One of the perks of partnering with an independent talent attraction consultant like Acclimate? We’re easygoing and laid-back. You’ll never see us on a billboard.
One of the downsides? It invites some audacity. Like the time someone asked what we do, listened to the explanation, and then replied, “So you just drive people around and show them where to get good avocado toast?” (Fair enough. And yes, we probably need to work on that elevator pitch. But I digress.)
Now, sometimes Freud is right, and a cigar is just a cigar. But sometimes, a question about avocado toast isn’t really about avocado toast. Instead of rattling off a robotic list of the best places for brunch, what they’re really asking for is something deeper—a sense of connection, a glimpse into a city’s culture, and a nuanced conversation about what makes a place feel like home.
When someone considering a move to St. Louis asks about avocado toast, of course, we’ll have recommendations—but not in the way they might expect. The answer depends on a dozen factors: where they’re from, where their potential employer is located, which neighborhoods they’re drawn to, their dietary preferences, whether they need a kid-friendly café or a quiet corner to read.
And that’s just the start. If they’re interested in St. Louis’ business landscape, a simple question about bread leads to conversations about companies like Panera and Companion, their founders, and the industries they’ve shaped. If they’re into plant sciences, bread turns into grain, which turns into agtech startups and global food production. From there, the conversation could touch on manufacturing, finance, healthcare, even international trade—because while St. Louis has a bounty of fresh, local produce, avocados are not among them.
A history buff might love hearing about German bakeries that shaped commercial bread production or how Bosnian immigration transformed St. Louis’ bread culture. And if they’re serious about artisan baking, they might appreciate the story of Union Loafers’ sourdough starter smuggled back from San Francisco—now fueling not just their bakery, but a growing bagel empire.
From bagels, we could go to pretzels. From yeast to beer. From loaves to pizza crust. From avocado toast to a full-on breakfast. From classic American sandwich bread to injera, naan, and baguettes.
And because we’ve already done our homework on their city of origin, we can connect the dots—helping them discover the places in St. Louis that will feel familiar, yet entirely their own.
People like our audacious friend often underestimate how much a simple conversation can reveal about a place. But ask the right questions, and suddenly, it’s not about breakfast—it’s about how people relate to a city, how they build their lives, and what makes them feel at home.
And we’ll bet a dozen donuts they couldn’t do all that while driving and navigating to the next stop on a tour.
But your favorite independent talent attraction consultant can.
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