I’ve interviewed a lot of founders, but few with stories as rich and enduring as today’s guest. In this episode, I sit down with Pepper Baumer, President & CEO of Crystal Hot Sauce, a product of Baumer Foods. We explore how this iconic, family-owned brand has been flavoring kitchens for over a century, surviving everything from World War II to Hurricane Katrina to global supply chain meltdowns. It’s a powerful reminder of what it means to adapt, persevere, and keep a legacy alive.

Pepper shares how his grandfather flipped a snowball syrup company into a global hot sauce business, how his aunt Ella Brennan instilled business smarts in him one Wall Street Journal article at a time, and what he’s doing to bring the brand into its next era. From private label to industrial partnerships, from NOLA roots to nationwide shelves—this is one flavorful story you don’t want to miss.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

* The origin story of Crystal Hot Sauce and how a hidden recipe changed everything

 

* What Pepper learned from his aunt Ella Brennan that still guides him today

 

* How Baumer Foods survived Hurricane Katrina and rebuilt their business

 

* Why investing in manufacturing and industrial partnerships is key to the future

 

* The brand’s flavor-first philosophy: “We make good food taste great”

 

Join me, Ramon Vela, in listening to the episode and discover how a century-old hot sauce brand continues to evolve with heart, hustle, and a whole lot of heat.

For more on Baumer Foods, visit: https://crystalhotsauce.com/

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Today’s Sponsors:

REViVE Amazon Marketing Partners: https://revivemp.com/

REViVE Amazon Marketing Partners helps better-for-you CPG brands win on Amazon with niche expertise, founder-led strategy, and a true partnership model. Built by a CPG founder with a successful exit, REViVE only works with brands they believe in. Curious if Amazon is right for you? Book a Free Deep Dive Strategy Session today.