2024 was a master class in finding out exactly who I was both personally and professionally. It was a year full of hard lessons learned, adapting, persevering, and having grit to push through because of the passion and purpose I have to create the best possible BBQ I can. There were also those 1% moments of victory that were amazing to experience, but this year was the toughest year of my life, no question.
I believe that is what year two of being in business brings. It’s meant to break you down, beat you up, and force you to see what you are truly capable of achieving. To see if you have what it takes to achieve greatness. I understand now why most businesses don’t make it past year two. It’s extremely hard. As I reflect on all of this, I’m grateful to my family and close friends that were there to support me through all of it. Especially my wife Laura. We are a team and I couldn’t pursue this without her unrelenting support.
This year I made the tough decision to leave the location I operated out of in Channahon in August, I didn’t perform as well as I wanted to through the 2024 Joliet Slammers baseball season which was a huge disappointment for me, and there were moments I took on more catering orders than I could reasonably handle, but did so because it was the one thing that kept the business going. In other words, I had too much going on and it was very complicated to navigate it all. But I did it. I pushed through all of it and was better for it.
Once the baseball season concluded in September, I was lucky enough to have Joel Sigel and Night Train Veck give me a space to operate my catering business out of the commissary kitchen at the Slammers stadium. It gave me a second chance to operate.
I’m also grateful to Marc Fry of the Community Sportsplex in Plainfield for our collaboration to take over the concession stand for all their basketball and volleyball tournaments. The partnership also affords me the opportunity to sell BBQ out of the stand outside of tournament days.
My main goal for 2025 is to focus on getting as many people in the Plainfield and surrounding areas to try my BBQ. To accomplish this goal, I’m going to focus on catering and events, the Community Sportsplex, and go through the entire 2025 Joliet Slammers season without selling out of any food. That’s right! To make it through the whole game and have food available for all nine innings!
I’m also making a commitment to be a better marketer of my brand and business.
For all of you that have supported me and the business in 2024, thank you. Thank you for believing in my dream. See you all in 2025.
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