[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 11 (Monday, January 22, 2024)]
[Senate]
[Page S200]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                   RECOGNIZING LOLA'S FINE HOT SAUCE

 Ms. ERNST. Mr. President, as ranking member of the Senate 
Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, each week I recognize 
an outstanding Iowa small business that exemplifies the American 
entrepreneurial spirit. This week, I am privileged to recognize Lola's 
Fine Hot Sauce of West Des Moines, IA, as the Senate Small Business of 
the Week.
  Lola's Fine Hot Sauce was founded by Taufeek Shah in West Des Moines, 
in 2017. The original hot sauce recipe is courtesy of Taufeek's mother 
Carmelita ``Lola'' Shah, who grew up in the Philippines before 
immigrating to the United States for medical school in the early 1970s. 
Lola spent over 35 years at Winthrop Medical Clinic in Winthrop, IA, 
where she practiced family health. Lola's hot sauce is a family recipe, 
entrusted to Taufeek in 2015. After receiving the recipe, Taufeek 
shared the homemade hot sauce with his coworkers and friends. Their 
positive reviews encouraged Taufeek and Lola to embark on their 
entrepreneurial journey by renting out a commercial kitchen and selling 
the hot sauce at farmers markets in central Iowa.
  Lola's Fine Hot Sauce quickly grew from its beginnings as a popular 
stand at local markets. Today, the business offers a variety of hot 
sauces and salsas, merchandise, a Southern Jalapeno Bloody Mary mix, 
honey jalapeno beef jerky, and Lola's Original Seasoning. They also 
post videos of recipes on their YouTube channel that folks can make at 
home using their favorite Lola's Fine Hot Sauce products as 
ingredients. In addition to being sold on their website, Lola's Fine 
Hot Sauce can be purchased across the United States, Canada, the Virgin 
Islands, and the Philippines at over 14,000 retailers. In 2022, Casey's 
announced a partnership with Lola's Fine Hot Sauce with their new 
Casey's Zesty Jalapeno Peanuts, Casey's Zesty Jalapeno Cashews, and 
Casey's Zesty Jalapeno Pretzels. All products are seasoned with Lola's 
Fine Hot Sauce and are available in-store and online for delivery.
  Lola's Fine Hot Sauce is actively involved in the Des Moines 
community. Taufeek currently serves on the board of directors for the 
Iowa Center for Economic Success and the board of directors for the Des 
Moines Area Community College Foundation. In 2023, Taufeek won the 
American Dream Award from the Iowa Restaurant Association. In addition 
to these awards, the Des Moines Register named Taufeek Shah as one of 
their ``15 People to Watch'' in 2023. Lola's Fine Hot Sauce is a proud 
member of the West Des Moines Chamber of Commerce and celebrated its 
seventh business anniversary in 2024.
  Lola's Fine Hot Sauce's commitment to providing quality hot sauces 
and products across the globe while maintaining its Iowa roots is 
clear. I want to congratulate Taufeek and Lola Shah and the entire team 
at Lola's Fine Hot Sauces for their hard work and success. I look 
forward to seeing their continued growth in Iowa.

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