Tamara Cutler
AAN1
5/6/2025
Analysis:
Wilde’s Bramble is an organic food company that was built by Alder and Calla Wilde, a married
couple in rural Vermont. The couple decided the best way to utilize the farmland they had
inherited was to grow and sell organic products. Local demand quickly turned their small
business venture into a demanding and profitable business. To continue to meet demand, the
Wilde’s obtained more land and more equipment and began to rely heavily on credit cards and
loans against their mortgage, as well as Calla getting a second job, all of which contributed to
financial strain. Their sales increased, but so did their debt, and as a result they find it more
difficult to turn a consistent and sustainable profit.
Iceberg Tool Analysis
Key Events:
Wilde’s Bramble experienced a rapid increase in customers and demand for their products.
The Wilde’s expanded to accommodate by leasing additional land and purchasing equipment.
The expansion was financed by savings, a credit card, and an additional mortgage on their
property.
More equipment and property lead to an increase in financial obligations.
Calla Wilde found a job outside the farm to help supplement their income, but the stress of their
impending debt continued.
Patterns:
Sales grew which lead to their business expanding, but along with the increased sales came the
increased costs to continue to run the business.
Temporary solutions to the income issues contributed to the family’s long-term financial
instability.
Additional income and an outside revenue source still could not fix the financial stressors.
While initially the company profited, it began to decline when the expenses of running the
business began to increase.
Underlying Structure:
