BrownStyle Magazine is proud to reintroduce our initiative that shines the spotlight on small businesses owned by Women of Color (WOC) and People of Color (POC)— a community that often has limited resources to promote their businesses in today’s highly competitive industries.
Join us every Saturday to meet the founders building their up-and-coming brands in the fashion, beauty, and lifestyle industries one sale at a time. Experience their unique backstory, the inspiration behind their startup, and even find out the brand’s bestselling item that you can shop today!
This Week’s Small Business Spotlight: Sister Suy’s Hot Sauce
Location: St. Cloud, FL
Founder’s Story
Sister Suy’s Hot Sauce is a whole love story simmered to perfection. Born out of legacy, loss, and a deep desire to preserve Cambodian culture, this flavorful brand is the brainchild of Saaum Chim, a proud Cambodian American who turned her family’s rich culinary traditions into something you can taste, feel, and celebrate.
“I lost my mother when I was four, but my sister stepped in and gave me the kind of love and care that shaped who I am today,” Chim tells BrownStyle Magazine. “She kept our culture alive through food. Everything I know about Cambodian cooking comes from her.”
After being raised by her older sister, lovingly known as Sister Suy, Saaum witnessed firsthand how food could nourish more than just the body. Suy kept their family rooted in tradition by making everything from scratch and growing herbs in the garden.
The seed for Sister Suy’s was planted decades ago when the sisters dreamed of launching a Cambodian cooking show. “We wanted to show the world how special our food is,” Chim recalls. “But like so many women, we put family first. That dream was tucked away, but it never left me.”
It wasn’t until 2022, during a visit with her friend Monica (co-founder of Uncle Waithley’s Ginger Beer), that the dream sparked again.“Seeing Monica’s success made me realize this is possible. I can do this,” Chim affirms.
Sister Suy’s Bestselling Item
Sister Suy’s Hot Sauce Heritage Heat
$9.99
For those who love a serious kick with serious flavor, Heritage Heat delivers a bold, balanced punch.
What Makes Sister Suy’s A Small Business To Shop
With support from her husband Bobby, who brings his own Liberian Lebanese heritage to the table, Chim knew that her brand was unique. “I wanted this sauce to tell a bigger story,” she explains. “It’s not just about heat. It’s about honoring cultures that often go overlooked and celebrating the people who helped raise me.”
The brand features a full lineup of sauces and seasonings inspired by the bold, soulful flavors of Saaum Chim’s family kitchen, including Tamarind Sauce, Lemongrass Seasoning, and Cambodian Peanut Sauce.
Each product is crafted to preserve and elevate Cambodian flavor while honoring the Liberian and Lebanese influences that helped shape her story. “These recipes have been in my family for generations,” says Chim. “Now, I get to share them in a way that’s modern, meaningful, and easy for anyone to use. You don’t have to be Cambodian to connect with these flavors, just curious and open.”
What began in the family kitchen turned into a bold, balanced blend of Cambodian sweetness, Liberian fire, and Lebanese zest. “Every ingredient has meaning. Every taste is a chapter of our story,” Chim explains.
The Showstopper
The journey has been a full-family affair, from blind tastings to late-night label design sessions with her 22-year-old daughter. “I’m so proud of what we’ve created together. It’s proof that dreams don’t expire, they evolve,” the proud mom shares.
Now with the first batch bottled and ready to ship, Chim celebrates the opportunity to use food to celebrate and unite cultures.
“This sauce is for anyone who’s ever wanted to hold on to their roots, share their story, or just add a little soul to their plate,” the entrepreneur says with pride.
What’s Next For Sister Suy’s
Beyond launching new products, Chim is thinking big. She plans to expand Sister Suy’s through e-commerce, pop-up events, and retail partnerships while bringing her culture to life at food and cultural festivals celebrating global diversity.
“I want people to taste our sauces at a festival and feel instantly connected—not just to the flavor, but to the story behind it,” she shares. “It’s about building bridges through food.”
And remember that cooking show dream from years ago? It’s still on the table—literally. Saaum envisions a YouTube series where Sister Suy and other family members cook cherished dishes, share heritage stories, and show how easily the sauces fit into everyday life.
“I imagine watching my sister whip up her famous curry or lemongrass chicken while telling stories about our mom and growing up Cambodian in America,” Saaum says with a smile. “That’s the heart of this—preserving culture, one bite at a time.”
Editor’s Note: This story has been edited and condensed for clarity.
By BrownStyle Magazine in Special Editions
72 pages, published 1/17/2025
