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

Hi Jan, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
We didn’t really have a thought process, just a problem to solve- TOO MANY PEPPERS in a home garden, so I guess it was a complete accident. We started making our salts in the kitchen, giving it to friends and family. It was their validation and praise that led us to the next step, and then the next and then the next- It just kind of snowballed.  Like the name-  my brother-in-law definitely wanted the name to be Behrnes, his last name.  Pronounced correctly is a dumb name for a pepper salt- but pronounced Burns- makes complete sense-  I just said it wrong one day in front of him…Burns…. cuz its hot! and it stuck for me =-) I know that some people have a plan and work the plan – and although I have a plan- to make a great product and sell it – I still adjust my plan to the moment and the validation of my customers which is why I have 6 pepper blends to try and meet everyone’s tastes.

The base for all of my salt blends is salt, garlic, turmeric, thyme, oregano, cumin and peppers to give it heat and flavor. Chipotle for a smoky hot, Jalapeño for a fresh hot, Cayenne peppers for a hot hot, or Habanero for a fiery hot and now a Carolina Reaper blend for a 300X hot.  Good on everything from eggs to popcorn.  Replace salt and pepper on your table with smokey, fresh, hot or fiery goodness that enhance flavor, blend cultures, and add something extra to any food. My vision is to help people enjoy the burn and ensuing rush of bliss with Behrnes’ Pepper Salts!

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
My day job is at SMU’s Cox School of Business where I have been the assistant to a dean for the past 15 years. I got a big break because of a guest speaker we had for an MBA coffee- the COO of HEB who came to talk up the grocery industry saying that grocery was looking for the best 4 feet of mustard, ketsup, cereal, bread….I went up to him after his talk, gave him a pack of the Chipotle, Jalapeno and Cayenne and told him that I needed to be in that 4 feet! I have been in all Central Markets since them and now they carry all 6 blends. The rest of my story is HARD work and consistency. Almost every Saturday since 2013 I have been at the Saint Michael’s Farmers Market selling salts and making friends. This time gave me the opportunity to practice my elevator pitch as they say in the industry, have a great customer base and when times were slow have undedicated time to think about opportunities, talk to other vendors and plan. I have a great product that might not be for everyone….. but I sure have tried to make sure that it could be

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Since I have a day job and small business I don’t have much time to hang out but I take visitors to GAP CO for pizza and love the Truck Yard in lowest greenville. I have 3 dogs so I spend any free time I have on one of the wonderful trails that have been developed in the last 10 years- the wilder the better!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My co -packer, Clint Haggerty, general manager of Pendery’s World of Chiles and Spices has probably done more to ensure our success by supporting our process of small batch, glass jars hand packed and packaged bottles. He has helped me R&D with new ideas- no order was too small or deadline to short for them to do their beautiful best. Pendery’s Inc. is the Oldest Family Owned & Operated Business in the State of Texas and I love that they have that distinction!.  

Website: https://behrnes.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/behrnespeppersalts/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/behrnespepsalts
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BehrnesPepperSalts

Image Credits
April Barns https://www.aprilbarnesphotography.com/ HEB Quest for texas best and Dani Staffaroni

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