Source: United States Senator for Kentucky Rand Paul
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
October 1, 2021
Contact: Press_Paul@paul.senate.gov, 202-224-4343
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Recently, U.S. Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, recognized Dan-O’s Seasoning of Louisville, Kentucky, as the U.S. Senate Small Business of the Week.
Dr. Paul entered the following into the Congressional Record:
Mr. PAUL. Mr. President, as Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, each week I recognize an outstanding Kentucky small business that exemplifies the American entrepreneurial spirit. This week, it is my privilege to recognize a small business and Louisville staple, Dan-O’s Seasoning of Louisville, Kentucky, as the Senate Small Business of the Week.
Like many college students, Dan Oliver knew nothing about cooking. One day, while seasoning chicken, he threw together some spices and cooked the best chicken he’d ever had. That spice blend planted the seeds for what would become Dan-O’s seasoning. Over the next 15 years, whenever he cooked for friends and family, Dan used his original spice recipe. After a career in the professional sector, Dan joined the restaurant industry as a cook and bartender. Dan, an aspiring entrepreneur, used his passion for cooking to develop what he called his “million-dollar idea:” selling his signature seasoning mix. Two years – and nearly 200 modifications later – Dan-O’s Seasoning launched in 2017.
Today, Dan-O’s Seasoning is a thriving company selling products nationwide. The business is based in Louisville, where Dan and his team prepare and package the product. Initially, Dan traveled across Kentucky selling his seasoning at trade shows and flea markets. The low-sodium, sugar-free, 100% natural seasoning was a hit, with sales doubling every year. Dan-O’s Seasoning was soon available at Louisville-area stores and online. Like many small business owners, Dan adapted to overcome the challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. With the trade show circuit closed, he turned to social media to keep his business afloat. After a video clip went viral on TikTok, a video creating and sharing platform, Dan-O’s gained thousands of new customers and increased its sales more than tenfold. Their success was profiled in several local and national outlets, including WDRB, the Louisville Courier-Journal, Louisville Business Journal, and BuzzFeed. And in March 2021, Dan-O’s exponential growth led to their products being sold at Kroger’s, a regional supermarket chain located in the Midwest and South.
Like many small business owners, Dan is actively involved in his community. Locally, Dan-O’s Seasoning regularly supports community organizations, including the Louisville V.F.W. Post 6182, the Permanently Disabled Jockey Fund, and the Boone County Cancer Society. When the company hosts events, like its annual cornhole tournament, they prioritize working with local small businesses. Notably Dan-O’s Seasoning sponsors several athletes, including NASCAR drivers, dirt-track racers, tournament fishers, cornhole players, and NCAA athletes. In June 2021, Dan earned the Silver Fleur-De-Lis Award from the Greater Louisville, Inc. Metro Chamber of Commerce, recognizing his company’s exponential growth and innovative marketing tactics.
Dan-O’s Seasoning is a remarkable example of how hard work, ingenuity, and discipline can turn a dream into reality. Small businesses like Dan-O’s Seasoning form the heart of towns across Kentucky, regularly stepping up to support their communities. Congratulations to Dan and the entire team at Dan-O’s Seasoning. I wish them the best of luck and look forward to watching their continued growth and success in Kentucky and beyond.
As Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, Dr. Paul continues the tradition of honoring America’s small businesses and entrepreneurs. The Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship oversees proposed legislation on matters relating to the Small Business Administration and investigates all problems relating to America’s small businesses.
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