Jennifer Reynolds
CEO of The Sauce Goddess
What inspired you to start your business?
A dare from my friends. They challenged me to not wonder “what if I’d ever done something with my Dad’s BBQ sauce recipe”.
What advice would you give to other women entrepreneurs?
Network with other women business owners. We want to help each other. Know there are most often also helpful men that really do want our companies to grow.
What three traits define you?
Honest, Happy, Diligent
What women inspire you?
My Mom and a couple of my dear friends who have persevered through life’s challenge and come out the other side better for it.
How has being a WBENC-Certified WBE helped your business?
We are working with large grocery retailers to have our products placed on their shelves without the usual slotting fees that can hamper a small company like ours. It’s helping a great deal.
As a business owner, what keeps you up at night?
Worries about money. One the biggest things I have always done is make sure my company has access to money. You never know when an opportunity will come along.
What are the biggest obstacles you see for young female entrepreneurs?
Not knowing enough about their specific business before they start. I think if you do enough research and reach out to people in your potential trade before starting in, it can help out a lot.
What is the hardest part about being a business owner?
All the glory and all the blame is mine. Even if someone else takes the action, they are still on my team.
How do you define success?
Freedom to choose what you really want to do on any given day. Anything. I’ll know when I get there. Wake up and think, “ahhh what do I feel like doing today?”
What’s the best piece of career advice you’ve ever received?
The best advice came from my Dad, a sales manager if ever there was one. He told me no one respects a liar and nothing builds trust like telling the truth even when it makes you look bad.
What’s your favorite career moment?
Hearing from consumers that they love my product and couldn’t cook without it. Every single time I have doubts, I will get a phone call, voicemail or email. It makes me smile and know I am on the right track.
What are you reading or listening to now?
The Go-Giver by Bob Burg and John David Mann
What is the best way to start your day?
With my Miracle Morning Routine.
How do you unwind after a long workday?
Cooking.
As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
An architect.
Fill in the blank:
When I face a challenge, I... think of the possible outcomes. There are almost always more than one or two.
If I could go back in time, I would tell myself… open and catering company-seems easier than food to grocery.
The one thing I couldn’t live without is… cooking.
By this time next year, I will be… a millionaire.
To get my creative juices flowing, I… cook.
The Sauce Goddess
Their award-winning sauces, spices and new dip mixes are deliciously different from anything else in their categories. They have done it all-natural, vegan, certified gluten free, and free from ANY additives or preservatives. They have been doing it that way for almost 20 years. Their flavors are so good, they say “if you don’t lick your fingers, someone else will!”.
