Meet Noga Heyman | Founder, Venus Spice Co.

We had the good fortune of connecting with Noga Heyman and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Noga, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I have long wanted to have a business to share my own heritage and traditions. As an Israeli growing up in the U.S., I knew that my upbringing gave me a unique opportunity to bring new flavors to my community. I have spent over a decade in the food industry, working in many different cuisines along the way, which helped me feel equipped to begin my own journey with Venus Spice Co. Like many people, the pandemic pushed me to examine my own career and my goals in the food industry. After leaving my restaurant job due to the shutdown, I had plenty of time to ponder my next steps and conceptualize my new business. My name, Noga, is the Hebrew name for the planet Venus, which felt like the perfect fit to bring my flavors to market.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I spent the first half of my 20s traveling and living in different countries, including a period of time with family in Tel Aviv. Working in the food industry for over 10 years and experiencing different cultures brought me an enriched view of the world and a closer connection to my own identity. I credit the decision to spend time traveling with the success of my business and the fulfillment in my personal life. After settling in Colorado 3 years ago, I continued to work in food service. After losing my job due to the pandemic, I was able to re-examine my goals and emerged with the concept for Venus Spice Co.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
We would start the day at Moxie Bread Co. for a coffee, pastry, and the best bread in town. We’d hit the road towards Brainard Lake for a hike to Lake Isabelle and a picnic by the water.

I would definitely take advantage of all the amazing farmers in our area. Whether it is the Boulder Farmers Market or the farm stands in the area, we’d get a heaping pile of seasonal produce. After heading home, we’d enjoy the Colorado sunshine by grilling in the yard, obviously making some shawarma veggie kebabs.

There are endless things to see and do in the Boulder area. We would hit up some of my favorite breweries: Vision Quest, Cerebral, and Acreage by Stem Ciders. We’d get burritos at Tierra y Fuego and have dinner at Oak at Fourteenth. We’d go on hikes and scenic drives to Rocky Mountain National Park, Indian Peaks Wilderness, and Chautauqua. On Friday night, we’d head up to the Jamestown Mercantile for pizza and live music. Spend a day paddle-boarding at the Boulder Reservoir. Maybe even a camping trip to the Salida area or rafting on the Cache la Poudre river. I would let them see everything Boulder has to offer: beautiful views, great beer, and amazing people!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I give credit to my family, who have been endlessly supportive throughout the process. My partner Kyle has created my packaging designs with the help of my uncle Erez, tweaking draft after draft until I was completely satisfied with the result. My family has tasted batches of zhoug and hawaij and za’atar and given me feedback until my recipes were just right. They have instilled in me the confidence I needed to get to where I am today.

Website: venusspiceco.com

Instagram: @venusspiceco

Facebook: Venus Spice Co.