Life, Values & Legacy: Our Chat with Nicole DiTommaso of Columbus, Ohio

We’re looking forward to introducing you to Nicole DiTommaso. Check out our conversation below.

Nicole, a huge thanks to you for investing the time to share your wisdom with those who are seeking it. We think it’s so important for us to share stories with our neighbors, friends and community because knowledge multiples when we share with each other. Let’s jump in: What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
Something that’s been bringing me joy outside of work lately is diving into the stories of the Mount Everest summit. I’m fascinated by what the human body and mind can truly endure. The idea of standing at the top of the world after pushing past every limit physically and mentally, that sense of accomplishment fires me up. It reminds me that no challenge is too big and it supercharges my own ambition to keep climbing in life, in business, and in personal growth.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Nicole DiTommaso, founder of Sauce Boss Gang, a designer hot sauce brand with purpose. For me, hot sauce isn’t just about heat—it’s about confidence, storytelling, and connection. Every flavor in our collection represents a chapter of my personal journey, from overcoming fear to stepping into true self-belief. The artwork, the names, even the boldness of each sauce—together they tell the story of my evolution. Line them all up, and you’re not just looking at hot sauce, you’re able to read the book of my life, the back of each bottle reads a chapter I wrote.

Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What breaks the bonds between people—and what restores them?
Respect. It’s the thread that can either hold people together or unravel a relationship completely. When respect is present, even differences don’t threaten the connection. We don’t have to agree or even share common ground, but we should honor each person as an individual on their own journey, one we may know nothing about. The moment respect is lost, the bond breaks. The moment it’s restored, the bond has a chance to heal.

What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Suffering taught me resilience and reinvention. You never truly know your power until you’ve walked through pain or setbacks. Success feels good, but it doesn’t demand change, suffering does. It forces you to strip away the old version of yourself and build a new one, one that isn’t fueled by fear but by strength and initiative. I’ve learned that change, both internal and external is not only necessary, it’s a gift. Every setback is really an invitation to grow into the person you believe you can be.

So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. Is the public version of you the real you?
Foundationally, yes the public me is rooted in who I really am. I strive to inspire others by sharing the good, the bad, and the ugly. I lead with raw honesty whether I’m in a public or private space. The part most people don’t see is that I’m actually an introvert. Speaking from the heart comes naturally, but putting myself on display takes energy, t’s not my natural default. So while the message is always authentically me, the delivery requires me to stretch beyond my comfort zone.

Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. What do you think people will most misunderstand about your legacy?
I think most people will misunderstand the spiritual and emotional growth behind it. They’ll see the strong, confident leader but I wasn’t born that way. My legacy isn’t just about strength, it’s about the journey it took to get here. I had to expand, stumble, and learn to be equally comfortable with failure and success. That growth is what I hope people come to truly understand, because it is the heartbeat of my legacy.

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