Today we’d like to introduce you to George Bush
Hi George, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Sauced Up Salsa was founded in 2020 as a family-run business driven by a love for bold, fire-roasted flavors and a commitment to high-quality ingredients. What started as a passion for making fresh, homemade salsa quickly turned into something bigger when we saw how much people loved our recipes. We wanted to create a salsa that not only tasted amazing but was also made with simple, clean ingredients—gluten-free, vegan, dairy-free, and with no added sugar.
As we grew, we realized that people wanted more ways to enjoy our salsa, which led us to develop our freeze-dried salsa—a game-changer for outdoor enthusiasts, busy families, and anyone looking for a shelf-stable, on-the-go option. We also started making our own tortilla chips to perfectly complement our salsas, ensuring quality from start to finish.
Since launching, we’ve been honored to receive strong support from our community, winning Best of Utah three years in a row. We’ve built lasting connections through local markets, festivals, and retail partnerships, including becoming a vendor at Hill Air Force Base. We’re also proud to be part of Utah’s Own, a program that highlights and supports locally made products.
At the heart of Sauced Up Salsa our commitment to bringing people together over great food. Whether it’s a family gathering, a weekend adventure, or a quick snack, we believe that salsa should be more than just a dip—it should be an experience.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Like any small business owner, we’ve faced our fair share of challenges. When we started Sauced Up Salsa in December 2020, my wife, Jessica, and I were working out of our townhome in Bountiful, Utah, full of passion but with so much to learn. What we didn’t realize at the time was just how brutal the winter season could be for small businesses—sales slowed to a crawl, and by December 2021, we were struggling not just to keep the business going but also to make ends meet for our family.
Then, when we needed it most, we got a call that changed everything. A husband and wife who owned a plumbing company near Ogden wanted to place a bulk order—150 chips and salsas—for their employees as Christmas gifts. I’ll never forget that moment. Our hearts dropped, we did a little dance in the kitchen, and I cried. That order didn’t just get us through the winter—it kept our dream alive. Because of that company’s support, we were able to keep going, and today, we’re honored to have won Best of Utah, to be a part of so many farmers’ markets, and to see our salsa in stores.
But running a small business is never easy. We’ve faced rejection time and time again from stores, put in long, exhausting weekends at markets, and had moments where we questioned everything. Yet, through it all, the people we’ve met and the experiences we’ve had make it all worth it. There’s nothing like the connection that comes from sharing something you’ve poured your heart into and seeing people love it as much as you do.
We’ve been impressed with Sauced up Salsa, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
We started Sauced Up Salsa because we couldn’t find a salsa in Utah that packed the heat and bold flavor we craved. With family roots in Southern California and Sinaloa, Mexico, spice has always been a part of our lives. What began as a homemade salsa for friends, family, and my Jiu-Jitsu teammates quickly grew into something bigger than we ever expected.
What sets us apart? We fire-roast most of our ingredients by hand, giving our salsa an authentic, smoky depth you won’t find in mass-produced brands. We make everything in small batches to ensure top-tier quality. Plus, our tortilla chips are made in-house—we source local corn tortillas, cut, and fry them ourselves. Every product we offer is gluten-free, sugar-free, and vegan, staying true to our commitment to clean, simple ingredients.
We take pride in delivering quality you can taste, backed by over 200 five-star Google reviews. In a world where every dollar counts, we make sure our customers get a product worth their time and money.
And because Utah is home to so many outdoor enthusiasts, we created Freeze-Dried Salsa—a lightweight, waterproof, long-lasting option that’s perfect for hiking, camping, and emergency preparedness. Just add water, and it’s ready to go. It lasts 25 years unopened, reduces food waste, and helps cut down on plastic waste.
Sauced Up Salsa isn’t just a product—it’s a passion for real, fire-roasted flavor and a commitment to quality.
We are a mom-and-pop team. We run everything ourselves- and of course our daughter. Every time you buy from us, you are supporting a family.
Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
I was lucky enough to be a part of the Goldman Sachs 10,000 small business program, which really helped us level up last year. We find ourselves reaching out to my graduating class for help, resources, and guidance in hard times.
The Goldman Sachs small business program is designed as a free business school for small businesses, and even larger businesses. It has taught me things I didn’t know and given me a lot of good refreshers. If you are interested I would recommend you look it up!
Pricing:
- Our salsas range from 10-13.00 dollars (8oz-12oz)
- 2 for 20 at the farmers markets on all fresh salsas
- Chips, we have two sizes (1/2lbs are $5.95 and full pounds are $9.95)
- 2 for 25 or 1 for $15.00 for our freeze dried saslas,
- We also have taco shells for $5.00
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.saucedupsalsa.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/saucedupsalsaofficial
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/saucedupsalsaofficial
