Full-Time Uber Employee’s Side Hustle Made $10K in 48 Hours

From Kitchen Frustration to Functional Flavor Revolution

I love stories where personal challenges spark real innovation, and Nicole Glabman's journey with She's The Sauce is a perfect example. Facing hormonal imbalances and the usual advice to ditch sauces as mere empty calories, she decided to reinvent them instead. Drawing from her background in retail and food marketing, Nicole crafted condiments packed with protein and fiber that enhance your meals without sacrificing taste. It's not about jumping on trends—it's about solving a genuine problem she lived every day.

Bootstrapping with Grit and Smart Networks

Starting scrappily in her own kitchen at the end of 2023, Nicole poured about $20,000 of her savings into prototypes, sourcing, and manufacturing. She leaned heavily on fellow founders and experts like a CPG strategist to shape her brand's voice and strategy. Communities such as Startup CPG proved invaluable for staying connected and learning on the fly. Yet, she candidly shares a key lesson: involve manufacturing partners earlier to avoid scaling pitfalls. What works in small batches often unravels at production levels, teaching patience amid operational curveballs like supplier delays.

Lightning Launch and Building Momentum

The payoff came fast—her pre-order launch raked in $10,000 in just 48 hours across two flavors, Honey Mustard and Ranch. But success brought its own headaches when production couldn't keep up, forcing a pivot to new partners and transparent communication with eager customers. Now, steady at $10,000 monthly revenue through organic growth and direct sales, she's expanding flavors while balancing it all with her full-time role at Uber. Evenings and weekends fuel her focus on operations, content, and deeper planning, all while cherishing the community feedback that feels like co-creating the brand.

What stands out is Nicole's advice: just start. Execution trumps endless planning, and momentum beats perfection every time. If you're an entrepreneur eyeing a side venture in consumer goods, her tale reminds us that real progress comes from action and adaptability.

Dive into the full Q&A to get inspired and snag some practical tips for your own hustle—check it out today!