What I’ve Learned from Green Onion Cakes
Some of you might not know that I’m a little bit famous in Edmonton. Sure, people might not know be my name, or like by face or whatever, but those of you who have been around for some time may know me as “The Green Onion Cake Lady”. If you’re not from Edmonton or have no idea what a green onion cake is, TL;DR
It all started back in 2015 with a little obsession I had developed about Edmonton’s cultural identity being misunderstood, and accidentally fumbling upon a little known piece of Edmonton magic: our official dish was a little something called a green onion cake. Hard to believe we’re coming up on it’s 10 year anniversary!
A wee bit of proof:
Edify: Born in Edmonton, Influenced by China
Edmonton Journal: Edmonton’ Signature Dish
I will not, for now, rehash the lore, but the important thing to note is that with a little bit of applied pressure and some early boosters, the Green Onion Cake has now assumed it’s rightful place in the cultural fabric of the City formerly known as City of Champions.
Now as Luiz and I have been working to get nuvemXP off the ground I can’t help but reflect on how to apply that journey to my current one.
The Consistency Lesson
Green onion cakes taught me that consistency is king. Every great green onion cake — whether it’s from a food truck, a farmer’s market, or your favorite local restaurant — has the same thing going for it: you know what you’re getting. The crispy outside. The soft, flaky layers. The perfect ratio of green onions. They don’t mess around trying to reinvent the wheel. There’s a rumour that 90% or green onion cakes served in YEG are from a single local vendor (I have never been able to prove this). But it does mean, that you know what you’re going to get.
In business, it’s the same. Your customers come to you because they trust what you deliver. Whether you’re selling EGOC (I tried to get this acronym going but it never really took off) or implementing Sage Intacct, it’s about showing up and delivering the same quality every single time. Consistency builds trust. Trust builds loyalty. And loyalty keeps people coming back.
The Simplicity Lesson
Another thing I love about green onion cakes? They’re simple. Flour, water, green onions, a little salt, and some oil. That’s it. But that simplicity is what makes them so good. Every element is essential, and they don’t need anything extra to shine.
In business, we can overcomplicate things. But sometimes, simplicity is the superpower. When I’m helping a company implement Sage Intacct, I always remind them: focus on the core functionality first. Nail the basics. Add the extras later, only if they’re truly needed. Just like green onion cakes, your business should keep things simple and essential.
The Something Special Lesson
Finally, green onion cakes are unapologetically Edmonton. They’re part of what makes this city special (just ask a Calgarian if they’ve heard of them). But Edmontonians didn’t seem to know this about ourselves. In business, there’s something to be said for leaning into your uniqueness. Showcasing your authenticity and special sauce makes you memorable.
For me, being a former user of Sage Intacct, isn’t just a fun fact; it’s part of my story. I love working with Controllers and CFOs because I understand their challenges and their pride of work. Just like green onion cakes tell the story of Edmonton, Sage Intacct can help your business tell it’s story.
Closing Thoughts
Green onion cakes might just be a delicious snack to most people, but to me, they’re a reminder of what matters in business: consistency, simplicity, and leaning into your special. Plus, they’re a pretty great excuse to start a conversation. And if you’re ready to add a little consistency and simplicity to your back office, let’s chat. Preferably over green onion cakes.