JP SALSA

A HEARTFELT PATH TO PURPOSE

By Elizabeth Shane

PHOTOS BY KATHY FOX

Life often takes unexpected turns, and for Mary Martin, a pivot during college has taken her on a journey to discovering her purpose in life. Martin, a Columbia native, began her path at the University of North Alabama majoring in accounting, however, shifted gears when she realized her heart wasn't in it. It was in those moments of uncertainty that her path began to shift towards something she was truly passionate about – marketing and public relations for her creative side along with a heartfelt desire to serve others.

After completing her education, Martin found herself working at Common Threads, a charitable thrift store supporting The Family Center in Maury County. It was during her time at Common Threads she began to see her true calling unfold and her servant’s heart continue to grow. “My mom works at The Family Center, and I see the compassion my mother has and know that is where I got my serving heart,” said Martin. Additionally, her roles as the retail coordinator and later as the processing coordinator allowed Martin to further develop relationship and leadership skills and some other skills she didn’t realize she was lacking to help prepare her for what was coming.

During a vacation with her husband Chase in August 2022, the seeds of JP Salsa were planted. Through prayer and reflection, Mary and Chase discovered a deep desire to create something meaningful, something that would not only be a delicious product but also a vehicle for giving back to their community. Mary reached out to a family friend and spiritual guide for prayer that week who reminded Mary of all the delicious foods her dad would make. Martin knew she was right and explained, “My dad, Joseph Prinzo, would cook often when we were little and that is one of his love languages. With my dad being half Mexican and half Italian, everything he made was delicious. My dad’s family salsa recipe means more than what you see or taste.”

In high school, Martin wanted to start this salsa business, but she had no idea what to do legally or the confidence to proceed. During that week off in August with Chase, they brainstormed names. She wrote down JP Salsa and began to ask God to take control of the business. Mary said, “I didn’t know what I was doing. I had never done this before, but I told the Lord this was for Him. I asked Him to be very clear and one day I heard make it short and sweet. So that’s how Joseph Prinzo became JP and since they are my dad's initials, it's very meaningful to me because I'm such a daddy's girl.”

The name JP Salsa stuck and the family salsa recipe from Martin’s dad took root as they moved full steam ahead to turn her vision into reality. With the full support of her husband, JP Salsa has made its debut at popup events and is garnering interest from local stores. Their commitment to using locally sourced, non-GMO ingredients aligns with their mission to support local and provide a product filled with love.

Martin's dedication to serving others, her community, and her passion for delicious salsa have come together to create a business that is about more than just profits; it's about love, connection, and giving back. Her dedication to serving others led to donating 10% of the company's profits to The Family Center, a place close to her heart. The idea was simple but profound: support local, full circle. “If we all take care of each other and love, we can do God's work,” Mary concluded.

To grab a jar of the tastiest salsa ever that is the perfect marriage of sweet, tangy, spicy, and a fresh fusion of flavors, visit JP Salsa at First Fridays and Second Saturdays in Columbia, pop-ups, and in Chapel Hill at Just Homemade. Follow them on Instagram at @jp_salsa_muletown, Facebook at @jpsalsa, or visit jpsalsatn.com for additional information. It’s the salsa that keeps you going back for more!