We had the good fortune of connecting with Nikki and Brian Podgorski and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Nikki and Brian, what do you think makes you most happy? Why?
What makes us happy is being able to spend more time together, doing the things we love everyday. After Nikki’s car accident in 2016 and then the pandemic, we realized that time is short and it is better spent enjoying it with each other rather than living with regret that we wasted our golden years doing something we hated.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
We are a wife and husband owned sauce company. We focus on locally sourced, small batch sauces with the intent on keeping our small business eco-system strong! If you are a family owned farmer, glass maker, artist, woodworker, I.T professional, etc., we would rather purchase from those people before we use a big box store. When we see others trying to make it in their trade, we do whatever we can to support that, and our business has been successful doing so.

We are two years into our business. Looking back, I think most people would say it is absolutely ridiculous to quit your full-time jobs in the middle of a worldwide pandemic to start your own business. Then on top of that deal with crazy inflation and supply shortages. Yes, it has been one of the hardest things we have ever done, but it has also been the most fun we have ever had. I get to create dishes and sauces that I love, bottle it up, and then sell it to others who feel the same way! It is crazy how an idea turns into your livelihood. We quickly learned to be careful of the decisions you make and what you have to think about in the long run. To always be able to quickly pivot and have back up plans for when things don’t workout the first time. Also, to ask for help! You never know who has the solutions just waiting for you.

We would love for everyone to know that we are very much involved in our company, we care immensely about the products we produce and what it takes to bottle it up. When you support us, you support so many other small businesses who also work super hard everyday. If one thing is to be learned about the pandemic, is that the local economy needs your support! Imagine a world where Jeff Bezos owned all the stalls at a farmers market, art fair, or festival. Sad days, so help keep us in business and keep the local community alive!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If you come to our state, and you wanted the best time ever, I would take you to all the best food spots.

Minneapolis:
My Huong Kitchen
Petite Leon
Gus Gus
Step Child
The Bungalow Club
Animales BBQ
Boomin BBQ
Arts & Rec

St Paul:
Darkhorse Bar and Eatery
Noyes and Cutler
Saint Dinette
Cheng Heng
Burger Dive
328 grill
Angry Line Cook

Breweries:
Barrel Theory
Fair State
Modest
Boom Island
Chanhassen Brewery
Hackamore

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I want to give a shoutout to all the small business owners that shared their knowledge and guidance with us. First, we have an amazing network of chefs that we are proud to call friends Chris Binotto, JD Fratzke, Mik German, Nettie Colon, Joshua Walbolt, Brandon Randolph, and so many more. Second, our fellow small business owners, Paddy Whelan- he gave us a huge opportunity to use his kitchen and restaurant to produce our sauces. He believed in us and give us the chance that no one else did. Without him, we wouldn’t have been able to grow so fast. We love you Paddy! Kate Boerboon Meier, Joy Summers, Stephanie March, Stephanie Hansen, Mitch Reaume, Vii Washington, and many more as well. Third, we have a solid group of friends that bleed The Salsa Collaborative. They mention us to everyone they know (or don’t) and hype up all our socials, make people line up to see us, and pick us up when we are feeling down. Rachael, Ralph and Emily, John and Brianna, Leah and Sean, Mik and Eric, Zac and Tim. Lastly, to our home Minnesota. They ride for us in so many ways, you know the phrase “Minnesota Nice”, well it is SOO TRUE! They helped us be in the business for two years and continually help us grow bigger than ever imagined. We love you!

Website: thesalsacollaborative.com

Instagram: thesalsacollaborative

Facebook: the salsa collaborative

Other: Tik Tok thesalsacollaborative

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