Debra Sandler of Bazodee on Caribbean-inspired pepper sauces

Debra Sandler is a doer. She is a perfect example of someone with high ambitions who has never forgotten her family and her roots. With over 30 years of experience in corporate America, she has now turned her focus to Bazodee, a Caribbean-inspired, natural, family-driven line of pepper sauces and marinades. Debra was born in Venezuela but grew up in Trinidad and Tobago surrounded by a large family. Speaking of her childhood, Debra describes Trinidad and Tobago as the “truest melting pot,” and she recalls celebrating a multitude of holidays and customs from many different cultures represented on the islands. She noted food and music as two of the most powerful uniting forces that bring these different cultures together as one and trigger a true sentiment of home. At age 18, Debra left Trinidad for the US, and attended Hofstra University to study international trade. After approaching Pepsi’s VP of Marketing as a college junior, she went on to spend 13 years at PepsiCo, eventually rising to Marketing VP herself. After PepsiCo, Debra worked for Johnson & Johnson and Mars, where her entrepreneurial spirit was further cultivated working on and supervising many exciting company projects. Although her corporate career is wildly successful by any measure, it was not without adversity. As a black woman in business, Debra many times found herself to be the only woman or the only person of color in the room. Emphasizing the importance of representation and listening to all voices, Debra refused to let the expectations and assumptions of others define or limit her. Sparked by her desire to honor and carry on her family’s unique recipes and culinary creations, Debra created Bazodee, making her Aunt Mavis’ sauces and marinades commercial-ready to share with all. A true family business, Debra, her Aunt, daughter, and fiance are all directly involved with Bazodee’s operations. From their traditional Trinidadian Curry to their Soca pepper sauce, flavorful Marinade, and sweet Tamarind sauce, Bazodee offers a truly unique and special line of sauces, as well as a perfect avenue for Debra to continue and share her family’s cooking. To learn more about Bazodee, visit Mavis Foods website at www.bazodee.com Podcast editing by Mike Turnwall - miketurnwall.com Please tell a friend that would enjoy this podcast or leave us a review. Thank you for listening! Produced by CraftHotSauce.com