We were lucky to catch up with Kelii Word recently and have shared our conversation below.

Kelii, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Alright, so we’d love to hear about how you got your first client or customer. What’s the story?

The first client I had that wasn’t a friend or family came from them watching our YouTube Channel called BBQ, Bourbon, and Blues https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChjXCsrcSXrgeP4vohCJWxw The couple watched several of our videos then contacted us through our email [email protected] to cater a party for them with our Pineapple Habanero Ribs, Jack and Coke Chicken and multiple sides. Long story short we did the party and everything turned out amazing. They said it was such a hit that when we received our last payment it had a $300 tip and we have not looked back since. My team and I felt great after that. Now we cater everything from family reunions to weddings.

Kelii, 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 work a full time job as a surgical assistant but on the weekends my brother, father, and I loved to barbeque. One weekend sitting out on the deck we started talking and decided that we should do some research and enter a BBQ competition since everyone was always saying how good our ribs and chicken was. The next day we found out what we needed to do so we became KCBS members then took a class to become certified KCBS judges so we could further understand what they were looking for with taste and texture. Once we figured that out we worked on our craft and, while doing that we started our YouTube Channel BBQ, Bourbon, & Blues and officially started Word Brothers BBQ Competition Team. About 3 months later we entered our first competition where we placed first in chicken, first in Pork Butt, third in ribs, and third in the peoples choice. It was a great day. We carried that momentum into doing pop ups all over the city of Nashville, TN and was selling out of our product quickly. I think what sets us apart is the love and passion that we put into our product. We make our own rubs, sauces, and glazes that we use when we are competing and when we are vendors. The Pineapple Habanero Ribs are a top seller. This is one products that makes us very unique and sets us apart from others. Our YouTube Channel is making waves to because we do backyard cooks and give you the recipes FOR FREE so you can try them and become the King or Queen of the backyard barbecues in your neighborhood. You can check out our website at www.wordbrosbbq.com for our competition and pop up schedules as we as check the menu out of some of the products we serve. If you would like us to cater anything for you reach out to us at [email protected] and definitely checkout and SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube Channel BBQ, Bourbon, & Blues https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChjXCsrcSXrgeP4vohCJWxw and take advantage of those recipes that we give out in all of our videos. Last but not least be on the look out for our Word Brothers BBQ merchandise that will be available shortly.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

A lesson that I had to unlearn was trusting clients to do what they said they will. We had a client that we knew well and trusted that didn’t come thru with the full payment for the service we provided. So the lesson that I learned very quick was no matter who it is always get your clients to sign a contract and pay a deposit. This protects both of you in during the process. The next thing is plan out what your doing and give yourself the proper time to make sure everything is done correctly. Great Customer Service is the key to any business and we pride ourselves on that. It’s ok to say no if it’s something you can’t provide and try and find common ground in another area.

How did you put together the initial capital you needed to start your business?

The initial funding our business came directly from brother, father, and myself. We all donated several hundred dollars to get everything going. This funded our first pop up and after that everything that we have done besides a couple of events have taken care of our business. Today, the 5 member on our competition team makes a monthly donation so that we can upgrade equipment and other things that we need to be successful.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.wordbrosbbq.com
• Instagram: Word_Bros_BBQ
• Facebook: BBQ Bourbon & Blues Group Page
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChjXCsrcSXrgeP4vohCJWxw

Image Credits
Photos by Kelii Word and Ron Word