A Recipe for Success
Patrick and Brooke Deshotels wanted to start a business their young daughters could one day join. So, the couple settled on a concept based on mutual passions — cooking and salsa.
In 2015, the Louisiana Land Bank customers formed 2 Sisters’ Salsa Company, named for their daughters.
Today, consumers can find the family’s salsa products on store shelves across the country. And the secret to their success still starts at home — with authentic Cajun recipes they perfected themselves.
Getting Started
Patrick puts his agriculture business degree to good use on his farm and when sourcing fresh ingredients for his salsa. Along with running 2 Sisters’, he farms crawfish, milo, rice, soybeans, sugar cane and wheat.
What began in the Deshotels’ kitchen has expanded into a commercial operation. They distribute the company’s five restaurant-style salsas — verde, honey, fiesta, jalapeno and original — in over 4,000 stores across 20 states.
Growing the Business
The Deshotels first became Louisiana Land Bank customers 20 years ago when the lender financed their home, the initial headquarters for 2 Sisters’ Salsa.
As the company grew, they needed more space. Once again, the couple turned to their local lender. This time Louisiana Land Bank financed a 6,500-square-foot production facility and a 10,500-square-foot standalone warehouse. The new warehouse gives 2 Sisters’ room to store their product.
“We built the production facility to meet current and future demands,” Patrick said.
The family’s success does not surprise David Bergeron, the couple’s loan officer.
“I’ve worked with Patrick and Brooke for years. I knew anything they touched would be successful,” David said.
Stocking Shelves
Getting a customer to stray from their shopping list and try a new product takes work. It falls on 2 Sisters’ sales and marketing team to push the product through promotions.
“It takes about 10 years to build brand recognition,” Patrick said. “Along with selling the product at a great price point, we run ads, use social media and depend on the support of management at the stores we sell in.”
The company has found success. And they aim to keep growing.
“You haven’t won the game just by getting your product on the shelf,” Patrick said. “Each time we see our salsa in a new market, we know all the work is worth it. It’s exciting.”
This article was originally published in Texas Farm Credit District’s Landscapes Magazine.