We recently connected with Nicole DiTommaso and have shared our conversation below.

Nicole, appreciate you joining us today. Almost all entrepreneurs have had to decide whether to start now or later? There are always pros and cons for waiting and so we’d love to hear what you think about your decision in retrospect. If you could go back in time, would you have started your business sooner, later or at the exact time you started?

f I could go back in time, I wouldn’t change when I started my business. I launched Sauce Boss Gang at a time when I was ready, not because I had it all figured out, but because I finally stopped waiting for the “perfect moment.”
Before that, I was deep in my corporate career, leading teams and building products for other people’s visions. I was successful on paper, but unfulfilled. Leaving that world to start a hot sauce company, with zero experience in the food industry was terrifying and liberating at the same time.

If I’d started sooner, I wouldn’t have had the confidence, clarity, or resilience that came from years of learning how to lead, fail, and rebuild. If I’d started later, I might’ve talked myself out of it altogether.
So honestly, the timing was exactly what it needed to be. Sauce Boss Gang was born out of the moment I decided to stop doubting myself and start creating something that reflected who I really am and where I was at that point in my life.

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

I’m Nicole DiTommaso, founder of Sauce Boss Gang, an all-natural hot sauce and seasoning company born out of confidence, creativity, and a whole lot of heart.After leaving a senior leadership career, I started Sauce Boss Gang with zero food industry experience, just a fire to create something real and meaningful. Each flavor tells a chapter of my journey to rebuild confidence and embrace imperfection, featuring custom artwork from local Columbus artists.

What sets us apart is purpose. Our mission is to pour confidence into the world and spark connection through flavor. This year, we took it a step further with our Heat With Heart initiative, collaborating with nonprofits to develop products that give back. Each partnership supports organizations helping people rebuild confidence and begin new chapters of their own. We’re not just selling sauce we’re living our mission daily.

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

For us, the most effective strategy for growing our clientele has been building genuine connection — not just selling a product. People can buy hot sauce anywhere, but they come to Sauce Boss Gang because they connect with the story, the energy, and the purpose behind it.

We focus on authentic storytelling, sampling experiences, and community engagement. showing people who we are, not just what we sell. Every product tells a chapter of our journey, and that transparency builds trust and loyalty.
Partnerships have also been huge. Collaborating with local artists to nonprofits through our Heat With Heart initiative. It expands our reach while staying true to our mission.At the end of the day, growth happens when your brand makes people feel something . We want to make our customers feel inspired, confident and seen.

Have you ever had to pivot?

A few years ago, I made one of the biggest pivots of my life, walking away from a senior leadership career to start a hot sauce company with zero experience in the food industry. On paper, it didn’t make sense. But deep down, I knew I was craving something more meaningful, something that aligned with who I really was, not just what I was good at.
The pivot wasn’t glamorous. It was messy, uncertain, and full of moments where I questioned everything. Making this pivot forced me to rebuild confidence from the ground up and reminded me that purpose doesn’t come from comfort. it comes from courage.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://saucebossgang.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/saucebossgang
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/saucebossgang/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sauce-boss-gang-15b800288/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQcpRafEHcfxkWYCGmTRTUQ?view_as=subscriber