>> "VISITING WITH HUELL HOWSER" IS MADE POSSIBLE THROUGH A GENEROUS GRANT FROM THE RALPH M. PARSONS FOUNDATION.

[CAPTIONING MADE POSSIBLE BY KCET PUBLIC TELEVISION AND FRIENDS OF NCI] >> HELLO, EVERYBODY.

I'M HUELL HOWSER, AND IF YOU EVER WONDER WHY I'M ALWAYS IN SUCH A GOOD MOOD, IT'S BECAUSE OF STORIES LIKE THE ONE WE'RE GETTING READY TO DO RIGHT NOW.

HERE'S THE BACKGROUND.

RECENTLY, I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM TINA BONSALL, AND SHE INVITED ME TO COME VISIT HER FOR THE DAY AND THE LETTER WAS A GOOD LETTER AND PIQUED MY INTEREST, BUT WHAT REALLY GOT ME HERE WAS HER PICTURE THAT SHE SENT ALONG.

SHE WAS SMILING AND HAPPY AND FULL OF ENERGY, AND I DON'T THINK YOU'RE GONNA DISAPPOINT ME.

>> NO, I'M NOT.

WHAT A PLEASURE TO MEET YOU.

>> Huell: YOU ARE EXCITED ABOUT WHAT'S HAPPENING IN YOUR LIFE RIGHT NOW, AREN'T YOU?

>> YES, I AM.

I AM SO EXCITED.

I'M GLAD I COULD SHARE IT WITH YOU.

>> Huell: ALL RIGHT, AND WITH ALL THESE PEOPLE OUT HERE.

>> YES.

>> Huell: FIRST, TELL US WHERE WE ARE, 'CAUSE I DIDN'T...

I FOLLOWED YOUR DIRECTIONS, BUT I WASN'T SURE WE HADN'T MADE A WRONG TURN SOMEWHERE.

>> NO, YOU DIDN'T.

WE'RE OUT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE DESERT.

PEOPLE ASK ME, "WHY'D YOU COME WAY OUT HERE IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE?"

AND I SAID, "RENT WAS CHEAP."

>> Huell: THAT'S A GOOD ENOUGH REASON.

YOU'RE A BUSINESSWOMAN.

>> RENT WAS CHEAP AND THAT'S ALL I NEEDED TO HEAR.

>> Huell: WE'RE IN LANCASTER AND KIND OF A UNDERDEVELOPED PART OF LANCASTER.

THERE'S NOT A LOT GOING ON RIGHT HERE.

>> NO, THERE'S NOT.

>> Huell: YOU'VE GOT YOUR LITTLE PLACE OF BUSINESS SET UP HERE.

>> IT SITS ON 2.5 ACRES, AND IT'S ABOUT 1800 SQUARE FEET.

HALF OF IT'S OUR WAREHOUSE.

THE OTHER HALF IS OUR MANUFACTURING AREA.

>> Huell: I GUESS PEOPLE HAVE FIGURED IT OUT BY NOW, 'CAUSE PEOPLE HAVE SEEN IT OVER YOUR SHOULDER.

"TINITA'S HOMEMADE SALSA."

WHO IS TINITA?

>> I AM.

IT MEANS LITTLE TINA.

MY MOM USED WOULD ALWAYS CALL ME THAT WHEN I WAS IN TROUBLE.

SHE WOULD SAY, "C'MERE, TINITA," AND I'D USUALLY RUN.

>> Huell: YOU'RE NOT RUNNING ANYMORE.

YOU'RE ADVERTISING YOUR NAME NOW, AND THE IDEA IS THAT YOU ARE STARTING OFF IN A BIG WAY.

YOU STARTED OFF IN A SMALL WAY, BUT IT'S GROWN.

>> IT'S GROWN TREMENDOUSLY.

>> Huell: THIS WHOLE IDEA OF MAKING SALSA.

>> YES.

I STARTED OUT OF MY HOME, AND I WENT DOOR TO DOOR.

WITHIN THREE WEEKS, I HAD 90 REPEAT CUSTOMERS AND IT JUST STARTED GOING FROM THERE AND I SAVED MY MONEY AND BUY MY LABELS AND GOT LITTLE STORE OWNERS TO LET ME IN THEIR STORES AND WENT FROM THERE TO OWNING MY OWN PLACE.

>> Huell: ALL THIS HAS HAPPENED IN HOW LONG A PERIOD OF TIME?

>> TWO YEARS.

>> Huell: AND WHEN YOU STARTED THIS, ACCORDING TO YOUR LETTER, YOU WERE, UH--YOU'RE A MOTHER.

>> YES, I'M A MOTHER.

I HOME- SCHOOLED MY CHILDREN.

I HAVE THREE.

I HAVE ONE LEFT THAT'S IN HIGH SCHOOL.

HE'S--HIS LAST YEAR AND HE'LL BE DONE WITH HOME SCHOOLING.

MY DAUGHTERS HAVE ALREADY GRADUATED FROM SCHOOL.

>> Huell: WAIT.

YOU WERE HOME, HOME-SCHOOLING AND BEING A MOM AND ALL THAT.

HOW DID THIS WHOLE SALSA THING GROW IN YOUR MIND?

WHAT'D YOU DECIDE?

YOU WANTED TO BE THE QUEEN OF SALSA?

ONE OF THESE ARTICLES SAYS YOU ARE THE QUEEN OF SALSA.

>> WELL, I WANTED TO HAVE A RESTAURANT.

I WANTED TO-- I LOVE COOKING.

MY WHOLE FAMILY COOKS.

MY BROTHER-IN- LAW AND EVERYBODY COOKS.

EVEN MY COUSIN OWNS HIS OWN CATERING COMPANY, AND HE'S NUMBER ONE IN RIVERSIDE.

IT'S CALLED MCGRATH CATERING COMPANY AND HE JUST, YOU KNOW-- >> Huell: BOY, YOU SLIPPED THAT ONE IN REAL GOOD.

YOU'RE GOOD AT MARKETING, AREN'T YOU?

>> A REAL NEAT PERSON.

ANYWAYS... YOU MADE ME NERVOUS.

>> Huell: SO YOU JUST DECIDED THAT YOU WERE GONNA DO SOMETHING THAT YOU LOVE TO DO AND MAYBE MAKE SOME MONEY OUT OF IT AT THE SAME TIME.

>> YES, PRETTY MUCH.

WHEN I STARTED OUT GOING DOOR TO DOOR, MY FIRST DAY OUT, I MADE $300, CAME HOME.

I WAS SO EXCITED I DID SOMETHING FOR MYSELF.

I EARNED MY OWN MONEY FOR THE FIRST TIME IN MY LIFE, 'CAUSE I MARRIED YOUNG, HAD MY KIDS YOUNG, AND I TOLD MY HUSBAND I MADE $300 MAKING SALSA, AND I WENT DOOR TO DOOR.

HE GOES, "YOU DIDN'T GO TO OUR NEIGHBORS, DID YOU?"

AND I GO, "YEAH, I DID."

HE GOES, "THEY'RE GONNA THINK WE NEED MONEY."

I GO, "WELL, WE DO.

WE GOT BILLS.

>> Huell: SO THIS THING HAS BEEN-- YOU LITERALLY HAVE GONE FROM STEP A TO STEP B TO STEP C. I MEAN, YOU STARTED SMALL, GOING DOOR TO DOOR AND IT'S JUST GROWN ON ITS OWN.

>> YES, AND YOU KNOW WHAT?

I'VE TOOKEN A LOT OF LUMPS.

I'VE LEARNED EVERYTHING THE HARD WAY.

I HAD NO KNOWLEDGE, NO EDUCATION IN THE FIELD AT ALL, SO I HAD TO LEARN EVERYTHING THE HARD WAY, AND I'M GLAD I DID BECAUSE I KNOW I'M NOT GONNA MAKE THOSE SAME MISTAKES.

>> Huell: YOU'VE BEEN FOLLOWING YOUR HEART ALL ALONG THE WAY, AND DOING SOMETHING THAT YOU LOVE TO DO.

>> I DO HAVE A PASSION FOR IT.

>> Huell: WE COULD STAND HERE ALL DAY TALKING ABOUT IT, BUT I THINK IT'S TIME FOR US TO VISIT THE HEADQUARTERS HERE, AND GO IN AND SEE JUST HOW TINITA'S HOMEMADE SALSA IS MADE AND PUT TOGETHER AND PACKAGED AND THAT'S WHAT WE'RE GONNA BE DOING ALL DAY.

WE'RE SPENDING THE DAY INSIDE TINITA'S.

BEFORE WE GOT INSIDE, HERE'S ANOTHER SIGN RIGHT HERE ON THE FENCE: "TINITA'S HOME- STYLE SALSA TASTES SO GOOD THAT YOU WILL SAY 'OLE.'"

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

MY MOTHER CAME UP WITH THAT SLOGAN FOR ME.

>> Huell: REALLY?

>> YES.

SHE SAYS, "WHAT CAN WE DO TO DRAW PEOPLE'S ATTENTION?"

SHE GOES, "I GOT IT!

IT TASTES SO GOOD, YOU'LL SAY 'OLE!'"

>> Huell: AND IT'S ALL NATURAL, NO PRESERVATIVES.

>> NATURAL.

NO PRESERVATIVES.

>> Huell: YOU POINTED OUT YOUR FLEET OF TRUCKS, OR YOUR, EXCUSE ME, YOUR TRUCK.

>> YES.

>> Huell: THIS IS WHAT YOU DELIVER IN.

>> THAT'S WHAT I DELIVER IN.

HALF OF IT'S A COOLER.

THE OTHER HALF IS NOT REFRIGERATED SO I CAN SHIP OUT MY REFRIGERATED PRODUCT AND SHIP OUT MY BOTTLED PRODUCT.

>> Huell: DID YOU HAVE TO BUY THE TRUCK AND GET ALL INTO IT?

>> I FOUND IT FROM SOME GUY.

HE PUT IT IN THE AD.

HE WANTED TO GET RID OF IT AND I SAID, "THAT'S PERFECT FOR WHAT I NEED TO GET STARTED.

>> Huell: WOW.

AND HERE'S THE PLACE RIGHT HERE.

>> HERE'S THE PLACE.

>> Huell: THIS IS WHERE EVERYTHING HAPPENS, RIGHT HERE?

>> I HAVE ANOTHER FACILITY THAT I USE.

IT'S IN CORONA.

SO I HAVE TWO PLACES GOING RIGHT NOW, BUT THE OTHER PLACE YOU CAN'T WALK IN AND ORDER LIKE YOU CAN THIS ONE.

>> Huell: WE CAN COME IN HERE AND NOT ONLY SEE IT BEING MADE, BUT ORDER IT OFF THE SHELF.

>> YES, YOU CAN.

YOU CAN COME IN, YOU CAN PLACE YOUR ORDER, YOU CAN CALL IT, PHONE IT, WHATEVER YOU'D LIKE.

YOU CAN SAMPLE IT.

WE GIVE SAMPLING OF ALL THE 15 DIFFERENT FLAVORS WE HAVE.

>> Huell: THERE'S NOT A LOT OF PEOPLE COMING IN.

>> THEY DO.

THEY COME IN.

>> Huell: YOU HAVE TO DRIVE TO GET HERE.

>> THEY COME.

IT'S SURPRISING.

WHEN I GOT IT, I WASN'T EVEN PLANNING ON PEOPLE COMING OUT HERE TO GET SALSA.

IT WAS JUST FOR ME TO MAKE IT AND GET IT OUT.

THEY KEPT KNOCKING AND AND KEPT COMING SO WE HAD TO OPEN IT UP.

THAT'S WHAT WE DID.

>> Huell: WOW.

IT'S SO GOOD THAT, ONCE YOU TASTE IT, YOU SAY "OLE!"

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

>> Huell: OKAY, WE'RE INSIDE AND WE HAVE A CUSTOMER RIGHT HERE, BUT YOU KNOW THIS LADY.

>> YES, I DO.

>> WE HAVE THREE CUSTOMERS.

>> I HAVE THREE CUSTOMERS.

>> Huell: YOU'VE KNOWN THIS LADY A WHILE.

>> A WHOLE LOT-- A LONG TIME.

>> Huell: ARE YOU HERE BECAUSE YOU WANT TO HELP HER OUT OR IS HER SALSA REALLY THAT GOOD?

>> OH, IT'S FABULOUS.

IT REALLY IS.

I CAN EVEN EAT IT, AND I DON'T LIKE SALSA.

>> Huell: DO YOU LIKE SALSA?

>> I LOVE IT.

I LOVE IT.

>> HE'S THE ONE THAT LOVES IT.

>> Huell: AND DO YOU LIKE SALSA?

>> I LOVE IT, IN THE MORNING AND AT NIGHT.

>> Huell: HOW DID YOU FIND OUT ABOUT THIS PLACE?

>> I'M HER BACK DOOR NEIGHBOR.

>> Huell: OH, OKAY.

YOU'RE PADDING THE CUSTOMER BASE HERE TO MAKE IT LOOK LIKE YOU'RE BUSIER THAN YOU REALLY ARE.

>> NO.

THEY COME EVERY WEEK TO GET THEIR SALSA.

THEY COME.

>> I GO AROUND THE NEIGHBORHOOD AND I PICK UP THE HOT FOR MY FRIEND LARRY BECAUSE HE LOVES IT SO MUCH AND HE'S VERY PICKY.

>> AND SHE WON'T EVEN LET ME GIVE IT TO HER.

SHE PAYS FOR HERS EVERY TIME SHE COMES IN.

>> Huell: I WOULD HOPE SO.

WHAT ABOUT YOUR NEIGHBOR?

DO YOU MAKE HIM PAY TOO?

>> HE PAYS FOR HIS TOO.

>> Huell: GOOD, 'CAUSE THIS IS A BUSINESS.

>> YEAH, HE PAYS FOR IT TOO.

>> NICE TO MEET YOU ALL.

EVEN IF YOU DON'T LIKE SALSA, I'M GLAD YOU LIKE THIS.

DO YOU LIKE IT SO MUCH THAT IT MAKES YOU SAY "OLE?"

>> OH, YES.

>> Huell: LET'S HEAR IT: OLE!

>> OLE!

>> Huell: OLE!

>> OLE!

>> Huell: IT'S ALL WORKING.

NOW WE'RE GONNA GO BACK AND LOOK AT WHAT'S GOING ON HERE IN THE OFFICE.

YOUR NAME IS?

>> ERIC RASBISON.

>> Huell: WHAT'RE YOU DOING TODAY?

>> I'M DOING THEIR WEBSITE.

GETTING IT ALL SET UP FOR 'EM.

>> SO THEY'RE SETTING UP A WEBSITE?

>> YES, THEY ARE.

>> HOW HARD IS IT FOR YOU TO SET UP A WEBSITE FOR A COMPANY THAT HADN'T HAD ONE BEFORE?

>> IT'S ACTUALLY PRETTY EASY TO PUT TOGETHER.

>> ARE YOU USING A LOT OF PICTURES?

ARE YOU USING-- >> WE'RE PUTTING IN A LOT OF PICTURES AND MAKING SURE THE CONTENT'S THERE FOR THE SHOPPING CART AND MAKING ALL THAT HAPPEN.

>> Huell: WILL THIS BE UP AND READY RIGHT AWAY SO WE CAN PUT THE WEBSITE ON THE SCREEN FOR PEOPLE TO SEE AND PEOPLE WILL KNOW WHO PUT UP THE WEBSITE?

>> YEP.

>> TINA, YOU GOT TO QUIT VISITING AND COME OVER HERE.

THIS IS A MARKETING THING WE'RE DOING HERE.

GOOD-BYE!

LET'S SEE 'EM LEAVING.

BYE!

GOOD-BYE!

WHO'S IN CONTROL AROUND HERE?

>> I DON'T KNOW.

EVERYBODY TALKS TO ME.

>> Huell: HERE'S A LADY BACK HERE.

WHAT IS YOUR JOB?

MY JOB IS ACCOUNTING AND ALSO TAKING CARE OF THE CUSTOMERS OR ANYTHING ELSE MY DAUGHTER NEEDS ME FOR.

>> Huell: SO THIS IS--?

>> THIS IS MY DAUGHTER.

>> Huell: SO IT'S YOUR RECIPE.

>> IT'S MY GRANDMA'S AND MY MOTHER'S AND MINE AND HERS.

>> Huell: IT'S BEEN PASSED ON.

>> EVERYBODY HAS PUT A LITTLE BIT INTO IT, SO EVERYTHING HAS BEEN PASSED ON TO HER AND SHE DID THE FINAL TOUCHES.

>> Huell: WOW.

AND HOW PROUD WERE YOU WHEN SHE TOLD YOU ABOUT WHAT SHE WAS GONNA DO?

>> VERY PROUD.

I AM VERY PROUD OF MY DAUGHTER.

SHE'S ALWAYS BEEN A HARD WORKING GIRL.

EVEN WHEN SHE WAS FIVE YEARS OLD, SOMEBODY GAVE 'EM LITTLE STICKERS JUST AS A PRESENT-- SHE WENT AND SOLD IT FOR A PENNY.

>> SHE SELLS THINGS AROUND THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

>> AROUND THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

>> Huell: THERE WERE EARLY INDICATIONS, WEREN'T THERE?

>> YES, THERE WERE.

>> Huell: YOU CAME UP WITH THE SLOGAN?

>> YES, I DID.

>> Huell: WHAT IS IT AGAIN?

>> IT TASTES SO GOOD THAT YOU WILL SAY "OLE!"

>> ALL RIGHT, THERE WE GO!

>> AND NOW, YOU ARE THE-- ?

>> DAUGHTER.

>> Huell: YOU'RE THE DAUGHTER.

>> ONE OF THE-- OLDEST.

>> Huell: AND THIS LADY HERE WITH YOU IS HERE TODAY BECAUSE?

>> SHE'S MY PATIENT.

I COME HERE AND I BRING HER ALONG WITH ME AND I HELP OUT MY MOM, WHATEVER SHE NEEDS.

>> Huell: SO YOU DO HOME CARE?

>> YES.

>> Huell: AND BRING-- >> MY PATIENTS.

>> Huell: THIS LADY WITH YOU.

>> GET HER OUT OF THE HOUSE.

>> Huell: SHE'S RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF ALL THIS ACTIVITY.

>> SHE'S LUCKY SHE GETS TO SIT HERE INSTEAD OF CHOPPING TOMATOES.

>> Huell: HER NAME IS?

>> ARLENE.

>> Huell: NICE TO MEET YOU.

>> SHE'S A NICE LADY.

I LIKE IT WHEN SHE PUTS A HAT ON HER.

>> Huell: AREN'T YOU SUPPOSED TO BE WORKING?

>> I AM WORKING.

>> Huell: OH, YOU'RE WORKING, BUT I MEAN YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO BE MAKING SALSA.

>> I HAVE TO ATTEND TO HER FIRST.

WHEN I'M DONE, I'LL BE BACK THERE.

>> Huell: YOU'VE GOT YOUR PRIORITIES STRAIGHT AROUND HERE.

PEOPLE HAVE TO WORK THEIR-- >> AGENDAS IN, 'CAUSE EVERYBODY HAS JOBS BESIDES THIS.

>> Huell: DID YOU EVER THINK YOUR DAUGHTER WAS GONNA BE PUTTING YOU TO WORK?

>> NO, I THOUGHT I WAS RETIRED.

I LIVE IN LAKE HAVASU CITY, IN ARIZONA, AND I CAME TO HELP HER UNTIL SHE DOESN'T NEED ME.

>> YOU'RE HER MOM.

DOES SHE PAY YOU OR DOES SHE JUST WANT YOU TO DO THIS GRATIS?

>> NO, SHE PAYS ME.

I GET PAID, YES.

>> Huell: SALSA, OR IN MONEY?

>> SALSA AND LOVE.

LOTS OF LOVE.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

ALL RIGHT, HERE'S THE OUTSIDE OF THE-- THIS IS WHERE YOUR SHIPPING TAKES PLACE, BUT THE REAL-- AND WE'VE DONE HALF THE PROGRAM AND WE HAVE YET TO SEE ANY SALSA.

THERE IS SALSA BEING MADE HERE, ISN'T THERE?

>> YES.

IN THE BACK ROOM.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE IT?

>> Huell: RIGHT BACK HERE.

SURE.

HE'S WASHING THE DISHES AND THIS ISN'T JUST ANYBODY WASHING THE DISHES, IS IT?

>> NO, IT ISN'T.

IT'S MY HUSBAND, MY PRIDE AND JOY.

>> Huell: YOU GOT HIM WASHING THE DISHES.

SO YOU KIND OF DO EVERYTHING AROUND HERE TO HELP.

>> SHE'S THE QUEEN OF SALSA AND I'M THE KING OF DEBT.

>> Huell: THE QUEEN OF SALSA AND THE KING OF DEBT.

>> OF DEBT, YEAH.

>> Huell: YEAH, BUT SHE'S MAKING MONEY AT THIS.

>> WELL, WE'RE HOPING TO ONE DAY.

WE HAVEN'T GOT TO THAT POINT WHERE IT'S REALLY TURNING A LOT OF PROFIT YET, BUT-- >> Huell: THIS IS EXCITING.

>> IT'S EXCITING.

THERE'S A LOT OF POTENTIAL, AND WE'VE GOT THE INTERNET STARTING UP HERE SHORTLY.

>> Huell: WE MET THE GUY WHO'S PUTTING YA'LL ON THE INTERNET.

>> WE PUT IN A LOT OF EFFORT, DOING ROAD SHOWS.

WE JUST LAST WEEKEND WERE UP AT MAR-VAL FOODS UP IN SPRING VALLEY, CALIFORNIA.

>> Huell: SO YOU'RE ALL OVER, GETTING THE WORD OUT.

>> RIGHT.

PASSING OUT SAMPLES AND IT'S EXCITING.

>> IT'S SOMETHING EXCITING THAT'S HAPPENED IN YOUR LIVES JUST OUT OF NOWHERE.

>> RIGHT.

EXACTLY.

>> NOW, BACK TO WASHING DISHES.

SHE'S THE QUEEN, REMEMBER?

ALL RIGHT, LOOK OVER HERE.

WHAT WE GOT GOING OVER HERE IS WE GOT THE WHOLE LITTLE-- IS THIS THE SALSA ASSEMBLY LINE?

>> YES, IT IS.

>> Huell: WHAT'S YOUR JOB HERE?

>> I'M TAKING THE STEMS OFF AND PREPARING THE CHILES FOR THE SALSA.

>> SO HERE ARE THE CHILES RIGHT HERE AND THE IDEA IS, YOU'VE GOT HOT, EXTRA HOT-- >> AND FLAMING HOT, AND EXTREME HOT.

>> Huell: FLAMING?

WHAT IS THAT ALL ABOUT?

>> WELL, WITH HOT SALSA, IT'S VERY TASTY, BUT IT'S HOT.

YOU JUST KEEP EATING IT, BECAUSE THE TASTE TASTES SO GOOD, BUT WHEN YOU STOP, YOU'RE ON FIRE.

I MEAN, ON FIRE.

>> Huell: WHERE ARE THE FLAMING ONES?

>> THE HABANERO.

>> Huell: THESE ARE HABANEROS RIGHT HERE.

WHAT ARE THESE LITTLE GREEN ONES HERE?

>> THESE ARE SERRANO.

>> ARE THESE HOT OR JUST KIND OF HOT?

>> THESE ARE HOT, BUT IT DEPENDS ON HOW MUCH YOU PUT IN TO MAKE IT STRONGER OR-- >> Huell: EVER POP A CHILE?

>> NO.

>> Huell: YOU'RE RED.

MAYBE YOU'VE BEEN EATING THOSE HOT HOT ONES.

LOOK WHAT YOU'RE DOING OVER HERE.

SHE'S CUTTING UP... >> PARSLEY.

>> Huell: THE PARSLEY.

NOW, THE PARSLEY'S NOT HOT, IS IT?

>> NO.

>> Huell: THAT JUST ADDS BULK TO THE WHOLE THING.

WHAT WERE YOU DOING BEFORE TINA CAME UP WITH THIS IDEA?

>> WAITING FOR HER TO COME UP WITH THE IDEA.

>> Huell: YOU WERE AT HOME?

>> YOU BET.

YES.

>> Huell: HOME-SCHOOLING?

NOW LOOK WHAT YOU'RE DOING.

>> NOW LOOK AT IT.

ISN'T IT GREAT?

ISN'T IT SUPER?

>> Huell: WHO'S THIS DOWN HERE?

>> I'M WENDY.

>> Huell: HOW ARE YOU CONNECTED WITH THE GROUP?

>> I'M HER DAUGHTER.

>> SHE'S LIKE MY DAUGHTER.

I RAISED HER, SECOND DAUGHTER.

I RAISED HER FROM TWO YEARS OLD TO ON UP.

>> SO NOW YOU'VE GOT HER CUTTING THE ONIONS.

HAD YOU EVER WORKED IN AN ASSEMBLY LINE SITUATION LIKE THIS BEFORE?

IS IT HARD WORK?

IS IT INTERESTING WORK?

>> IT'S DIFFERENT.

>> Huell: YEAH.

I DON'T THINK SHE'S GONNA BE WITH YOU VERY LONG.

I THINK SHE'S GOT-- >> NO, SHE'S GOING TO COLLEGE TO BE AN ENGINEER.

>> Huell: ABSOLUTELY.

BUT EVERYBODY IS CALLED INTO WORK OVER THIS THING.

YOUR NAME IS?

>> JASON.

>> Huell: OH, YOU'RE THE SON.

>> YES, SIR, I AM.

>> Huell: NICE TO MEET YOU.

I WOULD SHAKE YOUR HAND RIGHT NOW, BUT I CAN'T.

>> Huell: OH, THAT'S RIGHT.

ABSOLUTELY.

WHAT WERE YOU DOING BEFORE YOUR MOTHER'S IDEA?

>> PRACTICING BASKETBALL.

I LIKE PLAYING BASKETBALL A LOT, SO THAT'S WHAT I'VE BEEN DOING FOR THE MOST PART.

>> Huell: NOW YOUR LIFE HAS CHANGED DRAMATICALLY.

>> PRETTY MUCH.

>> Huell: WHAT HAS SHE GOT YOU DOING?

LET'S LOOK AT THIS MACHINE.

WHAT IS THIS?

>> I'M DOING TOMATOES AND ONIONS.

THIS CHOPS THEM.

YOU JUST PUT 'EM ON HERE.

>> Huell: CAN YOU CHOP ONE FOR US AND SEE HOW IT WORKS?

>> YOU TURN IT ON HERE.

JUST PUSH THAT DOWN AND THEN YOU KEEP GETTING 'EM AND PUTTING 'EM IN AND THEY CHOP 'EM REAL NICE.

>> Huell: WOW.

DO YOU CHOP THE ONIONS THE SAME WAY?

>> THE SAME EXACT WAY.

I'LL SHOW YOU.

JUST LIFT THIS BACK.

YOU JUST PUT 'EM IN.

>> Huell: LOOK AT THIS, CAMERON.

THIS IS VERY INTERESTING.

YOU CAN PUT TWO OR THREE ONIONS IN AT A TIME.

>> JUST SHOVE 'EM IN THERE.

>> Huell: LET'S LOOK AT IT COMING OUT.

YEAH!

>> BEFORE, WE HAD TO DO IT THE OLD-FASHIONED WAY.

WE HAD TO STOMP 'EM WITH-- THE THING IS STUCK-- YOU HAD TO STOMP 'EM, ONE TOMATO, ONE AFTER ANOTHER, AND IT'D TAKE US HOURS.

>> Huell: NOW YOU GOT THE MORE-- >> WE GOT MORE-- >> Huell: AUTOMATED.

>> AUTOMATED SYSTEM, BIGGER-- THIS IS LIKE OUR PRIDE AND JOY, OUR ROBOCOOP.

IT MAKES IT SO MUCH EASIER AND FASTER, JUST SHOOTS OUT A HUNDRED GALLONS WITHIN 15 MINUTES.

>> Huell: NOW THIS IS THE WHOLE THING RIGHT HERE.

>> YES.

YES.

MY WALK-IN COOLER'S IN THERE.

WE MAKE IT AND PUT IT IN THE WALK-IN COOLER.

>> Huell: WHERE DOES IT GO INTO THE-- HOW DOES IT GET PUT TOGETHER?

>> ONCE WE GET EVERYTHING CHOPPED AND PREPARED, WE START TAKING THE BIGGER BUCKETS AND START DUMPING THE INGREDIENTS IN AND STIR 'EM.

>> Huell: WHO DOES THE QUALITY CONTROL?

>> I DO.

I'M IN HERE WHILE IT'S MAKING IT.

>> Huell: MAKE SURE THE PERCENTAGES ARE RIGHT.

>> YES, AND I DO THE SAME THING AT THE OTHER FACILITY.

I GO THERE WHEN THEY'RE DOING THE PREPARATIONS.

>> Huell: CAN I LOOK IN YOUR REFRIGERATOR?

>> YES.

>> Huell: YOU'VE GOT A WHOLE BIG FREEZER IN THERE, 'CAUSE IT PROBABLY HAS TO BE KEPT COOL.

>> AT 40 DEGREES.

>> Huell: WOW.

AND THIS RECIPE-- DO PEOPLE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD ASK YOU FOR THE RECIPE?

>> YES, BUT WE'RE NOT ALLOWED TO GIVE IT OUT.

>> Huell: YOU HAVE TO SIGN AN AGREEMENT WHEN YOU COME HERE, DON'T YOU?

>> YOU BET.

>> Huell: YOU'RE NOT EVEN ALLOWED TO TELL.

>> NO, NO, NO.

>> Huell: OR DO YOU KNOW?

>> NO, ACTUALLY I DON'T KNOW.

>> TRUST ME, YOU DON'T WANT HIM TO KNOW.

YOU DON'T KNOW HOW IT'S GONNA TURN OUT.

>> Huell: WHY IS YOUR SALSA SO EXCITING TO PEOPLE?

>> IT'S DIFFERENT AND-- >> AND IT'S GOOD.

>> IT'S VERY TASTY.

IT'S DIFFERENT AND I HAVE MY HEART AND SOUL INTO IT.

PEOPLE JUST LOVE IT.

>> Huell: YOU'RE COMPETING AGAINST THE BIG BOYS AND GIRLS.

>> YES, I AM, AND THEY'RE COMING AT ME.

>> Huell: HOW ARE THEY COMING-- ARE THEY TRYING TO BUY YOU OUT?

>> NO, IT'S JUST THEY'RE COMING AT ME.

THEY'RE INTERESTED.

I PIQUED THEIR CURIOSITY.

>> Huell: ARE YOU SERIOUS?

>> YEAH, IT'S NEAT.

>> HOW ARE THEY COMING AT YOU?

>> THEY COME AND LOOK AND EXPLORE, YOU KNOW, CHECKING YOU OUT, OTHER BUSINESSES SEEING OTHER-- >> DO YOU LET 'EM IN HERE?

>> OH, NO, NOT HERE.

WHEN I'M OUT DOING ROAD SHOWS AND STUFF.

>> OH, THEY WANT TO COME BY AND SEE WHAT YOUR PRODUCT IS LIKE.

>> YEAH, AND THAT'S NORMAL.

EVERYBODY SEES EVERYBODY AND WHAT'S NEW ITEM, YOU KNOW.

>> Huell: HOW RECEPTIVE HAVE THE STORES BEEN THAT YOU GO TO?

>> IT'S BEEN, ACTUALLY, YOU KNOW, GOOD, AND THEN SOMETIMES NOT.

IT'S VERY DIFFICULT AT TIMES TO GET YOUR FOOT IN THE DOOR.

THEN OTHER TIMES-- >> Huell: BIG CHAIN STORES.

>> YES.

YOU JUST BE PERSISTENT.

I BUG 'EM UNTIL THEY FINALLY JUST SAY, "OKAY, COME IN."

>> IT'S EASIER TO LET HER IN WHEN SHE COMES THE FIRST TIME.

>> YES.

>> Huell: SHE'S BRINGING OUT-- >> THIS IS OUR SECRET SAUCE.

>> Huell: THE "SECRET" SAUCE.

WHERE WE CAN PUT THAT WHERE WE CAN-- >> WE'LL JUST PUT IT HERE.

>> Huell: GET A GOOD LOOK AT IT.

WHAT IS IN-- OBVIOUSLY, YOU CAN'T TELL ME.

>> IT'S GOT ALL KINDS OF STUFF IN IT.

>> Huell: [WHISTLES] BOY!

>> THIS IS WHAT GIVES THE FLAVOR TO THE SALSA.

>> Huell: THIS IS HOT.

I CAN SMELL IT.

>> YES.

>> Huell: IS THIS THE FLAMING?

>> NO, NOT UNTIL WE ADD THE HABANEROS.

THEN IT BECOMES THE FLAMING.

>> Huell: WHAT IS IT RIGHT NOW?

>> IT'S JUST SAUCE.

>> Huell: JUST SAUCE.

>> IT'S JUST SAUCE AND SEASONING.

>> Huell: BOY, IT SMELLS GOOD.

>> IT REALLY GIVES THE FLAVOR.

SO REALLY THE ONLY DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE HOT AND THE HOT HOT AND THE FLAMING HOT IS THE AMOUNT OF CHILE THAT YOU PUT IN THERE AND THE TYPE OF CHILE YOU PUT IN THERE.

>> EXACTLY.

>> Huell: BUT WHAT MAKES YOUR RECIPE SO SECRET?

I MEAN-- >> THE SAUCE.

>> ISN'T SALSA PRETTY BASIC?

>> NO, IT'S DIFFERENT.

>> Huell: IT'S NOT?

'CAUSE I DON'T KNOW HOW TO MAKE SALSA.

I'M WONDERING WHAT PEOPLE OUT THERE ARE GONNA THINK.

>> RIGHT.

THE SAUCE IS VERY DIFFERENT.

IT'S NOT THE USUAL SAUCE THAT PEOPLE HAVE IN SALSA.

>> Huell: THIS REALLY IS A FAMILY RECIPE?

>> THIS IS A FAMILY RECIPE.

>> Huell: ALTHOUGH YOUR MOTHER SAID IT'S BEEN TWEAKED A LITTLE FROM GENERATION TO GENERATION.

>> IT'S A LITTLE BIT OF MY GRANDMOTHER'S, IT'S A LITTLE OF MY MOTHER'S, AND THEN I CAME AND KIND OF RESCUED IT AND MADE IT SUPERB.

>> Huell: HAVE YOU HEARD THIS BEFORE?

>> YES.

>> YOU SAID, BE MYSELF, SO... >> Huell: YOU RESCUED IT, BROUGHT IT BACK, AND-- EXPLAIN TO ME WHAT IT TASTES LIKE THAT MAKES IT DIFFERENT.

>> IT'S GOT SUCH A TASTE.

IT'S GOT AN ADDICTING TASTE, SO ONCE YOU BITE INTO IT, ONE BITE ISN'T ENOUGH.

YOU WANT TO JUST KEEP EATING IT AND EATING IT.

>> Huell: WHAT DO YOU PUT IT ON?

>> YOU CAN PUT IT ON CHIPS, YOU CAN PUT IT ON EGGS, YOU CAN PUT IT ON TACOS.

YOU CAN PUT IT ON YOUR SALAD, A BAKED POTATO.

YOU CAN PUT IT IN SPAGHETTI SAUCE, CHILE SAUCE, WHATEVER YOU LIKE.

>> Huell: WHEN YOU'RE AT STORES AND YOU'RE DOING SAMPLES, WHAT DO YOU GIVE IT ON?

>> I PUT IT ON A CHIP.

>> Huell: WHAT DO PEOPLE SAY?

>> THEY SAY IT TASTES SO GOOD, YOU'LL WANT TO SAY "OLE!"

>> Huell: A LITTLE OF THAT SLOGAN GOES A LONG WAY.

>> Huell: BOY, DO YA'LL HAVE TO LISTEN TO THAT ALL DAY?

>> YES, WE DO.

>> DO YOU HAVE TO LISTEN TO THAT AT HOME?

>> YEAH, I DO, BELIEVE ME.

>> YOU HAVE TO LISTEN TO THAT?

>> YOU BET I DO.

>> AND YOU HAVE TO LISTEN TO THAT, AND YOU HAVE TO LISTEN TO THAT.

>> YEAH.

>> Huell: HE'S STILL WASHING DISHES.

NOW, WAIT A MINUTE.

WHERE DO THE PINEAPPLES COME IN?

I'VE NEVER HEARD OF-- >> THAT'S FOR MY FRUIT SALSA.

WE HAVE A PEACH SALSA, PINEAPPLE SALSA, AND MIXED FRUIT SALSA.

WE ALSO HAVE SEASONAL SALSA, LIKE MANGO SALSA AND STUFF, BUT THAT ONLY COMES OUT DURING THE SUMMERTIME, THE SEASONAL STUFF.

>> Huell: SO YOU DON'T HAVE TO GET THE HOT SALSA, YOU CAN GET THE PEACH?

>> RIGHT.

YOU CAN GET PEACH SALSA, PINEAPPLE SALSA, MIXED FRUIT SALSA, AND THEY COME IN MILD ALL THE WAY TO FLAMING HOT AS WELL.

>> Huell: FLAMING HOT PEACH SALSA?

>> YES.

PEOPLE COME IN AND BUY IT BY THE GALLONS.

WE'VE BEEN HERE NOW TWO YEARS, AND LITTLE BY LITTLE, WE'VE BEEN GETTING PIECES AND PIECES TO THE BUSINESS AS WE'VE BEEN GROWING.

>> Huell: YOU'RE LITERALLY LEARNING AS YOU GO ALONG.

>> FROM SCRATCH.

THAT'S WHY I WEAR THE HAT.

I TOOK MY LUMPS.

THE HAT HIDES MY LUMPS.

>> Huell: DO YOU THINK YOU'VE LEARNED ALL YOUR LESSONS OR ARE THERE PROBABLY STILL A FEW MORE TO LEARN?

>> I'M PRETTY SURE THERE'S MORE.

>> Huell: BECAUSE THE BIGGER YOU GET, THE MORE YOU SELL, THE MORE PROBLEMS YOU'RE GONNA HAVE, BECAUSE YOU'RE A BIGGER COMPANY.

>> RIGHT.

THIS IS ALL A LEARNING EXPERIENCE FOR ME.

THIS IS ALL NEW.

>> Huell: YOU'RE GONNA HAVE TO GET LAWYERS.

>> YES.

>> Huell: BOY, THAT'S A BIG LUMP RIGHT THERE.

>> YOU GOT ONE?

>> Huell: LAWYERS, ACCOUNTANTS.

ALTHOUGH YOUR MOTHER DOES-- >> SHE DOES THE ACCOUNTING.

>> Huell: WAVE AT US, MOM.

YOU'RE THE ACCOUNTANT, RIGHT?

>> WE HAVE A BUSINESS LAWYER NOW AND WE'VE DONE LITTLE THINGS HERE AND THERE.

WE'RE AN LLC, AND WE'RE GONNA GO CORPORATE.

>> Huell: HAVE YOU MADE A BUSINESS PLAN SO YOU KNOW HOW YOUR GROWTH MIGHT-- >> YEAH, WE HAVE A BUSINESS PLAN, AND WE HAVE CHARTS THAT WE FOLLOW, PROGRESSING.

WE'RE TRYING TO DO OUR GOALS STEP BY STEP.

OUR ALTERNATIVE THING IS TO MAKE THIS WHOLE BUILDING HERE OUR KITCHEN AREA AND THEN HAVE ANOTHER BUILDING OUT HERE FOR OUR WAREHOUSE.

>> Huell: SO THIS'LL ALL BE KITCHEN.

>> YES, THIS IS 2.5 ACRES, SO WE HAVE A LOT OF POTENTIAL TO GROW FROM HERE, AND THIS IS WHAT WE'RE PLANNING ON DOING IN THE NEXT FOUR TO FIVE YEARS.

>> Huell: WOW.

>> SO WE'RE EXCITED ABOUT THAT.

>> Huell: SO YOU ARE JUST STARTING OUT ON AN AMAZING JOURNEY HERE.

>> BUT IT'S BEEN A FUN JOURNEY.

IT'S BEEN HARD.

IT'S BEEN A LOT OF WORK.

I'M NOT GONNA LIE TO YOU, IT HASN'T BEEN ALL THRILLS IT HAS ITS UPS AND DOWNS.

IT'S BEEN WONDERFUL, AND-- BUT I COULDN'T HAVE DONE IT WITHOUT MY FAMILY.

WITHOUT MY FAMILY, I DON'T THINK I'D HAVE BEEN HERE.

>> Huell: YOU'RE LUCKY TO HAVE FAMILY AND FRIENDS WHO YOU COULD CALL ON TO HELP YOU GET THIS THING STARTED.

>> YES, 'CAUSE WITHOUT THEM, I DON'T THINK I WOULD'VE BEEN ABLE TO MAKE IT THIS FAR.

WITH THEIR SUPPORT AND, YOU KNOW, BEHIND ME 100%...

I DON'T KNOW.

I'M GONNA GET EMOTIONAL SO I BETTER NOT TALK.

BUT TO HAVE THEM, THANK GOD.

I'M TRULY BLESSED ALREADY.

I ALWAYS SAY I DON'T HAVE TO BE RICH.

I'D BE HAPPY I GET OUT OF DEBT.

IT'S BEEN A LEARNING EXPERIENCE, AND I'M MORE THAN HAPPY TO GIVE BACK TO OTHERS 'CAUSE I'M A VERY GIVING PERSON.

I LOVE GIVING TO PEOPLE.

I LOVE SHARING WHAT I HAVE AND I FEEL I'M ACTUALLY SHARING BY GIVING THAT SALSA TO THEM, AND I LOVE SEEING THE PEOPLE COME IN AND TRY IT AND ENJOY IT.

THE EXPRESSIONS ON THEIR FACE FOR THE FIRST TIME WHEN THEY'RE EATING IT, AND THEY SAY, "WOW, THIS IS THE BEST OF THE BEST."

>> Huell: IT DAWNED ON ME, WE WERE GETTING READY TO LEAVE WITHOUT TRYING IT.

JASON IS EATING THE FLAMING HOT.

>> MM-HM.

>> Huell: CAN ANYBODY EAT THE FLAMING HOT?

>> SURE.

I'LL GIVE YOU SOME.

>> Huell: WHAT ABOUT THE MEDIUM?

>> YOU WANT TO TRY THE MEDIUM?

YOU DON'T WANT THE FLAMING?

>> Huell: I THINK WE SHOULD START OFF.

I DON'T LIKE THE LOOKS ON THEIR FACES.

THEY'RE-- THEY GOT A GUY FROM L.A. OUT HERE.

THEY'RE GONNA GIVE HIM FLAMING HOT.

I KNOW WHAT YA'LL ARE DOING.

PUT IT RIGHT ON HERE.

>> THIS IS THE MEDIUM.

>> Huell: MEDIUM?

>> BETTER HEAR "OLE!"

>> Huell: OLE!

NOW COULD I HAVE A GLASS OF WATER?

>> IS IT THAT HOT?

>> Huell: IT'S HOT!

AS WE CONTINUE TO WORK OUR WAY THROUGH YOUR SALSA HERE, I WAS-- I TRIED THE MILD, BUT NOW I'M WORKING MY WAY DOWN TO THE PINEAPPLE AND THE PEACH AND THE MIXED, WHICH IS REALLY VERY DIFFERENT THAN ANYTHING, AND I'M EATING YOU OUT OF HOUSE AND HOME HERE.

>> THAT'S OKAY.

I GOT PLENTY MORE.

GOT HUNDREDS OF GALLONS IN THE BACK IF YOU WANT MORE.

>> Huell: SO THIS CAN BE USED IN OTHER WAYS THAN JUST ON CHIPS?

>> YES.

YOU CAN GET PORK, BEEF OR CHICKEN AND PUT IT IN A CROCK POT ON A SLOW COOK AND JUST DUMP A CONTAINER OF THE SALSA IN THERE AND LET IT COOK ALL DAY AND YOU GOT ONE DELICIOUS MEAL.

>> Huell: YOU SHOULD PUT SOME RECIPES ON YOUR WEBSITE.

>> YEAH, THAT'S ANOTHER THING-- >> Huell: OR SUGGESTIONS FOR PEOPLE.

>> THAT'S ANOTHER THING WE'RE PUTTING TOGETHER ON OUR WEBSITE SO PEOPLE CAN HAVE THESE, WHAT YOU CAN DO DIFFERENT THINGS WITH THIS SALSA, 'CAUSE YOU CAN MAKE EXCELLENT MEALS.

YOU CAN MAKE ENCHILADAS, TO GREAT SPAGHETTI SAUCE, TO GREAT PIZZA SAUCE.

>> Huell: YOU'VE SEEN THIS HAPPEN BEFORE, WHAT'S HAPPENING WITH ME, HAVEN'T YOU?

>> YES, PEOPLE WILL JUST EAT IT NONSTOP.

THEY'RE ADDICTED TO IT.

>> AND YOU'RE CRYING, HUH?

>> AND YOU'RE CRYING!

>> Huell: I'M CRYING FOR JOY!

>> THAT'S OKAY.

>> I'M CRYING FOR JOY.

I'M SO HAPPY.

I HAVE AN UNLIMITED SUPPLY RIGHT HERE.

THIS'LL LAST FOR HOURS.

>> CAN I ALSO MENTION THAT I'M A GRANDMA, SINCE LAST NIGHT?

>> OH, REALLY?

>> FIRST-TIME GRANDMA, YES.

MY DAUGHTER HAD HER BABY BOY, SEVEN POUNDS, AND SHE'S DOING FINE AND BABY'S DOING FINE.

THAT'S WHY SHE COULDN'T BE HERE TODAY.

I WANTED HER TO BE HERE.

>> Huell: THAT'S A BIT OF NEWS THAT'S DEFINITELY WORTH A-- >> All: OLE!

>> Huell: WHAT A WONDERFUL SUCCESS STORY YOU AND YOUR FAMILY ARE.

THIS HAS GOT TO GIVE HOPE TO OTHER PEOPLE AS WELL.

>> YES, PLEASE, IF YOU HAVE A DREAM, PLEASE FOLLOW IT.

YOU'RE GONNA HAVE UPS AND DOWNS.

IT'S OKAY.

JUST PICK UP THE PIECES, START AGAIN THE NEXT DAY.

EACH DAY IS A DIFFERENT DAY, A DIFFERENT TRIAL, A DIFFERENT MISTAKE, AND IT'S OKAY, YOU KNOW?

I DON'T THINK A BOOK CAN ACTUALLY PUT EVERYTHING THAT I'VE LEARNED.

YOU CAN'T LEARN EVERYTHING IN A BOOK.

>> Huell: THAT'S WHAT LIFE'S ALL ABOUT.

>> IT'S TRUE.

>> Huell: AND YOU'RE OBVIOUSLY SUCCESSFUL, MAKING YOUR SALSA, GROWING YOUR LITTLE BUSINESS, MAKING THIS SALSA THAT'S SO GOOD, THAT... >> YOU SAY "OLE!"

>> All: OLE!

[CAPTIONING MADE POSSIBLE BY KCET PUBLIC TELEVISION AND FRIENDS OF NCI] >> "VISITING WITH HUELL HOWSER" IS MADE POSSIBLE THROUGH A GENEROUS GRANT FROM THE RALPH M. PARSONS FOUNDATION.

[CAPTIONED BY THE NATIONAL CAPTIONING INSTITUTE --WWW.NCICAP.ORG--]