Meet Nicole Makowski of Makowski’s Real Sausage Company in Bridgeport

Today we’d like to introduce you to Nicole Makowski.

Nicole, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
1920: The Beginning

My Great Grandfather started Victory Sausage Co. Why Victory? Because the phone number was Victory 2-5330 or Vi 2-5330. At this time area codes did not exist, for long distance calls you dialed the operator. Victory started as a small butcher shop in Central Wisconsin, we specialized in smoked sausages and hams.

Over the next several years the demand for our products increased and Chicago was the perfect opportunity to begin our expansion.

1932: The Transition

My Great Grandfather found a small factory on the Southside of Chicago at Ashland and 35th. Great Grandpa was excited about the move, he aggressively pursued sales. Two months into the new transition, we signed a manufacturing agreement with the Army.

1935: The Luck of the Draw

The Army business was extremely demanding; Great Grandpa was not going to pass up the opportunity to grow the business. Just our luck, the Real Sausage Company was filing for bankruptcy. One conflict arose, Real was bankrupt, so we had to change the name to Real Packing Company, which was incorporated in 1938. (By government regulations, a period of time must pass before you can use a bankrupt company’s name).

1937: The 2nd Generation

Great Grandpa decided it was time to bring his son onto the business. My grandfather, Ted Makowski, came to work in 1937 and by 1946 was running the company. Ted continued to manufacture for the army, but shortly after the transition of ownership, the war ended and the need for canned meats diminished.

1952: The 3rd Generation

My father (Jerry Makowski) and uncle (Louis Makowski) came to work for the business. At this time “Deli Meats”, were the strongest volume product in the US, Real was manufacturing for White Hen and K-mart, nationwide.

1972: Back to the Original

A “Packing Company” is classified as a fresh meat company, and Real was a sausage company. My father suggested changing the name back to Real Sausage Company, but: a few problems arose with USDA:

* Real, was a description, not a “name”.

* Real bologna, or Real bratwurst confused the customer, was the product real or artificial.

After further discussion, we convinced USDA that “Real Sausage Company”, would be a legitimate company name.

1985: Change of Ownership

Grandpa retired in 1985, promoting my father and uncle as the new owners. Meanwhile, we continued to excel in the lunch meat business.

2002: The 4th Generation

In 2002, I purchased the business from my father and uncle. I renamed the company Makowski’s Real Sausage; Four generations of Makowski’s, why not?

Remember we were REAL before it was fashionable.

Incidentally, our phone number is still Victory 2-5330, translated 842-5330 (do not forget to start with 312).

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Meat prices, being completive with prices.

We make over 200 different formulas, this requires so much documentation throughout the entire process.

USDA – All the certifications that customers are requiring.

Makowski’s Real Sausage Company – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
I create and sell all the products that we make. I’m hands on, I work direct with the customer. We make so many different sausages here, we have an amazing cliental, We are known for custom, quality products, that taste great, are made correctly all the time (almost all the time 🙂 and we won’t break your bank.

We are able to make smaller runs for customers; smaller custom runs. This is so beneficial to the customer that is just starting and cannot use 5000 pounds of product at a time.

What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
Knowing that my father gave me an opportunity to run Real, make it my own and manage the company the way I felt the market was trending. He stood by side through thick and thin- and never hesitated to tell me the truth. Even if it was not what I wanted to hear.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.realsausage.com
• Phone: 312-842-5330
• Email: nmakowski@realsausage.com
• Facebook: Makowski’s Real Sausage
• Yelp: Makowski’s Real Sausage

Image Credit:
Nicole Peral Photography

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