Meet Serrano Barnes of The Got Damn Sauce

Today we’d like to introduce you to Serrano Barnes.

Hi Serrano, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
So I’ve been grilling heavy since about the age of ten years old. My mom used to be responsible for the bbq sauce at all the functions. She always used another sauce as her base and doctored it up to give it the tangy sweetness that she liked. I watched closely year after year and when I left Milwaukee to attend Howard University in Washington, D.C. the stores out there carried the same sauce my mom used. That in itself was an easy transition for me. The birth of The Got Damn Sauce occurred when I moved from the DMV to New Orleans to teach. My sauce base wasn’t available. I then had to go into the lab and construct something that was reminiscent of what I was used to. After a few trials, I nailed it down and just like that, The Got Damn Sauce was born.

As a griller, I knew we needed a mustard-based sauce as well. So a little bit after the GDS was created the Light Damn Sauce (Pineapple Ginger Experience) was created.

My partner in crime Dante Gorham convinced me to move from New Orleans to Los Angeles to get a food truck going we creatively named Grand Chef Auto. We ultimately didn’t get a truck but catered events here and there on the side. We went back for our ten years anniversary from Howard and I grilled and let the sauces fly and it was a hit. I was told by a close friend that I needed to sell the sauces. I wasn’t up for it but he ultimately told me that sometimes you have to listen to your friends. So I did, and in December of 2015, we started selling sauces.

We started with two sauces and currently have 11 on the roster. 4 Got Damn Sauces and 7 Hot Damn Sauces.

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
Ha, never! I was unemployed for about two years upon the launch so it was definitely a struggle bus. But folks continued to order and support so regardless on how I felt about my personal financial woes, I had a product I essentially had to keep creating to meet the demand. We have yet to have a truly profitable year but we are continuing to grow and that’s the beautiful thing about it.

We’ve been impressed with The Got Damn Sauce, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Well, everyone should know that we are indeed the Bauce of all Sauces. We say that in full confidence because we’re essentially a one stop shop for your families household sauce needs. We have something for those who like it sweet, spicy, savory, etc. We also have kids and they love The Got Damn Sauces as well. We’re not big enough for co-packing just yet so I still bottle, label and ship personally. It’s a labor of love, but the feedback has been love and people are really using us daily. Some folks open their fridge and it’s nothing but Got Damn Sauces on the shelves. That’s love and it makes me hella proud that we’re turning into the only sauces used in homes.

What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
Man! Pay the Franchise Tax Board lol. I don’t want any of those issues, but we’re looking at it like a lesson learned.

Pricing:

• Got Damn Sauces $6 – $8.50
• Hot Damn Sauces $6.75 – $9.75

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: www.thegdsauce.com
• Instagram: @thegotdamnsauce
• Facebook: TheGot DamnSauce
• Twitter: @thegotdamnsauce
• Other: www.grandchefsla.com