We’re looking forward to introducing you to Hannah Ovik. Check out our conversation below.
Hannah, so good to connect and we’re excited to share your story and insights with our audience. There’s a ton to learn from your story, but let’s start with a warm up before we get into the heart of the interview. What do you think is misunderstood about your business?
We truly customize every order to our customers. No catering is like another and each one is carefully planned out to ensure the guest received the highest quality food and service. Many people are afraid to ask if we can make changes or customize their order, but everything is customized to fit their vision, budget, event, and guest count. We often bring in exclusive items just for their event. For example, a wedding we did earlier this year wanted a cheesecake bar and another wanted plated appetizers, both we gladly agreed to an enjoyed bringing their vision to life.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Dickey’s Barbecue Pit was originally started in Dallas, TX, but don’t let that fool you, all of the locations are independently and privately owned. Our family owns the location in North Branch, MN which we bought in February 2024, reopening it in April 2024. All meats are smoked in our store every day, giving you real authentic barbecue it is hard to find anywhere else.
There are many different items on our menu and a variety of ways for you to enjoy whether it’s dine-in, carry out, delivered (DoorDash, UberEats or EZ Cater), drive thru, and catering. We can cater any event, any size and deliver almost anywhere in MN or western WI.
Something special about us is that earlier this year, we connected our local police department to a $10,000 grant from The Dickey’s Foundation, giving them the unique opportunity to start their E-bike patrol program. This program gives us a safer community by allowing our police to have a more effective and efficient presence here.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. Who taught you the most about work?
Our entire family is very involved within this business and we each bring unique skills, knowledge, and passions that create a well-rounded business for our guests.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
No, absolutely not. However, it was difficult to come back from where the previous owners had left Dickey’s Barbecue Pit in North Branch. When our family bought the business, it had been run down including the community reputation. We have spent the past 2 years fighting to build that up and just this summer is when we started to feel a shift for the better. It is hard to prove that we are better than ever before to guests who had a negative experience with the previous owners years ago. Thankfully we have had many of those customers come back to try us again when we won them over and now many have become regulars.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What’s a cultural value you protect at all costs?
People matter, family matters. Above all, our family holds a high value on the people we see every day whether that is our employees, customers, or those in the community. We are always working very hard to not only build our business, but to build the community our business serves. We have done this by sponsoring many high school activities, sports, and clubs along with donating meals to local first responders and attending community events. Our biggest support of the community so far has been connecting our local police department to a $10,000 grant which allowed them to start their E-Bike Patrol Program. This program allows officers to better serve our community in a unique, fast, and efficient way.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. What will you regret not doing?
Not doing this sooner!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.dickeys.com/locations/minnesota/north-branch/north-branch
- Instagram: https://www.Instagram.com/DickeysNB
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DickeysNorthBranch
Image Credits
Hannah Ovik
