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

Davanh, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?

Our mission goes beyond simply selling hot sauces. It’s about gaining recognition for a people and culture that have long been overlooked. Establishing Lao Sriracha as a household brand represents an opportunity to celebrate the rich heritage and unique traditions of Laos, a small landlocked nation often mistaken for its neighbours. Despite its distinct history and culture, Laos is frequently perceived as underrepresented and impoverished. To this day, no globally recognized sauces or foods bear the Lao name. By elevating Lao Sriracha, we aim to share the story of a culture too often left in the shadows.

The journey of the Lao people has been one of resilience and adaptation, shaped profoundly by the Vietnam War. The conflict left an unforgettable mark on Laos, forcing many families to flee by crossing the Mekong River to refugee camps in Thailand before resettling in the United States. Starting over in an unfamiliar land was far from easy, but food became a powerful bridge, a way to connect, share, and preserve Lao heritage while introducing it to others.

What truly sets Lao culture apart is our cuisine, particularly our love for hot sauces and dips, which we call ‘jeow.” Jeow begins with chili peppers as its base, and from there, various ingredients are added to create a wide variety different hot sauces.

Through Southeast Spice and our Lao Srirachas, I aim to introduce people to Lao flavors, starting with our Lao inspired srirachas, we’re not just sharing a sauce, we’re sharing a piece of our culture, history, and identity. This is just the beginning. From this foundation, we hope to encourage others to do more Lao-inspired sauces and products, paving the way for Lao cuisine to take its rightful place on the global stage.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

The journey to creating Southeast Spice’s Lao Sriracha began with my roots in a culture where hot sauces and dips are a way of life. Growing up, my family made “jeow” the Lao term for hot sauces or dips to sell. It was a tradition infused with love, flavor, and community.
In 2012, I began to dream of creating a hot sauce that could become a staple in American households. Unfortunately I was not able to make it happen. In November 2022 is when I started my dream back up. I wanted to start with something that friends and colleagues alike would love as much as our Lao people. I wanted to honor my heritage while crafting a sauce that could stand proudly on its own in kitchens everywhere. My starting point was “jeow som,” which translates to “sour dip” in Lao.
But there were challenges. Authentic “jeow som” uses fish sauce, an ingredient unfamiliar to many Americans and one that some might shy away from. I experimented, substituting ingredients while staying true to the essence of the sauce. Another hurdle was making the product shelf-stable, ensuring it required no refrigeration and could last for two years.
Lastly as someone who deeply values the well-being of people and the planet, I was committed to creating a product that was organic. Sourcing high-quality, sustainable ingredients was no small task, but after countless trials and errors, I finally crafted a version I was proud of. Interestingly, it didn’t taste like traditional “jeow som” anymore, instead, it resembled a sriracha. That’s when I knew I had something special: a Lao-inspired sriracha unlike any other.
What sets Southeast Spice’s Lao Sriracha apart is its bold spiciness and savory umami flavor, a reflection of the distinct taste Lao cuisine is known for. But it’s not just a hot sauce. It’s a realization of my dream to bring the soul of Lao cooking into homes across the world.
We are thrilled to launch our new bottles of Ginger Srirachas in February 2025. I am especially proud that my srirachas are both vegan and organic. These choices align with my values and allow me to share a product that’s good for both people and the planet.
This journey began with a big dream and humble beginnings. What started as a beloved childhood tradition, deeply tied to my family’s love for food, has transformed into a product now available on Amazon and other platforms. Every bottle of SOUTHEAST SPICE Srirachas represents passion, perseverance, and pride in my culture. Our hope is to inspire others to believe that no dream is ever too small.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

Building a business from the ground up is no easy task, and creating a shelf-stable hot sauce proved to be even more challenging than I had imagined. Crafting a product that doesn’t require refrigeration and boasts a long shelf life brought obstacles I never anticipated. Yet, from the very beginning, I was unwavering in my determination to bring my vision to life, even when the path ahead was unclear.
It all began with an idea, crafting a unique hot sauce that could enhance any dish. But I quickly discovered that developing a shelf-stable product was far more challenging than I imagined. I didn’t know where to start, and there was no one I could turn to for advice. The learning curve was steep, but I tackled it head-on, researching, Googling, and taking courses to earn certifications. Surprisingly, government regulators became one of my most valuable resources, helping me understand the requirements to get started.
Once I had a basic understanding of the process, I faced the next major hurdle, funding. My husband and I invested our savings and stocks into the venture. I also sought help from family, who generously supported my dream, and secured a small loan through the Small Business Administration. Starting small was key. I knew I had to build in phases, taking incremental steps to grow.
Finding the right co-packer to produce my sauce was another major obstacle . Many facilities either couldn’t accommodate me or were hesitant to work with a brand-new company. After countless emails and inquiries, I found a small-batch co-packer willing to help me produce an initial run of 1,200 bottles. While I didn’t make a profit on this batch, it allowed me to test the market. I traveled to festivals, farmers’ markets, and pop-up events to share my srirachas with customers, collecting valuable feedback along the way.
The positive response gave me the confidence to invest in a larger co-packer and scale production. Today, my sauces are stocked in local grocery stores, served in restaurants, and available online through platforms like Amazon. It’s incredible to see how far the brand has come.
Building a business, especially one involving FDA-regulated products, requires a clear vision, determination, and a willingness to learn and adapt. It demands immense sacrifice, relentless effort, and the ability to push through countless setbacks. But with each challenge, I grew stronger and more determined to bring my vision to life. The key is to start small, stay adaptable, and never lose sight of your goals, no matter how far away they may seem.
My journey is one of resilience and belief in the power of perseverance. Every step forward, no matter how challenging, has brought me closer to achieving my dream. The journey is just getting started and I’m ready to face the challenges ahead, with the goal of making Southeast Spice a household brand. To all aspiring entrepreneurs: trust the process, embrace the lessons, and stay determined. With dedication, you can create something truly extraordinary.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

My journey to building a reputation in the market has been shaped by life experiences and the connections I’ve made along the way. Living in different states allowed me to meet wonderful people who left a lasting impact on me. Growing up in Louisiana, I had a joyful childhood surrounded by lifelong friends. Later, I spent a few years in Dallas, TX before moving to Fresno, Ca where I began working as a card dealer at Club One Casino. It was there that I was given the incredible opportunity to host events, which became my gateway to networking. Little did I know, the friendships and connections from my old hometown and my new one would become my biggest supporters.
When I embarked on my hot sauce journey, I knew that marketing would be critical to success. To build visibility, I threw myself into events and festivals, most of which required me to volunteer. During these experiences, I made friends and connected with like-minded individuals. I started creating cooking videos on YouTube and sharing them on Instagram and Facebook just to showcase my creativity of food. My dedication often led me to travel three to six hours away just to volunteer, even when compensation barely covered gas and food. It was a sacrifice I was willing to make for the bigger picture.
After the launch of my hot sauce in April 2024, I’m proud to say that my hard work and networking efforts have paid off. The connections I’ve built through kindness and fairness have turned into genuine support from both Louisiana and California. My husband and business partner have also played a significant role in expanding our network in California, which has been instrumental in starting this business.
By building meaningful relationships and treating people well, I’ve not only gained loyal supporters but also created a strong foundation for lasting friendships and customers.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://SOUTHEASTSPICE.COM
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davanh_spice/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/davanhspice?mibextid=wwXIfr
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@SouthEastSpice/videos
• Other: Amazon
  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DNY1GGHB