Today we’d like to introduce you to Simone Shaw-Samuel.
Hi Simone, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I was born in the Caribbean where I spent my adolescent years. As a child, I enjoyed watching and helping my mother cook in the kitchen. Under her supervision, I began making treats such as: Pickled Mangoes, Tamarind balls, and Fudge to sell at school during my lunch break. At the age of 11 years, we migrated to America to live with my dad. Due to the different changes in culture and climate it was difficult to adjust to the American Society, but with time I did adjust.
My passion for cooking remained a staple as I grew older. After completing High School my career path was clear without question. I knew that I needed to pursue a career in Culinary Arts. I enrolled in the Hospitality Management program at the New York City Technical College. During that time, I gave birth to my daughter Nia. That did not deter me from completing my education. I then moved on to The International Culinary Center formerly known as (The French Culinary Institute) in Brooklyn New York. Before graduating, I was selected and recommended to work as a Personal Chef by one of the Chef Instructors. This led to many opportunities for employment with various clients. This was very exciting for me.
In the year 1999: I relocated to Texas in order to raise my kids as a single mom, this caused me to give up my career as a Chef in order to focus on my two children. I needed a better environment and a more affordable place to raise my children. A friend from college persuaded me to move to Houston Texas because it was up and trending. I then pursuing my career in the Hospitality Industry within the Sales Department.
Texas is known for the “HEAT” and yes, things were more affordable than New York however, I was missing my own cultural food and could not find flavorful pepper sauce like I was accustomed to getting in New York from my family. My family would ship the pepper sauce to me, but this was becoming costly, so I decided to venture out and make my own pepper sauce.
February 2020: My daughter Nia told me that I needed to share my sauces with the world, she insisted that everyone would love the flavors because it was not just hot, the flavors were noticeable on your palate. She then created an Instagram account page and orders started pouring in.
June 2020: We officially launched Bumba Sauce Company in Houston Texas to share the Heat and Flavor that I have made for my own family. The love for food, peppers, sauces and entrepreneurship is in my DNA. My philosophy is to provide high quality, all natural products to the consumers.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It’s never a smooth road when traveling on the path to success, however I learned how to overcome obstacles by being creative and using the skill set I gained from my professional career. Due to our product being launched during the pandemic, one of our challenges has been getting products at a reasonable price, for example there has been a shortage in bottles, so we found ourselves purchasing through channels that is a bit pricy in order to get the quality product we wanted.
As far as the business aspect, we are working on diversifying our client base which will be vital to growing our business. Currently we are at various farmers markets, but our focus is spreading out and being visible in retail and speciality stores, competitions, and large events throughout Houston as well as Dallas, Austin and San Antonio. As we continue to grow, my vision is for us to be distributed domestically as well as internationally. We were recently invited to be on the grocery shelf at Railway Heights Market on Washington Avenue in Houston which has been a great beginning step in retail.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
My professional background is 20+ years of Culinary Arts aligned with Hospitality Management. I am currently using the experience I’ve gained to build my company by first being a staple in my community. I am currently building relationships at farmers markets and getting to know our customers which is a great beginning step.
Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
Favorite Books:
– Who Moved My Cheese? Spencer Johnson, M.D
– Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Robert T. Kiyosaki
– The Secret by Rhonda Byrne
– Yesterday I Cried by IYANLA VANZANT
Favorite Apps:
– Yelp
Contact Info:
- Email: info@bumbasauce.com
- Website: www.bumbasauce.com
- Instagram: @Bumbasauce
- Facebook: facebook.com/bumbasauce
Image Credits
Al Torres Photography
MZKNOWLES
HairbyHer Salon
