Fort Collins Area Chamber of Commerce’s Post

As a self-proclaimed barbecue connoisseur, my culinary quests have led me to many smoky pits, but none have captured my heart quite like Bludso's BBQ. This haven of smoked meats is more than just my favorite barbecue spot in the world; it's a journey into the very soul of barbecue, all thanks to Kevin Bludso's masterful touch. From the vibrant streets of La Brea to the distant shores of Australia, Kevin's barbecue has become a beacon of culinary excellence and a testament to the resilience and creativity of Black entrepreneurship. Kevin's journey, from a childhood steeped in the rich barbecue traditions of Corsicana, Texas under the tutelage of his beloved Granny, to becoming a celebrated chef in Los Angeles, is nothing short of inspiring. His initial reluctance to join the food industry, overshadowed by a vow never to enter the restaurant business, transformed into a passionate pursuit fueled by his deep-rooted love for the craft he learned in his Granny's backyard. Kevin's story is woven with threads of heritage, hard work, and the heartwarming aromas of smoked meats and homemade sauces. However, Kevin's path was fraught with hurdles. Facing racial discrimination and overcoming professional obstacles, including an unjust termination from his position at the Department of Corrections, his resilience in the face of adversity fuels my entrepreneurial journey. Kevin's ability to turn challenges into stepping stones has not only elevated Bludso's Bar & Que to widespread global acclaim, making him an author, James Beard Award winner, and television personality but has also cemented his status as a beacon of inspiration and a symbol of triumph against the odds. His journey, intertwined with the essence of Black History Month, showcases the enduring spirit of those who strive to carve out their dreams amidst adversity. Kevin's narrative, rich with passion, perseverance, and a dash of Granny's barbecue wisdom, affirms that the essence of success is indeed boundless. #blackhistorymonth #leadership #inspiration #entrepeneurship

UNCLE NEAREST FUNDING MODEL DISRUPTS BIAS TOWARDS BLACK FOUNDERS This one is a must read y'all. Fawn Weaver launched Uncle Nearest whiskey in part to pay tribute to Nearest Green, a Black master distiller who taught Jack Daniels. Not only has Ms. Weaver revived and preserved Mr. Green's legacy, but she's built one of the fastest growing and most successful spirits companies - with a valuation approaching $1 billion. The #fortune article notes that just 0.48% of all venture dollars went to Black founders last year - that's about $661 million out of $136 billion! Ms. Weaver credits her growth to an investment model she thinks more Black founders should employ: securing funding from a coalition of individual investors rather than from VC or PE firms. We celebrate Ms. Weaver's success and leadership and for showing the value and impact of cooperative economics to disrupt funding bias towards diverse entrepreneurs. #cooperativeeconomics #blackwealth #oroimpact #blackhistorymonth #passionpreparationpurpose

The timeless ethic of mutuality already resides in our hearts. Our collective challenge is strengthening that ethic and helping it make the journey from our hearts to our brains and on to our hands and feet. From time to time we’ve all experienced our ethic of mutuality in our personal and professional lives, usually when we’ve cooperated with others to achieve a mutually beneficial goal. So, this ethic isn’t foreign to us. Creating the better world we all want to see will have to include integrating the ethic of mutuality into the DNA our business efforts, just as it already is in our hearts. This integration can be done and it is regularly done by some. You are capable of this integration. Part of the work of Better Capitalism is to provide examples of this integration into the DNA of successful and profitable businesses and business models, such as this story about food co-ops. We trust you find these stories encouraging and motivating enough that you’re willing to strengthen your ethic of mutuality and help it make the journey from your heart to your business. Hendersonville Community Co-Op | National Grocers Association | National Co+op Grocers | Wipf and Stock Publishers #professionaldevelopment #personaldevelopment #leadership

Des Gunewardena, formerly one half of restaurant group D&D, has spoken for the first time about his acrimonious 2022 departure from the company he founded 18 years ago. Great scoop from Steve Dinneen on today's front page! Speaking to City A.M. in an exclusive interview he said: “I had no option [but to leave]. There was a pretty fundamental difference of views between the guy who founded the business [him] and the financial stakeholders." “I had one vision for how to develop the company and the private equity investors had a different vision. My strategy was to continue to practise the things that have been so successful since D&D was formed… In the short term, you have to manage the business as well as you can. And in the long term you continue to stick to your vision: long-term players, long-term growth. That was my strategy. Theirs was more focused on the short term.”

Having not too long ago married into a family rooted in Alabama and Tennessee, I have become accustomed to having Milo’s #tea at every family occasion (and I appreciate that they buy jugs of the unsweet version in addition to the sweet they all love). So I particularly enjoyed the lunchtime speaker at #BevTech today, Tricia Wallwork, CEO of Milo's Tea Company, Inc., who talked about what drives the company forward. It was never really the intent for Milo’s to be a #beverage company. Through the generations, this family-owned company has been driven by economic prosperity not only for themselves but also for the communities that they’re part of. It began with Tricia’s grandfather, Milo, who—after returning home from World War II, where he was an army cook—opened a restaurant selling burgers and fries in Birmingham, Ala. Tricia’s parents started franchising the restaurant in the 1980s. When her dad was looking to retire and sell the restaurants, the buyer didn’t want the tea, so he kept that. Along the way, Wallwork traded in her high heels for some steel-toed boots, dropping her law career to take over the family business. Manufacturing space grew from about 3 acres to over 100 in 2020 at a new greenfield facility in Tulsa, Okla., then expanded further to a brownfield dairy facility to make #lemonade, and now is building another facility in Spartanburg, S.C. Today, Milo’s is in all 50 states, at more than 50,000 retail locations across the country—doing just as well in Whole Foods as it does in Walmart. Regardless of how it grows, it’s still very much about communities, according to Wallwork, who talks about building institutions that make a positive impact in the world. “Don’t get me wrong, this isn’t a Pollyanna thing. We are a culture of very high accountability, high results, and high trust,” Wallwork says. “But we know that we are also there to help one another—whether that’s our external partners, our associates, or anyone that is in our ecosystem.” ISBT - International Society of Beverage Technologists ProFood World

Lauren Baillie from our Corporate & Commercial Department is delighted to have recently advised the shareholders of a hospitality company that wished to dispose of the assets and goodwill of one of its bistro cafés in Chichester. 🥂 The shareholders came to Lauren for advice on how to proceed with their proposed sale. They were torn on whether to: ☕ sell the shares in the company; ☕ continue running the company and, in turn, their other business engagements; ☕ sell the assets and goodwill of the Café Bistro business. Lauren and our Corporate & Commercial team ran through these options and their legal and financial implications. After considering that advice, the shareholders chose to proceed with an asset sale. Read the full case study below, or head to our website to read and download from there - link available in the comments! #CompanyLaw #BusinessSale #CommercialSolicitor #UKSolicitors

#restoration, #restorationservices, #restorationindustry, #brandbuilding, #positioning https://lnkd.in/g5NB4rFw This commercial was obviously aimed at Starbucks. Though I found it funny, I also realized that it is a classic example of Perception deception that is often used in business, including the Disaster Restoration space. The lesson: Build your own playbook. Don't let the competitive field position you in the minds of your prospects. You have four positions to choose from; The Leader. The Challenger. The Follower. The Nicher. Choose wisely!

🍷🏢 The Implications of New York's Wine Bill on Small Businesses and Community Culture 🏢🍷 Recent legislation introduced in New York, aiming to permit wine sales in grocery stores, has ignited a critical debate concerning the future of small businesses and the cultural fabric of communities across the state. This proposal, while enhancing consumer convenience, poses significant challenges for small, often family-owned liquor stores, which have been community staples for generations. Leaders like Michael Correra, representing the Metropolitan Package Store Association, are at the forefront of this discussion, advocating for the preservation of businesses that contribute significantly to the local economy and community identity. These stores are more than retail outlets; they are cultural cornerstones that foster personal connections and contribute to the unique atmosphere of their neighborhoods. This legislative move prompts a broader conversation about the balance between progress and the preservation of community values. As professionals, it's crucial to consider the impact of such changes on small businesses, local economies, and the social fabric of our communities. Explore the debate and its potential implications for New York's small businesses and community culture: https://lnkd.in/g7zHTAGE #NYWineBill #SmallBusinessAdvocacy #CommunityCulture

The incredible story of Au Vodka When I first heard of AU Vodka, all I knew of its founder Charlie Sloth was that he was once a Radio One DJ. I wrongly assumed he was “success by fame”. I should have known better than to judge a book by its cover. Charlie’s journey is nothing short of remarkable. At 24, Charlie was homeless, living in a shed with his girlfriend and baby. Rather than succumbing to the pressure of his adversity, he chose to channel his energy into something meaningful. Fast forward to today, Charlie co-owns AU Vodka, the UK's fastest-growing company, after registering an annual turnover of £43.9 million in 2023, securing the top spot on the 2023 Growth Index ranking. Charlie admits he could have got himself a 9 to 5 but he chose not to. He pursued his passion with a relentless belief in his eventual success. The story of AU Vodka is not just about the spirit in the bottle; it's a story of determination and unwavering pursuit against all odds. #growth #founder #growthindex #founderstory

It’s game time! Are you winning or losing the restaurant game? Like my San Francisco 49ers who came back from a huge deficit against the Detroit Lions, it isn’t over til it’s over. If you are winning, great! Keep your eye on the prize. If you are losing, it’s ok. Figure out a way to win. Check out this week’s edition of my Shift Happens Column on FSR magazine to see how to turn those losses into wins. Then book a FREE call by clicking the link above to discuss working with me to create wins. #restaurateur #restaurantcoach #restaurantsuccess #winning