You can't live in the South and not get just a little bit excited to drive by a Krispy Kreme doughnut shop and see that sign lit up. You know the one... the neon one that says "Hot Now."

Did you know that today marks the 75th birthday of Krispy Kreme doughnuts? It was 75 years ago today that Vernon Rudolph brought that sweet, delicious recipe to Winston-Salem, NC, and set up shop in a bakery in Old Salem. At that time, he only sold to local grocery stores, but that smell wafted through the town of Winston-Salem, and he eventually cut a hole in the wall and began to sell the Original Glazed to local residents.

Seventy-five years later, the same doughnuts (plus a few others!) are now sold around the world, and the thought of Krispy Kreme doughnuts quite often conjures up some great memories for all those who love them. I can remember being 5 or 6, riding down Battleground Avenue in Greensboro after church with my Grandparents, and if that sign was on in the window, we pulled in. I was lucky to have a Grandfather with a sweet tooth and a love for a strong cup of coffee!  After moving to Chicago in my 20's and trying their doughnuts, I felt sorry for them that they had never had a "real" doughnut. The day the first location in NYC opened, I couldn't help but feel a little swell of pride that MY hometown doughnut had finally made it big. Talk to anyone in this area and almost everyone will have their own Krispy Kreme "story."

Without losing sight of their history, they've also stayed relevant as it relates to technology and social media. Over the past couple of years, they have developed an iPhone and Android app as well as a desktop widget that will tell you at the push of a button if there are hot doughnuts at a location near you. Brilliant! (Personally, I'd also like to see a widget that would tell me if someone in my OFFICE has hot doughnuts, but I may have to wait a while for that.)

People love Krispy Kreme not just for the sugary goodness but because of the emotions and memories that are attached to the brand. They've found a way to stay true to their original fans while welcoming new generations with which to build a relationship.  In order for companies to stay relevant in today's constantly changing world of technology, you have to move with the times but never forget where you came from. It's a recipe that's almost as good as Vernon Rudolph's original glazed doughnut.

What are you doing to stay relevant while staying true to your history?

If you live in the Triad area, make sure you head over to Winston-Salem for their 75th Birthday celebration being held Friday, July 13th from 7pm-10pm and Saturday from 9am-12pm. You can find all the details here at Glaze the Nation!