We were lucky to catch up with Ames Russell recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Ames, appreciate you sitting with us today to share your wisdom with our readers. So, let’s start with resilience – where do you get your resilience from?
My mother Jeanette is the most creative, inventive person I have known. By example, she also instilled in me a never-give-up, don’t-ever-give up instinct. This has enabled me to face and overcome obstacles and succeed!
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I grew up loving honey on fried chicken. As time went on, I enjoyed spicier foods and started adding hot sauce and peppers to my honey, on my fried chicken. At a moment, I thought, why not simply make a spicy honey. Starting with one product, we now sell 6 products, in multiple formats, to 3K+ locations in 45+ states, to retail and food service.
Our brand family line products are locally and nationally acclaimed. We’re a Richmond Magazine “Elby Award” winner for the “Best Local Product – the product the rest of the nation should know about”. Virginia Living Magazine awarded our world’s first-ever Bourbon Barrel Aged Hot Southern Honey with a “Made in Virginia – Best Food Award”. Our signature premium hot honeys are one-of-a-kind, made with real honey and peppers, and contain no vinegar, syrupy additives, or extracts.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
1.. IT’S ALL ABOUT SELLING. Do you have to selling skills, or are you willing to learn them, to sell your dream?
2. Are you willing to sacrifice money, time and personal time to succeed?
3. Resilience, optimism, passion.
What do you do when you feel overwhelmed? Any advice or strategies?
I was blessed at 56 years old to find my passion. As such, it was passion with a purpose and path. When I was confronted with an obstacle, I looked at it as an opportunity and looked for the way forward. When I have felt overwhelmed, I have intentionally slowed my pace to take care of what is directly in front of me, all the while knowing I am simply following the path. Never give up, never quit…
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.hotsouthernhoney.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arshotsouthernhoney/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ARshotsouthernhoney/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amesjrussell/
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