The Sweetness of Simplicity: Lessons from Maple Syrup and Wine

Sometimes, the simplest things can teach us the most profound lessons. During a recent trip to Wisconsin, I had the chance to visit both a maple syrup farm and a winery. While these experiences may seem unrelated at first, they both illustrated the power of simplicity—whether in life, business, or even health.

A Lesson in Maple Syrup: The Purity of Less Processing

At the maple syrup farm, I learned something I had never considered before: Lighter syrup, produced early in the season, is the least processed. When trees are first tapped, the maple goo (yes, that’s the scientific term! 😉) contains a high concentration of sugar. Because there’s more sugar, it requires less boiling, leaving the syrup lighter in color and flavor. As the season progresses, the sap contains less sugar, requiring more time and energy to boil away the water. The syrup becomes darker and more concentrated as a result.

I used to think that darker syrup was superior (and often, it’s sold at a premium because it takes more effort to produce). But I’m rethinking this as I shift towards cleaner eating and respect for less-processed foods. The simplicity of the lighter syrup, processed less, has its appeal. I plan to do my taste test to see if my palate agrees!

Of course, I’ll first finish the bourbon barrel-aged syrup I picked up from the farm. Pro tip: Don’t ever put cold syrup on pancakes—it dulls the flavor, especially when it’s been aged in something as special as bourbon barrels.

Wine, Data, and the Art of Storytelling

Even though I’ve mostly stopped drinking alcohol, I still appreciate wine’s complexity. The reason for my choice comes down to a little wearable device I’ve come to rely on: my Oura ring. I noticed that my heart rate and Heart Rate Variability (HRV) are very reactive to alcohol. Just one glass of red wine can cause my HRV to drop for nearly a week. It was hard data I couldn’t ignore, and since then, I’ve consciously decided to respect what my body is telling me.

Simplicity in Business and Life

Both of these experiences got me thinking about how simplicity—whether in food, data, or health—can be incredibly powerful. Just like the lighter, less-processed maple syrup, or the straightforward wine chart, simplicity often reveals the essence of what really matters. Jack and I strive for this same clarity in our work at GWD. Whether we’re dealing with data models or data stories, we believe in keeping things clear and digestible. The less you have to boil things down, the sweeter—and more impactful—the result.

Sometimes, less really is more. Whether it’s maple syrup, wine, or life, simplicity brings us closer to the core truth. And in business, that’s exactly what we aim to deliver.

Final Thoughts:

Simplicity is the key to making complex things understandable and actionable. Whether you’re deciding what syrup to pour on your pancakes, which wine to enjoy, or how to make data meaningful, there’s beauty in keeping things clear and straightforward. After all, simplicity allows us to focus on what truly matters.