On this episode of The Barbeque Life Kurt talks with Jason Hernandez of Big J’s So Cal BBQ out of Bloomington, CA about his journey getting into BBQ, including spending six months in county jail, doing pop ups out of his house, got started catering which he was influenced to do by a friend, what Jason defines as SoCal BBQ, what to get excited about on Big J’s menu, moving into being a business owner, getting a mentor, what’s coming up in 2024, wise words for people who want to find their passion - whether it be in BBQ or anything, and more!

“What our past is, isn’t our future.”

Watch on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/bFPkwq83Ckg

Follow and connect with Big J’s So Cal BBQ at the links below!

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bigjaysbbq/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bigjssocalbbq

Twitter: https://twitter.com/BigJsSoCalBbq

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BigJsSoCalBbq

Website: https://bigjssocalbbq.com/

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On this episode of The Barbeque Life Kurt talks with Josh Hall out of Cumming, GA and is the Co-Owner of ResQue Rubs, a BBQ rub business that donates 10% of their proceeds to Fur Kids, a no kill shelter for cats and dogs about how COVID gave them the idea to start the ResQue Rubs, how they have built the business, gotten customers, and spread the word about their company, how they came up with the names of products, get feedback, deal with adversity, and so much more.

“[Social media] is a necessary evil. It’s free advertising. You gotta do it.”

Watch on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/sXjWuahEMV8

Follow and connect with ResQue Rubs at the links below!

Website: https://www.resquerubs.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/resquerubs/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/resquerubs

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@resquerubs_1117

Fur Kids: https://www.instagram.com/furkidsatlanta/

Because Coffee: https://because.coffee/

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Kurt talks with Conner Morris and Kris Aebischer Hooked on Que out of Tampa, FL about how they both got into BBQ at different times in their lives, how their business came to be out of a rehearsal dinner and backyard BBQ competition, the hurdles they’ve faced in their business and competitions, how they stand out from other food trucks, sage advice from their year’s experience, and more!

Watch on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/Lav1U6TYHXo

“I don’t think it’s so much balance, but it’s not just literally saying yes to every possible opportunity.” - Kris Aebischer

Follow and connect with Hooked on Que at the links below!

Website: https://www.hookedonque.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/HookedOnQue/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089688848612

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hookedonque_

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Kurt talks with Kyle Matuszewski, Owner of Your Behind BBQ out of Waddell, Arizona, about his journey getting into cooking and BBQ after tearing his ACL in the last play of the last game of his high school football career and missing out on D1 scholarships, to getting hooked on BBQ Pitmasters, placing 7th out of 117 for chicken at a BBQ contest, committing, buying a food truck for catering, and now a restaurant, his mindset moving into starting his own business, sacrificing and selling his house to get a food trailer, winning the chocolate festival, how he creates his menu, how his experience has been with hiring employees, sage advice for those starting from the bottom or making the leap from trailer to brick and mortar, and more!

“I truly believe it’s live or die off social media.”

Follow and connect with Kyle Matuszewski at the links below!

Website: https://yourbehindbbq.com/kyle

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/your_behind_bbq_

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/YourBehindBBQ

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@yourbehindbbq

Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Facebook!

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3YkKv7h

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Kurt talks with Kenny Bottom, owner and operator of Pig Feathers Farm and What's Smokin'?, out of Hephzibah, GA, about his journey into BBQ after working in the railroad industry as a locomotive engineer for over 19 years to now creating and running three businesses, starting his pork business, why he bought a trailer over a truck and if he’d do it again, the conception of his lemonade stand business and tips on how to increase your ticket prices, the biggest lesson he’s learned in the past year, questions he asks when someone wants to book a food truck, and more!

“Pasture raised is a lifestyle.”

Follow and connect with Kenny Bottoms at the links below!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrpigfeather/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kenny.bottoms

Pig Feathers Farm: https://www.pigfeathers.farm/

What's Smokin: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100085930544746&mibextid=LQQJ4d

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Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3YkKv7h

Spotify: http://bit.ly/3RvpAwc

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebarbequelife/reviews

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Kurt talks with Mike Robertson, who goes by BBQ Mike, about how he got started in BBQ with the help of a friend, how he balances his full time job, competitions, and building his catering business, his plans moving forward with BBQ, how the BBQ community has made an impact in his life and BBQ journey, his favorite foods to cook, how he treats cooks at the house vs. competition cooks, and more!

"My favorite thing to cook is pretty much anything I can get my hands on."

Follow and connect with BBQ Mike at the links below!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bbqmike/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100066584232851

Products mentioned in the show:

Loot N’ Booty BBQ: https://lootnbootybbq.com/

Real Man Meat: https://therealmanmeatbbq.com/

Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Facebook!

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Kurt talks with Greg Bleich of Bay Bridge BBQ out of North Jersey, about his journey getting in BBQ, roadblocks and disappointment when he was getting started, instantly falling in love and getting addicted to smoking meat, branding, starting an LLC and going all in, how he got the name Bay Bridge BBQ and why it’s an ode to his hometown, the doors that have opened for him since he started branding himself, how he decides on which smoker to buy, his favorite meats to cook, and so much more!

“Had I never had a brand, I was just Greg that brought the brisket.”

Follow and connect with Greg and Bay Bridge BBQ at the links below!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/baybridgebbq/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@baybridgebbq

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@baybridgebbq

Website: https://www.baybridgebbq.com/

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Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3YkKv7h

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KEEP CALM AND SMOKE ON! 

We're back! After a bit of hiatus, Kurt is back and back with a fire under him! On today's episode of The Barbeque Life, Kurt talks about the jump he has recently taken from his 13 year career in financial planning to going all in on his passion of BBQ. He dives into many informational and motivational topics including:

- His story and journey of taking the leap into BBQ full time

- Branding, social media, how often to post, what to post

- Different sources of income stream

- Taking your BBQ business seriously, make sure legal tasks are prioritized

- The importance of relationships, different kinds of relationships to build and establish locally

- Questions to ask yourself and others to create mutually beneficial partnerships

- What gets him fired up and resources you can use to improve yourself

- and more!

Watch the full episode here! https://youtu.be/wDVUUb9U5kY

Follow and connect with Kurt and Ironhead Barbeque at the links below!

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ironheadbarbeque

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ironheadbbq/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ironheadbbq

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ironheadbbq

Merch: https://www.ironheadbbq.com/

Email: [email protected]

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/ironheadbarbeque

The Barbeque Life is Powered by Hound Hogs BBQ Supply!

Follow and connect with them here: https://houndhogsbbqsupply.com/

Use code BBQLIFE to save 10% on your next order!

Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Facebook!

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3YkKv7h

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We’re flipping the script on today’s episode! Kurt has his friend and Pitmaster of Blinky’s Offset BBQ, Matt Osman, on The Barbeque Life to interview Kurt about his journey to getting a GC at the Famous Dave’s BBQ World Food Championship, flying to Billings, Montana and his experience cooking on borrowed grills, cooking lamb for the first time, getting DAL and placing terribly in People’s Choice at his first Famous Dave’s pilot competition, the EAT method, and tips on what to do and what to avoid, and more!

“A true pit master, in my opinion is someone that can cook on any cooker you put in front of that person. Period. End of story.”

Follow and connect with Kurt and Ironhead Barbeque at the links below!

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ironheadbarbeque

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ironheadbbq/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ironheadbbq

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ironheadbbq

Merch: https://www.ironheadbbq.com/

Email: [email protected]

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/ironheadbarbeque

The Barbeque Life is Powered by Hound Hogs BBQ Supply!

Follow and connect with them here: https://houndhogsbbqsupply.com/

Use code BBQLIFE to save 10% on your next order!

Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Facebook!

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3YkKv7h

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Kurt talks with Janet Silverman, Chief Impact Officer of The Good Charcoal about how they got started in 2020, the impact they made to communities during Covid and beyond with their give back program, the unique type of wood they use from Namibia forests, expanding into new markets and coming out with new products, how you can help out with volunteering, and more!

“Not only am I just handing out food, but sometimes I’m just an ear for people to talk to.”

Follow and connect with The Good Charcoal below!

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thegoodcharcoal/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thegoodcharcoal/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheGoodCharcoal

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thegoodcharcoal

Website: https://www.thegoodcharcoal.com/

Email: [email protected]

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/thegoodcharcoal

The Barbeque Life is Powered by Hound Hogs BBQ Supply!

Follow and connect with them here: https://houndhogsbbqsupply.com/

Use code BBQLIFE to save 10% on your next order!

Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Facebook!

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3YkKv7h

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Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebarbequelife/reviews

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KEEP CALM AND SMOKE ON!