About Us

Where It All Began

Our Humble Origins

Shire's story started with Joshua Velasquez and Adam Hamilton's dream of opening a plant-based restaurant focused on health & wellness. However, the dairy-free cheese for their menu did not align with their wholefood plant-based concept, and every dairy alternative contained inflammatory ingredients.

Determined to find a solution, they built a 750 sqft food lab in Joshua's parent's basement. Joshua experimented with fermentation, using cashews as the base, creating a unique cheese he knew had to be shared with the world. After years of hard work, they moved from their basement lab to a state-of-the-art fermentation facility in Historic Peterborough, NH, where their cheese-making dream found a permanent home.

Our Classical Process

The Rhythm of Fermentation

At Shire's, we combine tradition, innovation, and classical music to create a cheese that offers an exceptional sensory experience. Classical music positively impacts the beneficial microorganisms present in our cheese during
fermentation, enhancing the depth and complexity of flavors. Our cheese is a symphony of taste, made possible by the delicate interplay between music and science.

Our Community

We proudly call Peterborough, NH, our home. The spirit of togetherness and support is palpable in every aspect of life here, including the creation of exceptional food. It's a place where neighbors become friends, and friends become family.

Nestled in the Monadnock region, where nature's beauty and the community's warmth come together perfectly. The Monadnock region is steeped in history and tradition. Its rich heritage serves as a timeless source of inspiration for us. Monadnock embodies the same fusion of past and present, just as our cheese-making process blends old-world artistry and modern innovation.

A Legacy of Innovation

Shire's is a testament to our passion and innovation today. Our plant-powered cheeses have become a symbol of quality and taste, and our commitment to clean, wholefood ingredients remains at the core of everything we do

Join Us on the Journey

We invite you to join us on this remarkable journey, from our humble basement beginnings to our commitment to excellence. At Shire's, our story reflects our dedication to crafting exceptional cheese that nourishes, delights, and brings people together. Welcome to our world of plant-powered artistry.

2011

Joshua starts fermenting cashews to make a healthy plant-based cheese.

2013

Josh & Adam build a test lab in Joshua’s parent’s basement in Harrisville, NH.

2014

Adam packing cheese late night

2015

No more deliveries in milk crates. Josh posing with two 12-pack cases of cheese.

2016

Launched a frozen ravioli filled with our cheese!

2017

Outgrowing the 750 sqft test lab.

2018

Breaking ground for our new home in Peterborough, NH.

2019

We moved into our new 8,000 sqft facility.

2020-2022

E-commerce kept us busy during the Covid years.

2023

We return to the drawing board and rebrand the company from Nuttin Ordinary to Shire’s Naturals.

Meet Our Cheese Makers

Joshua Velasquez

Founder/ CEO

Joshua Velasquez, the driving force behind Shire's Naturals, is more than a founder – he's a visionary on a mission.

Born in Queens, New York, Joshua's story is a testament to the enduring pursuit of dreams and the power of family.

As the son of immigrants, Joshua's parents embarked on a journey to provide their children with a better life. Their destination was New England, which they believed offered boundless opportunities and the promise of a brighter future. They eventually landed in New Hampshire.

Joshua was raised in a family that valued Wholefood plant-based living and recognized the profound impact it could have on health and wellness. This upbringing sparked Joshua's passion for creating exceptional plant-powered foods, leading him to found Shire's Naturals with his partner, Adam Hamilton.

His journey from a Queens, NY, neighborhood to the serene landscapes of New England has infused the brand with a fusion of diverse cultures and a commitment to inclusivity.

Joshua's journey and unwavering dedication to quality and innovation inspired Shire's Naturals as it crafts plant-powered products that redefine culinary excellence.

Adam Hamilton

Founder/ COO

Adam was raised in the coastal town of Charlestown, Rhode Island. His parents instilled in him the importance of
maintaining a healthy diet. His Mom always had a garden full of veggies, and like many New Englanders, he's had his fill of zucchini and summer squash. He grew up working at his grandfather's restaurant, where he learned the importance of hard work and dedication. These principles have stayed with him throughout his life. 

During a summer job, he met Joshua, and their mutual interest in health and wellness sparked an instant connection. This connection ultimately led Adam to relocate to New Hampshire, where he and his partner Joshua founded Shire's Naturals.

When they launched in 2013, Adam was working at a local bank during the day and packing cheese at night. On weekends, he would drive down to his cousin's house in Maryland and crash on their couch to sample the cheese at local grocery stores in their area. In 2019, he was able to put two feet into the business, joining Joshua full-time.