Mike Kurtz is the founder of Mike's Hot Honey in Brooklyn, NY. Mike's Hot Honey is a chili-infused honey that Mike discovered while backpacking through the mountains of Brazil. But the story doesn't start and stop there. In fact, after he made that delicious discovery, he didn't rush right home and open his company. Instead, he came back to NY, landed a job with a record label and eventually convinced the Boston Globe to let him travel to 30+ countries on five continents in one year. When he came back from that, he still didn't start the hot honey company. Rather, he picked up a pizza apprenticeship with the famed Paulie Gee, went to work slinging pies and occasionally drizzled some of the honey he was making at home onto a few slices. Then, wayyyy down the line later when customers were practically begging him to sell his concoction, there was no other option - he had to give the people what they wanted, so he finally started a company.

In this episode, we talk about making a hobby your career, how meeting Paulie Gee changed everything and his around-the-world trip, including top picks for quick eats and favorite food cities. He also takes me through the best advice he's been given, his mom's granola recipe and the lessons he's learned at each stage of the journey.

Full show notes: wecouldmakethat.com/honey