A gift to pursue a passion during COVID has caught fire and quickly grown into an award winning business for Nicole and Ryan Stevenson
Written by Joe Willey | Photography by Marci Ryan
There is nothing accidental about running a successful business. But how a business begins may be a different story. Shore Smoke Seasonings began unexpectedly with a humble desire, some compliments, and even an unwanted situation that became a life-changing opportunity. With tenacity, Ryan and Nicole Stevenson have turned what they thought would be a hobby into a thriving business with a loyal following and a plan to grow.
Ryan’s hidden but impressive skill at blending seasonings began when he and Nicole were newly married. Ryan earned a job promotion, and the two wanted to celebrate by buying steaks to cook at home. They were on a lean budget and had no extra money to spend on seasonings, so Nicole suggested Ryan create something from what they had in the cabinet. He did. That seasoning, created in 2013, is called Game Day.
Now, it is Shore Smoke Seasonings’ number one blend—impressive for using only spices on hand.
WHERE THERE’S SMOKE
The Stevenson’s have turned their love of making seasonings into a recognizable brand seemingly overnight. Shore Smoke Seasonings can be found up and down the East Coast, including at Piggly Wiggly stores in North Carolina.
REGISTER TO WIN!
The Shore Smoke Seasonings Summer Giveaway! CoastalStyleMag.com — Through August 15!
Ryan enjoyed cooking and had been making seasonings for seven years when, during COVID lockdowns in 2020, his work in cyber security paused for six months. Though still employed, he had a lot of downtime. Nicole encouraged him to consider starting a business. The official birth of Shore Smoke Seasonings was May 12, 2020—when Nicole gave Ryan a business license on his birthday. It is no wonder Ryan calls Nicole the “heartbeat” of the business.
First, there were posts on a Facebook page. Then, Ryan drove to the homes of 50-60 people, giving seasoning samples to try. He was product testing. One was the home of Paul and Gina Seibert. Gina enjoyed cooking and enthusiastically tried the seasonings. Both liked Ryan and Nicole and wanted to help them and their young business succeed. Paul became the company’s sales director and is passionate about its success.
As well as providing seasonings for award-winning cooks, the company also wins awards for its delicious flavor profiles. Shore Smoke Seasonings was a winner in the prestigious Scovie Awards in 2023. When contacted by the competition, a shocked Ryan was told Shore Smoke Seasonings had won in seven out of 10 categories—it was the first year he entered.
Shore Smoke Seasonings continues to grow. As well as on the company’s website, the seasonings are available at Ace Hardware and Food Lion stores in Maryland and Delaware, and North Carolina Piggly Wiggly stores.
Ryan is quick to give Paul and Gina acknowledgment and thanks for their support. The team is beginning the Best Bite Awards for professional cooks and the unsung heroes of Shore Smoke Seasonings—backyard cooks who enjoy food, family, and flavor. The Shore Smoke Grill, a new food truck experience, will roll out this summer.
Though Shore Smoke Seasonings may have begun unexpectedly, the hard work needed to build a business is intentional. But no one involved with the company thinks work is a burden. When there is support from a community of cooks who have become patrons and friends, running a business isn’t bland; it is full of flavor.
Plan to Attend the Inaugural
Delaware Seafood Festival!
After selling seasonings at festivals along the East Coast, Ryan and Nicole looked for a seafood festival in their home state but couldn’t find one. Ryan and Nicole were not the only ones who thought it was a good idea. After creating a Facebook page to gauge interest, 15,000 people, in only two weeks, gave them their enthusiastic approval and showed immediate interest.
With community support, Shore Smoke Seasonings organized the new annual Delaware Seafood Festival to celebrate seafood and small businesses. The festival features many vendors and sponsors with stories similar to Shore Smoke Seasonings. A portion of the proceeds from the event will be donated to the American Legion, local Little League, and other charitable organizations.
The Delaware Seafood Festival is affordable for everyone. General admission tickets are only five dollars per person, and kids under 12 are free.
Saturday, August 10
American Legion Post 28
26467 John J. Williams Hwy., Millsboro
10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
For more information, visit:
shoresmokeseasonings.com/event/1st-annual-delaware-seafood-festival/