Interview with Elijah Morey from Elijah's Xtreme

Who is Elijah Morey?

Meet Elijah, Founder of Elijah’s Xtreme; a hot sauce company!

About Elijah’s Xtreme

Founded in 2014 by a passionate father-son team, Elijah's Xtreme is more than just a hot sauce company; it's a story of family, flavor, and fiery ambition. Driven by the desire to create hot sauces with both intense heat and delicious taste, they've carved a unique niche in the market, garnering over 56 industry awards for their creations. Their journey began in a humble garage, fueled by a love for hot peppers and a commitment to pushing boundaries. Today, they operate from a thriving 12,000 square-foot facility, offering a range of award-winning hot sauces and BBQ sauces, including the infamous "Regret Reserve" boasting a fiery blend of Carolina Reaper, Trinidad Scorpion, and Habanero peppers.

Elijah’s Journey

Elijah's journey with spicy flavors began at the tender age of six when he discovered his father's secret stash of hot sauces in the kitchen. He was curious and adventurous, and he wanted to share his father's love for all things spicy. He bravely took a bite of his first hot banana pepper and felt a surge of heat and flavor in his mouth. He loved it, and so did his father, who was proud of his son's boldness. They bonded over their mutual love for spicy food and tried different varieties of peppers, sauces, and dishes from around the world.

Elijah learned how to grow his peppers, and how to make his sauces with fresh ingredients and natural flavors. He experimented with different combinations of heat and taste and created his unique recipes. He dreamed of sharing his creations with other spice lovers and turning his hobby into a business. That dream came true when he founded Elijah's Xtreme, a company that produces and sells some of the hottest and most delicious sauces in the market.

The passion for crafting flavorful yet fiery hot sauces has been the driving force behind their success, and they continue to innovate and improve their products. Elijah's journey with spicy flavors is not over yet, it is just getting started. As Elijah puts it, "We found there was a hole in the market where flavorful hot sauce and hot hot sauce didn't really mix, so we made our own."

Connecting to Customers Through Spice

What sets Elijah’s Xtreme apart is not just their exceptional hot sauces but also their commitment to connecting with their customers. Elijah enjoys hearing customer stories and feedback and learning about their preferences as well as their tastes. He also likes to challenge them to try new and hotter sauces and to share their experiences with others. At the heart of Elijah’s Xtreme is their unwavering commitment to customer satisfaction. Elijah emphasizes the importance of prompt responses and attentive service, and he makes sure that every order is delivered on time and in perfect condition.

Elijah’s Xtreme also offers free samples, discounts, and rewards to his loyal customers, and he welcomes suggestions and requests for new products. He believes that the best way to grow his business is to build a strong relationship with his customers and to make them feel valued and appreciated. Like he said, "I try not to make anybody wait more than 24 hours to hear a response from us."

Nurturing Growth

Elijah feels there's always a need to poise for even greater success with a growing team and expanding operations. Elijah shares insights into their hiring process and the importance of finding team members who share their passion for making an impact. As he emphasizes, "I want to feel more of a passion and an energy towards being flexible in what they're doing."

He says that he looks for candidates who have a genuine interest in spicy food, who are willing to learn and grow, and who can work well with others. He also values creativity, innovation, and customer orientation. He believes that by hiring people who share their passion, they can create a positive and productive work environment, and deliver high-quality products and services to their customers.

Innovating with Videos

Elijah’s Xtreme’s marketing strategy relies on their innovative use of videos, which showcase their hot sauces and their passion for spicy food. Elijah reveals the impact of one particular video that went viral and boosted their sales and popularity. This video made Elijah’s Xtreme a household name and that in turn gave their sales a big boost, he stated, "We went from getting like five orders a day to 50, 60, 70, 80 a day."

Balancing Reinvestment

Elijah is a visionary entrepreneur who has never lost sight of his long-term goals for his business. He has always prioritized the quality of his products and the satisfaction of his customers over making quick money. He has reinvested his earnings back into his business, improving his products with new features and innovations, and expanding his operations to reach new markets and audiences. He believes that this strategy will pay off in the long run, and make his business more sustainable and successful. Elijah shares their philosophy, saying, "We reinvest pretty much everything... because we believe in this, we're not doing this for personal gains, we're doing this for the bigger picture."

Looking Ahead

Elijah is an entrepreneur who values innovation and flexibility above all. He thinks that these qualities are essential for anyone who wants to start their own business and succeed in a competitive market. He shared his personal experience of how he had to learn new skills and acquire new knowledge constantly, as he encountered many difficulties and hurdles along his journey. He said that he never gave up on his vision, and always adapted to the changing circumstances and customer needs. He admitted that he didn’t know how to use Google effectively to find the information he needed back then, and he had to rely on trial and error.

But he also emphasized that with the advent of AI, information can be retrieved easily and quickly and that entrepreneurs should take advantage of this technology to improve their products and services. As Elijah’s Xtreme continues to evolve and expand, their dedication to quality, innovation, and exceptional customer experience remains unwavering. With their passion for spicy food and their commitment to their customers, they aim to become the leading hot sauce brand in the world.