The Story Behind the GoMacro® Mural

In Viola, Wisconsin, at the entrance of the GoMacro® Headquarters, stands a testament to our journey — a beautiful seven-panel mural. Completed in April of 2023, just in time for our 20th Anniversary in 2024, this mural is more than just a collection of images; it's a visual narrative of our impactful history.

The Idea Behind the Mural

From the inception of this project, we envisioned a piece of art that would portray the essence of our mission — to spread awareness for a balanced, plant-based lifestyle with products that help make a positive impact on the planet. The mural was designed to be a symbol of our journey and commitment to sustainability, health, community, and giving back.

Our company story began by taking small, intentional steps and doing things the right way. Through vibrant imagery, words, and carefully chosen symbols, we wanted the mural to reflect our growth and resilience, as well as our philosophy – The GoMacro Way. Crafting such an important and symbolic piece required a collaborative effort. The mural came to life through the combined talents of our internal team led by Jola Sonkin, our CEO and Co-Founder, and Tim Fuhriman, SVP of Marketing, along with an extraordinary artist, Sarah Nelson.

Los Angeles-based artist and illustrator Sarah Nelson is inspired by ecology and the magnificence of the natural world. She uses digital illustration platforms, as well as traditional mediums, like pen and paint, to weave together the stories of species and landscapes. Sarah has exhibited her work in galleries around the country and partnered with numerous universities, nonprofits, corporations, small businesses, and individuals. Sarah creates art to illustrate research, highlight specific environmental concerns and conservation efforts, as well as to educate and connect communities to their local flora and fauna. Both her style and her commitment to the environment made Sarah a perfect fit for this project, and we’re incredibly grateful for her work in bringing our vision to life.

Revealing the Mural

After over a year of work and 15 iterations, the final pieces were ready to make their debut on our company walls. As visitors and employees stand before the seven panels, they can see that each reveals a different chapter in our history. The mural serves as a visual time capsule, depicting the milestones that have defined our company over the last two decades.

Panel 1: Our beginnings as a mother-daughter team on the Wisconsin family farm.

Panel 2: Jola and Amelia road-tripping through California to make GoMacro’s first sales to natural food stores.

Panel 3: The company continues to flourish, eventually outgrowing the barn that housed the original production facility.

Panel 4: Purchasing an old workshop in Viola that would grow with the organization and its needs.

Panel 5: Our unwavering commitment to building our business in The GoMacro Way, putting people and the planet first.

Panel 6: Expanding our headquarters and building GoMacro’s state-of-the-art, 100% renewably powered facility.

Panel 7: Looking to the future with gratitude for our journey and a commitment to staying true to our roots.

One of the most incredible details of this mural is the attention to local Wisconsin and California flora and fauna. All 37 flowers and plants seen in the mural are native to the scenes in which they’re depicted, a nod to our love for our communities and our commitment to the planet.

Reflecting on Our Journey

Reflecting on the past, the mural serves as a reminder of the remarkable journey GoMacro has undertaken. From our beginnings as a wholesome treat made in our Wisconsin family kitchen to becoming an internationally recognized brand, we hope our story serves as a symbol of what’s possible with hard work, consistency, authenticity, and integrity.

As we celebrate our 20th Anniversary this year, the mural also points to the future. It's not just a reflection of the past but a roadmap for what lies ahead. With a commitment to helping make a positive difference in the world, we envision a future where our impact continues to grow.