My short bio: A good friend of mine initially had the idea to start a spice company. After looking at it we realized it was something that had a lot of potential. He eventually decided to start a different business and gave me the green light to pursue the spices. Since then I have been working day and night on Spice Ninja Seasonings. A low-salt, organic, Gmo and pesticide free blend of high quality spices. About 6 months in to it I decided to quit my job and go for it. So, ask me anything.

My Proof: https://twitter.com/spice_ninja/status/641710372437647360 https://www.facebook.com/spiceninjaseasonings

Free Samples: I am sending free samples to the first 50 people who want them. All you have to do is click the link below and ill send them out to you as soon as I can

http://www.spiceninjaseasonings.com/freesamples.html

EDIT #1 - Hey everyone thanks so much for signing up for samples. I am well over the 50 sample limit but keep on signing up. I will try to send samples to everyone who registers.

Edit #2 - Thanks for all the questions everyone. I really didnt think this would get as big as it did. I need to get going but if any other questions come up ill answer them when i come back. Keep signing up for the free samples. Ill work on getting them out to as many people as possible. If you want to know more about the company check out our website and follow us on instagram and facebook. Links below. Thanks again everyone for all the great questions, kind words and well wishes Website - www.spiceninjaseasonings.com Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/spiceninjaseasonings Instagram - @spiceninjaseasonings https://instagram.com/spiceninjaseasonings/

Edit #3 Wow everyone thanks so much for all the amazing support. Over 2000 people have signed up for samples. Initially I was only going to give away 50 but i will do my best to get as many samples out as possible. If i can afford to send out all 2000 samples I absolutely will. For anyone else interested in Spice Ninja Seasonings please visit www.spiceninjaseasonings.com and enter your email. All who register will have first dibs on ordering before the store goes live. Thanks again everyone for all the support and I will continue to work on answering everyone's questions. Im seriously blown away by this.

Comments: 463 • Responses: 66  • Date: 

IntellegentIdiot588 karma

Are your spices new?

Medicalli288 karma

Im not sure what you mean by that but yes this is a brand new company with brand new spice blends

IntellegentIdiot1667 karma

Good, I hate old spice

Medicalli100 karma

But what about terry?! It's impossible to hate terry

HoolioDee62 karma

Greatest. Set-up. Ever...

I'm impressed beyond belief.

Medicalli30 karma

It deserves to be on top. Much respect to u/intellegentidiot much respect indeed

BigHatsAndLittleHats161 karma

Is it true that the spice must flow?

Medicalli60 karma

The spice will always flow.

theresidue65 karma

Is being GMO-free purely a marketing decision, or are you against GMO? No bias, just curious of your opinion.

Medicalli19 karma

Im not against them at all. Its a personal choice for many people and a necessary one for others. It just so happens that we cater to them as well.

Hoed63 karma

[PSA] Inputting personal information such as your name, telephone number, and address on non HTTPS webform is not reccomended. Do you really want to say that, in clear plain text, to the entire internet?

Medicalli8 karma

I am not asking for telephone numbers, just name, address, and email which will only be used for shipping. I understand your concern though.

pm_me_skinnygirltits57 karma

hmm, do i want to link my user name to my real name?

Medicalli39 karma

yes, do it

kybll45 karma

What inspired you to start a spice company?

Medicalli61 karma

Initially it was one of my best friends idea. He told me about it then we started to really look in to it and saw it was something that can be done. Over the last couple years I lost about 100lbs and one of the biggest ways I got there was by cooking my own meals. Its always so annoying for me to grab spices individually and I wasnt a big fan of any spice blends that are currently available so I thought it would be awesome to make one.

PieceMaker4221 karma

What is your favorite blend you have made so far?

Medicalli33 karma

My favorite blend is the original flavor. Its amazing

Wonderlandian9 karma

Oh wow, that's so cool. I'm actually trying to lose about that much weight myself (just got back on the wagon today, actually) and when I saw your AMA, my first thought was how bad ass spices could potentially be a great tool for weightloss! I put in for the free samples, but considering you've probably gotten hundreds of requests by now, I'm not really expecting anything haha. Looking back at your own weight loss journey, can you point me towards a couple of your spice blends that you wish you had around when you were losing? Thanks!

Medicalli2 karma

I found a store near me called Savory Spice. they have really great spices and spice blends. Im not sure if they do online orders or how many locations they have but its worth checking out

personablepickle6 karma

Please invent something low salt to add kick to undressed salads. I would hella buy that.

Medicalli6 karma

I only plan on introducing about 4 new flavors and a "salad dressing" is on the board as a possibility.

Zombies_Are_Dead5 karma

Are you going to be selling only blends, or are you considering selling other spices? The reason I ask is that I teach a cooking class and the town I am in is very challenged when it comes to getting any spices that aren't sold at Walmart. It would be awesome to have a source for a wider variety, especially considering my usual spice store isn't convenient at all anymore since I moved.

Medicalli3 karma

Yea i will only be selling blends. There are plenty of companies that sell spices by themselves but i know they are a little costly.

whatsacanteloupe20 karma

How profitable of a venture is this? How do you plan on selling such high volumes of spice without any anti-caking agent? Have you experimented storing your blends at different temperatures and humidity levels as to know when they begin to clump, or the flavor is compromised? (I'm sure potential customers live in many different climates). As I am sure you know homemade spice blends do not have an indefinite shelf-life. When I was in Culinary School blends can begin to clump in days. Breaking up severely clumped spices isn't as simple as "shake it." What is the shelf life of your product?

Medicalli3 karma

According to my supplier the shelf life is up to 12 months. Not having a caking agent isnt as problematic as youd think but because of that there are certain spices i simply cant use like tomato powder because it clumps immediately

sheowen15 karma

Are you familiar with Penzey's? What makes your blends unique, compared to Penzey's or other spice companies?

Medicalli54 karma

I am when i was just in the beginning stages i was looking at them. They focus more on selling spices individually. I will only be selling original spice blends. Right now i have four flavors but I dont plan on ever going over 8 in the next few years. The thing about spices and flavor in general is that every blend is different. Even if you have the same ingredients if you change the amounts it changes the flavor. This may sound silly but when i was making my spice blends I had them critiqued by a table of grandmas and I wasn't satisfied until each and everyone of them were happy with using my blends instead of their own. Afterwards i started sending out samples and the feedback has been phenomenal. No other spice company ive tried gives the feeling of, holy hell this is amazing, but im also a little biased haha

luisolis14 karma

What spices are in the sample? Can you confirm if you got mine? What's your view on Donald Trump?

Medicalli27 karma

Samples spices include our four current flavors - Lemon Ginger - Spicy - Taco (for mexican dishes) - Original

I did receive yours. you werent one of the first 50 but ill ry to get it out to you regardless.

His daughter is really hot.

sealfon12 karma

Submitted my request for a free sample but I am not sure it went through, hope you can confirm it did. I am looking forward to trying your spices on some of my ribs and roasts in the smoker. What is your best spice for pork ribs?

Medicalli11 karma

Hey sealfon, I got it. Youll get them soon. As for pork ribs id have to go with the Original Flavor. Its really phenomenal

nerd_mri_6111 karma

I too asked for samples. I am 54, got fired from a career of 25 years, getting a divorce and couldn't be happier. I am going to retool for a new career. Congratulation on what I hope will be a successful launch! What gave you the "push" to get off the fence?

Medicalli2 karma

You know you never know where you end up in life but you have to focus and push for what makes you happy. IM glad you have a positive attitude and wish you all the best in your new career. As far as what gave me the push to go for it. It was my friends. I told my friends what i would have to sacrifice to do this and they supported me wholeheartedly. If i didn't have them id still be at my old job

Jack_Hat9 karma

Are you hiring spice tasters? I have zero experience and not really driven or motivated, but if it's an easy job, I can give you a consistent 88% effort rate. I'm also easy to work with, but I can't work sunday nights because that's guy's night.

I can also do shady jobs for you if you don't want to get your hands dirty. I'm also afraid of heights and got all my teeth.

Medicalli2 karma

I wasnt always around all the best people so unfortunatley i have all the "shady" jobs covered

BadMrBlonde8 karma

What did you do before making spices?

Medicalli12 karma

I was a clinical lab scientist. It was great but it allowed me no time to focus on creating a new business. I am also a personal trainer but I create my own schedule with that so its much more manageable

theblang7 karma

Did you check if spice.ninja is available now that .ninja is a domain? That would be awesome.

Medicalli2 karma

.Ninja is a domain? spiceninja.com is a musicians page for myspace and I couldnt get it :(.

I_AmA_Zebra5 karma

Well I submitted, might be too late, but some of the spices sound mouthwatering, I'd probably use it on chicken because well, Zebras love chicken.

1)How much research do you put into the spice mixes? Did you constantly make small samples then cook/taste the food?

2)How many failed attempts would you say you go through before you find on that you like?

Also. Ninjas rock :p

Medicalli2 karma

I didnt know zebras like chicken. Im going to take that as a fact now.

1) I went to a high end spice store that would have the same quality spices that my supplier would use and i bought up everything i thought would be good. I didnt really research spice blends as much as I just went with my gut instinct, what smelled good and what seemed like it would mix mell. after i created my blends i actually made some really popular spice blends online and they came out horrible so im really glad I went with my own palate

2) Theyre weren't too many failed. Absolutely some blends were bad. some i hated but it was very few. I focused on one blend at a time and once I got the base down it was just a matter of perfecting it. So each batch wasn't a failed attempt it just needed a little more tweaking.

Pureststrainofevil5 karma

Are you hiring IT guys? I'm pretty chill and like spices

Medicalli4 karma

I will be soon. DM me

yellowsubmarinr5 karma

Do you sell ascorbic acid (vitamin C)? We buy it by the pound at my bakery, from myspicesage.com right now. Would love to buy from you if you stock it. Let me know!

Medicalli2 karma

I do not and dont plan to. I will only be selling spice blends

AnotherDrZoidberg4 karma

Why is it called Spice Ninja? It doesn't seem to be related in any way. I would consider re-branding unless you actually have a reason for calling it that.

Medicalli6 karma

It was a big brainstorming mission to come up with a name. I wanted something catchy and fun and not old fashioned. This is a strange answer but Spice Ninja just feels right and with it i was able to make a kick ass logo that im really proud of. You can see the logo on spiceninjaseasonings.com

AnotherDrZoidberg7 karma

Fair enough, I do like the logo! Maybe you could add a tag line of sorts: Sneaky good! or something like that to tie it in a little.

Medicalli4 karma

I dont believe its on the website yet but the tag line is "The Art of Flavor"

jaclynconnors4 karma

White girl here - do you have PUMPKIN spice?

Medicalli5 karma

Haha you know i sy i wont but im sure i will. It wont be an official falvor but just for the holidays because white girls need spice love too

creedfeed3 karma

Did you design your website yourself?

Just an FYI - on your web site, if you don't have your browser full screen, the text and sign up box are being pushed off the screen... see screenshot: http://i.imgur.com/VZNzxof.png[1]

Medicalli2 karma

Yea I designed it. It is just a temporary site while the real one is being created. Ive tested it with as many different computers/browsers and platforms as I could but there would always be a few that would be off. I didnt want to invest the money to hire someone to make make a temp website but I did with the new one so hopefully it wont have that problem. Thanks though. you using Chrome? right? Some people have it load perfectly and others dont. I have no idea why.

bozobozo3 karma

What is your favorite dinosaur?

Medicalli17 karma

Reptar

tokodan2 karma

Did you receive any external funding to kick off the company? Are there any regulations concerning the sale of spices, ie, is it as regulated as the food industry?

Medicalli2 karma

I am funding everyting myself but im running out of funds so i am looking at funding ootions. I had plenty of investor offers but they want to much for what i need. sales are regulated by the FDA

NorbitGorbit2 karma

how long can spices stay fresh given the right container?

Medicalli2 karma

Up to a year, however i dont use any anti-caking agents so if you let them sit they will clumb togther, but all you have to do is give them a little shake and theyre good as new

bpendz2 karma

What do you recommend for steak? Fish? and taters? Hope I got in the 50! New grill at home and want to test it out with some good flavors. Salt and Pepper isn't cutting it.

Medicalli10 karma

I will never make a steak seasonings. Nothing is better on steak that some good old sea salt and coarse pepper

The original flavor and lemon ginger is really good on fish

All of them will taste amazing with potatoes

dpkimsecks2 karma

Will you start a loot crate style subscription plan? I'd love to pay a fee and get a few sets of different spices to try every month.

Medicalli2 karma

At this point I am not planning on it. I wont have enough different flavors to constitute a subscription. after the third payment you would probably have everything lol

kmfrtblynumb2 karma

Will you sell my information?

Medicalli2 karma

nope..unless...will you buy it?

Dalionmind1 karma

Hey cool idea, I like your product! Forgive me if you have mentioned it somewhere in the comments but I can't find it, where are you based out of?

Medicalli2 karma

Hey no worries, I am based out of los angles county. One day I hope to relocate the home office to san francisco

polina20071 karma

Also are you bringing out any unusual spices apart from the usual ones?

Medicalli3 karma

Unusual not so much. Harder to come by absolutely. One of the biggest aspects i wanted to focus on was making great spice blends that you couldn't just recreate them by picking up basic spices from you local store. Here are some of the harder ones to come by that I use:

  • Aji Chilli Pepper
    • Hungarian Paprika
    • Ancho Chili
    • Peruvian Ginger
    • Ground Lemon Peel

pavementengineer1 karma

what kind of packaging are you considering for your final product? Are you looking to make them available in both jars and bags? Have you considered a bulk size jar for a retailer like costco?

Medicalli1 karma

For the sample sizes i have oz sized bags that i put my sticker on. For the actual product I will be selling 4oz of seasonings which is almost double the size of standard seasonings in plastic bottles. Jars are too expensive to use. I am set to go in food4less but i want to try and get in to higher end stores like traders joes first and I have alot of local business that want to have my spices in my store so i will be accommodating t them as well

thebosz1 karma

My wife is celiac (wheat gluten intolerant). It can sometimes be hard to find spices that don't use wheat.

Are your spices gluten free? If they are, is it hard to keep wheat out of the process?

Medicalli3 karma

Yes we are absolutely gluten free. I forgot to put that in the introduction

ikantsepll1 karma

What job did you quit to pursue this? Did you not like your job?

Also thanks for the free samples!

Medicalli1 karma

I was a clinical lab scientist. It was great but it allowed me no time to focus on creating a new business and it wasnt something I can see myself doing 5 years from now. I want to build something great and impact as many people as possible. Your welcome for the samples :)

Chuchubear1 karma

Yeti! I follow you on Instagram and I want to say your story is inspiring to me.

What's your favorite spice amongst yours goes best with chicken?

Medicalli3 karma

Ah shit thanks so much. Its always awesome running in to people over reddit. DM your username so i can follow you. Regarding the spices though while i really really want to say taco. The original flavor is ridiculous. So so good

rastel1 karma

Do you offer any recipes with your spices? I love to experiment with spice but find I don't expand beyond a few varieties. Also, where do you get your bulk spices, are they imported from overseas?

Medicalli1 karma

We will be offering recipes e-books for everyone. We wont have them initially but it will be created soon after the launch :). I get my bulk spices from a great company here in the US

CrazyCapitalist1 karma

Spice blends are wonderful, especially for Cajun recipes! Do you have anything in Greek or Russian styles?

Medicalli2 karma

Greek and Italian spice blends are very difficult to "make unique" they both have very staple herbs than must go in. I havent considered russian spice blends though. Ill educate myself on them and see what happend. Thanks for the idea :)

_Z_E_R_O1 karma

This is a great idea! Where do you get the ingredients used in your spices from? Do you have a farm, or buy from a supplier?

Medicalli2 karma

I get them from a suppllier that meets all the guidelines i need to be able to sell them. Its a family owned company. They are really great people and I have i can give them plenty of business

lens_cleaner1 karma

Do you intend to market a salt free version? I understand it makes a bottle more expensive but I don't care. I have only bought salt free for years.

Medicalli2 karma

Initially i was going to make a salt-free seasonings company, after tasting the blends i took a shotgun to that idea lol. Most salt-free seasonings substitute the salt with potassium chloride and its just not the same at all. Is there a reason why you dont take in any salt from seasonings at all? Most blends are super high in salt but mine willl be very small ammount just for flavor

Drsweetcum1 karma

I filled out my information into your website, how do I know if I'm within the first 50? I would be ecstatic to get some samples!

Medicalli2 karma

I really didnt expect this to blow up like it did. I dont think you were one of the first 50 but i will do my best to get them out to as many people as possible. As of now almost 1600 people signed up. If i can afford to send them out i will

Saelem1 karma

Mm Spice.

Have you thought about going into sugar/sweetner blends as well?

Medicalli1 karma

I have. I am actually working on creating something for sweet stuff right now that Im really really excited about. Of the few people ive told they lost their shit at the idea and cant believe no one else is doing it. Just working on the right combination but im hoping to announce it at the beginning of next year.

polina20070 karma

Hi there! Do you also grow your own spices or do you just pack them? If not,which parts of the world do you bring your spices from?

Medicalli3 karma

No, unfortunately I am not able to grow my own spices. There are alot of FDA guidlelines that I would have to get over to be in a position to grow them myself. Also i use so many different spices that it wouldnt be plausible for me to grow them all anyway. I have a third party company that meets all of the FDA guidelines and has all of the organic and GMO certs and labels that grow them for me.

samwise09120 karma

On a more personal level, what are your favorite films?

Medicalli2 karma

All my friends give me a hard time because im not a very big movie guy. I never get any of their references. But some of my favorites that i alwasy watch if they're on 3 i would have to say - Never ending Story - Oceans 11 - Inglorious Bastards

also roger rabbit. I know i broke the only 3 rule but i felt bad leaving him out. Forgive me

JooMuthafkr2 karma

I hope you were hoping to hear Dune was one of the OP's favourite movies.

TBH, I hope the OP has said the words, "THE SPICE MUST FLOW!" at some point.

Now that I think about it, is there a spice call "Melange" in the catalogue?

Medicalli0 karma

there is now

StarDestinyGuy0 karma

You said you lost a lot of weight primarily by cooking your own meals.

What did you learn about cooking throughout that weight loss process and what did you learn about spices?

I'm sure you're over 50 by now, but I'll keep my fingers crossed on the free samples!

Medicalli3 karma

I didnt lose weight primarily thorugh cooking. I did alot of training as well but cooking my own meals definitely helped. By coking my own meal i know exactly whats going in it. The main hassle was that i was too lazy to cook great meal all the time by combining a pantry full of seasonings. Now i use my spice blends and it makes it so easy and the food tastes great.

duckalucka0 karma

Some kids say "rock star" "athlete" "teacher" "vet" but you said "spices". How did you become a "wannabe" (see what I did there) spice maker?

Medicalli1 karma

Can i be all of them?

JF_Queeny-5 karma

How are you confirming pesticide free production of ingredients?

Medicalli2 karma

The people making my spices has the USDA organic certificate as well and a pesticide residue free certificate. SO im trusting them and those certificates

JF_Queeny-5 karma

That doesn't mean no pesticides were used, just that residual pesticides can't be detected. I would assume the test is only as good as what they look for.

http://www.scsglobalservices.com/certified-pesticide-residue-free

Medicalli3 karma

currently to my knowledge there is no official "pesticide free cert". A combination of the organic and residue free is the best option to guarantee it. I will also be visitng the facility where its grown as well