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Self-Made in America

The American dream

Grady Wright
Tex's Barbeque
St George - UT

All my life, making my own money has been most exciting for me. Personal satisfaction has always come from investing my hard work and persistence. (When I was younger, it was finding golf balls and cleaning them to sell, while running my own yard-care service.)

Nearly three years ago, I moved to Texas. While living there, I experienced true barbeque for the first time. I enjoyed the food and the atmosphere of BBQ restaurants and realized that my hometown had nothing like this; such a business had potential in an active and neighborly community, such as mine. From that time on, I cooked up different business strategies to get myself started when I returned home.

Eight months ago, I moved back home to study business and research the requirements of opening my own. I saved money for enroll in a BBQ cooking school, where I gained valuable knowledge about ingredients, techniques, and styles from barbeque masters. I invested in a professional cooker, and with only one solo cookout under my belt buckle, I got a job to cook 120 pounds of meat for a holiday party of 350 people.

Notwithstanding my enthusiasm, the response was humbling; I received copious applause! Since then, I have catered two full meals—one for thirty and one for sixty people—and have successfully expanded my menu.

My business venture has sparked a lot of excitement and support from others. At each event, people make a point to shake my hand and let me know that they enjoyed the food. Currently, I am invested around $10,000 in equipment and tools, and need financing to push things forward. So, I am writing a business plan to secure a loan to buy a mobile kitchen and setting goals to officially establish my business in 2006.

Comments that readers have made about this submission:

  1. Rockin'!!
    J. Everett - Utah

  2. the world needs more barbecue.
    Phillip Alcoran - TX

  3. This to me sounds like he deserves this money, it sounds like a real story to me. If this money was given to him it would be put to good use.
    Cory - Utah

  4. great idea!
    Erica - pa

  5. Good luck in your venture, it sounds delicious!
    Lee-Ann - Edmonton, AB

  6. It is great to see someone with as much enthusiam!! Sounds like an awesome venture! Best of luck to you!!!
    Kristi - TEXAS!!

  7. Wonderful and Exciting!! Keep Up the Great Work!!
    Kimberly Kay Crellin - Sun City, AZ

  8. GREAT JOB
    Layren - Ohio

  9. One thing I really miss about living in Florida is the BBQ. It's a style that isn't found out here in the west.
    Andrew Buys - Utah

  10. BEST WISHES! LIKE TO SEE SOMEONE WHO GOES AFTER THEIR DREAMS!
    Ashley - Knoxville, TN

  11. Great idea, lots of ambition!! Good luck!!
    Crissey Rasmussen - Kent, WA

  12. Mmm mmm good.
    Houston - St. George, UT

  13. Good for him!
    Melanie Diehl - Susquehanna,PA 18847

  14. I Applaude YOU!!
    Jane M. Crellin - Sun City, AZ

  15. Made me hungry
    Matt - Logan

  16. Good luck in all you do.
    Ingrid - MIlwaukee

  17. very nice - good luck!
    Christine Fidance - New Castle, DE

  18. dull
    bailey - nc

  19. I think every town should have at least one place that makes great Texas BBQ. Good luck to you and come to my town next!
    Dawn Hurtado - Vandalia IL.

  20. very good idea
    mary ellen kerin - Rockaway, NJ 07866

  21. Good Luck!
    Wendy - GA

  22. I can tell that this is a great young man with an "American Dream" I want to encorage hard work and injunity -- just the thing that makes this country great! I hope you get your wish Grady!
    Jojean - St. George, Utah

  23. what a winning man of excellence!
    derek - st. george utah

  24. Your drive, passion and good taste are evident. I think it is great that you are returning to your home town to create a small business. I know that city and that it really needs entrepreneurs to spur growth of new, quality jobs. I hope you are successful in creating a tasty venture that will enrich St.George city.
    J. H. - AZ

  25. You are one of few young people these days who are willing to work hard to fulfill their dreams. Keep on the good work!!
    Theresa - Chandler, AZ

  26. I think this is a great business idea. One tip would be to make sure your mobile kitchen is full of signage and maybe some sponsors ads as well so as you travel to an event you can get more exposure.
    M Waite - Minnesota

  27. Congratulations on a Job Well Done!! ; )
    Kimberly Kay Crellin - Sun City, AZ

  28. Good for you! If you work hard you will achieve your goals. America is the best country on earth for entrepreneurs!
    Melanie Diehl - Susquehanna,PA 18847

  29. Mmm, Mmm! BBQ! Good luck in reaching your goals. You sound enthusiastic and motivated, which is sure to take you where you want to go.
    -

  30. Outstanding!!
    Jane M. Crellin - Sun City, AZ

  31. sounds like a young man working hard to start a business in a smart, well planned way.
    Patty - Missoula, MT

  32. WoW!!! I wish you the best!!!! Good Luck
    Gina B - CT

  33. wonderful
    mary ellen kerin - Rockaway, NJ 07866

  34. Keep up the good work...there is no food like great Texas BQ. I also learned about TX BQ when we moved to Houston in the early 80ies. When my husband was just out of college...25 years and many moves later we settled in north ceneral Arkansas. Just last year we ordered a Bar-B-Que Pits by Klose rather than have it shipped we drove 500 miles to pick it up and enjoy a taste of Texas.
    Sandi James - On The Lake in North Central AR

  35. Way to Go and a Half!! What Ambition!! ; )
    Kimberly Kay Crellin - Sun City, AZ

  36. good luck to ya!
    Christine - Delaware

  37. thats a great story of inspiration!
    kathleen -

  38. great essay.
    suzie - aurora, co

  39. Tasty idea! That area is really big on sharing culture through food. It should work like a charm! You will do GREAT!!
    R. - AZ

  40. Reading this idea has made me hungry for barbeque. I know there is a big demand in Texas for good barbeque. Good luck.
    Betty Crawford - Tipp City, OH

  41. This sounds like a practical and worthy plan for success.
    Betty Crawford - Tipp City, OH

  42. i hope this fella goes far and blesses the world further with bbq
    Ryan Carter - SLC, UT

  43. bbq=world peace.
    Jaren Randall - logan, UT

  44. A true entrepenual spirit.
    Breck - Utah

  45. I'd just love to eat this guys food someday, with all that passion, I'm sure its gotta be tasty. He must really have something going, otherwise he wouldn't be so passionate about it.
    Matthew - New York

  46. Sounds Genuine, sounds promising
    David - North Carolina

  47. When you open, am I invited?
    Shawna - Lake Forest, Ca

  48. I'm a native Texan and your story made me smile. Keep on bringing that TX BBQ to the world!
    Tracy - Austin, Tx

  49. Good Luck!!!! :-)
    Amanda - Missouri

  50. With your enthusiasm and ambition I am sure you will succeed. Good Luck!
    Sandra Brodeur - Garden City, SC

  51. May your success continue!
    Debbie T. - Virginia

  52. He is making his dream a reality because he is planning and taking the time to educate himself before moving forward. He'll be a success for sure!
    R. Peacock - Magnolia, TX

  53. You have so much passion. Much success to you!
    Jennifer - Wichita, KS

  54. Great story--good luck!
    JB - California

  55. Go Grady!
    Jeanine - So. Cal., USA

  56. Anyone that wants to open a BBQ place is alright with me! Wishing you the best with it!
    Laura - Virginia

  57. very nice and good luck!
    Christine - Delaware

  58. Many Blessings with your Business
    Laura N - Chattanooga,TN

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