How I Built Mike's Hot Honey Into A $40 Million-A-Year Business

[@pauljones9150]

I love how excited he gets about the hot honey. It's the people who make businesses and America amazing.

[@daft5k658]

which books do you recommend? @mooreben3295

[@toledo6036]

imagine falling for this scam

[@inksplosiongames]

@@toledo6036 wait, so it wasn't three real people having a riveting random conversation?

[@SandStormXII]

I need two try the honey

[@blondeofthedead]

I first tried this in one of my Hello Fresh meals. It was drizzled on these lemon ricotta flatbreads with roasted Brussels sprouts. I was instantly hooked. I put it on everything now but definitely love it on a thin crust pepperoni pizza. Love Mike’s Hot Honey! ❤

[@DGOS2012]

Someone gifted my household a bottle for the holidays and we haven’t looked back. Honestly I had no clue it was originally made for pizza! We drizzle it on roasted chickpeas

[@chadbailey7038]

Tastes great on Vanilla Ice cream and candied pecans! That’s how Paulie Gee’s in BK also serves it, for desert!

[@co8539]

It’s is Incredible on pep pizza

[@obinneji]

@@chadbailey7038 HOW HAVE i NOT TRIED THIS??

[@GaryKing564]

Honestly, it is good on some fried chicken and fish2

[@yeah700]

@@chadbailey7038 On ice cream sounds so good, I never thought of that

[@krishydv]

Really impressive and inspiring story a decade worth of hard work and perfecting the recipe.

[@GratitudeGriot]

my first taste of Mike's Hot Honey was a squeeze packet included with my pizza delivery. I've been hooked ever since!! excellent business model and tasty product!!

[@bsp5689]

Same here 😉

[@pitchforkmechanic7797]

I just used Mike’s on dinner tonight. I smoked a pork shoulder, then added Mike’s and butter when I wrapped the shoulder in aluminum foil. Even my 6,5, and 2 year olds loved it.

[@bradybisgard]

That neon sign strategy is really smart and innovative. It’s so simple. As he says beers do it why can’t others.

[@donerecooper]

Absolutely loved this episode. I'll definitely just subscribed to the channel. It's super inspiring seeing someone believe in their product wholeheartedly before anyone else does. Having the will to push through adversity isn't for the weak but the Founder Mike did. Kudos mate!

[@Reylas]

The neon sign is a genius idea. Why are breweries the only one doing that. Good job 👏

[@andrewm6788]

cause only bars or bar style restaurants have the aesthetic for neon signs

[@roserose8283]

Mile ‘s Hot honey - good on waffles - tomato pasta sauce - oatmeal - peaches - mayo - other salad dressings - ham - sautéed veggies - cheese omelette with Brie . . .and still experimenting. Adding it doesn’t necessarily make anything sweet. Just a small amount often just rounds out, or mellows a flavor and adds a little kick. Just the right amount of heat for me.

[@davidperry4013]

Or if you want to enjoy hot tea with a spicy kick just add hot honey instead of regular honey.

[@keithcollins3284]

Love Mike and Matt! Gave me an opportunity to help them early on - so you guys killed it!

[@donaldchinn4515]

Are you an investor?

[@keithcollins3284]

@@donaldchinn4515 no - worked part time sales.

[@BradMyers-e8e]

I make orange chicken from scratch at home, and replaced the sugar with Mike's Extra Hot and was the most delicious version I've had. Thanks Mike.

[@TonyMarselle]

That sounds good. First application for this thatbhas gotten me excited.

[@EdwardIlyasov-so8wc]

Crazy story! I also decided to open my pickle business when hiking in a canyon (in peru). Glad to see things are going great! I’m sure we’ll meet soon mike!

[@tonpul321]

This dude is so chill

[@mariewitzke9689]

Made sirracha honey chicken stir fry recently with Mike’s hot honey.. the possibilities are truly endless!

[@AJ-xc4nm]

I hope that in the future hot honey is as much as a staple to have on the table at pizza places as red pepper flakes and parmesan.

[@SirD1]

Beautiful story. I will definitely be buying this. All the best Mike!

[@chawnski]

Saw this and immediately went to get hot honey & a pepperoni pizza. Life changed forever!

[@Chase_77]

Been put hot sauce and honey on my chicken since I was a kid he turned it into a business 🤦🏾‍♂️

[@berrex5152]

right? lol also if your pizza is only good with sauce on it, good luck to that business

[@WhenInDarknessSeekTheLight]

​@@berrex5152All Pizza has tomato sauce so your wrong af.

[@dankk_edibles]

​@@berrex5152honey isn't sauce 😂

[@xkancho]

​@@dankk_edibles it's a condiment

[@dankk_edibles]

@xdaisho but its not a sauce...sugar and salt are also condiments...would they be considered sauces? My point

[@michaeltudda5174]

can't lie I'm a huge fan. The bar I work part time at, we put it on a coconut gelato and its fire. We also drizzle it over summer peaches and burrata, absolute goat of a snack

[@peterryseck]

I love this type of stuff. Not some AI startup just to get money. This is a real business with a measurable impact

[@andrewleonardi3351]

i lived close to greenpoint for years around then and the hellboy was my fav pizza by a landslide (even with a 2+ hour wait.) I had absolutely no idea mikes hot started at paulie gee's!

[@mikeylikey710]

Interesting as you find it in the discount sections of walmarts

[@burton4snowboarding]

Just bought my first bottle tonight! Can’t wait to try it out!

[@dollarboy500]

How was it?

[@amado7760]

Congratulations on the success of your business, Happy for you :)

[@davidcattin7006]

Nice to hear your story! I've been a fan for several years and have turned on all my friends to it. Best regards from Indiana!

[@nl8345]

Ohhhh, a STRONG core product. Damn, I think he's got this thing figured out.

[@vrooooooooooooooooooom]

This guy is super impressive. Very inspirational.

[@RexPatricius]

I still remember the first time I saw Mike's hot honey in the store, never looked back. A must have in the pantry.

[@thepassionfruitdiariessuzi6978]

Brazilians make very different but incredible pizza, I’m sure another trip to Brazil will inspire him again

[@RalphBarbagallo]

That extra hot version is wild. Mike must have been guzzling milk while developing that one.

[@Designguidetv]

so nice to see well executed non-toxic marketing

[@cblueism]

The UTZ w/hot honey is amazing.

[@Jekkin]

4:17 is that...the Roku city, censored?

[@potatomatop9326]

$40 million pizza topping... Bro, that topping better turn me to a Superman.

[@crusade6918]

honey on pizza... why yes i will have hersheys on my steak.

[@victorschlatter3357]

They have a Pauline Gee’s in Columbus and the first time I had hot honey it rocked my world, great product

[@KA-eu9sy]

I love it. Bought it at Pizza Nova in Canada. Yummy!

[@mosestekper7659]

I love this. Been inspired

[@2choosewisely2]

where did you learn that? on television? what program?

[@lonahora]

Just made myself malawach with honey and checked KZbin while I eat and this video pops up...

[@petejuggling]

A few years ago it was trendy to “save the bees” and boycott honey. Now hot honey seems like all the rage.

[@Shadow-lq7rx]

i remeber

[@ChristopherJohnsonIsAwesome]

You know he's right. I'd just heard of it earlier this year when I started ordering pizza from Macy's in Buffalo, NY, and they had the big neon sign.

[@melissaandreag]

We met him back in 2017 at the Bryant Park Winter Village. Cool guy!

[@ComfyDadShoes]

We put Catalina on our pizza where I live. The sweet and savory combo works really well.

[@hello_world_104]

Hey ive gone thru 2 of these pretty good but i just got the danny trejo or whatever one and its hotter which is better tho ive not tried the extra hots mikes. Regular hot isnt that noticeble to me

[@gfbmusic]

Danny Trejo knows spice.

[@RedwihteGame]

Hot honey What an AMAZING idea and product! Dang it, this thing can be used in any freakin dish! From sweet pancakes to savory cocktails!!!!

[@professorbland]

what blows my mind is that people already have honey and hot sauce, but buy this instead. Marketing is the secret.

[@dankk_edibles]

Try infusing hot sauce and honey...tastes nothing like this brands honey

[@thefreakgamerp]

now im very intrested in how they make it or if they have outsourced it to others.

[@MINORTHINGS99]

Don't forget Omelets.. 😋

[@downey416Toronto]

great content love from Toronto

[@Antonin1738]

I've hot honey with chilis before Mike's hot honey, I was wondering why no one commercialized it. Some farmer markets have chili infused honey too, like decades ago

[@newthrash1221]

Yeah, it's definitely not new. He just had the foresight and money to introduce it to the market.

[@yellowman617]

ive been mixing honey and hot sauce for years but that's me, that show ive been doin it

[@ibanezrg7421]

Really didn’t love it on pizza, but I rarely deviate from a standard tavern style pie. It’s very good on so many other foods though! Cool business!

[@dannymartial7997]

I'm surprised that pizza is the main suggested usage, because I've enjoyed hot honey for years before Mike's became famous, and the application was always fried chicken, not pizza.

[@nonyadamnbusiness2301]

to be honest when i first found mikes hot honey i was so stoked about it and after i tasted it it just cemented it in my brain even more i wont eat pizza now without it

[@UndoingRuin08]

Brilliant, well done Mike.

[@EJonLam]

One of my favorite condiments!

[@nataneyalala8424]

I tasted hot honey on pizza… it is life changing 👌🏼 want to taste this particular hot honey though 🤩 branding is on point I must admit

[@SirD1]

Branding caught my eyes immediately.

[@Stakbundles18125]

Literally pleasantly surprised how good this condiment is! Especially on pizza. This weekend I used it on coconut shrimp mixed with mango chutney my goodness the seasoning was incredible!

[@EATnAU]

❤❤ Great story, great idea, great signage 🎉🎉 I guess it is a great product 😢😢 but not for sale here.

[@infini.tesimo]

Seems like a novelty item worthy picking up if I remember this at HEB.

[@otea-app]

Never heard of “condiment man” as a profession haha but love it!

[@pjbiggleswerth8903]

9:44 didn't the ppl in the pizzeria create that category? You're taking credit now?? Lol. I'm gonna create hot honey too now.

[@morten2808]

Sour cream with garlic taste is super popular in Scandinavia on pizza

[@TheCOOLEYDOG]

worth 40 million in equity valuation or generates 40 million gross income? either way, im adding honey to my shopping cart right now.

[@userbosco]

What a great story! Adding vinegar, genius!

[@tylermccourt5723]

Its SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO good. I put it on EVERYTHING!!! lol

[@Sitka_Blacktail_Hunter]

This on top of some Smoked baby back ribs is the BOMB . Never tried it on pizza though. I’m gonna give it a shot now.

[@LaurenOrion]

He truly needs to take this international, I always take it with me back to Europe and the need is growing!

[@devanman7920]

Its one of those things that once you try it, its such a obvious thing and you're kicking yourself you didn't think of it.

[@dubble.]

He mentions you should focus on a single thing and that's true. initially, you should focus on a single thing. But as time passes you should diversify to decrease risk. Like "Oh no, the honey producers are striking due to xyz issues" or "Honey producers are increasing prices too much" etc.

[@nigerianprince2620]

He reinvented sweet chilli sauce lmao

[@MrColeBeans]

CNBC make it really popped off in 2023, Olipop, Smart Sweets, Insomnia Cookies, Mike’s Hot 🔥 it is incredible how I have tried so many of these products and love them all. It’s a change of pace from the mainstream narrative of doom and gloom recession, etc . To see so many stories of successful entrepreneurs it proves the American dream is alive or at the very least that there is a strong economic force pushing this country forward. America the beautiful people 🇺🇸

[@jchastain789]

It's crazy we been making a sauce similar to this in the restaurant for decades. Dam

[@lorddoma6637]

That could have been you

[@mimianti-stush231]

My staple condiment on & Pizza. I save my extra Mike's Hot Honey cups...heading Amazon!

[@T6V3R1C]

Make a Mike's hot honey hot sauce.

[@BoolXor]

I like Honey flavored things but I just did not like when I made my own hot honey and tried it on a pizza. I recognize that in South Korea its a common condiment for Pizza to dip it in a little honey but I just don't like the taste that much. I haven't been able to get a bottle of this and its possible this recipe is a lot better than what I made at home.

[@startingsmallmedia]

Is that at Pauline G’s?

[@startingsmallmedia]

Yes it is haha. Love it

[@baandoptager]

He didn't have to go to the jungle. He could've just gone to Canada LOL :) Love it tho!

[@Jessjuicypickle]

Hot honey is my favorite pizza topping ever

[@thecashbandit_ss]

He created a gold mine

[@DefensisIndus]

I keep telling people that USA eats spicy 😂 but no one believes me. Especially when it's sweet and spicy like barbecue 😋

[@buckingnutz09]

Tried the Hellboy at Paulie Gee's once and I've been a MHH stan since

[@teamjenko5219]

First heard of hot honey in manchester at a brilliant pizza and tequila place, it was awesome

[@liamsheedy4688]

Its actually pretty good

[@lynnsydnor1306]

Tried this at a friend's house but on wings & I was hooked! Just got a bottle today! About to cook dinner now. For wings though. Will have to try on pizza another time.

[@SC3designs]

I gotta try this now.

[@failadin1]

Had the pleasure of trying Mikes hot honey at Paulie Gees before it exploded... Best pizza i ever had. I literally went back home and was telling everyone i know they had to try pepperoni pizza with some hot honey on it.

[@CroakerX]

it's good but every restaurant that has it uses way too much and the sweet honey flavor dominates the pizza. Use with caution please!

[@max_panavo]

Wow. I'm very proud that this idea started in my country. Let's go Brazil 🇧🇷🇺🇸

[@aanntthhoonnyy]

Never heard of it. I’ll try some

[@quadroink]

I already prove a condiment like that with mozarela and pepperoni to be true I cook it, and man… it’s different or parma and cheese Brie too it’s fun do pizza.

[@Fenixx117]

I've never even heard of them so it's still an isolated American thing in just a few regions. Siracha and Frank's is still the main ones here

[@OhBuddhaRyan]

Honemade is way better. Made hot honey for years now. You only need a little bit if the ingredients are all good quality.

[@jeffreygeorge219]

Put it on pulled pork sandwiches and tortilla chips..Mind blowing

[@praiseghetou]

5:12 romania mentioned

[@BrockSamsonite]

i dont just put it on pizza, i use it to make cocktails too

[@halkesracing]

Hiking in a foreign country, found someone else’s creation, and brought it to the world. Similar to the Red Bull story.

[@art68us]

The white man strikes again

[@alexsfercoci9942]

5:14 wtf bro =)) the labels are in Romanian