Meet the CEO
Tyla-Simone Crayton is the sixteen year old CEO of Sienna Sauce out of Houston, Texas. The young foodie relocated from Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn to the Sienna Plantation area of Texas, hence the brand name Sienna Sauce. In an effort to recreate a flavor of sauce she missed from back home, she experimented and stirred up some flavors that she enjoyed far superior! Tyla-Simone has always had a creative spirit and decided that selling sauce would be a great idea; and in the spring of 2017, she launched Sienna Sauce from her home kitchen.
The company currently has grown in flavors. Since launching, Sienna Sauce has already been recognized for its taste and quality. The brand participated, and won, “Best Sauce” in the 2018 and 2019 Sauce-A-Holic Fest, competing against 15 competitive brands!
The young CEO says the sauce is multi-purpose, and can be used on anything! It’s great on meat, fish, poultry and vegetables.
Tyla-Simone is an honor student at Texas Connections Academy (homeschooled) receiving awards in academic excellence and critical thinking. Outside of the classroom she speaks to the youth about entrepreneurship at least 3 times a month, works full time at her corporate office, serves as a board member of the Black History Club, a member of the American Sign Language club (ASL), and she is a community volunteer.
Tyla-Simone is passionate about volunteering her time in her community. One organization in particular that she is committed to is the Sistership Foundation.
Tyla-Simone has been interviewed on NowThis (1.4 million views), The Houston Black Pages - African America Business Directory (5 million views) Inside Edition (155k views), Pickler&Ben Show (1.3 million views), Good Morning America, ABC 13 Houston (3.2 million views), C-Span, KPRC-TV-Channel 2, Houston Chronicle, 97.9 The Box, 93.7 The Beat and by countless food bloggers and influencers.
Tyla-Simone was also invited to the World food Championships where she was one of 5 kid entrepreneurs selected out of the country.
Also, across the United States, there are 90 distributors selling the newly famous Sienna Sauce.
Tyla-Simone is also located in over 60 retail stores.
Tyla-Simone has won 3 pitch competitions -GMA, Strahan, Sara & Keke, $25k (side hustle showdown) Essence + New Voices Target Accelerators $10k
The Revolt Summit for Young Entrepreneurship pitch for $10k.
Tyla-Simone received a Pinnacle Award from the Greater Houston Black Chamber of Commerce as the first ever recipient to receive an award for Youth Entrepreneurship.
Tyla-Simone has also received a Proclamation from the Fort Bend County Judge for her achievements and accomplishments in entrepreneurship and A Certificate of Congressional Recognition from Congress Woman Sheila Jackson Lee
Tyla-Simone has received countless honors from many amazing organizations throughout Houston. The Icon Awards, She is CEO, National Black MBA Association, Top 50 Professionals & Entrepreneurs, just to name a few.
When she is not studying, filling orders, or promoting her brand Tyla-Simone, enjoys spending time with her mother, family, friends and her dog Chloe.
Her motto is “Live, Love and Sauce it up!”