Keen palates, business acumen are essential ingredients in both Todd Courtney's spice business and Victoria Stagmer's food shop.

Both have put years of hard work into their Severna Park businesses.

Mr. Courtney, 42, launched his spice business with $2,000 and a passion for food and success, based on a recipe he created himself. "I knew I could do it," said the former finance manager at Nissan Annapolis.

He expects to retail from 30,000 to 60,000 bottles of his add-to-everything seasoning, Todd's Dirt, this year alone. The product, sold in a small jar for $5.99 apiece, is selling like wildfire in Maryland and Virginia....