Jim Moore / August 7, 2025
The entrepreneurial spirit is alive and well in the Southern Tier, and it smells like a perfect blend of smoky herbs, spices, and a lot of heart.
What started as a quest to create the perfect chicken wing seasoning 16 years ago has evolved into a full-fledged business for father and son team Jason and Dakota Soles, who are now launching their flagship product, a versatile spice blend named Core Universal Spice Blend, or Core.
The journey began in Jason’s kitchen. Like many great creations, Core was born from a simple desire: to make a great smoky dry rub for chicken wings, particularly for cooking indoors. Over the years, the blend was refined and perfected, becoming a staple in the Soles household. Soon, family members and friends who had tasted the wings and discovered the seasoning’s versatility on “everything” were asking for their own supply. It was in these requests that the idea to turn a family recipe into a business took root.
For 17-year-old Dakota, this isn’t just a business venture; it’s a crash course in entrepreneurship. The father-son duo is a true partnership, with Dakota learning about e-commerce, digital marketing, and the nuances of product development firsthand. “We want people to taste it,” Jason said in a recent interview, emphasizing the biggest challenge is getting the product “out there” and into people’s hands.
The Soles believe Core is a “kitchen hack.” The spice blend is designed to be the fundamental seasoning in any cupboard, a versatile base that can be customized to create a wide variety of flavors. For instance, you can add brown sugar to make a killer BBQ rub that caramelizes beautifully on the grill, or mix it with cumin for an instant taco seasoning. It’s an all-in-one seasoning that streamlines cooking for busy home chefs, pitmasters, and food lovers.
Core’s versatility is already earning it a loyal following. Testimonials from early users highlight its ability to elevate everyday meals. My own experience with Core is that as a vegan I am always on the lookout for opportunities to season grilled vegetables in new ways and Core seasoning does so wonderfully!
More than just a versatile seasoning, Core is also a premium product. It contains 11 individual, high-quality ingredients with no fillers, anti-caking agents, MSG, or sugar. It’s also gluten-free and vegan-friendly, making it a clean and healthy choice for any diet. This commitment to quality and bold flavor without gimmicks has been a core principle for the Soles team from the start.
The launch of Core has been met with early success, including a promising meeting with a major potato chip manufacturer to discuss a potential partnership and co-branded product. While the future holds many possibilities, for now, the focus is on a successful online store launch and getting the word out.
The father-son entrepreneurial journey is a testament to the power of a good idea, a lot of hard work, and a shared passion. As they look to the future, Jason and Dakota are inviting the community to join the movement of home cooks who have made Core their new kitchen essential. To learn more about the Soles and their journey to the creation and launch of Core, or to purchase your own bottle of Core visit their newly launched website at https://corespices.com/
