Couple turned first-date chilli oil into a business

Mariana Carrizosa and Sebastian Jaramillo, a married couple originally from Bogotá, Colombia, moved to Austin, Texas where they started their food business Fiera Flavors. The brand was born from a homemade infused olive oil recipe they created for their first date. After moving to the US, they changed their initial Colombian brand name, Bestial, to Fiera Flavors, which launched its first product in May 2025.

The business began as a small venture, with Carrizosa working as a consultant at Bain & Company and Jaramillo running a software development company. However, they quickly realized that building a commercial food brand required significant resources and effort. They spent over $15,000 to $20,000 on food scientist consultations, legal permits, trademarking, and branding, and learned the hard way that pre-labeled 16-ounce bottles were a costly mistake.

Jaramillo discovered automation as a solution to her daily email overload and turned to YouTube for guidance on setting up a Shopify store and automating daily tasks. Local networking events also proved invaluable, helping them grow their retail presence from five stores to over 40 within a few months. They attribute much of their success to simply doing something well and getting it out into the world, rather than waiting for perfection.

Looking ahead, the couple aims to double their revenue to more than $15,000 in consistent monthly sales by the end of 2026. Carrizosa emphasized the importance of celebrating small wins, such as gaining a new store or receiving a five-star review, and advised other entrepreneurs to focus on doing something well and getting it out into the world rather than constantly striving for perfection.