Veteran sees success in spices

WILLARD — A local veteran founded Red Beard Seasonings in 2020, and has spent the past four years keeping things spicy. Brad Polachk of Willard, who served in the Army from 2010-2016, started Red Beard with three seasoning products and said the company has experienced significant expansion since its inception. What began as a spice-selling venture with a Steak and Brisket blend, Pork Rub and Spicy Chipotle option now offers 11 different seasoning products, a pepper sauce, catering services and a food truck. Polachek said he and his wife, Kayla, started the business right before the Covid pandemic began, and what could have been the company's downfall became "a blessing in disguise." Polachek said Red Beard Seasonings benefited from the lockdown by quickly adopting an online-focused marketing approach. "We switched to mostly using email contacts and social media to get our name out there," he said. Online sales became the backbone of the business, and Red Beard was able to "make it work through Covid." He said that catering to customers who were smoking meats and barbecuing at home "worked out to our benefit." Red Beard products continued to be available at local events that were not canceled because of the pandemic, he said. Two years after the successful launch of the company, Red Beard Seasonings expanded, offering both a food truck and catering options. "We've been extremely busy," Polachek said. From corporate and employee gatherings to graduation parties and weddings, Red Beard is available for all types of events. Polachek said the company even served its first prom this spring. Regardless of how busy the company gets, Polachek said he remains committed to the "old school approach" of business, with a focus on in-person communication and shaking hands. A more personal approach, he said, "goes a long way." Polachek also insists on a "clean approach" to Red Beard products, maintaining recipes that are gluten-free, with no MSG, fillers or additives. Customers can find Red Beard products online at redbirdseasonings.com, which offers single products, bundles and gift boxes. In addition, single Red Beard seasonings are available on Amazon, Polachek said. Red Beard products also can be found at a number of local retail outlets, including Molyets and JAM's Market in Tiffin and ACE Hardware in Willard. In the future, Polachek said he hopes to become involved in additional distribution networks and local collaborations to grow the company's presence in retail locations. And, he said, attending local events to serve the products that are the heart of Red Beard will remain a priority. Polachek said the support Red Beard has received from the community has been critical to its success. Red Beard is grateful to loyal customers and a local base that supports new product launches and the company's vision. Part of that gratitude, Polachek said, includes giving back to the community that has given so much to Red Beard. "It's the right thing to do," he said. Polachek said his father was a business owner who modeled the importance of giving back, and he strives to carry on that legacy. Supporting schools, particularly in sports events and music programs, is a focus for Red Beard, Polachek said. In addition, the company has donated to veterans' causes and sponsored veterans' events, he said.