• Flavours as bold as the waves
• Protecting the ocean, one sauce at a time
• Riding the dual waves of sport and entrepreneurship
• Catching every wave—and every sale—wherever she goes
• Surfing the wave to entrepreneurial success 

Ask Lise Richard where her inspiration comes from, and she’ll point to the waves. Growing up in Nova Scotia, she was raised with a deep connection to the water — a connection shaped by a family history closely tied to the sea. 

Surfing entered Lise’s life as a teenager, but it wasn’t until she moved to Vancouver Island in 2013 that it became a core part of her identity. Freshly relocated to the West Coast, Lise immersed herself in Stand-Up Paddle (SUP) surfing, and quickly made waves locally, with podium finishes at the Tofino SUP Surf Invitational, and on the international stage, as a two-time member of Team Canada’s surfing team. 

For Lise, the ocean is more than just a place: It’s where her passions converge to form the heart of her life on the West Coast and the foundation for her business, Tofino Hot Sauce Co., a brand rooted in the rhythms and bold energy of the waves she rides.

Flavours as bold as the waves

While on a visit back home to her roots in Nova Scotia, Lise found inspiration in the most unexpected way — through a beloved local hot sauce. As she savoured its flavours, it struck her that Tofino, known for its vibrant culture and surf scene, didn’t have a hot sauce to call its own. 

Fueled by her love for the ocean and her passion for bold flavours, Lise decided to create a sauce as memorable as the town it would represent.

And when her mother playfully suggested the name “Hot Tuff”, she had the final nudge she needed. The clever phrase became the starting point for Tofino Hot Sauce Co., anchoring its signature product lines, Hot Tuff, Hotter Tuff, and Hottest Tuff.  

Each sauce Lise develops is infused with her experiences, from her surfing adventures to her time in the kitchen — reflecting the bold yet balanced Tofino lifestyle she’s embraced.

“In Tofino, we don't have a work-life balance. We have a life-work balance." she laughs, and her creations reflect this approach, bringing out the best in every dish without overpowering them and offering customers a connection to the energy of the West Coast lifestyle with every bite.  

Protecting the ocean, one sauce at a time

The ocean is more than Lise’s source of inspiration, though. It’s also a place she feels personally responsible for protecting. Which is why Tofino Hot Sauce is about more than creating big, bold flavours — it’s also a way for Lise to give back to the ocean and the community that inspires her. 

Through her Cause-Sauce line, Lise collaborates with other organizations that align with her values. She developed Tuff Beaches(now sold out) which fundraised $1500 for a partnership with Surfrider Pacific Rim to support local and remote beach cleanup efforts. There’s also SUPTuff Hot Sauce(which fundraised $1500 and is now sold out), used in 2023 for the ISA World Stand-up and Paddleboard Championship for Team Canada athletes (and a small portion of the funds were used to sponsor the 2024 SUPtober Fest SUPsurf Competition here in Tofino, October 2024).

Lise’s commitment to her values doesn’t stop with her Cause-Sauce line. Her zero-waste lifestyle and ocean-first mindset reflect a deeply felt philosophy of leaving places better than she found them.

Through partnerships like those with Surfrider Pacific Rim and her efforts to support environmental and athletic causes, Lise has woven her passions for both advocacy and bold flavours into every aspect of Tofino Hot Sauce Co. 

Riding the dual waves of sport and entrepreneurship

Giving back to the community is at the heart of Lise’s work, but as a solo athlete-entrepreneur, it’s far from her only focus. She’s also responsible for every aspect of Tofino Hot Sauce, from crafting recipes to managing finances and handling logistics — responsibilities she juggles all while training as a competitive SUP surfer. 

It’s a balance Lise is proud to maintain, although the challenges of keeping her finances in order became apparent early on.

“When I first started Tofino Hot Sauce, I tried to navigate my business finances on my own using spreadsheets,” she recalls. “But I realized very quickly that QuickBooks was the software I needed to help me manage everything.”

Now, with QuickBooks in her corner — simplifying invoicing, tracking expenses, and ensuring she’s ready for tax season — Lise has more time to focus on the creative and athletic pursuits that drive her.  

Catching every wave, and every sale, wherever she goes

While simplifying her finances with QuickBooks has freed up valuable time, Lise still faces the daily challenge of managing customer orders as a one-woman business. With a packed schedule that juggles deliveries, inquiries, and production, she needs a tool that works as flexibly as she does.

QuickBooks Payments does just that, letting her easily handle transactions whether she’s in the kitchen or on the go. 

"If I were to start a business now. I would start it with Quickbooks. When someone texts me to order a box of sauce, I can just grab my phone, pull up the app, and send the invoice right there,” Lise explains. “I can even receive the payment instantly, which keeps everything running smoothly.”

As a solo entrepreneur who’s constantly on the move, QuickBooks Payments helps Lise stay responsive and organized, allowing her to manage Tofino Hot Sauce efficiently, no matter where the day takes her. 

Surfing the wave to entrepreneurial success  

Lise’s journey as a solo athlete-entrepreneur is defined by balance. From crafting bold, flavourful sauces inspired by her adventures to supporting environmental and athletic causes, she’s built Tofino Hot Sauce to reflect her values of sustainability and creativity.

By focusing on what drives her — whether it’s on the beach or in the kitchen — Lise has built a brand that resonates with her community while making an impact well beyond hot sauce. 

To keep her business running smoothly, Lise relies on QuickBooks Online to stay organized and easily receive payments. From invoicing on the go to tracking expenses, QuickBooks has the tools to provide the structure small business owners need to thrive. If you’re ready to take your business to the next level, discover how QuickBooks can help you manage your finances so you can focus on what matters most.