Today we’d like to introduce you to Adam Morales.
Hi Adam, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’m a classically trained chef and the owner of Smokey Lips BBQ, located in Cathedral City, about 5 minutes East of Palm Springs. I picked up bbq as a hobby about ten years ago. Over the years, I watched various pitmasters work through YouTube videos and barbecue competitions. I bought Barbecue books and dove into the whole barbecue scene full force. I was the executive chef of a fine dining steakhouse for the last seven years up until January of this year. I was laid off after almost 14 years with the company. Because of the pandemic and other life curveballs, I found myself trying to survive financially to provide for my family. My wife was pregnant with our first child. One day I had the idea to see if a few friends and family members would like to buy Barbecue off of me. I ended up getting great feedback and started selling a little bit more and more every week. After some trials and errors, I finally found an outlet for my creativity and passion. Word of mouth and social media helped grow our business. I decided to take my side hustle to a full-time business. I started my LLC and proceeded on to obtain the proper health permits and licenses to function as a Riverside county Approved Legal Micro Enterprise Home Kitchen Operation (aka MEHKO). We operate the only legal home-based bbq restaurant in the Coachella Valley. At the moment, we only have curbside Pick Up and Delivery available. Business has been picking up and our next goal is to get into a food truck or brick and mortar in the next few years. So until then, we will keep grinding and trying to do our best to bring Chef Driven craft barbecue to the Coachella Valley.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Definitely not a smooth road. I can safely say the biggest obstacle right now for most small businesses is the rising cost of foods and other supplies. I’m not gonna lie in the beginning; I did have a little difficulty trying to figure out how to start my own business legally. But that’s where the Internet comes into play. A little Google searching helped me to create my LLC and start my business. I also learned that social media is such a great outlet and tool to use for your business. The challenge is having time to be a social media manager as well as run my business day-to-day operations.
As you know, we’re big fans of Smokey Lips BBQ. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
SLBBQ’s goal is to bring real wood fired, chef driven craft bbq to the Coachella Valley. We specialize in smoking the finest quality meats, veggies, sides, and desserts. For example: our wood fired baked Brownies. Or our desire to push the envelopes on what is bbq. I Love bringing my Mexican heritage to traditional southern barbecue techniques, combined with my classical French training. Smoked Brisket Birria is a hit, served with tortillas, cilantro, onions, and jalapeños as well as our signature bbq salsa. Or our Smoked Asian rice and noodle bowls. Or how about a smoked Pecan Pumpkin Pie to finish the meal with? Mmm. We also love making fresh specialty lemonades and teas.
Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
I find that it’s pretty risky betting on yourself to start a successful business during the Biggest pandemic of our lifetime. Especially the restaurant industry. I left the security of the corporate restaurant world and a steady paycheck to take my own financial needs into my hands. We definitely have a lot of legwork left to do.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://smokey-lips-bbq.business.site/?utm_source=gmb&utm_medium=referral
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smokeylipsbbq/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/smokeylipsbbq/
- Other: Foodnome.com/Smokey-lips-bbq
Image Credits:
Image credits John Troxell Instagram @troxphotos
