Bringing the Heat to Business

Description

This week hosts Tim Ryan, and Zack Miller sit down with Tahjere Lewis, Founder and CEO of Aunt Carol’s Sauce, an all-purpose sauce delicious with meats, vegetables, and especially seafood that’s purpose is to be delicious and bring families together. The sauce is a loving memory of Carol Scott, Tahjere’s Aunt, who originally created the sauce for her family. Watch this week’s episode to hear about Tahjere’s journey, how to start a food business, Aunt Carol’s sauce story, and more!

Tim Ryan is an angel investor and the Executive Director of StartWheel, an organization dedicated to connecting entrepreneurs with resources in Hampton Roads, Virginia.

Learn more at: https://www.startwheel.org

Zack Miller is a serial entrepreneur and author of Anomaly, a guide on differentiating yourself and your business from the crowd.

Learn more at: https://www.zackmillersays.com

Enjoy the show? Watch the Fervent Four Show LIVE every Thursday at 11 AM.

Live: https://www.startwheel.org/live/

Watch past episodes: https://www.startwheel.org/fervent-four-show/

Listen to past episodes: https://fathom.fm/podcast/fervent-four

Show notes:

(0:00) Introducing Tahjere Lewis

(4:01) Early Days, High School, & First Jobs

(9:19) Academic Grind

(15:18) Virginia Tech Track and Field

(22:07) Promise made to Aunt Carol + creating the sauce

(33:11) Growing Aunt Carol’s Sauce in Covid

(37:40) Starting a technology company, TTP Tech

(42:40) Getting the sauce in stores

(51:10) Start Peninsula Experience

(54:03) Next Steps + Conclusion

Companies Mentioned:

Aunt Carol’s Sauce: https://www.auntcarolssauce.com/

TTP Tech: https://www.ttptechllc.com/

Virginia Tech: https://www.vt.edu/

Virginia Tech Track and Field: https://hokiesports.com/sports/track-and-field

Start Peninsula: https://www.startpeninsula.com/

Hampton High School: https://hhs.hampton.k12.va.us/

Hampton University: https://home.hamptonu.edu/#gsc.tab=0

Taco Bell: https://www.tacobell.com/

BJ’s: https://www.bjs.com/

Sam’s Club: https://www.samsclub.com/

Air Force: https://www.airforce.com/

Food Innovations Program at VT: https://ext.vt.edu/food-health/food-innovations.html

FDA: https://www.fda.gov/

Apple: https://www.apple.com/

Mr. Bill’s Wine Seller: https://www.visitroanokeva.com/listings/mr-bills-wine-cellar/8811/

The Apex Center for Entrepreneurs: https://www.apex.vt.edu/

The Magic Spoon: https://magicspoon.com/

VWIEC: https://virginiaworkforce.force.com/s/?language=en_US

Whole Foods: https://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/

Harris Teeter: https://www.harristeeter.com/

Tommy’s Restaurant: https://www.facebook.com/people/Tommys-Restaurant/100044694885472/

About Tahjere Lewis & Aunt Carol’s Sauce:

Tahjere Lewis is the Founder and CEO of Aunt Carol’s Sauce. This young entrepreneur and Virginia Tech alumni took a family recipe to new heights. Lewis promised his Aunt Carol that together they would take her famous sauce and start a business. Unfortunately, nearly halfway through college, his beloved Aunt Carol passed away from cancer. Determined to keep his promise, Lewis got to work. This is when Aunt Carol’s Sauce came to life.

“Aunt Carol's Sauce is an all-purpose sauce delicious with meats, vegetables, and especially seafood. The sauce is of the loving memory of Carol Scott, who originally created the sauce for her family. The purpose of the product is not only delicious but also to bring families together”.

Learn more: https://www.auntcarolssauce.com/about & www.wdbj7.com

The Fervent Four Show:

Did you know that only 4% of businesses hit $1M in revenue? Tim Ryan and Zack Miller are the creators of The Fervent Four Show, designed to help you get there. Check them out Live every Thursday at 11 AM.

Social Media:

Tahjere Lewis

https://www.auntcarolssauce.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tahjere-lewis-96b7b5175/

Instagram: @auntcarolssauce (https://www.instagram.com/auntcarolssauce/)

Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/auntcarolssauce0/

Twitter: @auntcarolssauce (https://twitter.com/auntcarolssauce)

Tim Ryan

https://www.startwheel.org

Twitter (personal): @ryantnt (https://twitter.com/ryantnt)

Twitter: @StartWheel (https://twitter.com/StartWheel)

LinkedIn (personal): https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryantnt/