After spending many years working as a Property Manager, Shannie Pemberton realized the 9 to 5 office life hustle was simply not spicy enough for her (pun intended). Shannie set out to create the best hot sauce you could get your hands on, and Pemberton’s No. 1 Dipping Sauce was born from Shannie’s deep love of spice. Sparked by her childhood growing up on the island of Nevis in the Caribbean, Shannie’s family moved to America, started a painting and interior company, and were fulfilling the American dream. They encouraged Shannie to do the same and follow her own dreams. We’re inspired by her dedication to supporting homeless and displaced youth in the U.S. and Caribbean. This hot-sauce lovin’ mama sat down with NJMOM to discuss her plan to create two new sauces in 2019, as well as some of her favorite places to spend time by the ocean around New Jersey, like Ocean City and Wildwood.
NJMOMpreneur & Creator of Pemberton’s No. 1 Dipping Sauce, Shannie Pemberton
NJMOM: What do you offer to your clients and how is it different than other professionals in your field?
Shannie: Pemberton’s No.1 Dipping Sauce currently sells one signature sauce which is called Garlic Serrano Not- So-Hot Dipping Sauce. The dipping sauce is actually the perfect blend of spices and flavor and it satisfies the taste buds of food lovers looking for a sauce that is not too hot yet not too bland. This sauce can be used at every meal – breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The Garlic Serrano Not-So-Hot Sauce is versatile as it can be used as a dipping sauce, hot sauce, marinade, and salad dressing. Pemberton’s No.1 Dipping Sauce stands out from other sauce companies as our goal is not only to satisfy customers taste buds but we are on a mission which is to help homeless and displaced youth. Our customer’s donations and purchases are used to give back to homeless and displaced youth. We use a portion of donations and purchases to purchase birthday gifts, holiday gifts and sponsor holiday parties for homeless and displaced youth in both the U.S and Caribbean countries.
Speak positively at all times because what we say and think tends to happen. If you believe that your business will be successful, confirm that each day and work on making it successful.” – NJMOMpreneur Shannie Pemberton
NJMOM: What inspired you to get into your line of work?
Shannie: I worked as a Property Manager for over a decade and reached the peak in my career both professionally and monetarily. I became tired of working for someone else and making them rich and decided one day that I needed to focus on starting a business and focus on my dreams of becoming an entrepreneur. I was inspired by my parents that immigrated from the Eastern Caribbean, they owned and operated a successful painting and interior company. In my mind, if they could come to another country and successfully operate a business, I had no excuse for not being able to do the same. One day I sat down and started thinking about the things that I love and Pemberton’s No.1 Dipping Sauce was born, I combined my love for hot sauce (I know that sounds silly but I seriously love hot sauce, it makes me happy) and my desire to help others. I worked and volunteered with children from teenage years through adulthood working for-profit and non-profit child care facilities and worked as a youth mentor for inner-city students in college. I also started my own company so that I could spend more time with my family and be in control of my own present and future. For me having such freedom truly is a success.
NJMOM: What is your favorite part about your business?
Shannie: My favorite part about my business is that it is all mine and that I can operate it successfully to create my own professional destiny.
NJMOM: What is your background in your business expertise?
Shannie: I love hot sauce – that’s enough. Working as a Property Manager for over a decade equipped me with the skills and abilities to know how to run a successful business, how to market effectively, create and abide by a budget, and how to create a great rapport with my customers. Again, I love hot sauce and seriously put it on everything so my expertise comes from my personal love of the food product and desire to share my love of hot sauce with the world.
NJMOM: What are you most proud of in your career?
Shannie: I am most proud of my courage to just do it! I let go of fear and anxiety and took a leap of faith by starting this company.
NJMOM: What is something few people know about you?
Shannie: I am from a tiny island in the Eastern Carribean called Nevis. I absolutely love to travel and seriously wish to be able to visit every island one day and experience their unique culture.
NJMOM: What can we expect from you next year – personally and professionally?
Shannie: In 2019, I am both expecting and believing in many positive things. Professionally, I will continue to gain positive exposure for not only my sauces but my mission to assist others and inspire others to get involved in their community. I plan on growing my company by adding two additional sauces, each additional sauce will serve a different mission. Portions of proceeds from one of the new sauces will go towards feeding homeless youth and proceeds from the other sauce will go towards helping and inspiring other mompreneurs to pursue their dreams.
Personally, to continue to evolve into the positive and uplifting woman I was destined to be and to operate in the power of belief and faith in myself. Lastly, to visit at least one island I have never been to, to admire and indulge in the island’s culture. Be a role model for my kids and inspire them to think of businesses that they too can start, I believe you are never too young to become an entrepreneur.
NJMOM: What charitable cause are you most passionate about?
Shannie: I am passionate about helping people but more specifically helping homeless and displaced youth. I also see the need for women to be inspired to be independent. I have a passion for showing women that they are strong and able to be truly whoever they want to be.
NJMOM: Who is your role model? Why?
Shannie: My parents are my role models. They came from a different country in search of the American dream and achieved it through hard work, sacrifice, and dedication to making something of themselves and being able to successfully provide for their family.
NJMOM: What is the best piece of advice your mom (or parent/role model) ever gave to you?
Shannie: My mom used to tell me all the time that an opportunity lost can never be regained, which means that if a positive opportunity is presented to you, take advantage of it because there is no guarantee such an opportunity will come about again.
NJMOM: Do you have a favorite quote you live by? Why is this quote so important to you?
Shannie:
An opportunity lost can never be regained.” – words spoken by my mother
This quote reminds me of my mother’s wisdom and strength and all of the positive qualities she instilled in me.
NJMOM: What are your favorite things to do in New Jersey with your family?
Shannie: I love to visit the ocean, it reminds me of being in Nevis. I love Ocean City and Wildwood. I also love walking along the beach and collecting shells.
NJMOM: What is the best part about being a mom for you?
Shannie: I absolutely love being a mom because it gives me the opportunity to love another person (in my case a mini-me, I also have three step kids that I adore) unconditionally. I love the feeling that I get from looking at my children every day and knowing that I have the responsibility of raising them to be productive, positive and successful individuals in society.
NJMOM: What are your favorite businesses in New Jersey?
Shannie: My favorite restaurant is Applebee’s, otherwise, I find myself at Sephora and Five Below pretty often too!
NJMOM: Where do you reside and vacation in New Jersey?
Shannie: I reside in South Jersey (Glassboro), and we vacation at the beach either in Wildwood or Ocean City.
NJMOM: What advice might you have for a fellow NJMOMpreneur who is just starting out?
Shannie: Don’t give up and don’t get discouraged, if you are passionate about your business and have a vision it will come true. Speak positively at all times because what we say and think tends to happen. If you believe that your business will be successful, confirm that each day and work on making it successful. Also, remember that as a mompreneur starting out you must have patience!
NJMOM: Anything else you’d like to tell moms in New Jersey?
Shannie: You are a business, so, focus on making you the best you can be, personally and professionally.
For more information on Pemberton’s No. 1 Dipping Sauce, follow along on Facebook.
