Specialty Food Magazine is the leading publication for retailers, manufacturers and foodservice professionals in the specialty food trade. It provides news, trends and business-building insights that help readers keep their businesses competitive.
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sales@stickyfngersbakeries.com www.stickyfngersbakeries.com 1.800.458.5826 Less Work, More Joy. Visit us at the Fancy Food Show! Booth #4115 Summer Fancy Food Show Booth 4115 Summer Fancy Food Show Booth 2166 producer profile Nicole Potenza Denis is a contributing editor to Specialty Food Magazine. started selling them under Vino de Milo, but it did not make sense," Leal explains. While no wine appears in either line, alcohol is a com- mon theme among the products: JB's Best salsas use tequila and the sauces contain microbrewed ale. The JB's Best line might be considered Leal's alter-ego, but in fact it's a loving gesture to his husband, Barry, whom he calls his silent supporter. "I figured after 10 years of constant emotional and financial support, it was about time he had his name on a line!" Today, the company offers 40 SKUs under the Vino de Milo and JB's Best brands, and another dozen under controlled brands. Leal continues to introduce new items that undergo rigorous testing before launch, and is constantly working with his customers to make sure what is being developed has demand behind it. He examines what is doing well in the marketplace, talks to his accounts to see what is mov- ing and listens carefully to customer feedback. "Our customers help drive our business and offer ideas for new products," he says. Despite the business' continued success, Leal still produces at ACEnet, for the time being. The company's growth has sparked the preliminary stages of product expansion. "We are starting to look at what it would take to have our own facility, which is incredibly exciting. We currently employ about 10 amazing, dedicated, hard-working people, and this move would enable us to take this business to the next level," Leal says. "There is so much more I want for this company—we are halfway to where I want to be." The packaging update has made a huge dierence in sales—almost doubling them by the end of 2013. 80 ❘ SPECIALTY FOOD MAGAZINE specialtyfood.com ProducerProfiile_Milo.indd 80 6/6/14 2:13 PM