STORY

I first created Max’s Sauce at 15 years old, after a life changing trip to visit my family in Guadalajara, Mexico. Growing up I was always filled with fear and lacked confidence, and my upcoming trip to Guadalajara, Mexico, for my 15th birthday filled me with dread. I longed to hide away in the safety of my room, away from the world and its expectations. My parents knew about this but didn’t know how to challenge this issue with me. Determined to lift my spirits, they took this opportunity to throw a celebration with the wildest party animals they knew - Mi Famlia.

While in Mexico, my Tia noticed my sadness, and couldn’t bear seeing me like this. So she took it upon herself and invited me to cook along with her. Reluctantly I accepted, not knowing that this simple act of kindness would change my entire life. As we chopped, stirred, and laughed together, I felt a spark of joy ignite within me, a feeling I hadn't felt in a long time. When our family gathered to taste our creation, seeing their smiles filled me with a sense of hope.

Returning home, I thought back on that moment, and it gave me an idea. If I could feel joy like that just from something as simple as food, why couldn’t everyone else? With newfound determination and passion, I became obsessed with the wonderful world of cooking. And shortly after, I launched my first-ever company, Max’s Sauce, at just 16 years old.

Through Max's Sauce, I want to remind others that even in their darkest moments, there is always a glimmer of light waiting to be discovered. My story is proof that the simple things like love, family, and food have the power to heal and inspire.