Meet Alex Ortiz

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Alex Ortiz. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Alex, so happy to have you with us today and there is so much we want to ask you about. So many of us go through similar pain points throughout our journeys and so hearing about how others developed certain skills or qualities that we are struggling with can be helpful. Along those lines, we’d love to hear from you about how you developed your ability to take risk?

Over the past few years, I’ve developed a strong ability to take calculated risks in the pickle business, and it didn’t happen overnight. It came from constantly pushing myself, trusting my instincts, and learning by doing. When I started Three Dogs Pickles, I didn’t have a manual or a roadmap — I built everything from scratch, and every step required some level of risk. Every new market I signed up for, every new flavor I experimented with, every branding decision I made was a chance to grow or fall flat. Over time, taking those chances became part of how I operate.

A major turning point was when I moved from Colorado to Florida. Uprooting my life and restarting my business in a completely new environment forced me to think bigger and get comfortable with uncertainty. After making a move like that, the everyday risks inside the pickle world — picking new events, investing in equipment, trying bold recipes, or expanding into new locations — felt small by comparison. That move taught me that betting on myself is usually the best option.

Working farmers markets almost every weekend also shaped how I approach risk. Markets are unpredictable: some days you sell out, some days you barely make fees. But being in that environment taught me to adapt quickly, pay attention to what customers respond to, and trust my ability to pivot when needed. Those real-time lessons strengthened my intuition and helped me take smarter risks later on.

I’ve also always leaned into creativity rather than playing it safe. A lot of vendors stick with the basics, but I decided early on that I wanted my brand to stand out. That meant taking risks on flavors like spicy garlic, pickled pineapple, pickled beets, and whatever wild ideas hit me for my Pickle of the Month. Not every experiment became a bestseller, but the ones that did helped define Three Dogs Pickles — and proved that bold moves can pay off.

Along the way, I put real money on the line, too. Vendor fees, equipment, labels, jars, gas, travel, storage, branding — it all required up-front investment. And even though that can be stressful, each successful return made me more confident in making the next investment. I learned to look at the long game instead of getting hung up on short-term fear.

And honestly, the setbacks helped just as much as the wins. Batches went wrong, markets flopped, events got rained out, flavors didn’t hit — but each “failure” taught me something valuable. I learned how to evaluate risks better, how to prepare smarter, and how to trust myself more each time.

Today, my ability to take risks comes from that whole journey — from jumping states to betting on myself at every turn, from listening to customers to turning creativity into a business foundation. I’ve learned that the pickle world rewards people who are willing to try something new, and that mindset has become one of the biggest strengths I bring to my business and to myself as an entrepreneur.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

I run Three Dogs Pickles, a small-batch artisan pickle company that’s become my full-time passion and creative outlet. What started as a personal hobby turned into a business that has taken me across states, through hundreds of markets, and into the hands of thousands of customers. I handcraft every jar myself — from classic dill to spicy garlic, pickled pineapple, beets, jalapeños, and a constantly rotating lineup of seasonal and experimental flavors. I always say we’re not just in the pickle business; we’re in the “make people smile at a farmers market” business.

What excites me most is the connection. Pickles are simple, but they create instant reactions. People try a sample and light up, or they start laughing, or they tell me stories about their grandma’s recipe. The energy of being behind the table, hearing those reactions, and knowing I made something that genuinely made someone’s day — that’s the magic for me. I also love how creative the brand has become. Between the bold flavors, the storytelling, the labels, the jokes, and even the involvement of my dogs, there’s so much personality in every jar.

Three Dogs Pickles is also deeply personal. Scarlett, one of the original “three dogs,” passed away last year, and keeping her memory alive through the brand means a lot to me. Biggie is still a huge part of the story, and the brand as a whole reflects my life — from my move from Colorado to Florida to the risks and reinventions along the way. I think people feel that authenticity when they meet me or try the product.

Right now, we’re growing fast. We’re working more major markets and events across Tampa Bay, expanding our pickle lineup, and building new ways for people to experience the brand. We recently introduced new flavors and specialty drops, and we’re getting ready for more collaborations, bigger festival appearances, and seasonal launches. Every month feels like a new chapter for us.

At the end of the day, I just want people to know that Three Dogs Pickles is built on passion, creativity, and a whole lot of hustle. I’m constantly experimenting, constantly pushing the brand forward, and always trying to make something memorable for the community that supports us. Whether you’ve been with us since Colorado or just grabbed your first jar in Tampa, I’m grateful — and I hope you stick around, because we’ve got plenty of exciting things coming.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

When I look back at everything I’ve built with Three Dogs Pickles, three qualities stand out as the most impactful in my journey: adaptability, genuine connection, and creative fearlessness. These three things shaped the business more than any recipe or strategy ever could.
1. Adaptability
Running a small food business — especially in the market scene — forces you to adapt constantly. Weather changes, foot traffic changes, product trends change, and sometimes whole events fall apart overnight. Moving from Colorado to Florida was the biggest example of this: I had to rebuild everything from the ground up, relearn my customer base, and figure out a completely new market ecosystem.
My advice for anyone early in their journey is simple: get comfortable being uncomfortable. Don’t wait for perfect conditions, because they never show up. Take action, adjust fast, and treat every setback as data, not failure. Adaptability is a muscle; the more you use it, the stronger it gets.
2. Genuine Connection
The biggest misconception in small business is thinking you’re only selling a product. You’re selling an experience, a story, and a relationship. People buy my pickles because they taste good — sure — but they come back because they feel connected to the brand, to the dogs, to me, to the vibe we create at markets.
If you’re starting out, focus on human connection more than perfection. Talk to your customers. Let them sample your work. Listen to what they love. Let your personality show. The more real you are, the more your brand becomes something people want to support.
3. Creative Fearlessness
I built my brand by leaning into bold ideas: spicy garlic that punches you in the mouth, bright labels, weird seasonal drops, pickled pineapple, pickle deodorant, you name it. Creativity gave me a lane of my own — something people remember. A lot of entrepreneurs hold themselves back because they’re scared of being different or “too much.”
My advice: try everything. Experiment constantly. Be weird. Be loud. Be original. Not every idea will land — some flavors will flop, some designs won’t hit — but the ones that do will shape your entire identity. Creativity is how you stand out in a crowded world.

If I had to sum it up, here’s the core advice:
Stay flexible, stay connected, and stay bold. Everything else can be learned along the way. The journey gets easier once you stop trying to be perfect and start trying to be authentically you.

Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?

I’m always open to partnering and collaborating with people who bring good energy, creativity, and a passion for building cool things. Three Dogs Pickles has grown because of community, and collaborations are one of my favorite ways to keep the brand evolving.

I’m especially interested in partnering with:

• Local food creators, chefs, and restaurants
Anyone who wants to incorporate bold pickle flavors into dishes, specials, pop-ups, or menu collaborations. I love seeing my products used in ways I never would’ve imagined.

• Breweries, farms, markets, and event organizers
If you’re hosting an event or need a fun, high-energy vendor who draws a crowd and keeps people talking, I’m your guy. Our setup brings personality, samples, and an experience — not just a table of jars.

• Artists, designers, and content creators
From label design to merch to social media crossovers, I’m always down to bring more creativity into the brand. Weird ideas, bold ideas, fun ideas — I’m in.

• Small businesses and makers
Whether it’s co-branded products, bundle boxes, or seasonal themed drops, I love when small brands lift each other up. Tampa’s maker scene has so much talent.

What matters most to me is working with people who are authentic, enthusiastic, and willing to try something new. I’m not looking for “corporate perfect” — I’m looking for folks who want to build something memorable.

If you’re reading this and want to collaborate, the door is open.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://ThreeDogsPickles.com
• Instagram: @ThreeDogsPickles_
• Facebook: https://Facebook.com/ThreeDogsPickles

Image Credits

All Taken By me!