Brittani Baker’s entrepreneurial spirit was ignited at a young age. Growing up, she’d spend weekends helping her parents set up barrel grills, cook, and sell dinners to anyone who pulled into the dirt road parking lot in their small town. Eventually Brittani’s father turned a feed mill into a thriving restaurant, and she was inspired to start her own venture.
After running her own successful food truck, Bubba’s Q, Brittani realized her true passion was in helping others fulfill their entrepreneurial dreams. Now, she runs BBQ Consulting and empowers other entrepreneurs in the food truck, restaurant, and product development spaces.
Q&A with Brittani Baker
Can you share what your small business is and its mission?
BBQ Consulting is an affordable consulting company, we specialize in empowering entrepreneurs in the food truck, restaurant, and product development spaces. Our services include grant finding, 1-on-1 consultations, business plans, marketing strategies, and guidance for successful business launches and expansions. We also offer hands-on services, to help implement efficient systems for food trucks and restaurants to enhance profitability and success.
Why did you decide to start your own business? Can you take me back to the moment you saw a need for your business, and how you came up with its concept?
I started BBQ Consulting after people began reaching out to me on social media, asking for advice on starting or scaling their food businesses. Coming from a family that started catering from home and eventually opened a brick-and-mortar restaurant, I’ve been learning the ins and outs of the business since a very young age. After having my own food truck, I realized my true passion was in helping others fulfill their entrepreneurial dreams. My pivot to consulting was fueled by wanting to share my lessons learned, specifically emphasizing the importance of business plans. My family and I created a product that was sold throughout the US. We used to work round the clock in a manufacturing facility to make, package, and distribute our product. This is where I learned the importance of efficiency, kitchen dynamics, as well as how to serve large amounts of people quality food as quickly as possible. These are some of the tips and tools I now share with my consulting clients to help them increase their profitability.
How do you set your business apart from others in your industry?
BBQ Consulting stands out by not just offering advice but by listening to clients and providing tailored recommendations. I have a genuine passion for helping people achieve their dreams and a unique hands-on service where I work directly with food truckers and restaurateurs to develop efficient flows, to help increase profitability. I’m not afraid to get out in the field, we also provide support with social media marketing and press releases. My goal is to see clients succeed, offering more than just consulting but a true partnership in their entrepreneurial journey.
What tool/tools have you used that has helped boost your business?
Social media platforms are great tools for connecting with clients and promoting my services. Zoom and Calendly are very helpful for communication and scheduling one-on-one consultations. Notion has also been super helpful for organization and productivity. I use myself and have also directed many clients to HelloAlice.com for grant opportunities, it’s also a great site for access to resources and other opportunities to help start or scale businesses.
What’s your biggest challenge right now and how are you working through that?
My current challenge is finding the right balance between offering affordable services and building a profitable company. I have been exploring partnerships with larger community organizations to be able to provide more free services to individuals from socially and economically disadvantaged communities. I currently assist some clients for free, I’m also mindful of the need for sustainability and growth for my business. My consulting company is still in its early stages, but I’m committed to assisting as many people as possible in achieving their entrepreneurial dreams in the food industry. I also share helpful information on social media to reach those who may not be able to afford services right now. My goal is to provide value and support to as many people as possible.
How do you deal with fear and self-doubt as an entrepreneur?
Growing up, my dad played in the NFL player, and he always raised me on clichés. One of his favorites was, “What’s the difference between a brave man and a coward? They both get scared, but the brave man does what needs to be done, while the coward doesn’t but wishes he did.” This reminder is embedded in my heart and soul, especially when self-doubt creeps in. It serves as a reminder to take action, even when scared, because the courageous person faces challenges head-on, and that’s where growth happens.
Who do you look up to for help/mentorship and how did you find them?
I find inspiration from my parents, who started their entrepreneurial journey on the streets of our small town. On the weekends, we’d set up barrel grills, cook, and sell dinners to anyone who pulled into the dirt road parking lot. In the pre-social media days, we used to sort marketing brochures by zip code for mailing at the post office to promote our business. My dad turned a feed mill into a thriving restaurant. My parents ability to overcome obstacles without making excuses or giving up is truly admirable. I also look to Carin Luna-Ostaseski, for mentorship she is the founder of Sia Scotch Whisky. She’s an amazing entrepreneur who has built success in a male-dominated industry and is dedicated to giving back and supporting other small business owners.
If you could only give one piece of advice to your fellow entrepreneurs, what would it be?
Embrace challenges as opportunities for growth. Life is about living and learning; we are all bound to make mistakes. But, instead of dwelling on the negative, ask yourself, “How can I learn from this moving forward?” Each challenge is a chance to refine our strategies, this is how we develop resilience, and move closer to our goals. View challenges not as roadblocks but as stepping stones toward a stronger, more successful self, and business.
What is your favorite part of being an entrepreneur, and how have you grown personally since becoming one?
My favorite part of being an entrepreneur is helping people turn their dreams into reality. Everything I do is fueled by passion, and through my consulting business, I share that passion for people and entrepreneurship. I use the challenges I’ve faced as valuable lessons to help guide others on their journeys, my goal is to prevent them from encountering the same obstacles I did. Being an entrepreneur has turned me into a more organized and empathetic person. We’re all on this crazy life rollercoaster, each on our own unique journey, and I learn to appreciate and understand that a bit more every day.
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