24 years old and starting a BBQ Dream of my own

RiskTakingPigsmoker · Joined: 29 May 2008 Posts: 8

Hey guys!

I just wanted to say that i have read the "dream" forum of Todd and his place and i am so excited to know that there are so many people out there that actually took the time to help and dream his dream with him on his move to start a BBQ place!

I am from eastern NC and i was raised on a tobacco farm where BBQ is a religion!! I live in Greenville SC now and i have just quit my job in sales and marketing to persue my BBQ dream!! I just leased a 800 sq ft. drive thru in a high traffic location and i am getting ready to put the best BBQ that this town has ever seen!! I am so excited that i can hardly sleep at night!! I am just at the begining and i am asking my fellow smokeringers to help me make smart and efficent decsions on this BBQ dream of mine!! I want to show this town what good BBQ is all about!!

Thanks in advance for all of your help!!

Phillip Bryant

gpalasz · Posted: May 30 2008 Post subject:

Good luck w/ your new business. Please keep us posted of your journey. Im sure it will be a lot of work but alot of fun as well.
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samson · BBQ Pro Joined: 30 Mar 2007 Posts: 869 Location: illinois

Sounds cool! Congratulations on taking that big step.

Look forward to hearing more. Its always great to hear of someone living their dream!

OSoSlow · Posted: May 30 2008 Post subject:

it would be great to "see" it happening from raw building thru the buildout to serving customers ! many of us dream ( while at work.. Cool

.) of doing the same and would like to live it thru you, at least for now.... Wink

Good Luck- bet you're happy when it's done, sounds really like fun ! Pics!pics!
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tonyg · BBQ Pro Joined: 10 Feb 2006 Posts: 628

I made the jump 10 months ago, and it was the best move i EVER made...

tony

Markbb · Posted: May 30 2008 Post subject: BBQ Joint

Good Luck!! I'm sure you will get alot of answers to your questions there's alot of guys on the site that are doing there own thing and they're not shy with the advise....

istock74 · BBQ Pro Joined: 28 Jun 2007 Posts: 965 Location: Logan, IA

Good luck dude! Can't offer you any sage advice but there are plenty here who can. Keep us posted on your progress and don't forget the pics! Wink

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RiskTakingPigsmoker · Joined: 29 May 2008 Posts: 8

i have a video online if you want to look at it. its on Google videos under "Poppys smokehouse" let me know what you guys think!

copy link and paste on url

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=8384884813881698851&hl=en

thanks

Phillip

roxy · Posted: May 30 2008 Post subject:

The best of "LUCK" to you PigSmoker. I am sure the good folks here are more than willing to share and give encouragement to you with this endeavour.
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RiskTakingPigsmoker · Joined: 29 May 2008 Posts: 8

Well the first decision that is the most important one is What kind of Smoker do i use? I have been given a price on a Southern Pride electric sc 200 model at 7100.00 which is a Demo the company is selling.

now the sc 200 is a "Dry" smoker. I can't make my mind up if i want to go with dry or wet. or Gas or Electric. Any advice would be awesome!

Thanks!!

Phillip

roxy · Posted: May 30 2008 Post subject:

I would think that gas would be cheaper to run than electric. The gas cookers are a gas assist not a pure gas cooker. You still got to burn wood to make them work to their best. The gas assist helps to keep temps constant.
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tdubya · Posted: May 30 2008 Post subject:

good luck to you...i'm 25 and my bro lives in greenville, and i'm down in columbia...i'll keep up with you and will visit when i'm in the upstate...

will you have a web presence at all with a web site?

RiskTakingPigsmoker · Joined: 29 May 2008 Posts: 8

plan to have a website for sure!! dont have url just yet but will put it up asap.

About the smoker does anyone know about J&R smokers?

Thanks!

Phillip

BBQMAN · Posted: May 30 2008 Post subject:

Best of luck to you Phil!

Roxy's version of that is Laboring Under Correct Knowledge. I like it cause it's true!

There are a number of threads in the commercial/catering sections that have reviews of raunt style pits.

How much actual experience do you have with BBQ?

What are you cooking on now?

The website is so easy to do when you have SoEzzy do it! Wink

There are a number of others here that do web design as well, among them Odd Thomas.

I would certainly suggest that you "bone" up on what your competition is doing/charging.

I also assume you are already working with your local HD. They will usually (here anyway) do a site/plan review, and give their approval or suggestions on what they want to see when you go for your lisc. Otherwise, you may well be spending money on things/ideas that won't fly.
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RiskTakingPigsmoker · Joined: 29 May 2008 Posts: 8

Well i have worked in about 100 kitchens as cook, but not BBQ. I have done anything from subs to 5 star. I have managed places with 3-5 cooks.

I have BBQ'ed my hole life. My dad is the BBQ king were i come from. I just have to go commercial with my recipes . I am a vinegar based sauce and i plan to cook:

Shoulders/butts
Ribs
Chicken
Beef Brisket

Thanks

Phillip

BBQnIL · Posted: May 31 2008 Post subject:

Congratulations!!! This has been the best move I have ever made. I am having alot of fun. But I am also worn out! LOL Budget your money and your time. From the looks of the video you have a nice place with alot of the right equipment to get started. Keep us updated and ask any questions you can think of. The guys and gals here gave me a ton of great advice when I took the plunge to live the dream.

Todd
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Scrooge_Fan · Joined: 15 Apr 2008 Posts: 6 Location: Northern Illinois

Best of luck, Phillip. Nothing you could do is more exciting and more fulfilling than starting your own business. Expect heartaches, long hours, low pay at the beginning, and frustrations. In the long run, dealing with employees will be your biggest challenge.

You must take the attitude that failure is not an option and do whatever it takes to make the business a success. As soon as possible read the book "Start Small, Finish Big." It's about the Subway sandwich story. There are things in there that can help you with your long term success.

I envy you your age and guts. Go get 'em.
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Tom C · Posted: May 31 2008 Post subject:

Philip,

How exciting! Cool

Best of luck and God's speed to you!
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wnkt · Posted: May 31 2008 Post subject:

Good Luck...I hope you do well. SC needs more BBQ places.

or maybe I'm not looking hard enough Very Happy

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