Cleveland Food Truck Owner Grows Business With Help From Business Access Advisor
Carter's BBQ, a Cleveland-based food truck business, has transformed from a hobby into an award-winning operation with help from U.S. Bank's business access advisor. After initial success selling barbecue at local events, owners Darren and Theresa Carter expanded their business through a crowdfunding loan to purchase equipment. U.S. Bank's advisor Norlynn Story helped them optimize their cost structure and obtain Minority Business Enterprise certification.
Through Story's guidance, the Carters connected with the Economic & Community Development Institute (ECDI), refinancing their loan at better terms. The business recently won best food truck/caterer at the Taste of Black Cleveland showcase and is expanding into retail with packaged seasonings and sauces.
Carter's BBQ, un'azienda di food truck con sede a Cleveland, si è trasformata da hobby ad un'attività premiata grazie all'assistenza dell'advisor per l'accesso alle imprese di U.S. Bank. Dopo un iniziale successo nella vendita di barbecue durante eventi locali, i proprietari Darren e Theresa Carter hanno ampliato la loro attività attraverso un prestito di crowdfunding per acquistare attrezzature. L'advisor di U.S. Bank, Norlynn Story, li ha aiutati a ottimizzare la loro struttura dei costi e a ottenere la certificazione Minority Business Enterprise.
Grazie alla guida di Story, i Carter hanno stabilito un contatto con l'Economic & Community Development Institute (ECDI), rifinanziando il loro prestito a condizioni migliori. Recentemente, l'azienda ha vinto il premio per il miglior food truck/caterer al Taste of Black Cleveland showcase ed si sta espandendo nel settore retail con condimenti e salse confezionati.
Carter's BBQ, un negocio de food truck con sede en Cleveland, se ha transformado de un pasatiempo a una operación galardonada con la ayuda del asesor de acceso empresarial de U.S. Bank. Después de un éxito inicial vendiendo barbacoa en eventos locales, los propietarios Darren y Theresa Carter expandieron su negocio a través de un préstamo de crowdfunding para comprar equipamiento. El asesor de U.S. Bank, Norlynn Story, les ayudó a optimizar su estructura de costos y a obtener la certificación de Minority Business Enterprise.
A través de la orientación de Story, los Carter se vincularon con el Economic & Community Development Institute (ECDI), refinanciando su préstamo en mejores condiciones. Recientemente, el negocio ganó el premio al mejor food truck/caterer en el Taste of Black Cleveland showcase y se está expandiendo al retail con sazonadores y salsas envasadas.
Carter's BBQ는 클리블랜드에 본사를 두고 있는 푸드트럭 사업으로, U.S. Bank의 비즈니스 접근 어드바이저의 도움으로 취미에서 수상 경력을 가진 운영으로 발전했습니다. 지역 행사에서 바베큐를 판매하며 초기 성공을 거둔 후, 소유자 대런과 테레사 카터는 장비를 구매하기 위해 крауд펀딩 대출을 통해 사업을 확장했습니다. U.S. Bank의 어드바이저 노를린 스토리가 그들의 비용 구조를 최적화하고 소수 민족 기업 인증을 받도록 도와주었습니다.
스토리의 안내를 통해 카터 부부는 경제 및 지역 개발 연구소(ECDI)와 연결되어 더 나은 조건으로 대출을 재융합했습니다. 이 사업은 최근 'Taste of Black Cleveland' 쇼케이스에서 최고의 푸드 트럭/케이터링 업체로 선정되었으며, 포장된 조미료와 소스으로 소매업에 확장하고 있습니다.
Carter's BBQ, une entreprise de food truck basée à Cleveland, s'est transformée d'un hobby en une opération primée grâce à l'aide de l'advisor d'accès aux entreprises de U.S. Bank. Après un succès initial en vendant des barbecues lors d'événements locaux, les propriétaires Darren et Theresa Carter ont élargi leur entreprise grâce à un prêt participatif pour acheter des équipements. L'advisor de U.S. Bank, Norlynn Story, les a aidés à optimiser leur structure de coûts et à obtenir la certification Minority Business Enterprise.
Grâce aux conseils de Story, les Carter se sont connectés avec l'Economic & Community Development Institute (ECDI), refinançant leur prêt dans de meilleures conditions. Récemment, l'entreprise a remporté le prix du meilleur food truck/caterer lors du Taste of Black Cleveland showcase et s'expand dans le commerce de détail avec des assaisonnements et des sauces emballés.
Carter's BBQ, ein auf Food Trucks spezialisiertes Unternehmen aus Cleveland, hat sich mit Unterstützung des Business Access Advisors von U.S. Bank von einem Hobby zu einem preisgekrönten Betrieb entwickelt. Nach ersten Erfolgen beim Verkauf von BBQ auf lokalen Veranstaltungen erweiterten die Inhaber Darren und Theresa Carter ihr Geschäft durch einen Crowdfunding-Darlehen zum Kauf von Equipment. Der Advisor von U.S. Bank, Norlynn Story, half ihnen, ihre Kostenstruktur zu optimieren und die Zertifizierung als Minority Business Enterprise zu erhalten.
Durch Storys Unterstützung konnten die Carters eine Verbindung zum Economic & Community Development Institute (ECDI) herstellen und ihr Darlehen zu besseren Konditionen refinanzieren. Das Unternehmen gewann kürzlich den Preis für den besten Food Truck/Caterer bei der Taste of Black Cleveland-Schau und erweitert sich nun in den Einzelhandel mit verpackten Gewürzen und Saucen.
- Won award for best food truck/caterer at Taste of Black Cleveland showcase
- Successfully refinanced initial crowdfunding loan at better interest rates
- Expanding revenue streams through retail products (seasonings and sauces)
- Obtained Minority Business Enterprise certification for new opportunities
- Experienced financial strain due to owner's work injury and temporary business closure
Carter's BBQ is now an award-winning operation with plans to sell packaged seasonings and sauces
NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / December 4, 2024 / U.S. Bank
Originally published on U.S. Bank company blog
Before his barbecued food won an award, before he was featured on a YouTube series and before he purchased a commercial smoker and food truck, Darren W. Carter was a guy who worked full-time at a steel mill in downtown Cleveland and had a passion for barbecuing meat for his family and friends.
"I would post pictures of my food on Facebook and Instagram, and it got to a point where people kept commenting how they wanted to try it," Carter said. "Someone said they would pay to eat it, and we decided to put that to the test."
Carter and his wife, Theresa, put together a dinner of his ribs and her side dishes, and sold all 70 plates they prepared.
"We did another dinner and it sold out again," he said. "Then it started growing from there."
The Carters continued selling their food at church dinners and other events. After much research, Carter decided he needed a smoker and trailer so the couple could sell their barbecue at food truck parks and other locations.
"I attempted to get a traditional loan through a different bank and they denied us," he said. "I still have that letter framed on my desk in my basement because I knew we'd find a way to do what we wanted to do."
The Carters turned to a crowdfunding loan platform and got money to make down payments on the equipment they needed. They also worked with the city of Cleveland to get a license and in May of 2022, the Carter's BBQ truck had its grand opening.
"We did well the first year; people want to check out the new kid on the block," Carter said. "We had to turn down a lot of gigs because I was still working at the steel mill and doing the barbecue part time."
Carter suffered an injury while working at the steel mill and was unable to work either job for several months, which put a strain on their finances.
He contacted Norlynn Story, a business access advisor for U.S. Bank who he had met through the church they both attend years earlier. The Carters have a business account with U.S. Bank as well.
"We've done quite a bit of work together to help him understand the cost structure for his business and how it can be profitable," Story said. "I also advised them on how to get a Minority Business Enterprise certification, which can open up a lot of opportunities for them."
Story also connected Carter with the Ohio-based Economic & Community Development Institute (ECDI), a Community Development Financial Institution designed to serve as a one-stop resource center for entrepreneurs regardless of their background, gender or race.
"Building bridges to opportunities for an inclusive economy means using our strong, 161-year history and deep commitment to partnerships to connect clients to the resources and capital needed to succeed," Story said.
Through ECDI, Carter was able to refinance the crowdsourced loan at a much better interest rate and payback schedule, he said.
"My wife has also taken advantage of their mentorship program," Carter said. "With ECDI, we've gotten business planning advice and other resources."
The Carters also connected with the GoDaddy and Better Business Bureau Empower program, which also provides resources to entrepreneurs.
As part of Empower, The Carters were featured in Made in America, a YouTube program that highlighted their journey.
"That was a great experience," he said. "Now we're immortalized on YouTube."
In addition to serving cooked food, the Carters are selling seasoning blends and sauces people can use at home. Story encouraged the Carters to diversify their revenue streams by selling those products online.
"At the moment, we're blending them and bottling them by hand," Carter said. "But we found a company that will mass produce it for us and we're working on getting it into retail stores and selling it on our website."
As the business has grown, Story and the Carters have stayed close.
Story accompanied the Carters to the Taste of Black Cleveland showcase, which Carter had applied to twice in previous years before being accepted in 2024.
"We were just excited to be able to be in front of all those people and have them sample our food, thinking the best-case scenario would be that someone would like it and check us out again," he said.
They ended up winning the award for best food truck/caterer.
"They called our name and I just froze; I was in disbelief," he said. "It was Norlynn who pulled at me and told me to go up to the stage."
Carter's BBQ has since been booked at a few events by people who attended the Taste of Black Cleveland and reached out to the Carters.
"It's paying dividends," Carter said. "I love it."
View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from U.S. Bank on 3blmedia.com.
Contact Info:
Spokesperson: U.S. Bank
Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/us-bank
Email: info@3blmedia.com
SOURCE: U.S. Bank
View the original press release on accesswire.com
FAQ
What financial support did U.S. Bank provide to Carter's BBQ?
What recent award did Carter's BBQ win in Cleveland?
How is Carter's BBQ expanding its business in 2024?
