We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Uncle Dibbz a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Uncle, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. So, one thing many business owners consider is donating a percentage of sales or profits to an organization or cause. We’d love to hear your thoughts and the story behind how and why you chose the cause or organization you donate to.

Absolutely, giving back is an integral part of Uncle Dibbz Seasoning. My mother had a heart operation in 2020, which coincidentally was the same year I launched my business. It was an emotionally taxing time, but it also served as an eye-opener about the importance of heart health. To support her dietary changes post-operation, I created BeBe’s Salt Free seasoning—a blend that’s packed with flavors but devoid of salt named after her.

Recognizing that heart health is a widespread concern, I decided to take it a step further. Each month, a percentage of sales from BeBe’s Salt Free seasoning goes toward various heart health charities and research organizations. This initiative not only adds a special layer of meaning to that particular product but also allows Uncle Dibbz Seasoning to contribute to the betterment of our community and the advancement of medical research. The cause resonated deeply with my personal experiences, making it a natural choice to support. It’s a way to honor my mother and help others facing similar challenges.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

Raised in the heart of Georgia, my upbringing was steeped in the traditions of the South, where the kitchen served as the family’s soul. My mom’s cooking ignited my initial love for the culinary arts, filling our home with aromas that captivated the senses. However, before embarking on my culinary journey, I had a different calling. I was an internationally renowned DJ and music producer, and my global travels did more than just broaden my musical horizons; they opened my eyes to the rich tapestry of global cuisines.

When I returned from my worldwide travels, I began hosting backyard BBQs in East Atlanta, which eventually evolved into sold-out pop-up dinners in Houston, TX. It was during a pandemic-induced residency in Miami that Uncle Dibbz pivoted into the digital sphere. With traditional cookouts being a no-go, I took to the online world and began sharing unique recipes, amassing a strong following of over 500,000 food enthusiasts in the process.

Around the same time, I launched Uncle Dibbz Seasoning—a line of organic seasonings that quickly caught the attention of NFL Hall of Famers, music industry luminaries, and even the 2018 MLS Cup champion team, Atlanta United FC. One product close to my heart is BeBe’s Salt Free seasoning, crafted specifically for my mother after her heart operation. Every month, we donate a percentage of its sales to various heart health charities and research organizations.

What makes Uncle Dibbz Seasoning stand out is our commitment to using all-natural ingredients. In a market flooded with store-bought seasonings that often contain harmful chemicals, we take pride in offering a healthier alternative that doesn’t compromise on flavor. This isn’t just a business; it’s an advocacy for better, more mindful eating.

Even though I’ve hung up my DJing headphones, my love for music endures, as does my treasured vinyl collection. It’s a testament to a life well-lived, filled with the harmonies of different cultures and the flavors of far-off lands.

So, what do I want potential clients, followers, and fans to know? Uncle Dibbz Seasoning isn’t just about adding flavor to your meals; it’s about enhancing your life. We bring a unique blend of homely charm and worldly sophistication to the table, offering not just products but an experience—a rich narrative filled with family, tradition, and a genuine love for what we do.

Have you ever had to pivot?

Certainly, pivoting has been a defining aspect of my journey. Before the pandemic, I was thriving in an entirely different field, working as an internationally renowned DJ and music producer. The global tours and packed venues were exhilarating, but then the pandemic hit, effectively grinding the live entertainment industry to a halt.

The change was abrupt and left me with some important decisions to make. I was faced with a reality where my primary source of income and my passion were both sidelined indefinitely. But rather than viewing it as a setback, I saw it as an opportunity for growth and innovation.

During a pandemic-induced residency in Miami, I had to think creatively. The absence of live gatherings made my traditional backyard BBQs and pop-up dinners unfeasible, so I leaned into the digital realm. I started filming and sharing my culinary creations online, a pivot that quickly garnered me an impressive following of over 500,000 food enthusiasts.

But I wanted to offer something more tangible. Drawing upon my love for food and the recipes I’d been sharing, I launched Uncle Dibbz Seasoning. The line offers organic, all-natural seasonings that fill a gap in a market often dominated by products laced with harmful chemicals. As someone who was deeply committed to health and wellness, especially after my mother’s heart operation, I took immense pride in providing an alternative that’s not just delicious but also mindful of well-being.

This pivot wasn’t just about business survival; it was a personal evolution. I managed to blend the homely charm and worldly sophistication that I’d picked up over the years, both from my mother’s kitchen and from global stages. As a result, Uncle Dibbz Seasoning became more than just a product; it became an embodiment of a life steeped in diverse experiences and rich traditions.

So, the pandemic, while challenging, was instrumental in shifting my path from spinning tracks to seasoning racks. It taught me the art of adaptability and the value of resilience, lessons that I continue to carry with me as I navigate this new chapter in my life.

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

Absolutely, building an audience on social media is a fascinating journey, and mine took a somewhat unconventional path. While I did have an existing following from my DJ career, the meteoric rise of the Uncle Dibbz brand happened predominantly on TikTok (@uncledibbz). It’s all about adapting your skill set to a new platform, and for me, that meant taking the charisma and stage presence I had as a DJ and transferring it to a culinary setting. My kitchen became my stage, and the TikTok community, my audience.

I didn’t just focus on wowing viewers with complex dishes; I took it a step further by showing them that cooking is far less daunting than it appears. Through easy and approachable recipes, I aimed to demystify the culinary arts. In each video, I not only showcase how to create delicious meals but also infuse them with storytelling and snippets of my own life, bridging the gap between influencer and audience.

As for advice to those just starting to build their social media presence, here are a few tips:

1. Be Authentic: Authenticity resonates with people. Don’t be afraid to show the real you; audiences can sense when you’re being genuine.

2. Consistency is Key: Regular posting not only boosts your visibility but also builds anticipation among your followers.

3. Engage with Your Community: Reply to comments, ask for opinions, and encourage dialogue. Social media is a two-way street.

4. Adapt and Evolve: Keep an eye on trends but tailor them to fit your brand’s voice. Being flexible and willing to evolve is essential in the ever-changing social media landscape.

5. Quality Over Quantity: Better to have fewer posts that are well-thought-out than to flood your feed with content that doesn’t add value to your audience.

6. Leverage Analytics: Use the built-in analytics tools to understand your audience better. Knowing when to post and what resonates with your followers can help you fine-tune your strategy.

Transitioning from one career to another taught me the importance of adaptability and leveraging one’s skills in new contexts. Whether it’s spinning tracks or creating culinary delights, the fundamental principles of building an audience remain the same: offer value, be authentic, and most importantly, be consistently engaging.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://uncledibbz.com
• Instagram: http://instagram.com/uncledibbz
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/uncledibbz
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@UncleDibbz/featured
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@uncledibbz

Image Credits
All photos by Fred “Fuji Fred” Agho