Meet David Figueroa Founder of Melinda’s Hot Sauce By SHOUTOUT DFW

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"We had the good fortune of connecting with David Figueroa and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi David, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?

Melinda’s Hot Sauce began its journey with a clear and passionate vision inspired by a deep love for flavor and spice. While still in college back in 1989, I had a genuine enthusiasm for creating exceptional hot sauces that would delight taste buds around the world. My motivation to start the business stemmed from a desire to inspire culinary innovation with quality ingredients and authentic craftsmanship.

Even back in the 80s and early 90s, there was an increasing popularity of spicy and flavorful foods, with a growing interest in artisanal and gourmet products–this is even more true now. I recognized the market demand for hot sauces that offered more than just heat but also provided a memorable and enjoyable taste experience.

Because of this, I aimed to craft high-quality hot sauces that would not overpower the flavors of the dishes but rather complement and enhance them. Melinda’s Hot Sauce was born out of a desire to provide unique and versatile condiments that would add a distinctive kick to a wide range of cuisines.

My idea also stemmed from the lack of quality, real ingredients in the hot sauce market. I wanted to bring something to consumers that would be fresh and not primarily powders and vinegar. I was and still am dedicated to preserving traditional hot sauce making techniques while infusing the products with a unique twist.

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?
I’ll start by saying it certainly was not easy. It took an enormous amount of effort and passion to get us to our 32 proprietary hot sauces (with more to come!).

What really sets us apart from our competitors is that we are innovators. As an independently owned company, going up against competitor brands with big budgets and big companies like McCormick, Kraft Heinz and Tabasco, we have made a commitment to quality and innovation. For example, we were amongst the first to bring the popular habanero and ghost pepper flavors to the market in the United States. Unlike some of the major competitors, Melinda’s will always adhere to our principles of putting flavor and quality first. In fact, we use fresh fruits and vegetables for our sauces and the best chile peppers on the planet.

I will say I’m most proud of our ability to maintain quality and interesting products and as a direct result of this, we have skyrocketed Melinda’s to the top 15 fastest growing condiments brand in the country by unit and dollar sales. I like to call myself a flavor innovator, as I’ve come up with creative hot sauce packaging designs and we’re continuing to launch new products with unexpected flavor profiles.

Of course I learned a lot along the way. The main piece of advice I’d share with others is to ensure your contracts, paperwork, trademarks, etc. are done immediately. If you procrastinate on the administrative work, you’ll likely hit major roadblocks down the line that could create delays and complications when establishing your brand.

Lastly, I will say I’m most excited about our latest upcoming product launches, a Hot Honey and a Hot Ranch. I think they will be a big hit with our fans and new consumers alike!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.

I’m a sucker for the Dallas food scene. One of my favorites is Nick and Sam’s Steakhouse. It’s a fun vibe with flashy lights and sparklers that will impress anyone visiting or new to town. Another place for a true culinary experience is Nonna, which is an impressive authentic Italian restaurant. It’s very under the radar, so I recommend going before the word gets out! Outside of the food scene, there are so many neighborhoods that offer fun activities and sightseeing, such as Bishop Arts District. One activity I would definitely take visitors to is Billy Bob’s Texas. It is a concert venue that has bull riding, line dancing lessons, food, drinks and more! It is a great showcase of Dallas’ culture.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?

I dedicate my shoutout to my parents. I wouldn’t be a foodie nor business minded without their guidance, support and dedication. My dad gave me my entrepreneurial skills as he is very much a business man while my mother shared her love for cooking with me. She is an amazing cook and inspires me to create recipes that would make her proud and condiments she would actually use in the kitchen! My mom also taught me the discipline needed to excel in this industry. Without them, my brother and I would have never founded Melinda’s.