According to Arceneaux, Killorin’s mustard was unlike any other he had ever experienced. She recalled that he thought it was the ideal balance of sweetness and a hint of heat, and that it wasn’t overly sweet like honey mustard.
Source: Handout
Source: Handout
Killorin discovered that there was a lot she needed to learn and accomplish in order to scale up from creating her mustard in her home to a business that produced a product for the general public to buy when she investigated converting her mustard into a business.
She claimed to have studied safe food product manufacturing techniques at the University of Georgia. In order to prepare the sauce and package it in jars, I obtained my copacker certification. Finding a source for the mustard seeds I use in the sauce took a year.
She wanted a source that could supply three distinct proprietary blends of mustard seeds with consistent quality for her original hot and onion sauces.
According to Killorin, I would create 100 jars with each blend sample that firms sent me to observe how the ingredients interacted. I would then question my close friends and neighbors, “Which do you prefer?” after showing them those samples.
Source: Handout
Source: Handout
In 2020, she walked into four gourmet food stores in Columbus and sold her first jars. According to Killorin, I would enter with a little gift bag containing a container of mustard, some pretzels, and details about my background and wholesale prices. I would tell them it was a gift, and if they had me, I would be thrilled to have my wares in their store. As a result, the mustard was able to speak for itself.
Then she would check in a couple of days later. The store owners responded favorably and appeared happy to receive a gift with no strings attached. According to Killorin, Sassy Mustard is still available in all four outlets.
In order to convey to prospective customers that this was more than just a condiment for sandwiches or hot dogs, she also started creating recipe cards. She claimed that it’s excellent for cooking. It holds a dry rub nicely and is fantastic when dusted on any protein before grilling.
The mustard keeps the protein wet and protects it while it cooks. It works well in marinades and salad dressings. Its addition to a meal adds both sweet and mustardy flavors that truly make it stand out.
Source: Handout
Source: Handout
The mustard comes in 12-ounce jars in all three varieties. When she first launched Sassy Mustard, she produced each batch by hand, but after two years, she decided it would be more productive to go out, socialize, and discuss the mustard. After locating a co-packer to manufacture and package the mustard, she set out.
According to Killorin, I came to the realization that I needed to market the goods using my gifts. I could stand there all day talking about mustard, really.
According to her, she was compelled to join AmericasMart Atlanta, a wholesale marketplace for gourmet food, presents, and home décor, in July 2021 by her friend Margaret Amos of Southern Straws cheese straws.
Killorin remarked, “I’ve been at the Mart ever since, and it was amazing, even though I’ve never been so scared.”
Her mustard is currently marketed in 22 states, ranging from California to North Carolina, thanks to connections she acquired at AmericasMart. Sassy Mustard is available to residents in the Atlanta area at Casabella in Marietta and West Paces Ferry Ace Hardware.
Killorin is focusing on growing the business by introducing new flavors and jar sizes, as well as extending the product’s presence in gourmet and upscale grocery stores, with her co-packer who makes and packages the mustard.
She expressed her gratitude to everyone who shared their expertise and experience with her. I love that my experience demonstrates that it’s never too late to launch a business and that you’re never too old.
sassymustard.com, Sassy Mustard
