I have a very unique connection with today’s guest. I went to elementary school with him and he lived just down the street from where I grew up. He was in the grade ahead of me and I can’t say our paths crossed much back then but it’s funny how life can circle back and connect you again with someone (yet another amazing perk of this podcast).
Today’s guest is Casey Elsass who followed his calling to pioneer his love of adventure and food. He is one of the co-founders of Bushwick Kitchen which began in 2014 as a 30-day bet to start a company. And now their product is on the shelves of William Sonoma!
IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS:
- Casey’s thirst for adventure “not wanting opportunity to slip by…that’s the kind of person I am”
- The insight he had to find “normalcy” after the first few years of starting up
- Recognizing the need for connection after experiencing work-induced solidarity
- Why creating a product from scratch feels vulnerable & requires bravery
- How Casey handles disappointment & success
- Casey’s typical morning routine
MEMORABLE QUOTES FROM THIS EPISODE:
“Success is the graceful execution of Plan B”
“I think the only failure is not trying”
Today’s guest is Casey Elsas who followed his calling to pioneer his love of adventure and food. He is one of the co-founders of Bushwick Kitchen which began in 2014 as a 30-day bet to start a company. And now their product is on the shelves of william sonoma!
They launched officially in February 2014. Their recreation grew to become their vocation. Their first product: Bees Knees Spicy Honey was a success. And every year since, their product line has grown. They now offer quite a variety of maple syrups, honey, and hot sauces:
- Bees Knees Salted Honey
- Bees Knees Hudson Honey
- For holiday this year, they introduced Bees Knees Meyer Lemon Honey
- Trees Knees Cinnamon Maple
- Trees Knees Mountain Maple
- Trees Knees Spicy Maple
- Weak Knees Gochujang Sriracha
Bushwick Kitchen’s products have appeared in the pages of Esquire, Vanity Fair, Bon Appétit, and Real Simple as well as features on the Today Show, Food Network, and The Chew. In 2016, they were finalists in the Good Food Awards, a national competition honoring people who make food that is delicious, respectful of the environment, and connected to communities and cultural traditions.
Casey has appeared on CNBC’s Power Pitch, Inc. Magazine’s Ask Marcus Lemonis, and alongside his bees in an episode of Cook’s Notes on Epicurious.com. He has also been a featured speaker at several food conferences, including Bitten: A Food Conversation & FounderMade: Food. Casey’s first cookbook, Maple Syrup, was published by Short Stack Editions earlier this year, and he’s written about food for Vice MUNCHIES, Huckberry, Food52, Epicurious, and Liquor.com.
Check out the Maple Syrup Cook Book Casey wrote here!
Sit back and enjoy this delightfully inspiring & adventure filled conversation about overcoming obstacles and negativity, catching opportunity while you can, the need for connection, and how much honey a bee actually makes over the span of her life.
Curious what what Bees Knees Spicy Honey tastes like? Go ahead, order a bottle or two. I’m confident you’ll love it!
If you’re hungry for more be sure to follow Bushwick Kitchen on:
Facebook: @bushwickkitchen
Instagram: @bushwick_kitchen
Website: bushwickkitchen.com
Photos Courtesy of Bushwick Kitchen
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