We were lucky to catch up with Melissa Quintanilla recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Melissa thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What do you think it takes to be successful?

My option the way to be successful anything you set goals for is to Pray, stay consistent, and have the discipline to stay strong on the days you want to give up. Of course that’s easier said than done. But the rewarding feeling of achieving your goals is worth every struggle I overcome is so worth all of it.

Melissa, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I was raised in near the heart of Downtown Houston for most of childhood upbringing. Something about seeing Houston skyline on my way home was such a comforting feeling as a kid. I lived with my grandmother , father, and older sister. My grandmother was such amazing woman that would cook and give back to her church community. I would say she was my 1st inspiration. After her passing I felt like I rebelled a lot and I became teen mother at the age of 16 with twins boys. Having them at young age gave me the purpose put my foot on the gas and never let go. Then having my third son became even more of mission to give it my all . After the pandemic life got really tough trying to keep up with the cost of living. But seeing how people lost their jobs and becoming their own business owner was so inspiring. The main goal one day is to own my own food truck. But being a single mother I don’t have the funds to purchase a food truck. But I wanted to take baby steps to my goal and started to sell my highly requested dip. I bounced the idea around to my sons and they supported me all the way. I started off by creating our logo and brand name which I made sure Houston skyline was incorporated. Because Houston skyline reminds me so much of home where I grew up and reminds me of family. I love the idea of my dip being shared with family and friends and making memories with our loved ones. At the end of 2021 I started to join the pop up market world and network with other small local business owners. It’s a very powerful community and supportive. I think it’s beautiful to see Houston supporting Houston.
Hearing from strangers that I never met enjoying my dip is so rewarding and meaningful to the brand I’m trying to build. My next goal for my business is to get into stores. But the end goal is to leave behind my sons a business they can take over and continue on the legacy.

Can you open up about how you funded your business?

I have been blessed to have solid job during and after the pandemic. I have worked in logistics industry for the past 10 years. Thankfully I was able to use any extra income leftover from my paychecks to funding my side business. My corporate job schedule allowed me have the balance I needed to start up Houston Drip Sauce. I would work Monday through Friday at work then spending my weekends doing something towards my own business. Eventually my side business started to pay for itself which I’m truly grateful for. Best advice I can give is to save for the big stuff but buy something small like business cards, logo, merch, or anything towards your business every paycheck. Every baby step I have taken was well worth it the rewarding feeling of having your own brand.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

When working at pop up markets I would make sure I introduced myself even if people were not interested in what I had to offer. I would ask them politely to take a business card or sticker from our table and also ask if they could simply follow us. Because they may not have been interested at the moment but maybe one day I could win them over. Also I have been fortunate to meet great connections by networking with large followings that gave us a shoutout. I truly love how Houston supports Houston.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: houston_drip.sauce https://www.instagram.com/houston_drip.sauce/
• Facebook: Houston Drip Sauce https://www.facebook.com/houstondripsauce/
• Other: https://linktr.ee/houston_drip.sauce?utm_source=linktree_admin_share