Today we’d like to introduce you to Houston Buehrle
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Little Zing started with my great-grandmother’s Danish mustard recipe—a bold, sweet, and slightly spicy mustard that’s been in my family for over 100 years. My dad was determined to get the recipe, and when he finally did, he started making it in our kitchen, giving jars to clients as gifts. People absolutely loved it.
A couple of years ago, my dad passed away, and this mustard became more than just a recipe—it became a way to honor him and keep his legacy alive. In the summer of 2023, I decided to start making it myself. I spent months perfecting the process and then took it to my first farmers market in October 2023, just to see if anyone would buy it. I sold out completely. That moment changed everything.
Since then, Little Zing has taken off—we’re now in 50 stores and still keeping our roots in the Oceanside, Leucadia, and Vista farmers markets. To keep up with demand, I partnered with a co-packer in Anaheim to scale production without compromising quality.
But at its core, Little Zing is more than just mustard. It’s a piece of my family’s history, a tribute to my dad, and a totally new way to think about mustard. And we’re just getting started.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Starting a company is never a smooth road—it takes relentless work, and I’ve sacrificed weekends, sleep, and any sense of a normal schedule to make Little Zing happen. I had no prior experience in the CPG industry, so learning everything from permits to food regulations was a steep learning curve. Every step of the way, there was a new challenge—figuring out production, packaging, and distribution while still making sure the mustard stayed true to my great-grandmother’s recipe.
One of the biggest hurdles was finding a co-packer. Once I knew I had a winning product, I thought that part would be easy, but it took eight long months of searching, testing, and fine-tuning before I found the right partner. There were moments when I wasn’t sure if I’d be able to scale, but I kept pushing forward. Looking back, those struggles shaped the brand and made every success that much more rewarding.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Little Zing ?
Little Zing is not just another mustard—it’s a family tradition turned into a bold, unforgettable condiment.
Our recipe dates back over 100 years to my great-grandmother in Denmark, and it has been passed down through generations. My dad used to make it and give it as gifts to his clients, and after he passed away, I felt compelled to keep it alive. What started as a small batch in my kitchen quickly grew when I took it to a farmers market and sold out on the first day. Today, we’re in over 50 stores and still growing.
What sets Little Zing apart is that it’s not your average mustard. It’s sweet, saucy, and packs a bold horseradish kick—versatile enough to drizzle on any meat, fish, veggie, and even pizza. A lot of our customers say they put it on literally everything. We’ve positioned it as more than just a mustard—it’s a premium, flavorful experience that elevates any dish.
Everything about our brand has meaning, from the name to the packaging. The mermaid in our logo is a tribute to my great-grandmother’s roots in Copenhagen, home of the famous Little Mermaid statue. Our design reflects the balance of tradition and modern boldness, just like our mustard. We’re proud to stand out in an otherwise boring mustard aisle, and we want people to know that Little Zing isn’t just a condiment—it’s a tradition, a tribute, and a way to bring big flavor to every meal.
How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
We’re always excited to collaborate with fellow mustard enthusiasts! Whether you’re looking to partner, collaborate, or just show some love, reach out to us on Instagram @little.zing or shoot me an email at houston@littlezing.com. Let’s create something amazing together!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.littlezing.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/little.zing/
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/littlezingdanishmustard
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/houston-max-buehrle-40043a36/
