Taufeek Shah
CEO, Lola's Fine Sauces Inc.
Age: 39
Education: Associate of Arts - Outstanding Alumni, DMACC; bachelor's in management/finance - GV Alumni of the Year award, Grand View University
Children: Talan Shah (20)
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Tell us four of your proudest accomplishments or accolades.
Founded and scaled a global condiment brand born from my family’s Filipino-American recipes, bringing hot sauces, salsas, condiments and more from the heart of Iowa to shelves around the world — helping put Iowa on the national CPG map.
Serve the community and strengthen statewide and national connections through active board roles with the Greater Des Moines Partnership, the DMACC Foundation, the Iowa Center and Proteus. These platforms allow me to meaningfully bridge community impact with corporate relationships across major retailers such as Hy-Vee, Fareway, Casey’s, Walmart, Target and Meijer.
Proud to inspire entrepreneurs and emerging leaders by sharing my journey — encouraging others to launch ventures of their own or drive meaningful impact within their organizations.
Champion authentic partnerships rooted in community, culture and family through our brand — strengthening local connections while building a platform for national growth.
What’s an experience or memory that influenced how you saw the world or what you wanted to do in life?
Inspired by my parents’ lifelong commitment to service — my father as a 20-year U.S. Army veteran and physician, and my mother as a dedicated doctor serving small-town Iowa — I grew up witnessing the impact of compassion, community and hard work. Traveling with my father and watching my mother care for local farming families shaped my belief that service can take many forms. Their example ultimately inspired me to honor our heritage by serving others through our family recipes and building a brand rooted in culture, community and gratitude.
What’s one decision you made early in your career that had an outsized impact?
Acting on opportunities when they present themselves no matter how difficult the challenge. For example I was a finalist on Making It With Lowe’s, a web series during 2021 where Daymond John was helping entrepreneurs present their products to Lowe’s Home Improvement Stores in which we ultimately were a top finalist.
This enabled us to secure our first large national big box retailer launching over a million units of our family-inspired recipe hot sauces across all stores in every state.
Taking the leap and figuring it out.
What are your aspirations for the future?
As I continue leading Lola’s, my goal is to build one of the most trusted and beloved global condiment brands — rooted in family, culture and the heart of Iowa. I aspire to expand our footprint internationally, introduce innovative new products and further elevate Iowa as a national force in the CPG industry.
Beyond business growth, I am committed to deepening my impact in the community. I aim to continue serving on influential boards, championing local entrepreneurship and creating pathways for underrepresented founders to break into CPG, retail and manufacturing.
I also aspire to build long-term partnerships that strengthen our local food ecosystem, support Midwestern farmers and create new opportunities for economic development across the state.
Most importantly, I want to honor my family’s legacy of service — using our platform to give back, inspire future leaders and demonstrate that a small family recipe from Iowa can make a global impact when driven by purpose, authenticity and heart.
What are you still working on to improve as a leader?
I’m always working on becoming a stronger, more intentional leader. That means continuously listening — to our customers, our team, our partners, and our community — to understand what they truly need and how we can serve them better. I focus on building trust, strengthening relationships, and creating a culture where people feel heard, supported, and empowered.
As a leader, I’m also committed to constant innovation. I make it a priority to stay ahead of industry trends, encourage creative thinking within our team, and turn feedback into action that improves our products, operations, and partnerships.
Most importantly, I’m always working on leading with humility and purpose — staying grounded in our family values, honoring the communities that have supported us, and ensuring that Lola’s continues to grow in a way that reflects integrity, authenticity, and long-term impact.
What’s one piece of advice you’d give to a young professional?
Keep on going and never give up. Always ask questions and learn. A no today doesn’t mean a no tomorrow and always keep in mind it’s a marathon, not a sprint.
What’s one regular habit that’s made you successful?
My daily habit is staying grounded in my “why,” even on the toughest days. Remembering the purpose behind what I do — and the family recipes and heritage it comes from — keeps me focused and motivated. Sharing those same delicious recipes with intention fuels my drive. I also center gratitude and positive energy in my routine. Taking time to journal what I’m thankful for, acknowledge personal growth and remind myself that I deserve to be in a positive place has been a powerful part of my success.
What’s one outdated way of thinking that you’d like to challenge?
There’s no “wrong” way or outdated approach to pursuing success. Everyone thinks differently, and while some people may project negativity, I’ve learned to turn that into fuel. No two individuals are the same, and that uniqueness is a strength. As long as you stay committed to growth, lead with positive energy and focus on adding real value to others, any method can become a powerful and effective path forward.
What is one issue you would like to see Central Iowa leaders address, and why?
One issue I’d love to see Central Iowa leaders continue to address is strengthening support systems for entrepreneurs and small businesses at every stage of growth. Our region has incredible talent, cultural diversity and innovative thinking, and I believe we can keep building on that by expanding access to mentorship, resources and networks — especially for first-time founders.
By creating even more pathways for entrepreneurs to connect with organizations like the Greater Des Moines Partnership and local colleges, we can help new businesses scale, attract investment and create jobs right here in Central Iowa. When small businesses thrive, our entire community benefits — from economic growth to cultural vibrancy.
My perspective comes from experience: Lola’s started as a small, family-inspired recipe out of Iowa, and supportive community networks played a key role in our growth. I’d love to see even more founders have the same opportunity to turn their ideas into something meaningful for themselves and for our region.
What’s one fun fact about you?
Despite running a fast-growing CPG company, I still love jumping behind the demo table and talking with customers in stores.
Hobbies: Skiing, running and traveling.
What is one word that best describes you?
Authentic.
What’s one food you think people must try in the Des Moines area?
Vietopia’s fusion platter — my absolute favorite go-to comfort dish.
What’s the funniest or most surprising thing that’s happened to you recently?
I normally don’t eat popcorn, but we recently created a new delicious spicy popcorn that I can’t stop eating at work. It’s a protein-infused popcorn too!
What’s your favorite tradition to participate in locally?
Attend the Iowa State Fair.
What is your go-to snack?
The new popcorn snacks we created at Lola’s.