Our SEO (Salsa Executive Officer), Kent, has spent a lifetime in construction—with plenty of spicy side quests along the way.

A true thrillseeker, he’s chased adventure (and flavor) around the globe: surfing in Hawaii, parasailing in Costa Rica, aiding hurricane relief in Puerto Rico and St. Croix, and building infrastructure in the remote wilds of Papua New Guinea. No matter where he landed, Kent always carved out time to explore the local cuisine.

Back home in sunny Arizona, he draws on his global travels and Phoenix’s rich Mexican culinary influence to blend international and Southwest flavors ripened with the desert heat.

The magic began when Kent started bringing his homemade salsas to work. His coworkers couldn’t get enough. Word spread fast, and before he knew it, Kent was importing thousands of peppers just to keep up with demand.

He brought his daughters on board, and what started as a kitchen hobby quickly transformed into a full-blown family business: Smiley’s Salsa.

Today, every batch is handmade by Kent—roasted, blended, and bottled with love—for bold, flavorful salsas and hot sauces that are guaranteed to make you smile… or scream ;)