Confidence in a bottle: The story behind Sauce Boss Gang
Find out how Nicole DiTommaso is bringing the heat to the hot sauce industry. Presented by Chase for Business.
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When Nicole DiTommaso reached into her purse at a women’s luncheon and pulled out a mini bottle of her own brand of hot sauce, she thought she was just saving a bland meal. What she didn’t realize was that she was also igniting a conversation that would elevate and hone her growing business.
Sauce Boss Gang had been gaining momentum since its launch in 2019, powered by Nicole’s bold vision and drive. But that one fiery moment at the lunch table opened a door to the Chase for Business Coaching for Impact℠ program — an opportunity that would help her refine her strategy and take her success to the next level.
For Nicole, hot sauce has always been more than just a condiment. It's a daily reminder that confidence is your most powerful ingredient. Leaving a high-powered executive role in operations wasn’t an easy decision, but Nicole felt a deeper calling to inspire people in a meaningful way.
“I wanted to wake up every day feeling excited about what I was doing,” she recalls. Determined to turn that excitement into action, she envisioned a life where her work reflected her passion to inspire others and made a tangible difference. Drawing inspiration from her Italian and Mexican heritage, she found her answer in hot sauce — not as a product, but as a platform for empowerment.
“I wanted people to see my hot sauce on the table and feel reminded that confidence can take them to extraordinary places,” Nicole says. Thanks to years of persistence, creativity and key collaborations like Chase’s Coaching for Impact program, Sauce Boss Gang has been delivering on that vision ever since.
Facing the heat: Building a business in a pandemic
Launching a new business is daunting enough, but doing it three months before the onset of COVID-19 brought challenges Nicole couldn’t have anticipated. Supply chain disruptions — particularly shortages of glass bottles and key ingredients — repeatedly threatened her business.
“There were moments when I truly thought, ‘Am I going to be in business tomorrow?’” Nicole recalls. Despite the uncertainty, she leaned into creativity and persistence.
When glass bottles ran out, Nicole researched alternative suppliers and redesigned her packaging. “If we didn’t find a solution, everything we worked for could have disappeared overnight,” she says. These pivots not only kept Sauce Boss Gang afloat but also introduced customers to fresh, innovative takes on her sauces.
While Nicole’s challenges tested her resilience, they also shaped her perspective. “I’ve learned to embrace the gray area,” she explains. “Opportunities don’t always come in neat packages. You have to stay open and adaptable.”
When retailers were hesitant to onboard new products during the pandemic, Nicole shifted to a collaborative model. Partnering with local restaurants, she co-created unique dining experiences featuring her hot sauce as a main ingredient in main dishes, desserts and cocktails. Sauce Boss Gang sold tickets for the events, splitting profits with the restaurants and strengthening community ties.
“Collaboration is the new competition,” she emphasizes. “There’s room at the table for everyone.”
The luncheon that sparked change
In a twist of fate, Nicole’s journey intersected with Chase at a women’s luncheon. During a disappointing meal, Nicole pulled out her mini hot sauce kit to spice things up.
“The woman next to me asked if she could try some,” Nicole recalls. “By the end of lunch, everyone at the table was using my sauce.”
That woman happened to work for Chase and was so impressed with Nicole’s story that she connected her to the Coaching for Impact program.
“It was a completely organic interaction,” Nicole says with a laugh. “We bonded over hot sauce and bland food!”
Sauce Boss Gang brought the spice — her consultant added the kick
As Sauce Boss Gang grew, Nicole faced mounting challenges, from scaling operations to navigating the complexities of manufacturing. Initially, her production was based in Miami, but logistical difficulties and higher expenses made it clear that she needed to make some changes.
Nicole turned to the Coaching for Impact program for guidance. Over six months, her one-on-one consultant, Christina, helped her focus on key areas, including securing supplier diversity certifications and streamlining manufacturing.
“Christina has introduced me to different colleagues within and outside of Chase that have presented large business opportunities,” Nicole says. “Just to give an example, we’re now an approved Aramark vendor, so our sauce is on a few of the Chase campuses.”
“We’ve had a lot of deep discussions on manufacturing, since that was such a strong pain point for me,” she adds.
Together, they worked on a plan to move production to Nicole’s hometown of Columbus, Ohio — a decision that reduced costs, improved lead times and strengthened her connection to the local community.
“This shift wasn’t easy, but it was one of the best decisions for the business,” Nicole explains. “It allowed me to keep our dollars within the community while giving us more control over production.”
Art with purpose: Storytelling through design and flavor
Every Sauce Boss Gang product is more than a bold flavor— it’s a work of art with a story meant to empower. Nicole collaborates with local artists to design each label, ensuring that every bottle reflects the essence of the sauce inside.
“These designs are deeply personal,” she explains. “I work with artists to create visuals that reflect the emotions I was overcoming at the time of creation. Each label is a testament to the power of connection.”
For Nicole, this collaboration is about so much more than aesthetics. “It’s about creating something meaningful together,” she says.
This focus on storytelling extends beyond the labels to the sauces themselves. Each flavor represents a chapter in Nicole’s emotional journey of embracing confidence in the face of doubt, from the explosive beginnings of her first creation, Granada, to the celebratory spirit of her latest, Liquid Gold.
“Granada is about diving into the unknown with explosive power,” Nicole shares. “Liquid Gold represents prosperity and the joy of sharing your success with others.”
This unique approach sets Sauce Boss Gang apart. “It’s not just about the sauce,” Nicole says. “It’s about inspiring people to believe in themselves and the true power of persistence.”
Looking ahead with intention — and support
As Sauce Boss Gang approaches its sixth year, Nicole is focused on thoughtful growth. Her vision for the future includes national expansion, but she’s clear that success is about strategy, not speed.
“I’m not rushing to be everywhere,” Nicole says. “I want to be in the right places, with the right partners.”
To meet growing demand, Nicole is investing in a new fulfillment center and exploring innovative product development that align with her brand’s ethos of empowerment and creativity. At the heart of these plans is her commitment to blending bold flavors with bold purpose, ensuring every step forward stays true to the mission that started it all.
Nicole credits part of this momentum to her relationship with Chase. From one-on-one consulting on manufacturing practices, businesses opportunities and more through Coaching for Impact to practical financial tools like the business banking credit card, Chase has provided the resources to fuel her ambitious goals. “Chase has consistently elevated my business,” she says. “They’ve opened doors I didn’t even know existed.”
Her advice for aspiring entrepreneurs? “There’s no perfect time to start. Just take the first step. With the right mindset and the right support, you can achieve anything.”
