Gindo's Spice of Life, LLC
Situation (What got you to start your business?)
Chris and Mary Ginder launched Gindo's Spice of Life in the spring of 2011 in Los Angeles, California, and relocated the business to Illinois in 2015. Chris is the owner/founder/president and creator behind Gindo's Spice of Life.
Chris's chief responsibility was to oversee the manufacturing of Gindo's hot sauces in a local shared commercial kitchen. For over six years, he has managed the production and bottling of all Gindo's sauces produced in the Midwest. In addition to managing all sales and distribution around Northern/Western Illinois, Chris also manages e-commerce packaging/shipments as well as participating in numerous farmers markets and special events throughout the year.
The other half of this dynamic duo is Mary Ginder, co-owner/founder/vice president at Gindo's Spice of Life, LLC. Armed with a bachelor's degree from California Polytechnic State University, Mary is Gindo's administrator, responsible for bookkeeping, supply chain analysis, marketing/social media, labels/graphic design, website development, booking/staffing for farmers markets/special events, and branding ambassador in the field for Gindo's.
Task/action/solution (How did you overcome issues with SBA assistance?)
In an attempt to grow the business and go to the next level, the Ginders looked at forming cooperative and collaborative relationships with other local companies in the area. In 2017, Gindo's went beyond traditional hot sauce manufacturing and began doing collaboration hot sauces with local businesses, like breweries, coffee roasters, garlic farmers, spice companies and the like. These collaborations include a co-branded label and cross-marketing to increase brand awareness, which resulted in an increase of all revenue for participating companies. Getting a five-figure SBA working capital loan enabled Gindo's to continue its growth using that strategy. Selling its sauces at local farmers markets & special events, and wholesaling product to select stores and restaurants around the Western suburbs proved to be a success.
That success helped Gindo's launch its website - Gindos.com - which allowed the company to sell a variety of its hot sauces online and even launched a "Gindos Hot Sauce of the Month Club."
Gindo's future looked very bright with its latest collaborations and online efforts to become more valuable than ever with external challenges yet to come.
The COVID-19 pandemic proved to be a formidable foe that affected many small businesses in a variety of industries. However, Gindo's managed to weather the storm. Taking advantage of SBA PPP loans in March 2020 ($11,571, forgiven) and January 2021 ($11,571, forgiven) as well as an SBA COVID-EIDL in July 2020 ($121,400), Gindos proved to weather the adversities of the pandemic.
This in itself proved that many of the SBA COVID Relief programs helped small companies like Gindo's immensely during those turbulent times.
While the last couple years with COVID has affected many aspects of the economy, Gindo's ability to pivot set it apart from other businesses. By focusing on its strong customer service, brand loyalty, current wholesale accounts and development of new online wholesale opportunities, Gindo's continued to grow and thrive in this recovering economy. Although supply chain issues continue to be the biggest issue lately, the Ginders have built relationships with multiple suppliers and are able to source or pivot when needed.
The Ginders were so successful navigating its business through the pandemic, in November 2020, Gindo's Spice of Life received an SBA 7A Loan from Byline Bank for the purchase of their new facility located 2002 W. Main St., Suite P in St. Charles. The loan included the purchase of the commercial condominium, construction build out and equipment purchases. The loan total was $552,000 to anchor this small business concern. Goodbye shared kitchens.
Impact/outcome (implied tips/lessons learned)
As a result, Gindos has grown from a two-person operation employing eight other employees. Sales continue to be at an all-time high earning the Ginders the SBA Illinois 2022 Small Business People of the Year for successfully guiding Gindo's Spice of Life, LLC, through this amazing journey while tripling its sales and profit through this pandemic.
With the help of SBA Resource Partners
Chris and Mary Ginder continue to be active members of the St. Charles Chamber of Commerce, Geneva Chamber of Commerce, Batavia Chamber of Commerce, Naperville Chamber of Commerce, Innovation DuPage, Fox Valley Entrepreneurial Center (FVEC) and the Waubonsee College SBDC.
Gindo's fresh pepper hot sauces are handcrafted to inspire creativity in the kitchen and support local farms. Based in the suburbs of Chicago, the company is spicing up the craft hot sauce industry with their chef-inspired flavors and commitment to manufacturing.
In essence, Gindo's is doing what is needed to continue its success. Congratulations Chris and Mary for a job well done.