Today we’d like to introduce you to Christine Nelson.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I learned how to can and make homemade salsa from a book about 25 years ago. I experimented with different spices, peppers, and came up with my own recipes. My family and friends loved my Spicy Taco salsa. I started selling several different homemade salsas at the Melting Pot Market in downtown Granite City in 2017, and from there I had a pretty big following.
Since I work full time at GCS Credit Union, going on 32 years now, it became difficult for me to keep up with the demand and find the time to cook. Family and friends encouraged me to look into having my salsa commercially made, so I could sell in grocery stores. So at the age of 50, I found a coprocessor and submitted my family-favorite salsa recipe Spicy Taco.
I went through all the steps of getting a business license, labels made with Nutrition Facts and ingredients, bar codes, and eventually a distributor. I wanted to encourage young girls and women of all ages that they can pursue their dreams and passions at any age.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I started out with the name Salsa Queen Salsa and had to change everything since there was already a Salsa Queen in another state. Nothing legal happened, although it was a challenge to change our brand and logo to Christine’s. After changing to Christine’s, we upgraded our branding once again for a professional look that I love!
My husband was doing the deliveries when we first started. We grew very quickly and had to find a distributor. My salsa is now available in 150 stores, including 75 Schnucks locations across Illinois and Missouri. My salsa is made in St Louis, and we are from Edwardsville Illinois. I wasn’t able to do samples at grocery stores during Covid, so I have been doing local events to help get my products out there.
I entered my first salsa contest at the ZestFest 2021 in Irving Texas. My Hot Taco won 1st place for Hot salsa, and my Spicy Taco won 3rd place for Medium salsa for Consumer Ready salsa! It was my first and only salsa contest and is one of the biggest in the country! Check out ZestFest.net and you’ll see a list of all winners. I am so proud of this!
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I have been at GCS Credit Union for 31 years. I started as a teller and now work in the Mortgage Department. I like to be organized. I am known for my baking, especially my pumpkin bread for many years. I use the recipe from my foods class in high school. I love to be active and walk alot, either on my treadmill in the mornings, or nature walks with my dog. I am proud to be married to my husband Wayne for 25 years, and of our three children that have become amazing adults, along with our 4 awesome grandsons!
I am proud of myself for keeping focused and not giving up when it all gets overwhelming. You have to keep going, have goals, and strive to do your best every day! Since I started my business in January 2019 with my first salsa flavor Spicy Taco, I now have a total of four salsa flavors including Mild Taco, Spicy Taco, Hot Taco, and Red Bell. I also recently have my own line of spices including Taco Seasoning, Chili Powder, and an all-purpose seasoning Red Bell Spice Blend that’s a dry version of my salsa.
Next month, I will have the Spicy Taco Spice Blend and the Hot Taco Spice Blend too! Coming soon I will have a Spicy Taco Instant Salsa Mix, which will be my 10th product in 3 years!
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
I loved playing store and would use canned goods and set up my own grocery store. I always liked to bake and cook. I was a good student and was in a few spelling bees. My parents divorced when I was 6 years old, so my brother and I learned how to take care of ourselves and did our own laundry, and cooked meals while our mother was working multiple jobs. I have always worked hard for everything I own.
Contact Info:
- Email: Christine@salsaqueensalsa.com
- Website: ChristinesSalsa.com
- Instagram: @Christinessalsa
- Facebook: Christine’s Salsa
