Skip to main content
_FB_2018-Icons-finalized-cleaned-up_new_FB_2018-Icons-finalized-cleaned-up_newGroup 9
Back
Scroll to top

Business Spotlight: Little Black Dressing Co.

3 min read

Ready to talk to an expert?

Kissie Stroup started High Point-based Little Black Dressing Co. simply to “provide something for [her] family” but it has become so much more.

The dressing is now carried in supermarkets across the region and was even the official dressing of the 2014 U.S. Open in Pinehurst.

Video Transcript

Kissie Stroup: I think my grandmother passed onto us taking care of the household. Families don’t do that anymore. You know, they’re off to baseball and then they’re off to football and they’re off to tennis or they’re at dance and the home life now seems to have lost its family orientation. And that’s what I think she did. She, and my mom, provided that for us. And that’s what I wanted for my kids. It’s a lost art.

Stroup: I am Kissie Stroup and I started a food business called Little Black Dressing. We produce four flavors of refrigerated, all-natural salad dressing. I just wanted to provide something for our family. You know, my husband’s worked hard, the fabric furniture industry was not good during there in the crash seven years ago, and I thought to myself, “What can I do?”

Stroup: I don’t have anything that anybody else really has, and I think that’s the key. You’ve got to give them something different. Food seems to be the thing that you come back to. You entertain, you eat around the table…it seems to be when we’re the happiest and when everybody gets along. So, we gathered around food.

Stroup: I’ve had a lot say it’s the best dressing they’ve ever eaten and it’s because its fresh and its different. It’s unique. I’ve got four different flavors and I don’t do anything like the other flavors that you see in the refrigerated salad dressing section.

Stroup: Why would I want to compete with those large companies? I don’t. I don’t want to. I want to do something different. I’m going to give you what I grew up eating and they’re unique, they’re different. Success: Is it making a lot of money? Because I’ve yet to do that. Is it that’s it’s in every grocery store in the nation? I don’t know. I don’t know what the success of it is. I feel successful that I even got this far. I feel successful when I wake up in the morning and I get to do it again.

Stroup: The most rewarding thing about running this business is actually knowing that I can do this. Forty-something year old lady that raised four kids, stayed at home, but to know that I did that and I actually pulled it off somewhat, is very rewarding.

Ready to talk to an expert?

Share:
First Bank’s Good To Know Logo
Sign up for our newsletter and be the first to know about new tips, insights, and products from First Bank.
First Bank may use this email address to contact you about products, services, and promotions.

You may be interested in...

First Time Buyer? For most of us, buying a home is the largest purchase we’ll ever make. If you are a first-time homebuyer, you may be asking questions like, “What is a first home mortgage?” What is a First Home Mortgage? A first home mortgage is a loan you will use to purchase your first home. These loans can come in a variety of forms, from conventional home loans to FHA loans for first-time homebuyers. First Bank offers the following mortgage loans* for first-time homebuyers: Conventional Loans Government loans Professional loans Construction loans Jumbo loans In addition to providing a selection of mortgage opportunities, First Bank also offers a wealth of information about what a first home mortgage is and what can be expected when shopping for your first home. Tips for Buying Your First Home Knowing what a first home mortgage is can go a long way toward easing the process of turning that key for the very first time. U.S. News and World Report highlighted some of the most common mistakes first-time home buyers make and how you can avoid them. Among them were: Searching for your dream home before being pre-qualified for a loan. The reality of what a first home mortgage is can be vastly different than what you were hoping for. Take the time to seek out a mortgage loan specialist at a place like First Bank so you can find out what you can afford and what your expected monthly expenses will be. Thinking short-term. First-time buyers are often so focused on moving in that they don’t ever consider moving out. Chances are, you’ll one day be ready to move into another home as you start a family or change jobs. Think about the factors that will affect how you’ll be able to sell your home in five years such as economic growth in the area or neighborhood expansion. Making an emotional decision. It’s important to sign a mortgage paper with your head and not with your heart. You may be overlooking some serious red flags such as expensive repairs, structural damage, or mold simply because you’re in love with the open layout. Find a First Bank Near You Ready to get started? Check out First Bank’s guide 3 min read
What is Required to Open a Business Checking Account? It’s standard for a business to have a business checking account. After all, a business needs to handle cash and pay bills. If you’re just starting a business, or even if you’re moving your business bank account to a new institution, you’ll need to show several pieces of documentation. So what is required to open a business checking account? The answer to that question is pretty similar from one bank to another. What You Will Need to Open a Business Checking Account Identifying Documents Confirmation of identity is required to open a business checking account. Bring along a government issued picture ID (e.g. driver’s license, passport) to corroborate your identity with your business’ registered information. Business Licenses Whether you are an LLC or an individual proprietor, bank officials will typically need to see your current business license. Legal Incorporation Documents According to Business News Daily, it is essential to bring along state-filed articles of incorporation in order to open a business checking account. If a business has numerous owners or operates on a board-advisory basis, the bank will require documentation granting the account opener the right to access funds and transactions. DBA Name Registration If you are DBA, doing business as a fictitious name, the law requires you to register that name with the state. Photocopy and keep this registration for your records, as you will need it to get started with business banking. Tax Identification Number Your business’ employment identification number, also known as the tax identification number, is a key tool for tax management and paying employees. Make sure to bring this to your business banking appointment. If you are a sole proprietor, you can use your own social security number for business tax purposes. These are the documents typically required to open a business checking account, though requirements may vary by state. However, by contacting your bank, you can easily determine what you need to have on hand to open your company’s checking account. Open Your Business Banking Account at First Bank When you choose to open a business checking account at First Bank*, you’ll be rewarded with a number of features and perks, including: Free online and mobile banking** Comprehensive bill pay capabilities An option to 3 min read
First Bank logo
Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognizing you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website are the most popular and useful.