At age 11, Davey Woolridge plucked instructions for Hot Shrimp Dip from his mom’s recipe box, made a few changes, and won first place in a 4-H cooking contest. He went on to win state and regionals, bringing home a trophy and $500 savings bond. He didn’t want to stop there (“You miss 100 percent of the shots you never take”), but the national competition didn’t include seafood at the time.

Woolridge continued to cook, perfecting his grandma’s salsa recipe at the LSU AgCenter Food Incubator and then launching Davey’s Treasures in 2016. The 28-year-old selected the name because he considers the recipes his grandmother has shared with him heirlooms and the Louisiana food and family fun he has enjoyed around the table to be of immeasurable value.

Like so many small businesses, Davey’s Treasures is a family affair.  While Davey focuses on salsa production and delivery, he is assisted by his father Dave, 59, an attorney, and his mother, Terri, 57. Sister Melissa, 30, is the business photographer and social media expert when off-duty from her day job as a traveling nurse, and brother Wesley, 21, helps with accounting and maintaining the website.

At the center of it all, staffing demos and scheduling speaking engagements when he’s not in production, is the guy whose name is on the label. We caught up with Davey, this month’s star of Locals in the Limelight, to get bite-sized bits of insight into his personality and product.

Favorite chef/food mentor? My Mom

Favorite seasoning: Crystal Hot Sauce

Favorite kitchen tool: A skillet: you can cook anything in a skillet, indoors or outdoors!

Favorite food: hamburger: the higher it is piled the better! Favorites are burgers with bacon, egg, jalapeños, my Spicy Beans, my salsa, Swiss cheese, Hatch peppers, grilled onions, mushrooms, and bell peppers, lettuce and French fries. Not all at once on one burger, of course!

Favorite Louisiana dish: Fried catfish

Favorite holiday: Christmas

Favorite season: Summer

day of the week: Friday, start of the weekend

Favorite form of social media: Facebook

Favorite music group or genre: Jazz, instrumental

Biggest obstacle to starting a small business: overthinking things and doubting yourself

Best part of your job: satisfied customers

Future product ideas: This month: a spicier version of my salsa and also Spicy Green Beans. Future: meat pies with dipping sauce and Louisiana candies

Why local is better: You’re supporting friends, neighbors and your community to make it stronger in every way.

Advice to others with a small business dream: Patience, patience, patience

Words to live by: Do your best and let God do the rest.