Today we’d like to introduce you to Sarah & Josh Smith.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
We’ve always loved cooking barbecue together—especially our family rib recipe that we’ve made for years up in northern Minnesota. It was more than just food for us; it was tradition, connection, and something we genuinely enjoyed sharing with others. Over the past year, Sarah began experiencing health issues that led her to limit certain ingredients in her diet to help manage her symptoms. As we started exploring alternative seasonings and rubs, we quickly realized how few healthy options were available—everything was packed with artificial ingredients, MSG, preservatives, or gluten.
That was the moment Josh decided to dive deep into the world of spices and seasoning blends. We started with our original rib recipe and worked to create a rub that stayed true to the flavors we love but used only clean, natural ingredients. No shortcuts, just real flavor. That first blend was just the beginning—now we’re expanding our lineup with more exciting seasonings, all made with the same core values: clean ingredients, no artificial additives, and big, bold flavor.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Starting a business is never easy—there are always challenges in the beginning. For us, the biggest struggle has been getting the word out and building brand awareness. We’re incredibly passionate and driven to create the best products possible, but in a crowded market, standing out takes time and effort.
We’ve decided to take a grassroots approach and focus on connecting directly with our community. This summer, we’re hitting local vendor shows and fairs to share our story, let people taste our products, and grow our brand one conversation at a time. It’s a lot of work, but we truly believe in what we’re building—and that makes the journey worth it.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
We’re a Minnesota-based BBQ seasoning company rooted in family tradition and driven by a passion for bold, northern flavor. Our mission is simple: to bring clean, delicious BBQ to the table without compromising on ingredients or taste. That means no MSG, no preservatives, no gluten—just all-natural seasonings you can feel good about using for your family.
What sets us apart is our commitment to quality and authenticity. Our blends are inspired by the recipes we grew up with. We’re proud to be a Veteran and family owned business built on hard work, care, and dedication.
Right now, we offer our signature Rib Rub, which has quickly become a customer favorite. We’re also hard at work developing a full line of new seasonings, and we can’t wait to share them with you soon. There’s a lot more flavorful, clean BBQ coming your way!
If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
The qualities that have been most important to our success and will be in the future are dedication, passion, and hard work. We pour everything we have into creating seasonings that not only taste great but are made with real, high-quality ingredients you can trust. We’re committed to doing things the right way, even when it takes more time or effort.
Pricing:
- Rib Rub $12
- All Purpose Seasoning $12
- Ope We’re Smokin’ Hat $30
Contact Info:
- Website: https://opeweresmokin.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/opeweresmokin/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575158589303
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@OpeWereSmokin
