Today we’d like to introduce you to Brittney Fernandez.
Hi Brittney, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for sharing your story with us – to start, maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers.
I’ve had a deep passion for cooking and baking at home for years. Throughout this time, I’ve dabbled with various spice combinations to add a zest to our family dinners. Receiving a flurry of positive comments on the dishes I made using my unique seasonings and inquiries about the specific blends I crafted for meats and veggies, I felt motivated to perfect my spice recipes and introduce them to the market. Initially, I introduced 4 seasoning mixes inspired by my kitchen adventures. With my branding, I aimed to convey that Big Batch Energy’s blends cater to discerning home cooks. The branding carried subtle hints of the “Sonoran desert” palette, paying homage to our Tucson roots. To my surprise, the early sales offline and through social platforms exceeded my expectations, including repeat customers for various blends.
Additionally, I was often approached with requests for new seasonings like BBQ, Cajun, and Curry. With time, I ventured into devising new seasoning mixtures and broadened our offerings. In October 2023, Big Batch Energy proudly boasts 13 different spice blends, available both online and in local retail stores and my bimonthly local farmers’ market booth. One of my bestselling blends is my Prickly Pear Mole with locally sourced prickly pear powder – it captures the essence of Tucson cuisine and culture within a single spice blend.
Alright, let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what challenges have you had to overcome?
My most formidable hurdles are my uncertainties. It wasn’t until a few months had passed that I truly grasped the genuine demand for my product. Once I embraced the value of what I brought to the table, the subsequent obstacle was marking my presence in local markets and convincing potential buyers unfamiliar with me or my online persona. Since I am an introvert, I found it crucial to muster more confidence in direct interactions with customers, a departure from my comfort zone of backend operations and packaging in my previous job.
Let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Big Batch Energy is more than just another spice vendor selling standard seasonings. I aim to offer specialty blends and flavors that differ from standard store-bought mixes, practical packaging for ease of use, and, if you find me at my farmers’ market booth, a unique shopping and buying experience with how I set up my tent, sampling, and decorations.
What would you say has been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
The biggest lesson I have learned throughout my journey growing Big Batch Energy and delivering spices to my customers has been to focus on what is in front of me and remember to have fun with the process. Big Batch Energy expresses my creativity as much as it is a commodity business. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by my duties as a mom, wife, and business owner. Focusing on the next task, whether creating the next blend, fulfilling orders, or planning for the weekend market, has always kept me centered throughout the process.
Pricing:
- Mini Bags Cost $5 + shipping
- Prickly Pear Blends Cost $6+ shipping
- Refill Bags Cost $10+ shipping
- Jars Cost $12+ shipping
Contact Info:
- Website: https://bigbatchenergy.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bigbatchenergy/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bigbatchenergy
