Photos Provided By: Kyvan Foods
*What about being part of the Summer Family‑Owned Business Series feels meaningful to you?
Being part of the Summer Family-Owned Business Series is especially meaningful because KYVAN Foods was built on the values of faith, family, hard work, and bringing people together through great food. As a family-owned business, every product we create reflects our commitment to quality, authenticity, and the recipes and traditions that have been passed down through generations. We also appreciate opportunities to share the story behind our brand. While many people know KYVAN Foods for our unique Southern-inspired products, they may not know the journey that led us here, from Reggie Kelly's NFL career to becoming a food entrepreneur dedicated to creating products that families can enjoy around the dinner table. Being included in this series is an honor because it celebrates the passion, perseverance, and purpose that family-owned businesses bring to their communities. We hope our story encourages others to pursue their dreams, embrace their heritage, and recognize that success is built through faith, resilience, and a genuine desire to serve others. At the heart of KYVAN Foods is a simple mission: to bring people together, one delicious meal at a time.
* How do you feel when new customers discover KYVAN Foods for the first time?
One of the most rewarding parts of what we do is seeing someone experience KYVAN Foods for the very first time. There's nothing better than watching a customer's reaction when they taste one of our products and realize it's unlike anything they've had before. Hearing comments like, "I've never tasted anything like this," or "This is amazing!" reminds us why we started this journey. We take great joy in creating high-quality, Southern-inspired products made with unique flavors and premium ingredients that families can enjoy together. Every new customer represents an opportunity not just to gain a sale, but to build a lasting relationship. We hope they become part of the KYVAN family by sharing our products around their own dinner tables, introducing them to friends and loved ones, and creating memorable moments together. Knowing that our products bring joy, spark conversations, and become a part of family meals is incredibly fulfilling. That's what KYVAN Foods is all about, bringing people together through exceptional food and unforgettable flavor.
* How have your Southern roots and family traditions shaped the heart of your brand?
I would make this answer more personal by highlighting Aberdeen, Mississippi, because that is a powerful part of KYVAN's story and connects directly to family, community, and Southern traditions. Our Southern roots are deeply connected to our hometown of Aberdeen, Mississippi, a small town where family, community, and tradition are at the center of everyday life. Growing up in Aberdeen shaped our understanding that food is more than just something you eat, it is a way to bring people together, celebrate milestones, create memories, and show love. In the South, recipes are often passed down through generations, and many of our favorite moments happened around the kitchen table surrounded by family and friends. Those gatherings taught us the importance of hospitality, generosity, and taking pride in sharing something special with others. KYVAN Foods was created from those same values. Our products are inspired by the flavors, creativity, and warmth that come from our Southern upbringing. We wanted to capture the feeling of a home-cooked meal, a family barbecue, a tailgate, or a gathering with loved ones and bring those experiences to families everywhere. Coming from a small town like Aberdeen, Mississippi, we understand the importance of staying connected to your roots while continuing to grow and inspire others. KYVAN Foods is a reflection of where we came from, the people who shaped us, and our desire to share a piece of our Southern heritage with the world, one flavorful experience at a time.
* What does “cooking with love” mean to you today as business owners?
To us, “cooking with love” means putting purpose, passion, and care into everything we do. It started long before KYVAN Foods became a business, it began in our family kitchens, around our dinner tables, and in the moments shared with the people we love. Coming from Aberdeen, Mississippi, we learned that food has a special way of connecting people. In the South, cooking is an expression of love and hospitality. It is taking the time to prepare something meaningful, sharing it with others, and creating memories that last beyond the meal itself. Today, as business owners, cooking with love means carrying those same values into every KYVAN Foods product we create. It means being intentional about our ingredients, maintaining quality, honoring our Southern heritage, and making sure every customer feels the care and passion behind our brand. It also means using our platform to give back and inspire others. KYVAN Foods is not just about sauces, salsas, and specialty products, it is about family, community, and bringing people together. We want every person who enjoys KYVAN to feel like they are sitting at our table, sharing in a tradition that was built with love. At the end of the day, cooking with love is about more than food. It is about creating experiences, spreading joy, and leaving a lasting impact on the people we serve.
* How did your NFL experience influence your transition into the food industry?
My NFL experience played a significant role in preparing me for the journey of becoming a food entrepreneur. Although football and the food industry may seem like two different worlds, many of the lessons I learned on the field have directly shaped the way I approach building KYVAN Foods. During my 13-year NFL career, I learned the importance of discipline, preparation, teamwork, consistency, and the commitment required to achieve a goal. At the professional level, success does not happen overnight, it comes from putting in the work every single day, trusting the process, and surrounding yourself with people who share your vision. Those same principles have guided me as we built KYVAN Foods. Football also taught me the importance of leadership and serving others. Being part of a team meant understanding that everyone has a role and that the best results come when people work together toward a common purpose. As business owners, we bring that same mindset to our company by building relationships with our customers, partners, and community. My transition into the food industry was also a way to reconnect with my roots. Growing up in Aberdeen, Mississippi, food was always a part of family, tradition, and bringing people together. KYVAN Foods allowed me to combine my passion for creating memorable experiences with the values I learned throughout my life and career. The same drive, determination, and pursuit of excellence that helped me succeed in football now fuels our mission with KYVAN Foods, to create exceptional products, inspire others, and continue building something meaningful for families and communities everywhere.
* Can you share the moment or experience that sparked the creation of KYVAN Foods?
This is a great origin story because it shows KYVAN was born from community, giving back, and people asking for more. I would answer it this way: The creation of KYVAN Foods actually started with a desire to give back to my hometown of Aberdeen, Mississippi. After my football career, I wanted to find ways to pour back into the community that helped shape me. One of the ways we did that was through hosting a free football camp for kids, giving them an opportunity to learn, grow, and create memories through the game of football. But as we all know, in the South, no gathering is complete without great food. After the camp, we would come together, enjoy a meal, and share those special moments that bring people closer. The volunteers, families, and everyone involved began tasting our products and immediately started sharing how much they enjoyed the flavors. The feedback was overwhelming. People kept telling us, "You need to bring this to the market," and encouraged us to share these products with more families beyond our hometown. That support and excitement from our community planted the seed that eventually grew into KYVAN Foods. What started as a way to give back turned into a journey of entrepreneurship. We realized that our food had the same power as football, it could bring people together, create connections, and leave a lasting impact. KYVAN Foods was born from community, passion, and a desire to share the flavors and traditions that have always been a part of our story.
* What role has community support played in the growth of your business?
Community support has played one of the most important roles in the growth of KYVAN Foods. In many ways, our community was the first group of people to believe in this vision before it ever became a business. KYVAN Foods started with a desire to give back to my hometown of Aberdeen, Mississippi, through a free football camp for kids. That event brought together families, volunteers, and community members, and as we gathered afterward to share great food and fellowship, people began experiencing our products. The response was incredible. Their encouragement, excitement, and belief in what we were creating became the spark that helped us take the next step. The community's feedback and support showed us that KYVAN Foods was more than just a product, it was a story, a connection to our Southern roots, and something people wanted to share with their own families and friends. Those early supporters became some of our biggest advocates, spreading the word and encouraging others to experience KYVAN. As we continue to grow, we never forget where we started and the people who helped us get here. Community remains at the center of everything we do. Whether it's supporting hometown initiatives, giving back to youth, partnering with organizations, or creating products that bring families together, we believe success is meant to be shared. The growth of KYVAN Foods is a true reminder that when a community believes in you, their support can help turn a dream into a reality.
* Which KYVAN Foods products hold the most meaning for your family, and why?
That is a tough question because every KYVAN Foods product holds a special place in our hearts. Each one represents creativity, passion, and our desire to bring something unique and memorable to families everywhere. We are proud of the innovation behind our products and the way each flavor offers a different experience. If we had to choose the product that started it all, it would be our KYVAN Honey Apple Salsa. As the original product in our lineup, it is truly the “OG” of KYVAN Foods and the product that helped put us on the map. It was the first flavor that allowed people to experience what made KYVAN different, the combination of Southern-inspired flavors, unexpected ingredients, and a taste unlike anything they had tried before. The Honey Apple Salsa represents the beginning of our journey. It reminds us of the early days when family, friends, and our community first tasted the product and encouraged us to share it with more people. It was the product that helped people understand our vision: creating foods that bring excitement to the table while still honoring our Southern roots. While the Honey Apple Salsa will always hold a special place in our family's story, we are incredibly proud of our entire product line. From our Honey Apple Butter to our Honey Apple BBQ Sauce and KYVAN Chicken Breading, each product reflects our commitment to quality, creativity, and bringing people together. At the end of the day, every KYVAN Foods product represents a piece of our family's journey. The Honey Apple Salsa may have opened the door, but the love, passion, and purpose behind every product continue to drive us forward.
* How has KYVAN Foods evolved since its launch, and what milestones stand out?
Since its launch, KYVAN Foods has grown in ways that we could only imagine when we first started this journey. What began as a passion project inspired by family, community, and a love for great food has evolved into a brand that is reaching families across the country. One of the biggest milestones in our journey has been seeing KYVAN Foods gain recognition beyond our hometown of Aberdeen, Mississippi. We started with the support of our family, friends, volunteers, and community members who believed in our vision, and watching that vision continue to grow has been incredibly rewarding. A major highlight for our brand was being featured on CBS Mornings with Gayle King and the CBS team. Having the opportunity to share our story, our journey, and the heart behind KYVAN Foods with a national audience was an unforgettable moment. It allowed people across the country to learn that KYVAN is more than just a food brand, it is a story about family, perseverance, community, and following your passion. We are also proud of the growth of our product line, expanding from our original Honey Apple Salsa, the product that helped put us on the map, to a collection of unique Southern-inspired products that families enjoy in different ways. Seeing customers discover KYVAN, share their experiences, and make our products part of their own traditions has been one of the greatest milestones of all. Every achievement, from our first supporters in Mississippi to national recognition, reminds us of the importance of staying true to our roots. As KYVAN Foods continues to grow, our goal remains the same: to create exceptional products, honor our family's traditions, and bring people together through the love of great food.
* What dreams or goals do you have for the future of KYVAN Foods?
Our dreams for the future of KYVAN Foods are centered around growth, impact, and staying true to the values that brought us here. We want KYVAN to continue expanding and become a household name recognized by families across the country as a brand that represents great flavor, quality, innovation, and meaningful connections. A major part of our future vision is expanding our presence into more retail locations and foodservice opportunities so that more families, restaurants, schools, organizations, and communities can experience KYVAN Foods. We want to make our products more accessible while continuing to introduce customers to the unique Southern-inspired flavors that make our brand special. While growth is important, our vision goes beyond simply building a successful food company. We want KYVAN Foods to continue being a platform to give back and make a positive difference in communities. Our journey started by investing in our hometown of Aberdeen, Mississippi, through opportunities like our free football camp, and we want to continue creating programs and initiatives that support youth, families, and communities across the country. We believe success is most meaningful when it can be shared with others. As KYVAN grows, we hope to expand our ability to provide opportunities, inspire the next generation, create jobs, and remind people that where you come from does not limit where you can go. Our goal is for families everywhere to not only enjoy our products but also connect with the story behind them. We want people to see KYVAN Foods as more than a brand, it is a reflection of family, community, perseverance, and the belief that dreams can become reality. The future of KYVAN Foods is exciting. We look forward to growing our retail and foodservice partnerships, reaching new customers, and continuing this journey while keeping our foundation rooted in faith, family, Southern tradition, and giving back.
