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

Hi Hal, thanks for joining us today. Looking back, do you think you started your business at the right time? Do you wish you had started sooner or later

I am confident that I started my business at the right time. While the idea for my hot sauce company was something I was passionate about for years, the two decades I spent in a restaurant were an indispensable incubation period. That time wasn’t a delay; it was my education. It was on the line, working with a vast array of spices and chilies, that I truly learned how to build complex, balanced flavors that you can’t just rush. Furthermore, managing a commercial kitchen’s inventory gave me the operational backbone to understand cost control, supply chains, and scaling production—critical skills I now use daily. Launching any sooner would have meant I had the passion but not the refined palate or the business acumen. So, for a product that relies on such a precise blend of art and logistics, my timing was perfect.

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.

My journey as a chef began out of necessity, learning to cook for my family at a young age—starting with making my own eggs at six years old—which ignited a lifelong passion for creating food that connects and nurtures. As a self-taught cook and a father of two, this passion is deeply personal, and my 20 years of professional experience have been fueled by the vibrant flavors of the Indian, Japanese, and Latin cuisines I grew up with and love. This unique background is the soul of my sauces. I proudly make every single one myself, refusing to outsource production because I believe in doing things the right way, not the fast way. This commitment is most evident in my choice never to strain my sauces; I leave all the authentic, textured ingredients in, creating a depth of flavor and honest character that you simply won’t find anywhere else.

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

A story that truly defined my resilience began with my very first kitchen job, where the manager was hesitant to hire me due to my complete lack of professional experience. Rather than accepting that as a closed door, I saw it as a challenge to prove my worth. I channeled that rejection into pure determination, arriving early, staying late, and absorbing every technique and process with an insatiable hunger to learn. My passion became my credential. Through consistent hard work and a commitment to excellence, I didn’t just earn a place on that team—I steadily climbed the ranks. The most validating moment came years later when I was promoted into the very role that once seemed so out of reach: Kitchen Manager, a position that taught me the importance of seeing potential, not just pedigree.

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

The single most effective strategy for growing my clientele has been a relentless focus on generating that crucial first taste. We prioritize in-person demos, pop-up events, and sample packs because our product’s quality is our best salesperson. The magic happens the moment someone tries the sauce. You see this immediate, physical reaction—their eyes get wide with surprise, and it’s almost always followed by a genuine, drawn-out “Yummmm.” That moment of pure delight is more powerful than any advertisement. It transforms a curious passerby into a loyal fan on the spot, and they immediately become our best advocates, telling friends and family about the sauce they just have to try. It’s a simple but powerful cycle: get the sauce in their mouth, and the flavor does the rest of the work. To see for yourself, my products can be found at jocospice.com

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.jocospice.com
• Instagram: @jocospice
• Facebook: @jocospice
• Twitter: @jocospice
• Other: TikTok: @jocospice