and introvert who successfully feigns extroversion for short periods of time.

Read on to learn more about me and my business:

- After 20 years as a technical writer, I was laid off from my full time job in early 2007. I now focus my efforts on building Vermont Shortbread Company, helping other small businesses with internet marketing and copywriting, and my new passion...food writing.

- I pride myself on self sufficiency. I believe every able-bodied, able-brained adult woman can and should be able support herself financially if necessary.

- I have a soft spot for women building small businesses of their own as a model for financial self reliance. My pet peeve is women who expect someone else to take care of them.

- I hate Doritos and lobster.

- I love cheese. The more pungent, the better.

- My favorite color is fire engine red.

- I love my hair.

- I can't stand listening to people constantly talking about carbohydrates, protein, or fat. Enough already!

- My daughter was born at home. Yes, on purpose. I have a healthy distrust of the medical establishment, but don't eschew it altogether.

- My husband is the most gentle, hard working, emotionally intelligent, easy-to-get-along-with, supportive, compassionate man I have ever met.

- I have been playing the piano since I was eight. I love playing Chopin preludes. Anything from the Romantic era of music, art, or literature draws me in and allows me to lose my sense of time and space.

- I am an expert knitter. My mom taught me to knit when I was about 8 or 9 and I've been hooked ever since.

- I ran a marathon when I turned 30. That was more than a decade ago. :-)

- Vermont Shortbread Company has been in business for 10 years. I've made some hugely embarrassing personal and professional mistakes along the way. I never want to forget the ugly stuff.

- My business story is like the movie, "Baby Boom" with Diane Keaton. Email me if you're curious.

- I have an undergrad degree in English literature, graduated from Southern CT State University in 1984.

- I used to teach in inner city schools in New Orleans.

- I am neither a dog nor cat person. I love them both equally!

- I meditate daily.

- I originally hail from Connecticut and now make my home in a small rural town about 1/2 hour from Burlington, Vermont.