We had the good fortune of connecting with Alise Ralston and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Alise, maybe we can start at the very start – the idea – how did you come up with the idea for your business?
From a recipe I found in a cookbook my grandma had after she passed away.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
It has not been easy, but it has been fun. I am still super small and learning ways to grow and expand. Also still learning where I would best fit in a commercial space. I want the world to know that I make up the mixes to offer a delicious spice blend that is low in salt or has no salt. You can make good food without a lot of salt. Most recently I was awarded 2nd place in ZestFest’s spicy food challenge fowl category for my Hot AF! and Whole30 approved.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I would take my friends to downtown Fort Worth. The Amon Carter Museum of Art (fun side note I got married there), the Kimball, and the Modern. The stockyards only by request. Depending on time of year, a Rangers or Stars game. If there is a good vendor market or street fair going on like Arts Goggle or Main Street enjoy time, there. I would check on all the concerts to see if anyone good was playing and take them there depending on the venue. Food and drink-that is a tough category. I am gluten free so I know a lot of good spots both locally owned and chain so it would depend on what they would want to eat/drink. I am also part of the Fort Worth Foodies group on Facebook and there are a ton of recommendations on the page.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My husband deserves a lot of credit. From tent maintenance, to engineering setup on windy days, to being a Dallas delivery driver, to also being the first to encourage me to do the spice mixes. All my vendor friends that I have met along the way. All my customers. Anyone willing to help with a free write up like the CPG and you. Family and friends for helping and supporting. To the GoTexan program for having a program that small sellers like me can be a part of and gain wisdom. But above all, is the magic that gets created every time I mix some up.

Website: https://vespas-7-spice-mix.square.site/

Instagram: @vespas7spicemixes

Facebook: @vespas7spicemixes

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutDFW is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.