Specialty Food
Manufacturer and Distributor
Manufacturer and Distributor
The Brimstone Originals® Story...
THAT'S OUR STORY AND WE'RE STICKING TO IT!
One sure way to get to know your family members really well is to work with them. In December 2002, Eileen O'Hara made her husband, Rick, twelve jars of hot pepper jelly as a Christmas gift. Encouraged by friends and family, Eileen, Rick, daughters, and sons-in-law took their hot pepper jelly to craft fairs. Encouraged by enthusiastic customers, the family decided to turn their cottage industry into a business. By June 2003, Eileen and eldest daughter, Julie Stevens, had formed an LLC, named their business "Brimstone Originals®," and developed another new flavor, pepper-free burgundy wine.
The first year was a whirlwind of cooking frenzies at a commercial kitchen that the family leased. When the fumes from the habanera peppers became more than they could take and the painters' masks just weren't doing the trick, they found a local packer to take over the production. Inventory was stored in Eileen's home until a call came one day for a large order to be shipped to Germany. Since a forklift wouldn't fit into Eileen's guestroom where the cases of jellies were stored, it was time for a fulfillment/distribution warehouse. In the meantime, a website was developed from which customers can order products. And instead of craft fairs, the Brimstone Originals® team exhibits at gourmet, specialty food, and gift trade shows. In the midst of all that, Eileen did six shows on HSN, Julie had another baby boy, and the team developed more jelly flavors.
Brimstone Originals® is now a women-owned business with Eileen as President and Julie as Vice President. Younger daughter and sister, Amy, a contract paralegal, keeps up with the trademarks. Rick, the pepper head, jumps in wherever and whenever needed to work shows and taste-test new products. The product line now includes five flavors that can be found in several specialty stores and Whole Foods Markets throughout Florida, and more flavors are in the development stages.
The company's mission statement is simple. Brimstone Originals® is fully committed to bringing only the best products to its customers with a satisfaction guarantee. With Eileen, Julie, and family at the helm, you can rest assured they mean what they say.
The first year was a whirlwind of cooking frenzies at a commercial kitchen that the family leased. When the fumes from the habanera peppers became more than they could take and the painters' masks just weren't doing the trick, they found a local packer to take over the production. Inventory was stored in Eileen's home until a call came one day for a large order to be shipped to Germany. Since a forklift wouldn't fit into Eileen's guestroom where the cases of jellies were stored, it was time for a fulfillment/distribution warehouse. In the meantime, a website was developed from which customers can order products. And instead of craft fairs, the Brimstone Originals® team exhibits at gourmet, specialty food, and gift trade shows. In the midst of all that, Eileen did six shows on HSN, Julie had another baby boy, and the team developed more jelly flavors.
Brimstone Originals® is now a women-owned business with Eileen as President and Julie as Vice President. Younger daughter and sister, Amy, a contract paralegal, keeps up with the trademarks. Rick, the pepper head, jumps in wherever and whenever needed to work shows and taste-test new products. The product line now includes five flavors that can be found in several specialty stores and Whole Foods Markets throughout Florida, and more flavors are in the development stages.
The company's mission statement is simple. Brimstone Originals® is fully committed to bringing only the best products to its customers with a satisfaction guarantee. With Eileen, Julie, and family at the helm, you can rest assured they mean what they say.
THAT'S OUR STORY AND WE'RE STICKING TO IT!