Today we’d like to introduce you to Brian & Brittnay Kohls Salsa Novo.
Hi Brian & Brittnay Kohls, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
The Story of Salsa Novo
Over twenty-five years ago, in the comfort of my own kitchen, I began making salsa—not for fame, not for fortune, but simply for the love of sharing something delicious with my kids. At the time, it was a personal passion, a homemade treat that added a little extra flavor to our family meals. As time went on, I started bringing my salsa to family functions, friend get-togethers, and company parties. During the holidays, it became one of my go-to gifts, a jar of love wrapped up with a ribbon.
The feedback I received was overwhelmingly positive. People raved about the flavor, the freshness, and the balance of the recipe. Again and again, I heard, “You need to start selling this!” The encouragement was humbling, and the idea took root. Still, life had its way of keeping me busy, and the timing never seemed quite right. Rather than rushing the process, I continued to refine my recipe, driven by the same passion that had first inspired me.
Over the next 25 years, life unfolded in beautiful, complex ways. I built a career, raised three wonderful children, navigated the challenges of divorce, and later married an incredible partner who shares my dreams and passions. Together, we were blessed with five beautiful grandchildren. My wife, Brittnay, became not only my life partner but also my business partner.
Brittnay and I channeled our creativity and work ethic into building an event planning business. Along the way, we both earned our Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees and carved out careers in the accounting field. Still, no matter where life took us, the dream of turning my beloved salsa into a business stayed tucked in the back of my mind, waiting for the right moment.
In 2024, that moment finally arrived. I decided it was time to take the leap and pursue what had long been a dream: producing and selling my own line of salsas. In July 2024, we obtained our business license and secured a commercial kitchen space to bring my vision to life.
The momentum was immediate and thrilling. Within just two months, we produced nearly 3,000 jars of mild and medium salsa. It was a whirlwind, and Brittnay often said she had never seen me so much in my element. Watching people taste and fall in love with our salsa was a dream come true. The feedback was electric, and it fueled us to keep pushing forward.
As the buzz grew, customers began asking for a hot salsa, and in November 2024, we proudly launched our third flavor. Again, the response exceeded anything we had imagined. We realized we weren’t just selling a product—we were building relationships and creating a community around our salsa.
Exciting opportunities quickly followed. Salsa Novo found a home at Jeremiah Café in Johnson City, Tennessee—a wonderful restaurant focused on employing and supporting individuals in the autism community. Not only do they sell our salsa, but they also serve it alongside their renowned breakfast burritos.
Shortly after, we partnered with Boone Street Market in Jonesborough, Tennessee, a community-oriented store devoted to locally grown and produced goods. Then Local’s Deli in Mountain City, Tennessee, picked us up, further cementing our ties to the local food scene. These partnerships were not random; they were the result of building meaningful relationships with groups like Blue Ridge Events, The Traveling Sun Boutique, and the countless event organizers who work tirelessly to create welcoming, successful marketplaces for small businesses like ours.
As Salsa Novo’s name spread, new doors began opening. In May 2025, we will branch out into Knoxville, where our salsa will be available at The Southern Market, a hub for Southern artisans and food makers. And, perhaps one of the most exciting moments yet, KnoxvilleVoyager—thanks to a referral from The Traveling Sun Boutique—reached out to feature us in an upcoming story.
The journey to this point has been nothing short of extraordinary. Each jar of Salsa Novo carries with it a piece of my heart, my family’s history, and the countless memories made along the way. This isn’t just about salsa—it’s about following a dream, even when life gets busy. It’s about believing in something you love so much that you never let it go, even if it takes decades to see it bloom.
I remain deeply passionate about the product I produce. There’s nothing like meeting new people at an event, watching their eyes light up after their first taste, and hearing their stories about how they shared our salsa with their friends and family. The experience is humbling, and it reminds me every day why I started this journey in the first place.
Our mission with Salsa Novo is simple: to create fresh, homemade salsa that brings people together. Whether it’s a family gathering, a casual brunch, or a special celebration, we want Salsa Novo to be a part of your memories, just as it has been a part of ours for the last 25 years.
Looking ahead, we are excited to continue expanding, meeting new friends, collaborating with more local businesses, and sharing our love of salsa with even more communities. But no matter how far Salsa Novo goes, it will always stay true to its roots — made with love, inspired by family, fueled by passion, and driven by a commitment to freshness, quality, and connection.
To everyone who believed in us, tasted our salsa, and encouraged this journey — thank you. You’re the reason we’re here today, and we can’t wait to see where this adventure leads next.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Launching a new business comes with plenty of obstacles, and we’ve certainly faced our share. Transitioning from making small batches in a home kitchen to producing 80-gallon batches was a major challenge. Achieving consistent texture and flavor on a larger scale took time, patience, and a lot of trial and error. It took three full batches before we finally nailed the perfect consistency and the flavor we were known for. Along the way, we ended up discarding more than 30 cases of tomatoes and other ingredients — sometimes the salsa was too smooth, other times too chunky. But we kept at it, determined to get it right.
Another ongoing challenge is predicting how much product we’ll need for each event. Every venue and crowd is different, and it’s a learning process that will likely continue as we grow. Through it all, our passion and commitment to quality have never wavered.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Brittnay and I have built our careers around leadership and management, spending many years working in both the private sector and state government. Our experiences in these diverse environments have shaped our professional values and taught us the importance of flexibility, resilience, and strong leadership. Over the past 15 years, we have founded two companies, each rooted in our shared belief that relationships and integrity are the cornerstones of lasting success. Brittnay takes the most pride in her leadership skills, consistently motivating teams, fostering collaboration, and driving results. I am proud of my ability to adapt to change, using every challenge as an opportunity for growth rather than a setback. We are passionate about creating positive work cultures, building lasting partnerships, and continuing to learn and grow both personally and professionally. Together, our complementary strengths allow us to navigate challenges and lead with vision, authenticity, and heart.
So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
In today’s fast-moving world, collaboration and community support are the heart of growing a strong business. We’re focused on expanding our social media presence to amplify our reach and share the passion behind every jar of Salsa Novo. Every like, share, word of encouragement, and piece of feedback fuels our drive and sharpens our vision. Our dream is bold — to see Salsa Novo on the shelves of major stores and on the tables of top restaurants. It’s a journey that demands great partnerships, fearless commitment, and powerful investments. With your support, we’re turning that dream into reality.
Pricing:
- MIld Salsa – $10 per jar
- Medium Salsa – $10 per jar
- Hot Salsa – $10 per jar
Contact Info:
- Website: www.salsanovo.com
- Instagram: salsa_novo
- Facebook: salsanovo
