Behind the Brand: Chimi Caliente

1. What is the name of your company?

Chimi Caliente

2. What is your title at Chimi Caliente?

Founder/Saucier (I love that word, saucier)

3. Where is your company located?

Highlands Ranch, Colorado

4. How did you hear about Naturally Colorado? What made you become a member? Has Naturally Colorado helped you in any way?

Allison Salvati suggested I join. I volunteered at the annual pitch competition and was amazed at all of the incredible entrepreneurs I met.

5. What size is your company?

3 employees

6. What inspired you to start your company?

The inspiration for starting our chimichurri sauce business came from a time when I was living in Mexico with my boys. We discovered this incredible regional sauce in Aguascalientes, and it quickly became a staple in our meals. Chimichurri is not widely known to be part of Mexican cuisine, but in that region, it was everywhere—and absolutely delicious. When we moved back to the U.S., we were surprised to find it wasn’t available, so we started making it ourselves at home. It’s been in our fridge ever since—we use it on everything. What began as a family favorite turned into a passion project, and now we’re excited to share this bold, vibrant, spicy regional flavor with others who may not have experienced it yet.

7. Why did you choose to focus on the natural and organic industry?

Choosing to focus on the natural and organic industry was a natural extension of how we live and eat at home. When I started making chimichurri for my family, I was always mindful of using fresh, clean ingredients—no preservatives, no shortcuts. It wasn’t about being trendy; it was about feeding my kids something I believed in. As the business grew, it only made sense to stay true to those values. People are paying more attention to what goes into their food, and we’re proud to offer something that’s not only delicious but also made with real, honest ingredients you can trust. A friend of mine suggested we sell the sauce because he adds it to his very bland and rigid meals. Since he is a body builder, his diet has many restrictions. ChimiCaliente only has six ingredients, no preservatives and it’s vegetarian, nut, gluten and dairy free.

8. Can you describe the biggest challenge you faced during the early stages of your company, and how you overcame it?

One of the biggest challenges in the early stages was educating people about what chimichurri actually is—especially because most folks in the U.S. weren’t familiar with the version we discovered in Mexico. It’s not a mainstream sauce here, so getting customers to try something new and understand how versatile it is took time. We overcame that by doing a lot of in-person sampling at farmers markets, pop-ups, and local events. Once people tasted it, they were hooked. Sharing the story behind the sauce—how we found it, how we use it—helped build a personal connection and trust. That hands-on approach really laid the foundation for our growth.

9. What keeps you up at night regarding your business?

What keeps me up at night is making sure we can scale without losing the quality and authenticity that make our chimichurri special. Every jar we sell carries a piece of our story, and I never want it to feel mass-produced or impersonal. As demand grows, I think constantly about how to maintain that homemade feel, stay true to our values, and still run a sustainable, efficient business. It’s a balance between growth and integrity—and getting that right is always on my mind.

10. What strategies can you share that have been effective?

11. How important is networking, and what strategies do you use to build and maintain professional relationships?

It’s everything! Networking is incredibly important, especially for a small business. Building and maintaining relationships with suppliers, retailers, and fellow entrepreneurs has been essential to our growth. Early on, I focused on connecting with people who share similar values and passions, whether that’s at local events, industry conferences, or even online forums. For us, it’s not just about expanding our reach, but about forming genuine partnerships that support each other. It’s the authenticity of these relationships that really helps us sustain and grow our business.”

12. What is one piece of advice or knowledge that has changed your life and why?

When you love something and it lights you up, it’s worth working your butt off for! Giving up is not an option when you see the dream and push toward the outcome you desire. For a long time, I hesitated—wondering if the product was perfect, if the timing was right, or if I had everything figured out. But once I embraced the idea that action, even imperfect, was better than waiting for the perfect moment, everything changed. It pushed me to take risks, launch the business, and adapt along the way. That mindset has made all the difference because I’ve learned so much from the process itself, and I don’t let fear of the unknown hold me back anymore.

Connect with Leslie.

Learn more about Chimi Caliente.

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