Layoffs create brand-new entrepreneurs

John Comeau and his wife, Allie, founded Horsetooth Hot Sauce, a retail and wholesale food company, in 2008, after John was laid off from his corporate job. 

The Colorado State University graduate had no prior food company experience, but had made hot sauce as a hobby. Allie encouraged him to start the business, since she had already been self-employed for many years. The fact that she is in marketing and copywriting has helped them significantly.

They began selling their products directly to consumers at local farmer’s markets, and the six-flavor line with names like Rubin’s Red, after the couple’s blue…