What if one tiny decision—like choosing a local salt over a supermarket staple—could help change your food system, your family life, and your business?
In this episode of Business Origin Stories, host Amy Schutte sits down with Sarah McElrae, the founder of Summa Salts and the beloved “Salt Lady” of Jacksonville, Florida. Sarah went from a chaotic childhood and a career in education to building a fast-growing, values-driven product-based business rooted in local food, regenerative farming, and really fun salt blends (hello, Vampire Killer and Lava Head crew 🥵).
She shares how a deeply personal health journey led her to rethink food quality, why she believes nature still has the best blueprint for how we eat, and how one small choice—like visiting your farmers market—can genuinely move the needle for local growers and makers. We also get into the real talk of scaling a product-based business, bringing her husband into the company, homeschooling their daughter, and filtering every big decision through the lens of family balance.
Listen in to learn:
- How Summa Salts went from a home kitchen and farmers markets to a legal commercial kitchen and a growing e-commerce brand
- The mindset shifts Sarah made to move from “just making a product” to leading a mission-driven local food movement
- Practical ways anyone can support regenerative food systems without needing a full homestead or giant garden
- What she’s learned about trust, vulnerability, and relationships from authors like Dr. John Gottman and Brené Brown—and how that shapes her family and business
- Why playful branding (like Vampire Killer and Lava) + strong values is such a powerful combo for standing out online
If you’ve ever dreamed of turning your “little” product idea into a real, profitable brand—or you just want to eat better, live more locally, and make one meaningful decision a day—this conversation will inspire you to start right where you are.
Buy your own salts: https://summasalts.com
Follow Sarah on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/summasalts/
Instagram:
@amyschutte_
Work with us: www.hudsonandco.co
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