Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Eddy Chaput. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, Eddy thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Who is your hero and why? What lessons have you learned from them and how have they influenced your journey?

Lizzy Bergstrom: My Influence and Hero

I remember when Lizzy Bergstrom first started working at the coffee shop with me. From the beginning, they talked about their passion for photography and their dream of traveling. It was just an idea at the time, but Lizzy had a vision.

Some time went by, and they bought their first camera. From that moment on, they were determined to learn everything about it—settings, lighting, composition—diving headfirst into their craft. About a year later, Lizzy started building a website and taking on photography work on the side. It was inspiring to watch their progress, knowing they were turning their passion into something real.

Then came the big leap. Lizzy left the coffee shop to pursue photography as their full-time career. It wasn’t just a dream anymore—it was their reality. They built their business from scratch, putting in the time, effort, and dedication to make it thrive.

Lizzy continues to inspire me, not just because of their success, but because they had the courage to start. They took an idea, worked for it, and made it happen. Watching their journey reminds me that if you have the passion and drive, you can build something amazing from the ground up.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I’ve spent 10 years working in kitchens and restaurants, from cooking to managing and running entire operations. What I love most about being a manager is the challenge of making everything as efficient and logical as possible. I thrive on leading by example, working side by side with my team, and ensuring that not only are operations running smoothly, but the people behind them are supported. Managing a kitchen isn’t just about schedules and inventory; it’s about managing people—making sure they feel heard, valued, and happy both at work and outside of it. I was always available for my team, whether they needed advice, a listening ear, or just a space to vent. Some days were brutal—long, stressful dinner rushes where we all just wanted to scream—but being able to push through and reset always made us stronger.

Throughout my years in the kitchen, I developed a deep love for creating my own meals. I would experiment with whatever ingredients were on hand, crafting unique burgers, sandwiches, and sauces. One of my proudest moments was when a bar I worked at in Denver added my creations to their seasonal menu. My personal favorite was the Bronco Burger—a dream for burger lovers with lettuce, tomato, sautéed onions, a juicy patty, bleu cheese crumbles, house-made queso, and crispy tortilla strips for that extra crunch.

In recent years, my passion shifted toward making sauces and seasonings. It started as a fun way to spice up my coworkers’ lunches, and soon, I found myself diving deep into the art of blending flavors. One of my favorites was a Chipotle BBQ sauce made with Adobo Chipotle peppers. My love for spice led me to create Eddy’s Cajun Rub, which became the first official seasoning in my spice shop, Eurika Paprika.

The idea for Eurika Paprika came from a moment of pure inspiration. Sitting with my friend Lizzy Bergstrom in Denver, brainstorming names, I wanted something fun yet clear about what I was selling. A line from Bob’s Burgers popped into my head—”Paprika, Eureka!”—and I knew that was it. With Lizzy’s help, I built a website, and another friend helped me launch my Etsy shop in August 2023. From there, my creativity exploded. I developed nine unique spice blends—three mild, three medium, and three hot—to ensure that every spice lover had an option.

The process of bringing my business to life was incredibly rewarding. I spent months designing my logo and bottle labels using Canva, researching packaging options, and figuring out how to make my brand stand out. I remember the thrill of receiving my first batch of labels, thinking, “I made this! I built this from nothing.” When my first real order came in, my heart raced as I packed it up and shipped it out.

Running my business through Etsy has been both exciting and challenging. The platform makes things convenient, but the fees and marketing costs add up. That’s why I’m currently working on building my own website to have more control over my sales. Marketing has been the hardest part—getting my name out there, creating engaging content, and showing people the behind-the-scenes work. I’ve made videos of myself bottling spices, packing orders, and testing flavors, hoping to connect with my audience.

Now, I’m rebranding Eurika Paprika to make my products even more eye-catching. Each flavor will have its own unique look, so when someone orders a set, every bottle will feel special. I’m so proud of how far this business has come from just an idea to something tangible. My biggest inspiration has been Lizzy, who built their own wedding and elopement photography business from the ground up. Seeing their success reminds me that I can shape Eurika Paprika however I want.

Looking ahead, I want to sell at craft fairs and expand my product line to include BBQ sauces and hot sauces. Eventually, I’d love to explore canning and preservation as well. This journey isn’t just about making money—it’s about creating something from nothing and sharing it with others. That, to me, is the most exciting part. I can’t wait to keep learning, growing, and seeing where this adventure takes me.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

What has helped me the most building my reputation is honestly my friends and family. My friends back in Denver have been my biggest support system with not only my business but even in my personal life. Building genuine relationships has taught me anything can be achieved. My relationships and family know how hard working, honest and creative I am. They supported me and my business not only by purchasing from me, but they helped market my business. They would take pictures of their orders they’d receive from me and post on their social media, including a link directly to my website. It’s so cool seeing my process of ordering my bulk spices, mixing them, bottling, labeling, boxing and mailing them, then seeing the finished product left in a review online. Like, it didn’t feel real the first few reviews I received. It’s been a blessing having such a great support group of friends and family that have helped market my business with me, because it’s so hard doing it myself because I’m not used to setting up the “behind the scenes” just to record a quick video or reel.

Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?

From my trial and errors, I’ve learned that just being consistent with posting and talking about what I do and talking about my spices. I’ve been practicing taking little videos of me bottling up spices, labeling them, taking photos of a finished order showing the finished product, and giving dinner ideas and which spices I like using. I believe seeing how something is done is so interesting and I believe that when others see that, they want might as well give me a try.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.etsy.com/shop/EurikaPaprika
• Instagram: eurikapaprika_