We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Emma Doss . We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Emma below.

Emma, appreciate you joining us today. Coming up with the idea is so exciting, but then comes the hard part – executing. Too often the media ignores the execution part and goes from idea to success, skipping over the nitty, gritty details of executing in the early days. We think that’s a disservice both to the entrepreneurs who built something amazing as well as the public who isn’t getting a realistic picture of what it takes to succeed. So, we’d really appreciate it if you could open up about your execution story – how did you go from idea to execution?

With my current brand “Lady And the Pepper ™”, it really just started with the simple idea to create a product during the pandemic. Along with everyone else, I was witnessing a renaissance-like explosion of new Black-owned products being brought to market almost every day and consumers were purchasing them like crazy.

I have always loved to cook and I’m really known for my love of spicy foods and peppers, so I was seriously trying to figure out a way to become a part of this cool new thing that was happening. I wanted to ride my own wave and I wanted to come up with something that I would really enjoy doing that didn’t feel like work.

During the height of the pandemic, I started working on a jerk sauce recipe and I finally perfected it earlier this year and by default, my spicy seasoning recipe idea also came to fruition. Within the last six months, I have created and trademarked a brand that includes three products so far, studied how to make my products from scratch, began making merch for the brand, and began marketing it on social media. It’s been amazing to see how this simple idea has manifested in such a short amount of time.

What sets me apart from many others in my arena is that I learned early on I really had to become a chameleon in order to make it as an entrepreneur with no seed money and very limited resources. I did whatever it took to make it, even if it was something I absolutely hated doing or was overqualified for. I moved around the country and hustled my butt off to make it.

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

I am the founder of “DOSS Media”, which is a creative house that provides design services for other small business owners and entrepreneurs. I’m currently in the process of adding PR to our list of services as well. I am also the creator of a new sauce and spice line brand called “Lady And the Pepper ™”; for people who really love spicy foods and cooking just like I do.

I have been a managing editor for a regional music publication, a national publisher’s assistant, and an events writer for a major newspaper during some of my past endeavors.

One of my biggest accomplishments I am proud of is moving to New York City to successfully launch “DOSS Media” in one of the world’s most competitive markets.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

Back when I owned a cleaning company, I was in a position when I came to the crossroads of, “do I keep working my part-time job at Apple and keep trying to run my cleaning company on the side or do I quit my job and jump all into running my business full time?”

I took the leap but I ended up hitting the same wall again just a few years after. I eventually got burnt out and was not being fulfilled with my cleaning company anymore because it wasn’t my true passion. I also had to fight too hard to get paid on time by my biggest clients. 
Since I am a true creative, I started “DOSS Media” under a different name to stop feeling inadequate about my career choice but any progress that I made with the new company kept getting pushed to the back burner because the cleaning company was so demanding. I eventually had enough and I closed the cleaning company and moved to New York City to officially launch “DOSS Media”.

In both situations, I ultimately made the decision to walk away or pivot from those stressful situations; to go for what I really wanted and things ended up working out.

What’s been the best source of new clients for you?

I would say overall, word of mouth and email marketing has been the best way for me to gain new clients.

I have run advertisements on Google and all of the main social networks and none of them have really produced anything for me. Sometimes it’s all about having the right personal connections.

To me, those connections combined with consistency on your end, professionalism, and a true understanding of your audience, you will definitely succeed.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.dossmedia.com and www.ladyandthepepper.shop
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ladyandthepepper/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/msemmadoss
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dossmedia/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/MsEmmaDoss
• Youtube: https://bit.ly/3n6Od3S

Image Credits
Leslie Andrews of Leslie Andrews Photography
Lady And The Pepper – Youtube