How does an entrepreneur transform a cottage food operation into a nationally recognized brand that’s about more than just heat? For Lucas Lentz, the answer is found in mentorship, radical collaboration, and a core philosophy he calls "flavor you feel."
In this dynamic episode of the JUSTIN AND THE [FOOD] ENTREPRENEURS Show, host Justin Bizzarro sits down with Lucas, the innovative founder of Papa Caps Foods, for an inspiring look at the power of community in the hyper-competitive hot sauce world. This is a story about how a passion for spice became a vehicle for creating unforgettable experiences and giving back.
Lucas recounts his journey from selling at small farmers' markets to taking a leap of faith at the massive Illinois Hot Sauce Expo. It was there he discovered that his greatest competitors were also his most valuable allies—a tight-knit community of creators willing to share knowledge and support one another's growth. He shares powerful stories of the mentors who guided him, from the marketing executive at SCORE who helped him start, to the business coach who is now helping him master the analytics of scaling a CPG brand.
Discover the brilliant strategy behind his growth: creative collaboration. Lucas gives a behind-the-scenes look at his upcoming "Dr. Gindo & Mr. Caps" project, a dual-branded hot sauce that allows customers to mix their own heat level. It's a masterclass in how to partner with another brand to cross-pollinate audiences and create a product that is truly unique.
But the heart of this conversation is about purpose. Lucas reveals how his role as a student leader at his church and his mission to support St. Jude Children's Hospital through his "Hearts on Fire" sauce are inextricably linked to his brand's identity. This is a powerful blueprint for any entrepreneur who wants to build a business that not only succeeds financially but also makes a tangible, positive impact. Tune in for an episode packed with lessons on finding the right mentors, turning competitors into collaborators, and building a brand that truly connects with the hearts—and palates—of its community.
IG: @papacapsfoods
Address: www.papacapsfoods.com
Entrepreneur interested in being on the show: https://calendly.com/justin-bizzarro/podcast
Hosted By: Justin Ryan Bizzarro (IG: @justinbizzarro and LinkedIn: FOLLOW ME )
Who is Justin Ryan Bizzarro? – Justin Bizzarro is a serial food, restaurant, technology, media and marketing entrepreneur, who helped build a 24-year-old group of food and restaurant related businesses, he created with his father and business partners out of his family’s basement, in 1998. He is a highly desired business management, personal and athlete growth, free market, food diversity, and entrepreneurial leadership speaker. Justin’s expertise are in human growth, motivation, leadership and management development, health foods and beverages, global lean manufacturing facilities, vertically integrating businesses, food marketing and advertising, supply chain creation and management, direct to consumer fulfillment, transportation and distribution, personal brand building, restaurant development and construction, and entrepreneur acceleration. Justin received his BA in International Business and Management from Dickinson College, in 2002, and his MBA from University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill, in 2014. He is currently pursuing his Master of Divinity in Leadership from Denver Seminary. His leadership and entrepreneur podcasts have positively impacted millions of people across the globe.
Entrepreneur interested in being on the show: https://calendly.com/justin-bizzarro/podcast
Hosted By: Justin Ryan Bizzarro (IG: @justinbizzarro and LinkedIn: FOLLOW ME )
Who is Justin Ryan Bizzarro? – Justin Bizzarro is a serial food, restaurant, technology, media and marketing entrepreneur, who helped build a 24-year-old group of food and restaurant related businesses, he created with his father and business partners out of his family’s basement, in 1998. He is a highly desired business management, personal and athlete growth, free market, food diversity, and entrepreneurial leadership speaker. Justin’s expertise are in human growth, motivation, leadership and management development, health foods and beverages, global lean manufacturing facilities, vertically integrating businesses, food marketing and advertising, supply chain creation and management, direct to
Popular Podcasts
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
My Favorite Murder with Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark
My Favorite Murder is a true crime comedy podcast hosted by Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark. Each week, Karen and Georgia share compelling true crimes and hometown stories from friends and listeners. Since MFM launched in January of 2016, Karen and Georgia have shared their lifelong interest in true crime and have covered stories of infamous serial killers like the Night Stalker, mysterious cold cases, captivating cults, incredible survivor stories and important events from history like the Tulsa race massacre of 1921. My Favorite Murder is part of the Exactly Right podcast network that provides a platform for bold, creative voices to bring to life provocative, entertaining and relatable stories for audiences everywhere. The Exactly Right roster of podcasts covers a variety of topics including historic true crime, comedic interviews and news, science, pop culture and more. Podcasts on the network include Buried Bones with Kate Winkler Dawson and Paul Holes, That's Messed Up: An SVU Podcast, This Podcast Will Kill You, Bananas and more.