Rude Mama Hot Sauces: A Bold Vision Fueled by Community and Digital Support

Vian's excitement of a new chapter in Toronto was tempered by homesickness and the ache of distance from familiar flavours.  She found comfort in cooking but was missing that unique hot sauce flavour and was unable to find anything on the Canadian shelves that satisfied her palette. “I couldn't find anything I liked” she recalls, “(it) killed my joy of eating spicy food. Thats when the lightbulb went off in my head.” 

She began testing recipes in her kitchen, determined to recreate the heat, balance, and umami of the sauces she loved, along with their ability to bring people together.  “It took me two years to develop the recipe,” she shares.  Once she finally nailed the recipe, Vian made a bold decision and left her job in fine dining and launched what would become Rude Mama Hot Sauces – a brand as fiery, fearless, and full of character as Vian herself.  

Like many entrepreneurs, Vian's journey has been anything but easy. She faced financial uncertainty, constant rejection, and the heavy weight of self-doubt. “There are a lot of times I get scared,” she admits, but what kept her going was small but powerful reminders that her work mattered. “Every time (I got a rejection) I’d get a little message, email or slip into my inbox from me someone who bought my hot sauce and they're raving and saying how great I'm doing. After reading (those messages), I stopped crying and kept going.” 

One of the biggest challenges Vian faced was building an online presence that fit her business needs. She had created a basic website herself, but it wasn't working. “It looked okay,” she shares, “but it was just for show and didn't really generate a lot of sales and the back end was just a nightmare because nothing was integrated.” She didn't know where to turn to for support she could afford — that's when she discovered Digital Main Street (DMS).   

At first, she was drawn to DMS by the promise of grants, but what she found was much more: free hands-on digital support through the Toronto Digital Service Squad. She was paired with Aaron, who helped her transition to Shopify. Aaron patiently walked her through every step and taught her how to operate the site efficiently and effectively. She describes the switch to Shopify as “life changing”, not only because it was smooth, but because Aaron guided her through everything. “I’m not a tech-savvy person,” Vian laughs. “Whenever I looked at (my website), my brain broke. But the best thing about Aaron is he takes time to explain to me at a very ground level to the point where I get comfortable with it.”  Once launched, Rude Mama’s new and improved website immediately started getting more sales, and now she's in control of her business.  

With her new digital foundation, Vian began seeing real results. Recently, Aaron helped her set up a digital ad to drive traffic to her improved site. She watched online traffic quadruple – jumping from 300 monthly views to over 1,200 – and she did it all while keeping her ad spend at just $100 a month. Just as important, she gained the confidence to manage her digital presence by herself. “Through working with Aaron and the DMS team I can do it by myself for much cheaper” Vian explains, “and I can save that money for other parts of the business where it’s actually needed.” 

That confidence and visibility soon translated into recognition. In 2024, Vian was named as Canada Post's Tales of Triumph Rising Star, an honour that introduced her brand to audiences across Canada. She remembers the moment with disbelief. “I couldn't believe it. When I looked at the other (finalists), I thought, ‘I’m the smallest (company) here.’ At that time, I wasn’t even a year running into the business.” The award came with financial support, professional advertisements and amplified her reach in ways she never expected. She says suddenly, people were stopping her to say, “I see you everywhere.” For Vian, the exposure was more than marketing — it was validation of her hard work, resilience, and the uniqueness of her sauce. 

Today, Rude Mama Hot Sauces is no longer just a dream from a homesick kitchen. Her products are stocked in well-known retailers like Ambrosia, Healthy Planet, Fortino’s, Foodland and seven Sobeys. This expansion across Ontario is just the beginning; Vian has plans to grow west into British Columbia and east into Quebec, steadily building a brand that reflects both her roots and her future. 

Digitally, she’s not slowing down either. Vian is developing a recipe hub on her website, showcasing creative dishes from chefs and home cooks who use Rude Mama sauces. She’s also collaborating with other founders, celebrating community and cultural heritage through food. “It’s the community that I got through this business that helps me be myself.” Vian recognizes her success relies on others and wants to share her success with other entrepreneurs and chefs.” I want to shine a light on other founders who are amazing people in the background, but not a lot of people know about them.” 

Rude Mama Hot Sauces is more than a condiment brand. It’s a story of resilience, cultural connection, and the power of community support. For Vian, this business isn’t just about hot sauce, it's about telling her story through her delicious products. “People also need to know you as a person, because from that the support goes longer and deeper, she says, “both things (need to) shine together.” 

With Digital Main Street’s help, Vian found the tools, confidence, and digital foundation she needed to grow. What began as “love at first bite” has transformed into a rising brand that’s bringing bold, unforgettable flavors – and an inspiring story – to tables across Canada. 

To read more about Vian's story, and get your hands on some delicious hot sauce, visit her website here.  

If you're a small Toronto business looking for digital support, learn more about our Digital Service Squad here.