My Favorite Books of 2007: McIlhenny’s Gold
One of my favorite business book of 2007 was McIlHenny’s Gold: How a Louisiana Family Built the Tabasco Empire.
Few products are as immediately recognizable as the bottle of Tabasco sauce. In the book, author Jeffery Rothfeder tells a fascinating story about the remarkably long history of the distinctive bottle and the family business that succeeded with only single product.
There are many lessons for the small business entrepreneur inside: from Edmund McIlhenny’s tennacious in the face of a ruinned economy to the value of branding and marketing. You’ll never be able to sprinkle a few drops of Tabasco on your food again without thinking of McIlhenny’s Gold.
I have one copy of the book to giveaway. To enter, comment on this post.
Haper Collin’s description of the book after the jump.
After the Civil War ended, Edmund McIlhenny, an ambitious and tenacious Louisiana businessman, found himself with few prospects. The South’s economy in ruins and his millions of dollars in Confederacy currency worthless, he had no choice but to return with his wife, Mary, to her family home in Avery Island, a former sugar plantation destroyed by Union soldiers.
To McIlhenny’s surprise, the hot peppers he had planted before being forced off the island had flourished. Desperate to start a new business, he chopped up the peppers, combined them with salt and vinegar, and produced the first batch of hot pepper sauce. Or so the story goes. He called the sauce Tabasco.
In this fascinating history, Jeffrey Rothfeder tells how, from a simple idea—the outgrowth of a handful of peppers planted on an isolated island on the Gulf of Mexico—a secretive family business emerged that would produce one of the best-known products in the world. In short order, McIlhenny’s descendants would turn Tabasco into a gold mine and an icon of pop culture, making it as recognizable as far bigger brands such as Coca-Cola and Kleenex.
To this day, the McIlhenny Co., still run by a family of matchless characters who believe in a rigid code of family loyalty, clings to tradition and the old ways of doing business. Yet by fiercely protecting its beloved brand and refusing to sell out to big food conglomerates, this family business has run circles around its competitors, churning out annual revenues that have surpassed everyone’s expectations.













John on November 29th, 2007 1:49 pm
Sounds like a great book, and once again the story show how a simple idea can become a big business.
Mark @ TheLocoMono on November 29th, 2007 3:23 pm
Wow, I would love to win this copy of the book. I literally go through a bottle of this sauce each week. Put hair on yer chest, for sure!
Marlon on November 29th, 2007 9:07 pm
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Daniel on November 29th, 2007 11:31 pm
First time visitor to the blog and already loving it! Would also love a copy of the book, seems profoundly interesting!!
Best
Daniel
Dejan on November 30th, 2007 12:18 am
I´m in! :D
Paul Chaney on November 30th, 2007 6:52 am
I live less than 30 miles from Avery Island, which is the home of the McIlhenny enterprise. I’ve visited there a number of times. In addition to the factory, there is a beautiful garden they maintain, referred to as the “Jungle Garden.” It’s acres and acres large and contains a nesting ground for Egrets.
The old McElhenny home is there as well, though it’s not being maintained for some reason and has fallen into disrepair.
Anyway, I’ve heard about the book and would love to obtain a copy… even if I have to purchase it myself! :-)
Mel Urick on November 30th, 2007 9:09 am
Sounds like a great read!
JB Walker on November 30th, 2007 5:23 pm
Tabasco is to bad food, what alcohol is to an ugly date.
Bradford Knowlton on December 2nd, 2007 7:26 am
Can’t survive my mothers cooking without it.
Sensei on December 3rd, 2007 10:05 pm
Cool, I love hearing about the business success stories like this. Actually it makes me kinda sad because I can’t do it myself :(
Anyway, here’s a post about your contest:
http://www.contestu.com/contest/mcilhennys-gold-book-contest/
BT on December 4th, 2007 2:03 am
Super!
Contest Beat on December 4th, 2007 6:52 am
Hi there
I blogged about your contest here – http://www.contestbeat.com/win-an-ipod-nano-and-a-couple-of-books/
All we do is write about contests in the blogosphere so hopefully we can send you a few more entries too!
Regards, Matt.
Melissa Markham on December 4th, 2007 4:51 pm
I would love to win this for my hubby for Christmas. He is a business man who is always trying new approaches to business. I am sure he would love reading this success story! Thanks for the opporutnity!
Laura K on December 4th, 2007 5:27 pm
Please enter me in your contest. This book sounds fascinating.
Christi on December 4th, 2007 8:13 pm
My husband would LOVE this book! It would really make my YEAR if I won this!
Angela on December 5th, 2007 8:55 am
YUM!
You’ve been blogged!!
http://contestaddict.blogspot.com
Caryn Bailey on December 5th, 2007 1:07 pm
Count me in please!
Cindi Hoppes on December 5th, 2007 2:23 pm
Hi, What an interesting historical story. This is really the kind of book I enjoy reading. My husband loves “Tabasco” on about everything! I could give him the story behind it, if I happen to win this book. Please enter me in the drawing!
Thanks very much…..Cindi
janet on December 5th, 2007 2:33 pm
I would love to win a copy of your book,exciting.
janet on December 5th, 2007 2:34 pm
new books are just what i need,love to win
janet on December 5th, 2007 2:36 pm
enter me in to win one of your wonderful books.
emily on December 5th, 2007 6:58 pm
oh, please enter me. I am really, really interested in this story. Sounds like a great read.
Thanks!
Shama Hyder on December 6th, 2007 9:02 pm
Winning a book. What’s not to love? Thank you.
Steve Heston on December 6th, 2007 11:15 pm
Count me for a giveaway!
Matthew on December 7th, 2007 9:57 am
Wow, I’d never given much thought to good ole Tobasco sauce before! Now that I’ve browsed through the description, I am definitely intrigued and would like a copy of the book. I am sure that there are some great guidelines for running a quality business, as well.
Dodo on December 7th, 2007 10:12 am
Sounds good! I love reading. Pick me!
Marcia G on December 8th, 2007 1:51 am
Sounds to be even more interesting reading!! Would love to win this book!
Bill on December 8th, 2007 4:57 pm
One sentence (from their commercials:
Tabasco, YEAH!
Laura @ Laura Williams' Musings on December 8th, 2007 6:37 pm
Count me in please.
Blogged ya: http://laurawilliamsmusings.blogspot.com/2007/12/tuesday-edition-of-contests-galore_04.html
Cecilia on December 10th, 2007 3:32 am
Sounds like a spicey story. ;)
Marcia G on December 10th, 2007 9:36 am
sounds like great reading! Hot~count me in please.
Saph on December 14th, 2007 9:36 pm
Please enter me! =) Thanks!
glitter on December 15th, 2007 9:10 am
Count me in.
cassy on December 25th, 2008 8:10 pm
i want to have that kind of book, its too great and lots of good ideas .
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