Crexit: Saying goodbye to Candy Industry Magazine after 6 years

I have a confession to make. Back when I first got offered my job at Candy Industry Magazine six years ago, I thought I was too cool to take it. I had spent my career working at daily newspapers up until that point and I wrongly assumed it would be a bit of a step down to go to a trade magazine.

After all, I was a “serious” journalist, with dreams of one day uncovering a presidential sex scandal and winning a Pulitzer. How could I give that up to write about candy?

Luckily, Editor-in-Chief Bernie Pacyniak, wouldn’t take no for an answer, and as a result I ended up in a job so great, I couldn’t have designed it better if I had dreampt it up when I was 5 years old and someone was asking me what I wanted to do with my life.

Eat and write about candy for money? It’s hard to top that.

Now though, my time in the best job in the world is coming to an end. I have accepted a position at another BNP Media magazine, Food Engineering and will be fully transitioned over there by Aug. 1.

I’ll still be with the same company, and I’ll still be in the food industry, so I’m sure I’ll continue to cross paths with many of you as time goes on. And you can still reach me at the same email address (lindellc@bnpmedia.com).

But I know it won’t be the same. I’ll miss the samples, and the international trips, and the candy factory tours. I’ll miss the confectionery shows, the candy shop tours, and the Kid’s Choice Awards. But most of all, I’ll miss the people.

I’ve had the chance to get to know so many amazing people in the confectionery industry over the years, some of which I’m even Facebook friends with. But I know that those relationships are strong enough to endure a job change, so I have hope that I’ll be keep to in touch with everyone who’s touched my heart while I’ve been at this job.

It’s hard to capture just how special this job has been to me. But I can tell you this, I’m forever grateful that Bernie wouldn’t take no for an answer.