INITIAL SITUATION

Growing up, Nicole Gordon enjoyed dining on a wide variety of Pan-Asian cuisine — until she developed severe food allergies to two staples of cooking: soy and sesame. Refusing to let allergies limit her, Nicole founded NIKIGO, a food tech company dedicated to creating soy-free, allergy-friendly Asian sauces that deliver the same bold, authentic flavors she grew up loving.

With no prior experience in the food industry, Nicole set out to create something entirely new that would change the way people with food allergies experience Asian cuisine. Her breakthrough came in the kitchen with a mushroom-based soy substitute. This then inspired her to move to Kennett Square, PA, better known as the mushroom capital of the world, to be close to her supply chain while developing a commercial manufacturing process from scratch. Nicole was ready to translate her passion for allergy-free Asian cuisine into a viable business.

HOW THE SBDC HELPED

Quote:

“Our advisor at the SBDC, Bill Pearce, was with us every step of the way. No matter what challenge we faced, Bill’s advice helped get us back on track. As a result of his mentorship, I think we ended up exactly where we need to be to ensure NIKIGO’s success.” - Nicole Gordon | Founder/Owner

Recognizing the challenges of launching a new food brand, Nicole turned to the Widener Small Business Development Center (SBDC) for guidance where she met Bill Pearce, an advisor who became a trusted mentor and friend. Together, they reviewed contracts, identified potential pitfalls, and navigated critical business decisions. With Bill’s steady support, expert insight, and encouragement along the way, Nicole was able to evaluate co-packing partnerships and funding opportunities, develop a sustainable marketing strategy for long-term growth, and move from concept to commercial readiness.

SUCCESS

NIKIGO trademarked its brand, finalized production-ready packaging, entered a strategic co-packing partnership, contracted with a fulfillment center, and established DTC product distribution channels - all while generating strong interest at national trade shows. The company launched pre-orders for its first soy-free Asian sauce line, which just started shipping!

From her early kitchen experiments to leading a growing food tech brand, Nicole’s journey is a story of persistence, mentorship, and purpose. She credits much of her progress to the support she received from the Widener SBDC, whose guidance helped turn her vision into reality. For Nicole, the most rewarding part has been seeing NIKIGO make a real difference, not just for those with allergies but for anyone who craves authentic flavor without compromise.