FROM IDEAS TO MARKET
by Caitlin Hofen
Surrounded by countless numbers of ingredients, measuring cups and multiple test batches, famous chefs to at-home cooking enthusiasts have a dream to make new food creations to feed the hungry public. Following hours of preparation, revisions and even perspiration, ideas become reality and new products are born.
Two Rangers followed the actions of other culinary artists and, with hard work, turned their ideas into products on the shelves.
R O U N D U P 2019-2020
Ryan Hintergardt JR Okie Smokie Gourmet BBQ Sauce A native of Ponca City, Okla., Ryan Hintergardt, ’99, ’01, holds deep ties to both Northwestern and Alva. “I graduated high school in 1995 and continued my education at Northwestern, where I played baseball from 1996 to 1999,” said Hintergardt. “I coached there until 2002, then took the job as the Sports Information Director from January 2003 until I left in September of 2011. “I received a bachelor’s degree of physical education with a minor in business. I then turned the business minor into a master’s degree in business administration two years later.” Hintergardt believes his Northwestern education helped him establish his own business from the ground up. With that education and the guidance of a friend, Hintergardt created his own recipe for barbeque sauce named JR Okie Smokie Gourmet BBQ Sauce. “After being cut back in hours working in the oil and gas industry, I found my own side business. Initially, I wanted slow growth. Working full time makes it hard to balance both jobs, so all I asked for was slow, steady growth for this business.” As with most business ventures, obstacles happen. “The distribution company we initially went through continued to raise their prices the longer we used them. We have since found a company that I work closely with to help in distributing our products at a more affordable rate.” Hintergardt says exposure of a product is crucial to startup businesses. “We wanted as many people to try our product as we could when we were first starting out. We think it’s good. We wanted it in the hands of as many consumers as possible, hoping they would think the same and then reorder. With our original barbeque sauce, we have one specifically for Northwestern called Ranger BBQ Sauce. It is distributed to businesses in Alva.”
16
Today, JR Okie Smokie Gourmet BBQ Sauce can be found in multiple states and locations. Steadfast Connections After living in Alva for 16 years, Hintergardt still feels the impact of this small town in northwest Oklahoma. “I talk to or run into somebody with Northwestern or Alva connections what seems like every day. I still talk to my friends who I made while living there. Northwestern has made a tremendous impact on my life.” Family Support Support and understanding are critical for any small business, and Hintergardt credits his family for helping him make his business possible. “My family was 100 percent behind me to begin production of JR Okie Smokie Gourmet BBQ Sauce. While I was working in the oil and gas industry in Oklahoma City and was cut back in hours, the idea became a reality. “After mentioning it to my mom (JoAnn Hingtergardt, ’70 graduate), my wife Christie and immediate family, everyone got behind me and continued to support me. I can’t thank them enough.”
