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

Alright, Nathanael thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’ve all been there before where things are tight financially and we start asking ourselves in the small/simple joys like a cup of coffee is worth it. Have you had an experience like this and if so how did you think about this sort of spending?

I think it is fair to say any businesses starting out, that it will be nothing but “lean times” for at least a little while. I started with all about risk and taking the leap and trusting the process. I started with probably less than $100 and I still am tight on funds. for me, it’s all about making the moves and focus on the money as the bills come in. You will always find a way. The only certain time you won’t find a way is if you quit.

Nathanael, 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?

My name is Nathanel Nunemaker. I created Farmer Nate’s Sauce Co. in the midst of the pandemic. I am a freelance photographers assistant by trade and we slowed down quite a bit once the pandemic came into full swing. Since we were slow, I decided to by a bunch of starter plants from lowes to grow in our little patch of grass on our back patio in Covington Kentucky. I ended up having a ton of jalapeño peppers that I had no clue what to do with so in order to preserve it I turned them into hot sauce. I gave my hot sauce to many friends and family members. The loved it and I Ended up deciding to take the time to get FDA approved and turn this into a legit business. Since then I’ve been given the opportunity to grow on a plot on a 48 acre farm in Pine, Kentucky. I have turned selling to friends and family into selling whole sale to 20+ stores. I am currently releasing a taco seasoning called “Covington Gold Dust”. My mission is to create unique and failover sauces, seasonings, and condiments that promote self sustainability and for family and friends to bond over. a talking point. There are so many hot sauce brands that are so gimmicky, with names like “Satans breathe” and its the absolute hottest thing possible with no flavor. I want to create something that is authentic and something that can enhance your dining experience.

Can you open up about how you funded your business?

The initial capital came from me doing ubereats every single moment I wasn’t working my photo assisting job. I busted my butt to fund every cent of FNSCo. I eventually partnered with a financial investor which has been huge for the business

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

I think thee entire journey illustrates resilience. There has been so many times I’ve wanted to give up. The task to become FDA approved and completely legal felt like a mountain to me. but step by step i started moving. I said this earlier but the only guaranteed way to fail is by quitting. Even if I move little by little that’s making more progress than if I were to quit.

Contact Info:

• Website: farmernatessauce.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/farmernatessauce
• Facebook: facebook.com/farmernatessauce
• Twitter: twitter.com/frmernatessauce

Image Credits
Jeremy Kramer Photo