artwork New hot sauce startup considerations

CAPCOM

CAPCOM

I have never really considered getting into hot sauce making, til now. That said, I have also never looked into any of the requirements either physical or business structured.
 
For those already involved and looking back at how you evolved, what are your recommendations?
What would you have not done that you did and conversely, what did you not do that you wish you had?
When it comes to tools of the trade, what are your tried and tested evaluations? Whats garbage and what really paid for itself?
What should my expectations be based on the realities you have endured?
 
 
 
 
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Best advice I could give is read this forum end to end.  When I had the idea of starting this business I took pages and pages of notes from this very forum as a starting point.  Form there I was able to develop pointed questions and seek additional advice.  I've been too busy to contribute much since we started selling back in April but the people on this forum rock and the advice from those that have already learned the hard lessons is invaluable!
 
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Little late here but I hope this is relevant - SnF and SL said to get friends/family who you know and trust to give you some feedback. While I think this is good for initial test batches, you are unlikely to get true, unfiltered, honest feedback from people who know and like you. They want to be encouraging of your goals and are far more likely to say "it's great!" than strangers who have absolutely zero interest in whether you succeed or fail.

Ask strangers to taste your sauce at a farmer's market or wherever. If they say they like your sauce ASK THEM TO BUY IT - this will give you best indicator of whether or not you have a product that consumers want to buy.

Note: while I have limited food industry experience (I worked as butcher in college) I live and work near Silicon Valley. Startup founders will tell you that the best feedback comes from people who do not care about you personally and that getting money in exchange for your offering is ultimately what makes a successful business.

Again, not trying to be critical of SnF or SL who have way more knowledge in this space than I do, but sharing my business experience that is in an admittedly completely different field.
 
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austin87 said:
Little late here but I hope this is relevant - SnF and SL said to get friends/family who you know and trust to give you some feedback. While I think this is good for initial test batches, you are unlikely to get true, unfiltered, honest feedback from people who know and like you. They want to be encouraging of your goals and are far more likely to say "it's great!" than strangers who have absolutely zero interest in whether you succeed or fail.

Ask strangers to taste your sauce at a farmer's market or wherever. If they say they like your sauce ASK THEM TO BUY IT - this will give you best indicator of whether or not you have a product that consumers want to buy.

Note: while I have limited food industry experience (I worked as butcher in college) I live and work near Silicon Valley. Startup founders will tell you that the best feedback comes from people who do not care about you personally and that getting money in exchange for your offering is ultimately what makes a successful business.

Again, not trying to be critical of SnF or SL who have way more knowledge in this space than I do, but sharing my business experience that is in an admittedly completely different field.
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austin87 said:
Again, not trying to be critical of SnF or SL who have way more knowledge in this space than I do, but sharing my business experience that is in an admittedly completely different field.
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SnF and I both recommend anonymous feedback for exactly the reasons you listed. Not sure why that got missed in this post, we and others have suggested that for years. Thanks for pointing out the input from strangers as it really is important to honest feedback.

Lucky dog hot sauce used to take bottles of sauce to picnics, drop em on the table and then hang around and listen.
 
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Just chiming in to give a Huge thanks to all the great info giving in this thread. As a newbie making at making hot sauces, my attempts of been surprisingly successful.
Get ready to Retire, I know I have to do something to add to my income and everyone suggests I start catering my Smoking/BB-Q expertise. But I feel doing that all the time will take the fun out of it. 
 
Making Hot Sauce seems like is more relaxing and easier on the nerves than feeding a much of people on a regular basis.
 
Thanks again,
 
Al (PaPaGrizz) 
 
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Hey PaPaGrizz... :welcome: to THP!
 
You are exactly on point about when a hobby becomes a job.  After 25 years of making and selling salsa parttime.....I'd gotten to the point where I would put off making it for 2-3 weeks past when it was needed in the stores.  It finally got to the point where I pay someone to make it just to keep it going and I basically make a little profit, just enough to not lose money.
 
If the BBQ venture is profitable enough (depending on how much you might have to shell out for start up equipment), you might be able to pick and choose what jobs and how many you want to do.  Good Luck and congrats on retirement soon.
 
SL
 
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salsalady said:
Hey PaPaGrizz... :welcome: to THP!
 
You are exactly on point about when a hobby becomes a job.  After 25 years of making and selling salsa parttime.....I'd gotten to the point where I would put off making it for 2-3 weeks past when it was needed in the stores.  It finally got to the point where I pay someone to make it just to keep it going and I basically make a little profit, just enough to not lose money.
 
If the BBQ venture is profitable enough (depending on how much you might have to shell out for start up equipment), you might be able to pick and choose what jobs and how many you want to do.  Good Luck and congrats on retirement soon.
 
SL
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Thanks for the reply salsalady. Your knowledge and input have inspired me. At my age, it takes a lot to do that!
 
Thanks again,
PaPaGrizz
 
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