Gayle Gannes Rosenthal
President of Gayle’s Sweet ‘N’ Sassy Foods
What inspired you to start your business?
The desire to stand out and be significant. Not being looked at as a young woman that holds her values on just looks but the importance of intelligence, independence and making a difference
What advice would you give to other women entrepreneurs?
Never ever let anyone tell you that you can’t.
What three traits define you?
Optimistic, honorable, kind.
What women inspire you?
Every woman that stands for their truth and sees the best in everyday that is given to her. Oprah, Cleopatra, Emmeline Pankhurst, Hattie McDaniel, and my daughters Alie and Katie who always inspire me to be better and to make a difference.
What do you see as the coolest or most important trend in your industry?
People are much more aware of eating clean and healthy. 35 years ago my goal was to have a product that was clean. I have always been focused on being in good physical shape mentally and physically. What we put into our bodies will always show up at some point. That is why the Gayle’s BBQ Sauce is Fat Free, Cholesterol Free, Gluten Free and Trans Fat Free.
How do you define success?
Having the feeling of self-worth and looking forward to each day with a positive view and determination to make this day better than the day before.
What’s your favorite career moment?
Three months after starting my business I had a call from a startup restaurant asking if I produced the Gayle’s BBQ Sauce in institutional size. At the time I had no idea what that meant and when asking my dad if institutional was for hospitals, he laughed and said call them back and tell them that I can produce in institutional sizes. That was 35 years ago and that start up restaurant was California Pizza Kitchen. The CPK BBQ Chicken Pizza and BBQ Chicken Salad have been CPK’s #1 selling pizza and salad from its inception. This was indeed my defining career moment.
If you didn’t have to sleep, what would you do with the extra time?
Music, dance, theater and nature are just a few of my many passions. I would be dancing and singing while walking along a mountain top, or taking in the beauty of the sea.
What’s the best way to start your day?
Sending emogis of flowers and smiley faces to my two daughters, taking a Pilates class or other type of exercise to get my endorphins moving, and have a special blended green juice and a strong mug of coffee.
As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
I had always dreamed of being an actress or an architect. The concept of creating a structure that makes a statement and allows others to enjoy is incredible to me. The ability to create an entertaining character would be share joy.
How do you unwind after a long workday?
I go into my garden and take notice of everything around me. I breath in the freshness of the air and the beauty of the flowers and trees.
What do you like about your workspace?
I am fortunate to be able to work from my home office with my assistant. We remotely work with my accounting office in Santa Monica so that we are connected as though we are in the same space. The beauty of saving travel time and being in an environment that is bright and positive is what I enjoy the most of my workspace.
Fill in the blank:
When I face a challenge, I... figure out what needs to be done to turn the challenge into an opportunity.
If I could go back in time, I would tell myself ... you are good enough.
The one thing I couldn’t live without is… my optimistic attitude.
By this time next year, I will be… better than I am today.
The best thing that happened to me last week was… the opportunity to have another week to look forward too.
To get my creative juices flowing, I…take a hike in the beautiful hills and breathe in the beauty of life and all that it has to offer, as well as surround myself with dynamic graceful people with creative minds and kind hearts.
Gayle’s Sweet ‘N’ Spicy FOods
Gayle's Sweet 'N' Sassy Foods located in Beverly Hills, California, and has been making healthy, delicious, Fat Free and Gluten Free BBQ sauces for the past 30 years.
Gayle’s BBQ line is now made up of seven tasty BBQ sauces: Sweet ‘N’ Sassy Original, Extra Sassy, Honey Sweet, Apple Cider Smoke, Chipotle, Sriracha and Gayle's Deli Brand.
