Fired Up and Focused: How San Diego Pepper Co. Created Breathing Room to Scale
We’ve all seen them at the local San Diego farmers markets—the founders with infectious energy and handcrafted hot sauce that actually lives up to the hype. Kieran and Jacklyn Parhar, the duo behind San Diego Pepper Company, are exactly those founders.
But as any entrepreneur knows, "making it" at the market is often just the beginning of a much steeper climb.
The Challenge: The "Founder Trap"
By the time Kieran and Jacklyn joined the Impact Lab, they had already proven their product-market fit. However, behind the scenes, they were stretched thin. Between production, bottling, event sales, and day-to-day management, they were doing it all.
Their business was thriving, but it was entirely dependent on their constant physical presence, leaving "little room to think strategically or plan for growth."
They were in a "business rut," feeling the weight of a successful brand that lacked the systems to move to the next level.
The Intervention: Shifting from Working In to Leading
To grow sustainably, the Parhars needed a strategic shift. Through theImpact Lab, we provided the financial coaching and structural tools necessary to build a foundation for scale:
Financial Deep-Dive: We analyzed their pricing and Cost of Goods Sold (COGS) to see if their farmers market model could translate to wholesale and retail environments.
Margin Analysis: We worked to determine exactly what their margins needed to look like to ensure profitability as the company scaled.
The Power of Delegation: We identified the day-to-day tasks that were keeping them from higher-level development, creating a roadmap for them to finally step back from the production line.
The Results: Landing on More Shelves
The shift in perspective changed their trajectory. By focusing on systems rather than just "hard work," Kieran and Jacklyn found the breathing room they needed to execute big ideas.
The Outcomes:
Retail Expansion: They successfully landed their products in multiple stores.
Regional Growth: They developed and approached a new regional sales route.
Founder Momentum: As Kieran shared, “The growth and new ideas we've gained from this program has gotten us out of that rut.”
Why It Matters
This is why we do what we do at Mission Edge. When we provide entrepreneurs with high-level strategy and financial clarity, we aren't just helping a business grow—we’re helping founders reclaim their time. By lowering the barrier to expert advice, we enable local creators like Kieran and Jacklyn to stay in business and continue fueling the San Diego economy.
What’s Next?
Kieran and Jacklyn are now moving toward delegating production and direct sales entirely. This shift allows them to prioritize high-level business development and make space for the next chapter ofSan Diego Pepper Company.
Keep an eye out for them on more shelves across the region—they’re just getting started.
Ready to get your small business out of a rut?
Whether you're a founder looking to scale or a mentor wanting to give back, let’s connect.
