We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Michaan Cross a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Michaan, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Risk taking is something we’re really interested in and we’d love to hear the story of a risk you’ve taken.

All of this is a risk. I have wasted money trying to get help from the wrong people. I have done the research and still missed a step. Its all a risk. Example, when I was in the process of creating my labels. I was out over 2,000 dollars trying to fit the right criteria for my co packer and get the FDA approval. During the back and forth process. My bills still kept coming, so having to cut down on some major things and keep the light bill low. Putting money in hand of others, hoping the job gets done because it is not your realm of expertise is very hard. And you are cutting close on some of your bills. The sweat does start to get real.

Even with the many rejections of the labels. It finally got done. And its actually what I get complimented on the most. I’d rather bet on me anytime. I do not like having these companies control my money, and come drop me anytime. My bills still come regardless if companies do lay offs, a manager or co workers would prefer you not working there, or whatever maybe the issue. I would still have Em Sawse. I will still have my talent to create. What I am doing is a risk. Yes, but I am in control, and rather bet on me. I do my best to budget. And do the work the right way.

Michaan, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Can you believe I have never wanted to be an entrepreneur. I’ve always just wanted a career in something that wouldn’t require much of me, and to invest in something with great turn around on investment. I wanted and still want a quiet life. Covid, locked down taught me different. During that time money was limited, and so I had to think of other sources of income. Income, that could stand the test of time. Lockdown also freed me to do some of the hobbies I’ve always wanted to try, which was start a garden. The garden growth eventually led to the sauces. I made eggrolls and created sauces with what I grew in the garden.
Turns out people really enjoyed the sauces and wanted more. I went from one blenders to two. All of this from a hobby. That hobby became a main source of income because I was let go from my job. It was hard because I had financial goals and had to dip into my savings to pay my daily bills. Covid, happened and I was fired from two different jobs. It let me know these companies did not care. And the bills still came regardless of what was happening in this world. With the encouragement of my father and help. I took what money I had left and invested some in myself. Em Sawse was born. I am most proud of the things I have learned in a field I knew nothing about. I continue to do the work scared, and open to learn. I am extremely pleased that even with bumps in the road. I do not do any half way, and without putting my best foot forward. To me the try is the win, and the success I’ve envision will come eventually and the right way.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

When Em Sawse, first started it was my kitchen, a blender, and I. One blender turned into two. Google, has and still continues to be my friend. I am person who likes list, and do step by step. The list indicated that I needed to buy bottles, sanitize them, and how to properly wrap etc. I did all those things. What I did not know and learned later through my earliest customers. That one plastic is alive, and two when I was funneling my sauces into one of my many plastic bottles. That these bottles will explode when shaken up. Omg. How embarrassing. I am grateful no one sued me. They simply called or emailed me and told me. Obviously, I had to find out why this was happening. And I did. This is why it is always good to talk to expert and read as much as possible. I found out. I needed a co-packer. When I decided on the best co-packer for me. They explained to me why glass was better, and why my bottles were exploding. What was a disaster to me became a learning opportunity, and helped Em Sawse move forward into a more professional production.

Do you sell on your site, or do you use a platform like Amazon, Etsy, Cratejoy, etc?

I do have a website emsawse.com. I made the decision to sell because I needed the control. I needed to be able to see areas of opportunity of growth, and where I would need to hire someone eventually. Platforms like Amazon, Etsy and more takes a big chunk out of your bottom line profit. It only makes since if your brand is really popular, but not up and coming. If you have the money to take that, It is perfectly fine. Financially speaking for my company it was not feasible.

Contact Info:

• Website: emsawse.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emsawsellc/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EmSawse/?notif_id=1644005019344713&notif_t=page_invite_accept&ref=notif
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@SawsyBites
• Other: https://linktr.ee/emsawse

Image Credits
Photo credit: Alexandria Corder, Ashley Walker, Logo: Isiah Long