Commerce Uplift Stories of Success: Stackhouse BBQ Sauce & Seasonings

For Stackhouse BBQ Sauce & Seasonings, the CommerceUplift Program offered more than business education. It provided practical tools, strategic insight, and a stronger foundation for long-term growth. After completing the 12-week program in Fall 2025, Tanze and Ron Stacker walked away with greater clarity, confidence, and direction for their business.

One of the most valuable parts of the experience was the support sessions, which they described as extremely helpful. Topics like legal guidance and tax information stood out as especially beneficial, helping Tanze and Ron strengthen their understanding of what it takes to operate and grow a business with intention.

Guest speaker presentations also made a strong impact. Tanze and Ron found the sessions extremely valuable and appreciated how each topic connected back to the practical realities of growing a product-based business.

By the end of the program, they felt very prepared for the pitch competition and credited the experience with significantly improving their understanding of business strategy, marketing, financial management, funding opportunities, and partnerships. Mentorship also played an important role, with Dr. Crystal Davis offering impactful feedback that helped strengthen their pitch and overall business approach.

Looking ahead, Tanze and Ron plan to apply what they learned in meaningful and measurable ways. Their goals include tracking finances more effectively, creating stronger upsell strategies, improving marketing efforts, and using their business plan to pursue capital that can help bring Stackhouse BBQ Sauce & Seasonings products into stores.

The cohort experience itself was another highlight. Networking and peer-to-peer learning were described as extremely valuable, reinforcing that entrepreneurship does not have to happen in isolation. Reflecting on the experience, Tanze and Ron shared that the program is beneficial for any business, whether just getting started or preparing to move to the next level.

Their story reflects what CommerceUplift is designed to do: equip entrepreneurs with the knowledge, support, and momentum needed to strengthen their businesses and pursue bigger opportunities.