Madeleine Kelman, the owner & CEO of Homestead’s Hot Sauce was recently interviewed by TheCelebrity.Online Magazine and below is the Q&A session we had with Maddy.
Madeleine Kelman ‘The Hot Sauce Girl’ Cover Story Magazine Edition February 2025
How do you introduce yourself?
I am Maddy “The Hot Sauce Girl,” the Owner & CEO of Homestead’s Hot Sauce, a published, NYFW Runway Model, Reality TV contestant & NY Weekly Magazine’s Top 20 Inspiring Women to Look Out for in 2025!
Childhood to Adulthood – How was your transition from childhood to adulthood and what are the bad and good things you remember?
Growing up in a small town, I always felt like I didn’t quite fit in. I had friends but no official friend group. I was always drawn to anything dramatic, like dance, gymnastics, music and musical theatre. I struggled with my confidence and body image during middle school and high school. I think a lot of people feel uncomfortable in their skin at that age, and I did too. I was always a little more curvy than the other girls my age and that was hard for me then. What I love about the time we live in now, is that it’s so much more inclusive, and dreams that felt unattainable before are coming true today! Looking back, my favorite memories are performing in plays and musicals and creating art collaboratively. I found ways to continue creating and channeling that energy towards my Woman Owned Business, Homestead’s Hot Sauce!
Struggle – What hardships have you gone through in life?
I am a self made Entrepreneur. All my life I felt like I was swimming against the current and had to really fight for everything. Bootstrapping my business and raising a family with my husband has been my biggest trial and my biggest success! Maintaining 100% ownership while achieving strategic milestones and juggling the finances of our household was a circus act, and while I had many sleepless nights with my small children that lead into long work days, I wouldn’t have it any other way.
What do people usually not know about you?
People are always shocked and surprised to discover that not only do I not have a driver’s license, I’ve never learned to drive- EVER!
What sets you apart from your competitors in the industry and in life?
In my industry, of HOT SAUCE, it’s very male dominated. Just by being a woman has been groundbreaking in itself but on a deeper level, my absolutely solid commitment to never adding sugar to our current or future products sets my brand apart from not just other hot sauces, but other manufactured food brands in general!
My determination to succeed comes down to discipline and perseverance. I have defined my character by being a person who does not quit and that has set me apart from everyone else. Many people give up after just one failure. What I have learned is that success comes when you keep trying, it’s the in the odds to eventually get a win!
What are your upcoming major events – Unforgettable Moments or products/services that you want to promote/inform?
My brand, Homestead’s Hot Sauce, was an Official Sponsor of Jenny Heins’s Palette8 Productions NYFW Runway Show! I walked as a Model for three Runway Shows for NYFW25, including Jenny Heins Couture for The Bureau Fashion Week!
The Blox, the Largest Live-In Reality TV Competition for Entrepreneurs Season 17 is dropping this March, 2015 and is featuring myself and my business, Homestead’s Hot Sauce!
Homestead’s Hot Sauce is going to be featured at the iconic PopUp Grocer in Manhattan this April-July 2025!
What are your food preferences and physical attributes?
Of course I love hot sauce on everything! My favorite unique snack is Watermelon sticks dipped in my own Homestead’s Datil Pepper Hot Sauce!
Your love life, relationships and family?
I am a loving mother of two beautiful children who love sports, music and dance!
What expert advice would you like to give?
The best piece of advice I was ever given as an entrepreneur is “Don’t wait for the right time, there is no right time, only right now!” By my mentor Wes Bergman, creator of Beta Blox Business Incubator. This is true, because many there are so many things that can hold us back, like time or money, and the “right moment” never appears. It’s my belief that you have to do it now, whatever it is.
Your social media handles and website links?
R. Harwood is the writer and editor in chief of TheCelebrity.Online – Read more on our About Us page.
