Conversations with Michelle Davidson

Today we’d like to introduce you to Michelle Davidson.

Michelle, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Cooper’s Small Batch began with a simple idea at a time when my husband (John) and I owned a restaurant In the historical South Pearl Street neighborhood called The Crusher. It was a fast-casual dining experience serving homemade bagels, panini’s & salads. John felt there was a missing ingredient that pairs well with breakfast & lunch items, and that was hot sauce. Instead of buying the commercial brands, and as a chef, John chose to make the hot sauce in-house that will pair well and complement our menu items; Cooper’s Small Batch, named after our son, was born.

The hot sauce fizzled away when the restaurant sold in 2012, and it wasn’t until 2017 when I sat down with him and presented a business proposal, one where we’d rebrand Cooper’s Small Batch and sell to retail stores. A crazy business proposition, but he was all in. So, for the next year, we spent our time doing market research, planning and development. Cooper’s Small Batch officially launched into the market in May 2018.

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
John and I decided when we committed to our new business adventure that we’d go all in and see where it takes us. We would either fall flat on our face and go back to corporate life or build a company together. After 3-years, we are building a company. I won’t say it’s been smooth sailing, the challenges we face are real. In the beginning, it was understanding production as it relates to sales, equipment purchasing, logistics, sourcing materials, CDPHE, FDA and a facility-where are we going to produce, should we explore a co-packer or use a commissary kitchen, we chose commissary and moved into our own facility a couple of years later.

Since Covid, it’s been different challenges. Getting materials takes longer because suppliers are struggling with stock availability. Food price has increased, the shipping cost has increased and unfortunately, we’ve lost some retailers because they’ve gone out of business. The good news is, the retailers we do serve and the partners we work with are thriving and buying from us, which makes us so happy. If our retailers and partners are doing well, it means the economy is doing good and people are shopping for our brand-It’s why we do what we do despite the obstacles we face.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
My professional life and career started as an exercise physiologist, a degree I received at the University of Northern Colorado. After 1-year working in my field, I changed careers to outside sales in the eyewear industry while John earned a culinary degree at Johnson & Wales. I am so grateful for the time I spent as an outside sales rep. It taught me at a young age the importance in cold calling, building relationships with retailers and what “no” really means in sales. After 20 + years in eyewear, I jumped into the bath & body industry working for a Denver-based company as their international/high profile sales executive, an opportunity that I’ll never forget. One that gave me the knowledge, confidence and skillset to become an entrepreneur and start my own company. I learned contract negotiations with distributors and mass retailers. Product development, design packaging, calculating margins, and so much more.

I am so proud of what I’ve learned from both industries. Both have given me an advantage and confidence to jump in and build my own company from the ground up. My dream is, one day, all spicy enthusiasts will have bottles of Cooper’s Small Batch in their kitchen!

Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
Cooper’s Small Batch is a proud Colorado small business. You can find us at many retailers sprinkled across this beautiful state and beyond. If you don’t see us in your favorite retailer store- Ask For Us! Or give us a shout and we will tell you where you can buy. #stayspicy and check us out on our website for all products offered.

Contact Info:

• Email: info@cooperssmallbatch.com
• Website: www.cooperssmallbatch.com
• Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/cooperssmallbatch
• Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/cooperssmallbatch