Today we’d like to introduce you to Taylor King Bertin.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My journey started very long ago in the aisles of the Senate floor in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where my mom, Frankie Jo King, worked as a budget analyst for the Senate. I learned at a young age the power of a genuine smile, firm handshake and a passion for life. My Father, PJ Bertin, was a furniture wholesaler and traveled all over the south providing furniture to stores across the southeast. You could say that sales was something that was already scripted to be in my future by a higher power. Jump 37 years later after a degree from Tulane University and memories of New Orleans to a move to Houston in 2007 where I’m currently working as a regional director for a Medical Company and covering the SouthEast United States.
The pandemic has hit the country and life is changing everyday. One of my best friends, Darren Tompkins, called me over one night and asked if I would try something he had been working on. He then opened this container that had a golden yellow look to it and smelled as good as anything I had ever eaten from my home state which is known for its cooking. He then asked me try this “Hot Sauce” he had made. From the moment I tasted it I knew he had a winner. I looked up at him and said “man this is by far the best sauce I’ve ever had and definitely something I could sell”. He had a huge grin on his face and said he would shoot me an email later. To my surprise, when I got home, there was a 20 slide PowerPoint he had sent me about his research into branding, hot sauce, and other recipes. I was astonished at the level of detail in this presentation and how intriguing it was. This was definitely a no-brainer when he asked me to be a partner with him in this Headlock adventure.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
Sales is never a smooth road and neither is starting a company, especially when your product is a recipe that has to stay consistent and be good enough for people to keep coming back for it. That said, every time we get a new customer and you see the look on their face it’s definitely worth it. We are constantly chasing down our supplies and making sure they are the highest quality before starting a 4-5 hour cooking process to get our Headlock sauce produced. Darren has really got it down to an art with this process. His wife Stephanie makes sure that the numbers are good by keeping an eye on the day to day internal company logistics. She holds us to the highest standard and ensure that we remain a well-oiled machine.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Headlock Hot Sauce brings out the child in everyone that has ever wanted to be a wrestler jumping from the top rope to a dinner table or any meal. This was a very easy pairing that Darren had talked about in his original presentation to me. This was an easy fit for me seeing I was a child of the ’80s and loved watching Pro-wrestling. Being a part of this company definitely allows you to let your inner child out and have fun 24/7 when going to work. Also, getting to work with a guy that I tell everyone is my “brother” keeps me grinning. I am the director of sales and am constantly getting our product into new stores, locations and customers’ hands.
I absolutely love it because I truly feel we have a very special and unique hot sauce that most importantly taste amazing and unlike any other! Anyone that is a fan of the gourmet taste and exceptional heat will not go wrong with getting out Hammerlock Jalapeno, Signature or Suplex Hot Sauce. You can literally put it on anything to add amazing flavor and heat to your meals.
We appeal to just about everyone. Hot Sauce fans we will meet your need with four amazing levels of heat and flavor.
Anyone that has ever been a wrestling fan please let us Headlock your Tastebuds. We want to take you to the top rope for a ride.
Fitness and dietary fans – We are low sugar, Keto-friendly, gluten-free and low calorie.
Our Branding is one of a kind! We definitely know how to Suplex your taste buds.
We’re always looking for the lessons that can be learned in any situation, including tragic ones like the Covid-19 crisis. Are there any lessons you’ve learned that you can share?
That when you live in an amazing city like you Houston you really get to see if your community can make it or not. We as a community has definitely stepped up and showed what a great city we have and how people can count on each other. It was also amazing to have the downtime to be with my family. My fiancé and I spent as much time with our kids as we could and enjoyed every second of it!
Pricing:
- 5oz bottles of Hammerlock, Signature or Suplex Hot are $8 each or $21 for 3
- 10 oz bottles of Hammerlock, Signature, Suplex Super Hot are $13 each
- if you are a true fan you will ask about our Royal Rumble or our Scorpion Blend for $18. It’s hard to keep it in stock because we only make it seasonally.
Contact Info:
- Email: TaylorKing@headlockhotsauce.com
- Website: https://headlock-hot-sauce-llc.square.site/home
- Instagram: @headlock_hot_sauce
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HeadlockHotSauce/
