Meet Troy Anthony Bolden | Co-Founder/Owner/CEO

We had the good fortune of connecting with Troy Anthony Bolden and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Troy Anthony, what is the most important factor behind your success?
The most important factor behind our success and our brand’s success has been the support from our community. When we first introduced the Low Sodium, No MSG, and Great Flavored Cajun seasoning blend that was especially blended for the Home Chef; the community immediately embraced our Cajun Nation® Cajun Seasoning. According to many in the community they have always wanted an alternative seasoning that would help them to address their hypertension and diabetes concerns; but also keep their food full of flavor.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I’m a Register Nurse. I have been a register nurse for about 25 years, all in the psychiatric arena. I was the only black in my nurse class of 96 students. I overcame my challenges by the wisdom of my deceased grandmother, Mabel Sigur and my stepfather, Merlin “Merlock” Roberts. I have learned that life is life and just enjoy it despite the challenges of life, because life is a challenge. My brother, Alfonzo D. Bolden is the other half of the company as Co-Founder/Owner/CEO. We have been dreaming since living on a working sugarcane plantation in the late 1976 until today. We have been in business together about 16 years. He’s been working in the industrial platform as manager and supervisor for about 25 years, as well. He has a degree in safety. Never Stop Dreaming is our message to the world. We never stop dreaming from the sugarcane rows to the Cajun Nation boardroom. We wanted to provide an alternative low sodium seasoning to our community in relation to Hypertension because just about everyone in my family, everyone in my community and everyone that I know has Hypertension.

The Cajun Nation Cajun Seasoning Co. was created by brothers, Alfonzo and Troy Bolden. Our dream started on a Louisiana working sugarcane plantation in the late 1970s. Our journey from two little boys running on a Sugarcane plantation transformed into two adult men running a successful Cajun seasoning operation is the result of an amazing story.
After leaving the plantation in the early 80’s, we move to a small community on the Cajun Coast called Glencoe. Growing up only a few miles from the Morton Salt plant on the Cajun Coast provided us with access to an abundance of fresh seafood and wildlife. At an early age, we were introduced to outdoor Cajun Cooking during our family boucheries. We watched our mother (The Home Chef) in the kitchen prepare the perfectly seasoning Cajun meals. The aroma of the food would travel throughout the house and escape to the outdoors. We can say that life on the Cajun Coast provided us with the vision to create the Cajun Nation Cajun Seasoning Company.
What is the Cajun Nation Cajun Seasoning Company? It’s a Louisiana-made seasoning and spice company. The vision was to create a low sodium Cajun seasoning to address Hypertension within our community. Hypertension has been an issue throughout our family for years. We experience the negative effects of high blood pressure that resulted in a major change of diet beginning with the seasoning. The objective was to create a flavorful combination of Cajun spices that is low in sodium and contains no MSG, so that our family, friends, and neighbors could address their hypertension concerns without giving up their flavorful meals. Like our grandmother use to say, “I just want a taste of salt “
We started experimenting. After several blend attempts, many opinions, and countless prepared meals, we achieved our goal. We created our first product, the Cajun Nation Cajun Seasoning blended especially blended for the home chef. Our community confirmed that by purchasing one, two, three, and sometimes four cans at a time. It has become a staple in their cabinets. As part of our strategy, we wanted our customers to be known as the Cajun Nation Home Chefs and have them to photograph their prepared meals with the Cajun Nation Cajun Seasoning can included in the picture. We Did not want the magazine look. We wanted “Real People Cooking Real Food.” It has been successful. Our Cajun Nation Home Chefs prepare their meals and post them daily as if it’s a contest. Their photos and videos are shared through social media outlets by the customers and our company. Last, we created the phrase “GEAUX GET THE RED CAN” which clearly identifies our product that is packaged in a RED can. We will continue our grassroot approach and brand building with no end in sight. Our Community built us!
The goal of Cajun Nation Cajun Seasoning Company is simple, to share our Zesty Louisiana Cajun seasoning and spices around the world. We feel confident that once your try Cajun Nation Cajun seasoning and spices, you will become a fan. Don’t believe us, believe what others are saying on social media, such as Facebook, Instagram, Linkedin, Twitter, Tumblr, Tik Tok etc. Our products are as followed: Cajun Nation Cajun Seasoning, Cajun Heat Hot Sauce, Cajun Heat Garlic Pepper Sauce, Red and Green Cajun Heat Chow Chow and Cajun Coast Spicy Citrus Seafood Boil. Our slogan for all our products is, “WE GOT THE SPICE. YOU BRING THE RICE!”
Although, the Cajun Nation brand is a new brand. The Cajun Nation community has supported and has continued to help us build the brand. The Cajun Nation brand success reflects the community’s belief in our brand and products. We believe in our dream, so it is worth the risk and challenges to us. If we don’t build our own dream, then someone else will hire us to help built their dream. We want to build the Cajun Nation brand into a national brand being a part of the family, food, and fun of every community. Let’s Geaux!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
We would take them to the many festivals in the area centered around food such as the Gumbo festival, Boudin festival, Cracklin’ Festival, Shrimp Festival etc. And, eat at some of the most unique Southern Louisiana restaurants not a national chain such as the Steamboat in Washington, Josephine in Sunset, Forest restaurant in Franklin, The Yellow Bowl in Baldwin etc. Also, a tour of the Tabasco factory surrounded by the gorgeous walking gardens of Avery Island having a Southern Louisiana lunch, to finish the day overlooking the garden. Meanwhile, catch a Friday night football game in the small town of Franklin surrounded by friends and family gathering for more a social than a game. We would also visit the Cajun Coast which most of Louisiana seafood such as fish, shrimp and crab are caught visiting Cypermont Point State Park. Moreover, we would have a traditional crawfish boil in the yard with family and friends all gathering to spend a quiet Saturday evening cooking, laughing, joking, eating, dancing and listening to some Zydeco music. Then, We would head down I-10 headed east to New Orleans which is about 2 hours away, and enjoy the beauty, food, and culture of New Orleans for two days, again being surrounded by family and friends. We might catch a Saints game and really party before and after the game especially after a win.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
St. Mary parish is the village that jumped started our success with 100% support of our dream. Our small community that’s responsible for our humble beginning called Glencoe, Louisiana.

Website: www.cajun-nation.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cajun.nation.seasoning.co

Linkedin: Cajun Nation Cajun Seasoning Co.

Twitter: https://twitter.com/CajunNationCo

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CajunNationCajunSeasoning

Youtube: Cajun Nation Cajun Seasoning Co.

Image Credits
Jonathan Hawkins of Shots By Snikwah for the headshots .