Walk into your local Walmart superstore and you might just find a spicy taste of Belize. Marie Sharp’s habanero pepper sauce, named after the company’s founder, has become an irreplaceable staple of Belizean cuisine.
Sixty-nine year old Marie Sharp’s all-natural and locally produced sauces and jellies may be sold worldwide, but their owner’s roots are as humble as they come. While working as a secretary, Marie began growing her own peppers, combining them with other local produce, and creating her flavorful sauces as a hobby. When friends suggested that she sell them, Marie got to work in her own kitchen and Marie Sharp’s hot sauce was born—sort of. Originally naming her product Melinda, after her family’s farm, the name was trademarked by an American company after Marie signed a distribution deal with them. She lost the rights to the name when she ended her relationship with the company. Undaunted, Marie renamed her company, focused on the Belizean market, and the rest is history.
Today, Marie spends most of her day in the company plant or traveling to food shows around the world. Despite her success, Marie still enjoys many traditional Belizean activities. The avid fisherwoman casts a line as often as she can. Marie’s favorite fishing spot? The small private island that she and her family own off of the coast.