Let’s ‘taco’ ‘bout entrepreneurship: Trulaske student dishes on spicy success

Just like the perfect blend of spices, Andrew Rubin’s business started as a mix of his three favorite ingredients: food, travel and a taste for entrepreneurship. Together, those pas

sions produced State Street Spices, a unique spice collection that takes customers on a culinary cross-country adventure.

“We use in-depth research to craft the most authentic spice blends possible from cities around the nation,” said Rubin, a freshman studying business administration and statistics at the University of Missouri. “This allows consumers to experience food cultures from all over in the comfort and convenience of their own homes.”

State Street Spices has developed eight flavors so far, with four currently available: Buffalo Buffalo, Los Angeles Taco, New York Steak and St. Louis Barbecue. Rubin hopes to re-release previous spices and always welcomes new ideas for possible spice blends.

“Each blend takes about 80 hours of research to dig deep into each flavor, city, and the history of a specific food within that city or region,” Rubin said.

The delicious business concept traces its roots to September 2023, when Rubin was in his junior year at Parkway Central High School in Chesterfield, Missouri. An incubator offered by his school district helped the young entrepreneur launch his business. 

Rubin’s unique business concept earned him a Top 10 spot at Mizzou’s Entrepreneur Quest, an initiative that provides workshops, mentoring and cash awards to empower full-time Mizzou students in their path toward entrepreneurship. 

Thanks to a successful pitch to Mizzou’s Griggs Innovators Nexus, it also scored Rubin his own incubator office space inside the MU Student Center and an opportunity to sell his products to fellow flavor lovers. The unique flavor profiles can also be found on the shelves of select local businesses and markets in both Columbia and St. Louis.

“Other entrepreneurs can learn that it is never too early to get started,” said Kelsey Raymond, BSBA ’11, executive director of entrepreneurship programs at the Griggs Innovators Nexus. “He found out about the program while in high school and applied as a senior for his freshman year at Mizzou. We were also impressed with his unique differentiation of the city-specific flavors, and that he had already landed eight retail locations.”

Rubin’s also found a spot on Mizzou’s Student-Made. The unique online retail platform is part of a network of online marketplaces for student entrepreneurs that was brought to campus thanks to leadership by the Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, which is housed in Mizzou’s Robert J. Trulaske, Sr. College of Business, and financial sponsorship provided by Trulaske supporter Stuart Bascomb.

For Rubin, the venture has become a labor of love. Inspired by his own health struggles, the business student has made a commitment to supporting other children facing difficult medical circumstances.

“When I started my business, I also started the State Street Way program, where we donate 10% of our profits to children's hospitals,” Rubin said. “During times like the holidays, we actually raise this amount to up to 30%.”

Rubin looks forward to continuing to grow his skill set through the Trulaske College of Business and plans to be a full-time business owner when he graduates from Mizzou.

“Andrew’s success is a perfect reflection of our commitment to inspiring an entrepreneurial mindset in students, which is one of the three pillars of success at the Trulaske College of Business,” said Balaji Rajagopalan, the Robert J. Trulaske, Sr. Dean of the Trulaske College of Business. “With his dedication and visionary thinking, coupled with the mentorship and resources provided by Trulaske, this young entrepreneur can reach great heights.”

Mizzou’s Robert J. Trulaske, Sr. College of Business prepares students for success as global citizens, business leaders, scholars, innovators and entrepreneurs by providing access to transformative technologies, offering experience-centered learning opportunities and fostering an entrepreneurial mindset.