Why my LUXURY HOT SAUCE business failed

[@FStoppers]

Buy Oliveum Hot Sauce on Amazon: www.amazon.com/Oliveum-Hot-Sauce-Habanero-Peppers/dp/B0D2PJPYR5?maas=maas_adg_D96B904BC283B575D84290DE03BD174A_afap_abs&ref_=aa_maas&tag=maas Buy direct: www.oliveum.com

[@Clickworker101]

This is definitely the most serious attempt into selling hot sauce I have seen

[@DanteJDM]

As someone who has attempted a few different ventures, big respect for not giving up and instead adapting and trying again. I wish your brand much success! Edit: Realized I made a typo

[@FStoppers]

Thank you that’s very kind of you. I’m surprised by how nice everyone is being in the comments of this video

[@DanteJDM]

@@FStoppers We might give you a hard time sometimes, but we support you guys when it comes down to it 🤘

[@MichaGero]

As an entrepreneur all I can say is you are an entrepreneur. Obsession is a key ingredient and loving the process is another one. Sometimes you need to bail out and sometimes it picks up. But remember that no one is immunised to statistics on startup failure, the key is iteration, that’s the only way to beat stats. Mind you sometimes you get lucky, I’m sure you’ll get lucky with this one! Solder on!

[@FStoppers]

It felt so wrong to quit when people were actually buying it... It's just the profit component that I never figured out ;)

[@tycro]

Yea it’s tough when you are competing against “barts ass fire sauce” for 8 dollars a bottle

[@1kfmn]

GOOD LUCK!!! Thank you for sharing the lessons you learned.

[@happymystic9800]

I was rather sceptical when YT suggested this video to me. Now that I watched it, I must admit that this is a great lesson you are conveying here. This commitment of yours was outstanding and it is a pity I has not yet delivered what you have been expecting. But you give the impression that you know where to tweak your efforts. Speaking on the importance of ads, I remember a saying in a commercial … failure is not the opposite of success, it is a stepping stone to success. Best!!! 😊

[@ADRIANPRADA]

You are a passionate entrepreneur, you have learned from your mistakes and that will lead you to success, do not doubt it for a moment. I am starting a business with some camera straps that I make by hand and I am in the process of industrialization. I am also a professional photographer, so I totally understand you. Greetings from Colombia

[@FStoppers]

I wish you the best of luck

[@kristiandelchev4034]

I love the story, can't wait to see how it pans out.

[@TheSunflowerLifeOfficial]

From my perspective, if you showed me the bottle without the writing saying it was a hot sauce, I'd think it was a luxury skincare product/moisturizer. The logo, the name all say skincare to me but that's just my personal opinion. At that price point, if it was me, I'd be making it more exclusive with a celeb esq 'hook' and targeting high income earners. The kind of folk that LOVE paying money for premium. Perspective for my thoughts; I'm now in my 40's and was a millionaire in my 20's 🙏

[@joshashdown4431]

I will give it a try. Nice hustle Lee! Even if it doesn't work the way you want in the end, you will know that you did everything you could. Fingers crossed it becomes the success you deserve!

[@FStoppers]

Thanks! I certainly did everything I possibly could.

[@masterlockist]

There are life lessons in this video . Great watch . GOOD LUCK !!!!

[@FStoppers]

Well it could be a massive fail so let’s wait and see if I can sell them before “learning” from my crazy risk.

[@frederickvangrootel]

I was ready to purchase, but sadly it can't be shipped to Europe. Maybe one day!

[@Cyclist-o6e]

You are not afraid to post your Ls. That video where you tried to use bookshelf speakers as near-field monitors for some unknown reason was crazy, but I wasn’t expecting a hot sauce business next. My first thought was, “That’s a crowded market.” But hey, maybe it will sell well. Good luck!

[@FStoppers]

haha I still stand by my polk speakers

[@Cyclist-o6e]

Don’t get me wrong, Polk makes good speakers. I’ve owned Polk speakers, amongst others. You just didn’t seem to be using speakers in the way that was intended by the manufacturers. I feel like luxury hot sauce isn’t a business with many repeat customers. Seems like something people buy once, especially if it’s a large bottle. You could be perpetually chasing new customers. Maybe at scale, smaller bottles, more affordable price would work? 🤷🏼‍♂️ The packaging does look premium. Well done on that front.

[@phynx2006]

Lee, I love what your doing, if you never try you will never know. I don't think I have the balls to do what your doing but I applaud people that have a idea and go for it. Make sure you give a bottle to Patrick for Christmas 🤣🤣🤣🔥 What you need is to be endorsed by a Top Chef or Oprah, that would sure get the ball rolling 🌶

[@FStoppers]

For sure. You got Oprah’s number?

[@liam4184]

The product looks amazing. All the best!

[@Medavelvan]

Sorry I couldn't afford to buy Olivium but if you need a friend during this dark time, I am here. Now that we are friends you can send me some of that hot sauce any time since we are friends and all.

[@FStoppers]

Join the new Critique the Community contest on Fstoppers. Everyone who is featured will get a free bottle! -P

[@raredreamfootage]

There is a famous street baller (basketball) with the knickname "Hot Sauce", you should contact him. He played with the original AND1 team in the early 2000's. He is retired now, but still has the fan base, legacy and handles to rock the ball still. One of his ex-teammates on that squad is "The Professor" who has a successful KZbin channled called "The Professor Live".

[@arunashamal]

As a graphic designer, this is why design agencies exist and good ones are expensive to hire. Usually the founders are too close to the product and can't see clearly. A good agency will tell you to shut up and design a strategy around what your customers want!

[@0909J-USA]

I’ll stick to Marie’s hot sauce for $4. There is no food in this world I would spend $170 on let alone a sauce. But people got money to burn 🔥 so good luck.

[@FStoppers]

I love Marie Sharps

[@sandyshifers2832]

Just ordered one!

[@FStoppers]

I appriciate you

[@gameshoes]

Hope it goes well! It looks like the first reviews on Amazon are very positive.

[@qvarfoto]

Nice one man, if I can get it here in Scandinavia I'll definitely purchase a bottle and try it out. Cheers!

[@ison5622]

make a reaper/ habanero blend and add the tinniest amount of pure capsaicin at 19 mil sco, give the people something that makes their nose bleed, put a clipart style image of your face like paul newmans pasta sauce, and name it, Fstoppers Critique the hot sauce.. the rest will be history my friend.

[@FStoppers]

Haha, I think the "Saddam Hussein" joke hot sauce is what Lee was trying to avoid at all cost. -P

[@tzgzz9245]

there's a ceiling on how much hot sauce, even a hot sauce enthusiast, can consume. Most people are chilly wimps

[@VRVitaly]

i never expected to see a Hot Sauce ad here... def a crazy idea I hope it works out

[@payamjirsa]

I love this, and I love that you’re documenting the process. Entrepreneurship is painful.

[@evantaucher]

Bought to support! Looking forward

[@FStoppers]

thanks!~

[@MrShanebizzle]

Great video! Thanks for this one man. I think you’re doing a great job!

[@dcny69]

The curse of being that ridiculously good looking is no one tells you no! 😂😂😂 but this looks amazing and would love to try it. Best wishes to you!

[@pigspigs76]

The key is making a your product stand out, advertise on some of those naughty sites and have it featured by there “influencers” .. Daddy Juice can go where the sun don’t shine

[@Woodshadow]

I literally only heard of your hot sauce this week from Good Mythical Morning. This is wild that I suddenly hear who you are and about your sauce

[@FStoppers]

Send me a link

[@AlmightyUniden]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/paPWXqSfe6aDm80feature=shared

[@mmcnama4]

Any chance we could see all the creative behind this? Blog post or dedicated video would be great.

[@FStoppers]

Yes I have a few in the works

[@davidbennion876]

Good luck and hopefully successful outcome. Cheers Dave from downunder

[@monztermovies]

This was an amazing video! ❤

[@FStoppers]

Thank you!

[@Crixxtachi868]

Have you considered going much hotter then just habaneros? Like 7 pod pepper or Trinidad moruga scorpion pepper

[@manart6506]

I have always has been suspicious of sauces that aren’t red or green… usually I only like green or red hot sauces.

[@thegakatac]

If you can make this hot sauce business work then i can surely get my retouching business off the ground. Have no regrets, see it through. Thank you for the inspiration.

[@GetOutsideYourself]

Thanks for saving me $100k. Now will someone please convince my wife her jewelry "business" is a joke?

[@socratesvela8285]

Truff is my sauce.

[@Zack-Hates-Youtube]

It's good stuff. I love the hot ones box.. highly recommend

[@SantanaDiego]

It’s so bad, it’s way too sweet

[@Humcrush]

My experience suggests that the identity and market positioning are off for the product. If your believe in the actual product, you should create a second brand positioned closer to market expectation to see which performs better. Good luck!

[@MartinV.]

wish you success with the hot sauce!! Great Video!

[@slate_fm]

I really wish you luck in this proyect

[@ronch182]

I found a hot sauce from small shop, was by far the best bottled sauce I still, ever had. Discovered it was made from a woman locally, she just ghosted, the shop even owed her money and couldnt contact her. I still think about that hot sauce to this day..

[@davidclark5701]

How many repeat customers did you get? Surely that would tell you if it was worth persisting or if it was a gimmick product at a ludicrous price.

[@FineArtPhotographer-78]

Respect the grind Lee regardless of the outcome. You had amazing packaging and obviously the photos are great. You went in 100% that's all you can can do, give it your all, The drive is there for sure. Hopefully the sauce simmers up great sales numbers on amazon. Good luck.

[@FStoppers]

Thanks!

[@alex_smallet]

Good luck.

[@nicklarson801]

My favorite hot sauce is El Yucateco and it is like $4/bottle. But I do wish you the best in your venture.

[@natasha_haggard]

Good luck! If anyone can do this. You can!! 💪🤞

[@FStoppers]

That’s very kind of you I hope you’re right

[@Ranger7Studios]

Best of luck Lee!

[@rob-merica]

Last week I first heard about Oliveum on an episode of Good Mythical Morning. Today I see this video. How random that Lee from Fstoppers is behind this!

[@allenahale1]

I can't imagine spending $170 for a small bottle of hot sauce. However I am blown away by your marketable product ... your marketing skills. I strongly suggest that you market your services in marketing using your Oliveum as an example of your skill and tenacity. All is not lost, you just pivot on what you are pitching.

[@FStoppers]

After owning my own businesses for so long, I don't think I can work for/with other people anymore. But thanks!

[@allenahale1]

@@FStoppers I know the feeling but in my case I am 75 and have been retired for 17 years LOL

[@kreygscott]

Here's an idea. How about getting some brand ambassadors to advertize your hot sauce? You give them a specific number of the product for free and they in turn mention it in their videos. It would certainly beat the cost and time of hiring/creating ads yourself.

[@ZenShoots]

This one right here ^^^^^

[@orxanr5955]

Yes then he can spend more time making hot sauce in order to fulfill the orders in time.

[@martybeyer]

​@orxanr5955 Ahhh, you didn't watch the video did you 😅

[@orxanr5955]

@@martybeyer I did ))) after I made the comment -_-

[@martybeyer]

@orxanr5955 haha, I do that often 😅 👍

[@mterveen1]

There's a typo on the Amazon page... says olivem in the sub header

[@FStoppers]

Ya I had to do that because amazon was autocorrecting "oliveum hot sauce" to "olivem hot sauce"

[@AndyBrooks]

I'd rather pay the premium for Lee's personal touch

[@FStoppers]

well I'll give you some personal touch at www.Oliveum.com ;)

[@CorySchadt]

Thanks for sharing. Good luck!

[@garymarschka]

It is misspelled "Olivem" on the amazon title listing

[@studiochristopher]

This is crazy…but amazing!! I’m proud of you bro, I hope it’s very successful! 🔥 = 💰

[@PatrickBlack173]

Only Lee could live for years close to Smoking Ed Currie and not do a collab

[@test101me]

i think problem is design. look at the bottle and i dont feel like using it for food or want to go get a steak.

[@forgedfromfreedom]

Great journey, however here is some advice from someone who has sold on Amazon since 2002 when Marketplace had started; Brands go to Amazon to die. Build your brand way from Amazon or suffer the consequences that are coming towards you.

[@ForTheLoveOfSuits]

This is painful for me to watch. Been through this thought process and business that failed after a few years.

[@FStoppers]

What was the product and do you know why it failed? -P

[@rodrigob]

600 views -> Amazon links says "Currently unavailable. We don't know when or if this item will be back in stock."; cannot tell if that is great news or terrible news. I wonder what was the final product price. I hope things go well for you, and that people find the value they were looking for.

[@FStoppers]

Where are you located and do you have prime?

[@rodrigob]

@@FStoppers I am in EU (cannot be shipped), when I switch to "ship to USA" (I have family there) I see the "Currently unavailable" message. No prime.

[@Woodshadow]

it is there for me in the US

[@TheBigNegative-PhotoChannel]

Really good attempt at marketing hot sauce a bit differently. I’d just say that the logo together with the font looks more like a makeup/perfume product, which was probably intentional based on your video. The Logo itself is pretty good. The name "Oliveum" obviously sounds too much like "olive." Does it contain olive oil to justify the name? Or does the chili variety have such a name? Just from the branding and name, I would’ve assumed it was olive-based makeup if I saw an ad for it. .If you ask a LLM what Oliveum could be 1.Olive Oil 2.A Nutritional Supplement 3.Cosmetic Product 4.Natural Medicinal Product. Better would maybe something like acreum "acre" is latin for spicy. or something like that. That definitely influences the first impression. Otherwise, good luck with the new attempt. Best regards, a friendly architect. :D

[@FStoppers]

What does Shit the bed hot sauce make you think of?

[@TheBigNegative-PhotoChannel]

@@FStoppers "Diabolus in Intestinis" translates to "The Devil in the Guts". 😆 JK. wish you the best. 👌

[@DonsWoodies]

Ordered one for a foodie friend. We'll see how he likes it.

[@FStoppers]

Thanks!

[@Marco_Chiappetta]

Was about to criticize you for the clickbait, false headline, but am a hot sauce psycho and am willing to give this a shot for $40! :D

[@FStoppers]

clickbaity but true

[@MorbidGod391]

<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="364">6:04</a> 😂😂😂 famous last words

[@FStoppers]

Yup

[@PortfolioAutomotive]

This worked… now I want to buy some 😎

[@PortfolioAutomotive]

Just bought a bottle… 🥂

[@FStoppers]

@@PortfolioAutomotive thanks! hope you like it.

[@PortfolioAutomotive]

@ any recommendations on what you use it with most often?

[@ThisIsTBChannel]

Nice’ when the video about the November contest?

[@FStoppers]

Tomorrow or Tuesday at the latest. We filmed it today.

[@stotes57]

Not available in 🇨🇦 😢

[@FStoppers]

It actually should be. I got an email from Amazon saying it’s available in Canada. Will you email me so we can figure this out? [e-mail]

[@flysouth1507]

The price is wrong

[@JEFFERYSJOHNSON]

Bought 2. 1 for me 1 for a friend for Christmas.

[@FStoppers]

Thank you! Hoe you both like it

[@emanuelbief7088]

Sharktank pitch? If you lived in Mexico, in a city like Guadalajara or Monterrey, tequila would surely be your hot sauce business.

[@FStoppers]

Someone else mentioned this. I actually have the contact of a shark tank producer who reached out to me 4 years ago about another product I made. I told her I'd reach out again when I had something worthy of shark tank. Maybe this is it.

[@barryobrien1890]

Well at least you have learned a lot. Next time dont plant something that makes you feel guilty. Sometimes you have to let one dream go to make room for the next one.

[@MrBokkyboy]

Let me know when your sause hits the Europe market. I'll give it a go and report back 👊🏽. Good luck

[@FStoppers]

Ya I'm not sure how and if I'll do that. I use to sell my big bottle anywhere in the world but shipping was around $60-80 a unit. That obviously won't work with a $40 bottle.

[@MrBokkyboy]

@ cheezz that's alot for shipping! Either way all the best with the bizz

[@ikkysleepy]

What’s other hot sauce comes close to this one ?

[@Whatreally123]

If the sauce is good, why not ditch the "luxury" aspect and do a regular hot sauce business and see how it goes now that you've tried the luxury route.

[@BrianTheCameraGuy]

Lee, you have been talking about this hot sauce for so long. I just ordered a bottle to see how it is.

[@FStoppers]

I really hope you like it!

[@_fxavier]

<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="19">0:19</a> Is it just me or is a pepper flying?

[@FStoppers]

Midjourney failed me

[@SACC_]

Good luck!

[@alflessa]

The Blend

[@MorbidGod391]

<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="387">6:27</a> I don’t even like hot sauce, but damn, I wanna buy your hot sauce. Spicy 🌶️

[@StefanYoutube]

Looks like shorting Tesla part 2 but Good Luck!

[@FStoppers]

very well could be

[@ritrattoaziendale]

Video started with an AI audio track in Italian! First time happening on any video on YT, is that a new thing? I was scared as fck by the voice ahahah, it's terrible, I had to restore the original audio track. But if I set YT in English (even if I'm in Italy) they shouldn't propose me (or actually imposing me at the start) an Italian audio...

[@FStoppers]

Wow I did not know that was a thing

[@ritrattoaziendale]

@@FStoppers p.s. fyi if interested, AI audio dubbing for this video is available in Italian, German, Spanish, Portuguese and French, other than of course the original track. The feeling of the Italian track is pretty bad, with a very flat and unsettling tone. It REALLY feels like AI, it's really unnatural, so they have a lot of work still to do on it.

[@pigspigs76]

Do a sweet potato hot sauce

[@EmilSaks]

You don't ship to Europe. 😔😀

[@spanishprisoner]

Oliveum for me is olive oil product... it's like calling a burger "Tealeave"... who would know what it is at all and if they know they still would cringe. Change the name first.

[@clint_davis]

Why my LUXURY HOT SAUCE business failed..... so far

[@FStoppers]

There is so much more failing to do

[@ashlon0929]

rich people don't eat strong taste food. thats why!

[@Whatsup_Abroad]

Hot sauce isnt a luxury ..its a staple of some of the worlds poorest places. Im frankly shocked that you even sold a single bottle.

[@mertinanc]

Not sure if you have a good HotSauce business but you are no doubt THE MASTER OF CLICK BAIT 🔥

[@emrah2024]

📌Sad but true! Many businesses fail every year. My advice is you to offer consulting service for entrepreuneurs. Your experience is priceless

[@__lancaster]

Stop immediately. You will thank me later.

[@FStoppers]

You've been added to the long list of people who think this is a bad idea.

[@MikeBeauchamp]

Counterpoint: keep pushing. You'll thank me later.

[@Whatreally123]

​@@MikeBeauchamp not to be discouraging to Lee but he accepts that it sells only when he runs ads which means there are minimal return customers. That tells us that people buy this on a whim and are not impressed by it to purchase again, whether due to how it tastes or its price. Without repeat orders, this is not a sustainable business. Imo I'd rather pivot and make regular hot sauce bottling and pricing it slightly above the market like 40-50 dollars than go the luxury route. And frankly the name doesn't make you think about a hot sauce. Sounds more like a beauty product like a cream or something.

[@MRPUERTORICAN100]

Had you ever went to to shark tank ?

[@FStoppers]

Shark tank actually reached out to me a few years ago for another crazy product I had. Maybe I should send them this.

[@chargernoises]

my 3 cents 1. you don't look like a chef to me. you look like a rich fitness influencer, and that doesn't connect to tasty food in my head. 2. hand-made vibes you went for, with that hand-signed card and all, absolutely don't go well with long shelf life food items. hand-made means amateur, and amateur means lack of industrial level safety and sanitization. I don't want food poisoning. 3. hot = red. your sauce is not red.

[@rfboxill]

😅😅😅 lmao I'm dying over here.... but the product looks great btw

[@cesar_rosales]

Today my studio turn 1 year old.. I have made exactly $0 dollars from it (I have other income)... my wife keeps telling me to close it. I think your video just gave me the answer I was looking for. I do not believe in coincidences. So as your final chapter says, Im going to give it one more shot. Thanks for your video.

[@FStoppers]

Wow, I hope we both make it and our wives are wrong.

[@xukeepax1286]

man if only youi had a youtube channle platform to advertise on.......

[@FStoppers]

What do you think this video is hahah -P

[@DamianSheesh]

It's hot sauce. The amount of waste added to this is nuts. Packaging and shipping etc for a bottle of hot sauce. Nice ad though.

[@MorbidGod391]

OMG 😱 I’M FIRST TO LIKE AND HOPEFULLY FIRST TO COMMENT 😂😂😂😂

[@FStoppers]

Send me your address at [e-mail] and I'll send you a free bottle of hot sauce.