Meet Pinch Dab Dash
FOUNDED BY
THE INTERVIEW
Written by Boston Women’s Market & Andrea Mather
BWM: Can you tell us a bit about what led you to begin your journey with your business? Was there an aha! Moment?
Andrea Mather: Pinch Dab Dash started with a simple question in our house: “What’s for dinner?” Like many people, my husband and I both had busy careers, and after a long day the last thing anyone wants is to overthink dinner.
When we talked to people, we heard the same thing again and again: “I don’t cook.” What many really mean is they don’t enjoy cooking, they don’t know where to start, they don’t have time, or they feel intimidated by it.
But the reality is, everyone has to eat. Too often the alternative becomes pre-packaged or takeout food that’s full of sodium, sugar, and ingredients that don’t really belong in our food.
The real challenge we saw wasn’t cooking itself. It was everything that comes before it: deciding what to make, buying all the spices and ingredients, and figuring out how to combine them to get the flavor right.
That’s what inspired Pinch Dab Dash. Each blend captures the flavor profile of multiple cuisines in one jar, and then we pair them with simple recipes to make the process even easier. So, one jar, one spice blend, can be used on proteins, vegetables, or potatoes, mixed into sauces or marinades, used as a rub, or simply sprinkled on top to flavor a dish.
Our goal is simple: remove the guesswork so people can make great meals at home and feel confident in the kitchen.
BWM: A mentor can play an integral role in someone’s career progression and personal growth. Did you have a mentor that influenced where you are today?
Andrea: My earliest mentors were my maternal grandparents. Born in the early 1900’s, they were way ahead of their time and didn’t follow traditional gender roles. My grandfather owned a business, but also shared household responsibilities, and my grandmother was very independent, involved in her community, and did things on her own terms. I spent my summers with them, and they never tried to tone me down. I was curious, opinionated, and constantly questioning things, and where others saw me as a disruption, my grandparents saw potential. My grandfather especially made it clear that I wasn’t too much or someone who needed to be changed. He encouraged me to think independently and explore without hesitation.
My grandmother also shaped how I think about food and creativity. She cooked intuitively, didn’t rely on measurements, and enthusiastically cooked a wide variety of global cuisines. That mindset stuck with me and shows up in how I approach building something of my own today.
That curiosity and willingness to push beyond what was expected carried into everything I’ve done. It’s what pushed me to go further than what I saw around me, from being the first in my family to go to college, to law school, to earning an MBA, and eventually starting my own business while working in a demanding corporate career. My grandparents gave me something simple but powerful: the belief that anything is possible.
BWM: What are some steps someone can take today to begin that journey of discovery?
Andrea: The biggest step is giving yourself permission to try something before you feel completely ready.
Many people think they need the perfect plan before starting something new. In reality, most businesses begin as experiments. You try something small, see how people respond, and learn from there.
Talk to people. Test your idea. Be curious. Most importantly, pay attention to what people naturally ask you for help with. That’s often where your real opportunity lives.
BWM: Can you talk about a time that you failed in an entrepreneurial venture or objective? What was the lesson learned?
Andrea: One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that not every idea needs to turn into a product.
When we first started developing blends, we created far more flavors than we ultimately launched. Some sounded great in theory but didn’t resonate with customers the way we expected.
Instead of forcing them into the lineup, we listened to what customers kept coming back for. The lesson was simple but important: the market tells you what works. Your job is to listen.
BWM: Do you have a favorite moment so far with your business? Where you really felt like you were on the right path?
Andrea: One moment that stands out was when Pinch Dab Dash was featured in Cigar Aficionado’s Holiday Gift Guide as one of the Best Gifts of the Year. It was one of those moments where you pause and realize something that started in your own kitchen is now being recognized nationally.
But honestly, the moments that mean the most happen all the time when we hear from customers. Many of them tell us they use our blends almost every day and that they’ve become a staple in their kitchens. Some even joke that they’re “obsessed.”
What means the most is when someone takes the time to tell us our blends changed the way they cook. When someone says they made a dish they never would have attempted before, that’s when we know we’re doing what we set out to do: helping people feel more confident in the kitchen.
BWM: How have you continued to manage the growth of your business while also finding time and ways to invest in yourself?
Andrea: Balance is always a work in progress. For me, investing in myself has always meant continuing to learn. Curiosity is one of the most valuable skills you can have.
Whether it’s new business strategies, languages, different cuisines and cooking techniques, or studying how other brands grow, I try to stay open to new ideas and perspectives.
More recently, I’ve focused on building systems and using technology to remove repetitive work so I can spend my time where it matters most. Things like automating market applications, planning, inventory, and supporting marketing and email campaigns. It allows me to run the business efficiently while staying focused on the creative and strategic work.
And stepping away matters too. Travel, cooking, time outdoors, concerts, trying new restaurants, or just taking a break helps me reset and come back with fresh energy.
BWM: From one small business owner to another, what is your favorite go-to business tool or resource you can recommend to our community?
Andrea: Honestly, one of the most valuable resources is simply talking directly with your customers.
Selling at markets and events gives us the opportunity to have real conversations with the people who use our products. You learn what they cook, what they struggle with, what flavors they love, and what they’re curious to try next. Those conversations shape everything we do, from developing new blends to creating recipes and deciding how we talk about the brand.
I’d also say the community of other small business owners is incredibly valuable. There’s a real spirit of collaboration where people share ideas, lessons learned, and best practices. Building a business can sometimes feel isolating, so having that kind of supportive community makes a big difference.
There’s no substitute for learning directly from the people around you.
BWM: Anything else you'd like to share?
Andrea: Starting a business doesn’t require having everything figured out. It starts with curiosity and the willingness to take the first step.
Most businesses evolve over time. You try something, learn from it, and keep refining as you go. What matters most is staying open to learning and paying attention to what people respond to.
For me, curiosity and continuous learning have always been guiding principles. It’s what turns a simple idea into something meaningful over time.
Sometimes all it takes is one small idea and the courage to try it.
