We were in the middle of the hardest financial struggle of our lives. Hazel hadn’t produced a single client yet, and money wasn’t just tight—it was nonexistent. We didn’t have internet, our phones barely worked, and we were often living off the kindness of others. Rent was always a question mark, and every day felt like a battle to simply make it through.
Then, in the midst of it all, my ten-year-old son Beckam was nominated to the National Youth Leadership Conference. It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and I wanted him to have it. But the tuition alone was around $3,200, plus travel—an unimaginable amount for us in that moment.
Still, I couldn’t bear the thought of letting him miss this because of my financial struggles. I knew I had to find a way, no matter how impossible it seemed.
And out of that need, Dad’s Badass Salsa was born.
The recipe came from my late friend, Roger Jacobsen—a recipe that became an obsession for me. I tweaked it, experimented with it, and eventually made it my own. It was a hit with everyone who tried it. Friends and family would always ask us to bring it to gatherings, raving fans.
Now, that salsa became our lifeline. If salsa could get Beckam to Colorado, I was ready to make it happen.
What followed was one of the most extraordinary experiences of my life. As a family, we came together in a way we never had before. Nights were spent in the kitchen chopping, blending, and bottling salsa. Days were spent knocking on doors, sharing our story with neighbors and strangers alike.
Beckam’s brothers and sister joined the effort, going door to door, rain or shine, heat or cold. Together, we worked tirelessly, sacrificing sleep and comfort for a goal that felt bigger than all of us.
For me, it was deeply personal. I’d spent much of my life afraid of what others thought of me—hesitant to put myself out there, let alone sell something door to door. But for my son, I let go of that fear. I knocked on every door I could with Beck, approached every person I knew, and told them about our salsa and why we were doing this.
Watching Beckam work alongside me—his determination, his willingness to face rejection, his courage to keep knocking—made me prouder than I can put into words. And I was proud of my family, too. We struggled together, laughed together, and pushed through every obstacle as a team.
When we finally sent in that last payment, knowing we had done it together, the joy was indescribable. Beckam was going to Colorado. We had done the impossible.
In our hardest moment of scarcity, we created something beautiful—something that bonded us in a way I’ll never forget. Dad’s Badass Salsa wasn’t just a product; it was a symbol of our grit, our love for each other, and our unwillingness to give up.
Looking back, I realize how much that experience taught me. It reminded me that circumstances don’t define us—our response does. It showed me that when we come together, when we’re willing to fight for something meaningful, even the most impossible challenges can be overcome.
Most importantly, it taught me that in supporting someone else’s dreams, we often discover our own strength.
So, if you ever feel like giving up, like the odds are too great, remember this: Where there’s a will, there’s a way. Sometimes that way starts with a simple idea—like salsa—and grows into a story you’ll carry with you forever.