Ryan Lindemer shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Good morning Ryan, we’re so happy to have you here with us and we’d love to explore your story and how you think about life and legacy and so much more. So let’s start with a question we often ask: What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
Something outside of work that is bringing me joy lately is coaching my kids with my Wife. While it’s certainly a big time commitment, I truly value the opportunity to be involved in their lives in this way. Coaching allows me to connect with them on a deeper level, share important life lessons, and be present during moments that they’ll remember for years to come. I’m very aware that they won’t be this age forever, so I’m grateful for this season of life where I can support them, cheer them on, and simply spend quality time together doing something we all enjoy. It’s both meaningful and fun, and it brings a real sense of balance and fulfillment to my life outside of work.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
We’re a small, passionate business specializing in handcrafted sauces and seasonings designed to elevate everyday cooking. Our products are made with the home cook in mind—easy to use, yet refined enough to inspire culinary creativity at any level.
We pride ourselves on using locally sourced ingredients whenever possible, not only to deliver bold, fresh flavors, but also to support our local farmers and communities.
Our current lineup includes six unique sauces—Original, Carolina Mustard, Chipotle, Hot Vinegar, Blueberry, and Sweet Apple—alongside two versatile seasonings: our signature Dry Rub and bold Steak Seasoning.
Whether you’re grilling, roasting, or experimenting in the kitchen, our products bring a balance of simplicity and sophistication to every dish.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. Who taught you the most about work?
The people who taught me the most about work are definitely my parents. I grew up in a household where hard work wasn’t just talked about—it was lived out daily. My dad worked full-time, and often took on multiple jobs to support our family, showing me the value of persistence and dedication. My mom stayed home with us when we were young, but once we were old enough, she also went out and worked outside the home—all while still managing to take care of us and keep everything running smoothly.
Seeing both of them give so much of themselves—each in different but equally important ways—taught me that hard work isn’t just about putting in long hours. It’s about commitment, responsibility, and doing what needs to be done for the people you care about. Those lessons stuck with me, and I try to carry that same mindset into my own work and life today. I hope that my kids are picking up on those values as well, just like I did from my parents.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
There have definitely been times I’ve felt like giving up—sometimes it feels like that moment comes weekly. Running a small business in today’s economy is no easy task. With so many people facing financial uncertainty, it inevitably affects those of us trying to keep smaller operations afloat. The challenges are constant—whether it’s fluctuating revenue, increasing costs, or simply trying to make sure everything gets done on time.
The stress can pile up quickly. Some days, it feels like I need to be in three places at once, managing deadlines, supporting my team, and still trying to maintain some sense of balance with my personal life. It’s exhausting, and there have been moments when walking away felt tempting.
But what keeps me going is the support system I have around me. Whether it’s my family or friends who step in with encouragement or practical help, that support makes all the difference. I’ve learned that it’s okay to lean on others and take things one day at a time. Even when it’s tough—and it often is—I remind myself why I started, and who I’m doing it for. That’s what helps me push through.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What’s a belief you used to hold tightly but now think was naive or wrong?
Trying to appease everyone.
When I first started, I felt this deep pressure to do everything perfectly—make everything from scratch, source absolutely everything locally, and meet every expectation people had of a “perfect” small business. I believed that if I worked hard enough and stayed committed, I could do it all. In some ways, that belief was rooted in pride, but also in a sincere desire to do things the right way.
Then reality set in. It became almost impossible to sustain—especially during and after Covid, when supply chains were fragile, staffing was unpredictable, and costs skyrocketed. I realized that trying to appease everyone meant burning out, compromising the bigger picture, and sometimes even risking the business itself.
Do I still support local? Absolutely. I love working with local farmers and friends, and I always will. But I’ve also learned that I don’t need to make ketchup or mustard from scratch to run a high-quality operation. Some products are best left to those who specialize in them, and that’s okay. What matters is that we still hold ourselves to high standards—we use all-natural ingredients in our sauces and seasonings, and we never cut corners on quality.
This shift in mindset wasn’t about lowering the bar—it was about being more strategic, sustainable, and honest with myself and my customers. I’ve learned that you can’t please everyone, and trying to will only distract you from your true mission.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. When do you feel most at peace?
Honestly, peace finds me when I’m in the kitchen, hands deep in the process of creating. There’s something incredibly grounding about working with my hands—measuring, mixing, tasting. It’s in those quiet, focused moments that everything else seems to fade away. The noise of the outside world disappears, and it’s just me and the ingredients.
I find real joy in crafting products that others will bring into their homes and lives. Knowing that something I’ve made from scratch will end up on someone’s dinner table or shared at a gathering gives me a sense of purpose and connection. It’s a feeling that’s hard to describe, but incredibly fulfilling.
What really keeps me engaged, though, is experimenting with new flavors—especially when I’m developing a new sauce or spice blend. That creative chase, trying to hit that exact note I’m imagining, can pull me in for hours. Sometimes the flavor comes together quickly, and sometimes it takes a lot of trial and error. But even when it’s elusive, I love the process. That pursuit becomes a form of meditation. It challenges me, centers me, and inspires me all at once.
In those moments—when I’m fully immersed, focused, and creating—that’s when I feel most at peace.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.thegreateightsauce.com
- Instagram: @thegreateightllc
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-lindemer-50343847/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thegreateightllc/
Image Credits
n/a, all mine
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
