What started as a backyard experiment has become one of Delaware’s most beloved food brands. Nothing Better LLC, founded by Marcus Taylor in his Middletown kitchen, now produces five varieties of small-batch hot sauce sold in over 100 stores across Delmarva.

The origin: ‘I was making hot sauce for friends at cookouts,’ Marcus recalls. ‘One buddy said, There’s nothing better than this sauce. The name stuck.’ He launched in 2023 with a single habanero-mango recipe at the Middletown Farmers Market.

The lineup today: Original Habanero Mango, Smoky Chipotle Bourbon, Carolina Reaper ‘Dare Ya,’ Sweet Pepper Everyday (mild enough for kids), and Delaware Bay Garlic.

What makes it different: every batch uses fresh peppers from three Delaware farms — never dried or powdered — cooked in small kettles in a licensed commercial kitchen in New Castle.

Find it at ACME, ShopRite, and Janssen’s Market locations across Delaware, at farmers markets, and online at nothingbetterllc.com. Use code THRIVE15 for 15% off your first online order.

Tucked into a beautifully restored building in downtown Wilmington, Alunia Wellness has quickly become Delaware’s go-to destination for holistic health. We sat down with founder Elena Vasquez to learn what makes Alunia different.

After 15 years in corporate healthcare, Elena realized traditional medicine often overlooks the mind-body connection. She opened Alunia in 2024, combining evidence-based wellness with a warm, accessible atmosphere offering therapeutic massage, acupuncture, guided meditation, nutritional counseling, and yoga under one roof.

What sets Alunia apart: every new client begins with a free 30-minute wellness consultation to understand their goals, health history, and lifestyle. The team creates a personalized care plan.

The community connection: Alunia hosts free weekly meditation sessions, partners with local businesses for corporate wellness programs, and offers sliding-scale pricing for clients facing financial hardship. ‘Wellness shouldn’t be a luxury,’ Elena says. ‘It should be accessible to everyone.’

Visit Alunia Wellness in Wilmington or book online at aluniawellness.com.