The Story of Lola’s Fine Sauces

Taufeek Shah

Taufeek Shah is the CEO of Lola’s Fine Sauces, but before he began his entrepreneurial journey he worked in corporate sales at Principal. It was there, during an employee potluck that he truly realized the possibility of turning a generational family hot sauce recipe into a successful business. After realizing the popularity of his mother’s family hot sauce recipe, he opened a stand and sold it every Saturday at the Des Moines Farmer’s Market. After its continued success, Taufeek officially established Lola’s Fine Sauces located in West Des Moines in 2015, before continuing to collaborate with his mom, Lola and his sister Hannah to open Lola’s Fine Kitchen restaurant in Ankeny, Iowa in 2018. Most recently, Taufeek was named one of the top entrepreneurs in Making it with Lowes and has since launched Lola’s products in all 1300 stores nationwide. He gives all the credit to his mother, Lola for the success the company has had and for establishing his burning passion for the company. Taufeek believes the company is all about family and embracing your heritage, and what better way to do that than to share Lola’s family hot sauce recipe with the world.

The Iowa Center Women’s Business Center is funded in part by U.S. Small Business Administration.