Today we’d like to introduce you to Corey Jones.
Hi Corey, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My name is Corey Jones and I am the owner and operator of Jonesnyourbones BBQ catering LLC. I grew up in a family full of entrepreneurs as my mother had her own consulting firm for many years so that’s how I have learned to deal with many different walks of life and respect them just the same. I was taught at an early age by my father, how to barbecue and by my grandmother, how to cook food from scratch. My father would barbecue and feed the kids in the neighborhood, and my grandmother taught my sister and I at an early age how to cook from scratch so that we knew how to take care of ourselves as we got older… many children in our neighborhood would be outside playing and come in and say that we were hungry and were told to go back outside and they would let us know when the food was done.
Once the food was done, we were told to come back in and go wash our hands and sit at the table, and then a plate was put in front of us at times as kids we would ask what is this and we were lovingly told you said you were hungry now shut up and eat, which is the reason for my slogan today. My goal is to make sure I reach as many customers as possible so that they can have the best-smoked barbecue that they have ever had. I got to where I am today through hard work , dedication and many many sacrifices and lots of prayer and faith.
I believe that God won’t give you anything you can’t handle because the purpose behind it is to trust in him and know that things will work out in the end. One day, I sent a text message out and told people that I was going to be smoking ribs and asked if anyone wanted an order I had 10 orders that day, and I have been smoking meat ever since , so as of right now, my business has been established since June 8th, 2018.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Being a caterer with an outdoor food stand has its ups and downs, especially dealing with the elements daily. I had my tent, blow away and break down three days in a row while I was at the state fair and still had to figure out how to sell to customers no matter what and I did just that.
I was also trapped in a fire on December 4 and didn’t even know if I was gonna make it out alive let alone still have the strength and mental capacity to satisfy my customers. I’ve also learned if you want something bad enough that you do not let anyone or anything stand in your way, and you stay focused on your goal and watch that flower bloom.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’ve been barbecuing for over 20 years now and in June 2018 I decided to take my God-given talent to another level and build my brand as well as make barbecue sauce that is going to be sold in Hyvees in the Twin Cities as well as local grocery stores. My best-selling item is called a Minnesota’s Paradise, which is a barbecue jerk, chicken pineapple bowl.. this bowl starts with seasoned white rice, barbecue jerk chicken, and sautéed pineapples, and red peppers
go right over the top… if you can’t stand the heat, I need you to get out of the kitchen. Lol I also have a sweet barbecue sauce or a sweet heat, which is sure to make your pallet happy. I’m proud of the fact that no matter what trials and tribulations I may have I don’t let them stop me from achieving my goal which is to provide the best smoked barbecue in and around the Twin Cities area. What sets me apart as a barbecue business is the fact that the meat is slow smoked to perfection so by the time it gets to my customers, the meat is tender and juicy and very flavorful and we have the best staff on the planet.
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
My success comes from my return customers over the past few years that still believe in what I am doing, and still think that I have the best barbecue that they’ve ever tasted. Any and every staff that has ever taken the time out of their busy schedules deserves a big thank you as well . Some of those include Tangela Lewis, LaShonda Washington, Faith Rono, and Dana Fitzpatrick and Kim Colum Superfine, just to name a few. My sister Tameka is my biggest supporter as well as my hardest critic and I love her for that.
Also, my marketing Director Sardar Adil does an amazing job on all of my social platforms and I’m grateful to him for that. Also, my consultant Mara Adams for helping me understand the worth of my company and keeping bad mojo away so that I may succeed. And of course my Grandmother Bettye Adams and my father Clarence Jones whom I watched eagerly as a child growing up to help me get to where I am today.
Contact Info:
- Website: Jonesnyourbones.com
- Instagram: @Jonesnyourbones
- Facebook: @Jonesnyourbones
Image Credits
Sardar Adil of @a_aid_marketing
