Ep9: Spicy Success: From Kitchen Experiments to Award-Winning Sauces with Andy Knox
How do you go from cooking up sauces in your kitchen to winning global flavor awards?
In this episode of Resilient as F*k!, Vivian Perez sits down with Andy Knox, the founder of Knox Your Socks Off Hot Sauce, to talk about his journey from homegrown side hustle to an award-winning product line. Andy shares how experimenting with ingredients, listening to customers, and showing up consistently built a business that’s as bold as the flavors in every bottle.
Available on Spotify and Apple Podcast
When Andy Knox started playing with hot sauce recipes in his kitchen, he had no idea it would lead to international flavor awards, a strong community following, and a brand known for turning up the heat in the most unexpected ways. Andy walks us through his spicy journey—from refining recipes through customer feedback at farmers' markets to winning international awards and scaling with authenticity. This one’s for the founders blending purpose with punch—and looking to grow with heart.
This episode is packed with:
🔥 Lessons in trusting your gut (literally and figuratively)
🌶️ Tips for using community feedback as a growth engine
🏆 How to grow organically—and win awards doing it
Key Takeaways
Lean into what your community tells you—they’ll shape your product
Branding is more than design—it’s how you show up
Passion, grit, and experimentation— can take you from scrappy beginnings to shelf-worthy success
Memorable Moments
How Andy’s passion project turned into a premium hot sauce line
The power of customer feedback in local markets
Why authenticity (and good flavor) always wins
Catch the full episode on Spotify or Apple Podcasts for more insights on building resilient brands that connect.
Have a story of your own “epic f* up” that turned into a triumph?
Share it with us, Subscribe to Resilient as F*k! for more real stories of resilience. Follow along for the raw, real stories behind success in the CPG industry.