We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Chef Kels a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Chef thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you walk us through some of the key steps that allowed you move beyond an idea and actually launch?
My journey started in 2019, with the idea to merge two lanes I’m known for : Cooking and Graphics. As life took its toll on me, and with the hard obstacles I had to face , God embedded a bright plan. The plan was to combine the two worlds. At first, it was just an idea that I pondered on. Then one dreadful day, I was laid off during Covid. I found myself down and out, because I have never been without a job. I would walk around with my head low, like everything and everybody was against me. I felt like it was me against the world. I thought to myself one day, I’m just going to do what I got to do. I kept seeing things on social media like “Be your own critic, be your own fan, the first to believe in you is YOU”. I thought to myself , I am always confident in what I do, so why would I change now? With the visual and marketing knowledge, I created my bread and took it to the next level. I followed what I know when it comes to operating a business. When you’re navigating a business and in control, it’s best to take things step by step. You have to make sure you’re in your audience face. Business is strategic and your marketing has to be repetitive to the point it’s stuck in the consumers head. My goal was to bring my funky style and unique flavors to the world of sauce. Branding is big on my end from the patterns , colors, the logo , stickers, boxing, and type of bottles. I wanted to treat my sauce brand like fashion, so people can know my sauce is just not a sauce, it’s part of a lifestyle. My launch was epic , because it was something I’ve dreamt of. I finally had a voice and was able to promote something I love. I started off giving samples to a few lucky winners. I built my website next, and people supported me. Now that my sauce has been in the game for a few years, it’s a favorite to some and people always say “You got that sauce on you, Mr.Bussdown.”
Chef, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
I’m Chef Kels, known as Mr. Bussdown, and the owner of BussDownSauce LLC. I’m a chef who loves to touch your soul with southern comfort food. I’m based in Atlanta , with the vision of becoming more. I’ve always had the passion for cooking since I was 5, when my mother caught me on the counter cooking on the stove. I come from a line of cooks, such as my Grandma Claudine and my momma. I really took interest in the world of cooking, when I started working at a certain restaurant. That is where I learned different cuts and techniques. Jumping into the sauce industry was new to me, because I’ve always loved a good sauce but never thought to own one. I take my line of BussDownSauce really serious. I practice Quality over Quantity , so when sauce is purchased just know it’s fresh every time. I’m always proud of everything I do, but I can say seeing and hearing people reactions when they taste my sauce makes me feel like I’m on top of the world. It can be hard sometimes when it comes to handling my business , but God gives me that extra push to keep going. My sauce is different from others, because it’s like a hug. My BussDownSauce touches and hold every inch of your meal you’ve created. My sauce is well seasoned with a twist on the classic BBQ. BussDownSauce is a sauce that takes people back to their child hood. Just think of those bright sunny Sundays with your big mama in the kitchen cooking, that’s BussDownSauce. I literally put my blood, sweat, and tears in my line. I want the whole world to be a part of the most flavorful journey known to man. Feel free to purchase my sauce on KelsoKitchenBaby.com
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
The major thing I had I to unlearn, was not shining light on my worth. My idea of handling things and have people support more, was to bid low on prices. I realized people will support when they want to support you. You have to believe in yourself first , before anybody, and that would gain the attention and create an audience. A lot of chefs would message me like what are you doing or why are you charging crappy prices, when you have quality ? I had to understand presentation is key. When you’re working hard, you deserve to be awarded the proper way.
Is there mission driving your creative journey?
The goal I’m trying to reach is to be a known brand throughout the world. My mission is to help people feel comfortable in the kitchen, because there’s nothing like a warm and flavorful home meal. In the future, my brand will be the face of feeding the less fortunate as well. I have to make sure everybody is in place to be a better them, that’s in my heart.
Contact Info:
- Website: KelsoKitchenBaby.com
- Instagram: KelsoKitchenBaby
- Yelp: KelsoKitchenBaby