We had the good fortune of connecting with Mercedes Wilson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Mercedes, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I really didn’t have one at first. I was working in corporate America and would have retired from it. I loved meeting new people and the hustle that came with it. Then I was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer when I was 28 years old. It changed my whole world. When my cancer doctors asked me about my family history I couldn’t answer any of the questions and the thought crossed my mind “if I don’t know, how many other young women don’t know either”. That changed everything for me. I decided that day that I wanted to advocate for young women so they don’t have to go through what I had to due to lack of knowledge. That started a chain reaction of the woman you see today.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
I have a relish called “Sadie’s Relish”. My grandmother used to call hers “cha-cha”. She and my grandfather had 11 children so they were amazingly creative and resourceful. They had a huge garden and from that garden this was one of the dishes my grandma used to jar. No one in Upstate NY makes cha cha. I have found my niche. I am the most proud of the fact that I would be making my grandmother proud and that I will be leaving a legacy for my children. Mentors, friends, family and community support is how I got to where I am today. I started out in 2 local grocery stores and not my relish is in over 40 grocery stores and soon to be in over 70 come September! It has been picked up by Tops Supermarkets and Wegmans as well. These major chains have nothing like it.
This process has been a hard one. I have mentors that have been brutally honest with me so I was expecting some work to come of this. I overcame the challenges by not giving up. When I had a task at hand and it required for me to be prepared to make 5 calls I was ready to make 10. I did and will continue to do whatever it takes to be successful. I also believe in relationships. A friend of mine recently said to me ” your net worth is your network”. I found that interesting. Relationships matter. How you treat people matters.
The lessons that I have learned is take time out for your family and keep it a priority. That rest is essential. Just when you think that burning the midnight oil is cool, you realize it’s not. I am sharper and better when I get rest and take time for myself.
I want the world to know that my brand stands for integrity, that it means if I can do it with odds against me, that everyone should be encouraged.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
We would definitely take some trips to get some chicken wings! I am a Duff’s or Francos girl! Buffalo has the best wings. We would go canal side, there are great activities going on there.
Buffalo Bills game baby! We are going to the Super Bowl this year.
We have great restaurants here in the Buffalo area so I would plan of night of African food, Spanish food, sushi, and then treat them to one of my famous homemade seafood boils. I would definitely throw something on the grill!
We are about 20 miles from the Falls and it’s a beautiful sight to see no matter what time of year it is.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
There are soooo many people! First, my family! Their love and support is crazy. The For Our Daughters board of directors, my mentors in television, my friends mentors in the food business, and the community. I have tried my hand in many different things and the community support is unreal. There is a gentleman named John D. that saw the gift of television in me long before I saw it in myself. He planted the seed, pulled me in and brought me under his wing. He introduced me to those that he knew.
There are people in the non profit world that poured into me to give me the resources needed to keep going and growing.
The food business has shown me that I have many allies. I really hate to say names because there are so many people that have helped to make me who I am. George, Linda, Sarah, Bill, Joe, Kristen, Michael, Julianna, Kathleen, there are so many more! This is going to get me in trouble because I will forget names. There are at least 20 more people I could list!
My immediate family has supported me unconditionally, my media family made sure I had everything I needed and we all worked together in this.
I am where I am today because of those around me!

Website: sadiesfoods.com

Instagram: Mercedes E Wilson

Linkedin: Mercedes E Wilson

Facebook: Mercedes E Wilson

Other: I am a co host of a morning show on ABC affiliate here in buffalo called AM Buffalo (Wkbw.com/ambuffalo) My other website is mercedesewilson.com forourdaughtersinc.org

Image Credits
One in white dress-Michael Thaxton One with gold background-Mustafa Hussain

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