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Essilfua Bartels
Owner + Saucier at L'Obsidian LLC/Cooking Show Host/Cultural Food Expert
Essilfua Bartels is the founder and CEO of ESSIESPICE, a company that specializes in vegan, small-batch cooking sauces and spice blends inspired by her West African heritage. She established the brand in July 2020, aiming to create a fusion of flavors that reflect her diverse culinary experiences from around the world, including influences from Asia, the Caribbean, and Europe.12
Background
Originally from Ghana, Essilfua moved to the United States at the age of 18. Before founding ESSIESPICE, she had a successful career in corporate roles, including as a Global Procurement Manager where she gained extensive international experience.23 Her journey from corporate life to entrepreneurship was fueled by her passion for cooking and the rich flavors of her native cuisine.
ESSIESPICE Offerings
ESSIESPICE features a variety of products that showcase traditional West African spices. Notable offerings include:
- Mango Chili Medley: A versatile sauce praised for its flavor.
- Coco-For-Garlic: A garlic-infused cooking sauce.
- Mekko Dry Rub: A spice blend for various dishes.
- TamarindOH: A tamarind-based sauce that enhances many meals.12
Essilfua Bartels has cultivated a dedicated following for her products, which are celebrated for their quality and unique flavor profiles. Through ESSIESPICE, she aims to share the joy and richness of her cultural heritage with a broader audience.
Highlights
I had a successful career in corporate! I was a Global Procurement Manager, had accounts all over the world, worked in Europe, the US & South Africa with internal & external clients but my spice & sauce business was a side gig that I never took seriously
Fast forward to 2016 when I switched jobs to leverage my salary to augment the side hustle. It was a smart move; I got a better title, more money but I was truly miserable. Company culture, commute and job description was completely different from what was advertised and 4 months into the role, I was let go.
I was really at a crossroads; apply for another job or give my side gig, Essiespice a chance. I decided to give Essiespice 6 months of undivided attention and in those 6 months If nothing happened, I’d return to corporate. I already had two job offers pending that I put on hold so I really wasn’t scared about finding another job.
In those 6 months of laser focus on Essiespice, I was able to land my sauces in Wholefoods, was profiled in FORBES and had a whole spread in TIME magazine. This was my indication that I was exactly where I needed to be.
This past weekend we launched the sauces in almost 200 Target stores in California, Maryland, New York, Virginia, D.C, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Delaware. I went from stores telling me my West-African sauces “didn’t fit” on their shelves and wouldn’t sell, to now being in 300 stores across the US.
I took a chance on myself. I took a chance on my dreams. Everything I acquired working almost 10 years in corporate has been invaluable in running Essiespice. Whatever dream you have, I hope you protect it, you nurture it but most importantly, I hope you give it a chance. #BlackBusiness #WomanOwned #SmallBusiness #Retail #Target #Corporate #StartUp #Entrepreneur #Ghana
We’re the ones we’ve been waiting for!!!
Whispered some silent prayers; those ones you don’t even say out loud because you can’t imagine it materializing? Yeah those ones.
But I know He 🙏🏾 planned it all along, brought @eltonandersonjr into my life who wouldn’t stop talking to the producers at @mycleotv and here we are... I honestly don’t have words; I just know I’m a vessel with a lot of work to do! #ThatEssieSpiceGirl #AfricanFood #GraceUnderFire #SkinOfTheGods #GHANAGIRL #GHANA 🇬🇭
