Life & Work with Nikki Ortega

Today we’d like to introduce you to Nikki Ortega.

Hi Nikki, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
So I love Mexican candy and a family friend introduced me to a new twist on Sour Patch watermelon slices. I instantly loved them but the person she ordered from was always sold out and I wanted more of these delicious dulces. One of my sisters told me I should try and make some for us, so I watched a few YouTube videos and made some for myself and my family and my coworkers. Everyone loved it and wanted more so I started making small batches and taking them into work. I am a nurse and let me tell you nurses love quick treats like these that we can get a quick bite of sugar to keep going.

With the help of my family, friends word began to spread about my side hustle and my little business began to grow. I started with these small little bags that were $4 each and I only made three flavors. Our Sandia Mix or the OG as we call it which has three types of watermelon candy; watermelon rings, Sour Patch watermelon slices and watermelon chunks, I also made Gushers Picante and Gummy bears I would make ten bags of each per week and I would sell out quickly by taking them to work or letting my family know what I had. Each shift at work, I would get asked what I had on hand. I will be forever thankful to my coworkers and my family for helping me to start my business but also the love and support they still show me today.

I will say that working during the Pandemic at Thunderbird Hospital, Spicy Sassy Dulces became my escape and a way to bring joy to others in a time when not only was the world-changing but also we were facing so many changes to how we were nursing.

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
It has not always been a smooth road, there is a gummy shortage going on so it is becoming harder to find some of the dulces I use. Many of the manufacturers are always out of stock or I am limited with how many bags I can order. When I started going to the local farmer’s markets and other vendors shows, I was so nervous and wanted everyone to love my products but a vendor I look up to me told me that it was okay for people not to like or love my products, but I had to love what I do and continue to grow my business and the customers will continue to grow with me. There are tons of Dulce makers out there and I am blessed to call some of them my friends, we support one another and encourage each other, and yes there are others out there that talk bad about others, I choose to support each other, my product is my product and I am proud of Spicy Sassy Dulces.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I believe what sets my apart from others is that I enjoy making mixes with my dulces, I have always liked mixing flavors and types of candies into my mixes. For example, our OG Mix aka the Sandia Mix is unlike others in that I use three types of watermelon candy and then I cover them with watermelon chamoy as well as adding a watermelon seasoning into our spicy coating. I do the same with our Mango Madness, it is a variety of Mango candies that I mix together and then covers it in mango chamoy and I have a mango seasoning I add into our spicy coating. I try to differentiate my business by creating mixes that people will enjoy and keep coming back for more. Our secret menu item, the Kitchen Sink sells out each weekend, my regulars know about it and ask for it, I usually only have 5 or 6 bags a week and it always goes quickly!

If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
I am blessed to be the oldest of six kids, I come from a close family and I was blessed that my parents, especially my mom always encouraged me to enjoy what I was doing. I have always enjoyed working and earning my own money. As a kid, I sold candy bars at school to earn extra money, I would buy them when they were on sale for 5/$1.00 or $0.25 each and I would sell them for $0.50 each and I would use the money to buy clothes, shoes or to pay for school trips that my parents couldn’t afford. I did this from 7th grade until I graduated high school, I guess you could say I have always loved selling Dulces.

As far as personality, I would say I am determined to spread joy and see people happy, I love making people smile and laugh. Even as a nurse, I love to talk and joke with my patients, we see them when something is wrong, so why not be the joy they have for the day.

Pricing:

• Small bags $9.00
• Large Bags $ 13.00
• Part Trays $35 and up

Contact Info:

• Email: Nikki@spicysassydulces.com
• Website: www.spicysassydulces.com
• Instagram: spicysassydulces
• Facebook: Spicy Sassy Dulces
• Twitter: Spicy Sassy Dulces

Image Credits
Nikki Ortega
The picture of myself in the booth was taken by my sister, Candi Weihert