Robin Hildebrand - Ansted, WV
Robin Hildebrand first developed her salsa recipe in the 1980's. She used finely chopped vegetables from her backyard's garden. Her family and friends encouraged her to start a business, to which she agreed, seeing an opportunity to spend more time at home with her children. In 1993, she started her business in the first ever commercial kitchen that West Virginia approved in a residential basement. After one year, she was able to leave her full time job and devote all of her time to her children and her growing business.
Now located in its third location on the Main Street in Ansted, West Virginia, Blue Smoke Salsa has grown from 40 jars a day to 2000 jars a day. It is still very much a family business and Robin is still actively involved with every aspect of it. Her employees are allowed to bring their children to work if necessary and she has been known to close up shop if there is a snow day. She believes that happy people excel in their work and this is evidenced by the fact that her newest employee has been with the company for 6 years.
Shopkeeper Terry began selling Blue Smoke Salsa at Bradford Mercantile after trying some of Robin's salsa. Normally she does not like salsa, but the flavorful mild convinced her that there was salsa out there that was not too spicy and just right! (There are of course other flavors as well that are all worth trying.)
Bring Blue Smoke Salsa to your next cook out and your guests will be impressed. Not only is it great salsa, it supports a small American business.
