Catholic University Alumna Creates Craft Mustard Buisness

By Emily Prendergast

While walking through the condiment aisle in a local grocery store, the temptation exists to grab the first name brand seen or, as a college student, the least expensive product that catches the eye. Kristen Langan, a Catholic University alumna, has created a mustard that may change the minds of healthy-option seekers while grocery shopping.

Langan graduated with a degree in communications and a minor in psychology in 2000 and has put to use the skills and lessons that she learned at Catholic University into her business. Langan created Kiki’s Flustered Mustard, the only craft mustard made from chickpeas. The chickpeas, according to Langan, gives the mustard a hearty mouth feel. The company is growing and gaining attention from many plant-based eaters, looking for a healthy and hearty alternative to accessorize meals and snacks. The chickpeas add protein and nutritional content that regular mustard do not have, while being vegan. The mustard’s name came to existence from the founder’s nickname, Kiki.

“When I was living in Colorado in 2013, I was eating a lot of mustard. One day I just decided to make my own. After much research and trial and error, I created a flavor I loved but it was lacking in texture. Chickpeas being one of my favorite food accessories, I decided to add them to the recipe and Kiki’s was born,” Langan stated, explaining that Kiki’s started as a fun gift for family and friends before deciding to turn it into a business.

The product was created in 2013 but did not become an LLC until 2017 when Langan realized that she could make her hobby into a potentially successful business when all of her friends shared their love for her recipe. Kiki’s is launching a rebrand with pre-orders for their third flavor which just recently became available, “Taste Bud Terminator.” The two other flavors are called Flustered Mustard, the original flavor, and Smokey Peppers.

Without a business partner, Langan has seen her company grow in the past year. On top of being a personal trainer and nutrition counselor, Langan has seen her company grow. She started from selling 130 jars in 2013 to 4,100 jars in her last run of products with her co-packer who helps with the production of the jars of mustard in order to produce mass amounts. Being based in Scranton, Pennsylvania, “Kiki” does most of the work herself, only contracting graphic design, market analysis, and website developing out.

Offering advice for future entrepreneurs, Langan said that nothing in a business is impossible and that the answer will always be “no” unless help is asked for. “Being a woman in business and running a business on my own, I find that asking for help, and learning from other woman in business is so important. There is a great community feel through social media and I have gotten a lot of support there not only for my product but also for the business side of things.”

The mustards have been well-received nationally and can be found in local stores in Scranton as well as two stores in Brooklyn, New York. Langan is currently looking to further expand her company by reaching the shelves in larger grocery stores, aiming for national production. Langan also noted that she hopes to take a charitable approach in the future in order to contribute proceeds from sales to assist those in need.

The founder says that the jars have even made it to members of the Supreme Court. Last January, after the release of her second flavor, Langan said that was contacted by a woman who was looking to order mustard for a friend whose nickname also happened to be Kiki. She said that the person that the woman was buying the mustard for ended up being Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

“A few weeks later, I received a letter from Justice Ginsburg stating that all in her chambers enjoyed Kiki’s. It was amazing. Since then, her friend continues to order Kiki’s. You just never know where life, or mustard for that matter, will take you!” Langan said that she was beyond honored to have had this experience.

Kiki’s Flustered Mustard has taken on the tagline, “mind your mouth,” to remind people that eating well can taste great. The mustard can be paired with eggs, vegetables, fish, pizza, and any snack to add flavor and texture. The newest flavor is said to have some heat to it by popular demand and will have hints of wasabi, habaneros, and chia seeds for health benefits. The mustards are all free of artificial flavors and preservatives, making this topping suitable for all ages.

To enjoy your own jar of Kiki’s Flustered Mustard, pre-order online store to be the first to try the new flavor, or join the fans of Kiki’s original flavors. According to the website, the mustard costs $7.95 per jar, or $24 for a bundle of all three flavors.