"Mo Betta Bar-B-Que Catering" Makes A Sizzling Presence in Metro Atlanta
Published: 06/03/2010 by admin
Starting up a Catering company is no easy task, just ask Chef O.J of Mo Betta BBQ who relocated with his wife to Georgia over 5 years ago to bring some good Texas style BBQ to the area. Chef O.J took the time to share with us a little about how and why he started Mo Betta in the San Diego area of California, participating in fairs and events such as the "Thunder in the Bay" an annual event held in California attracting hundreds of thousands of spectators. Since the Lawrence's arrival in the Metro Atlanta area, Chef Lawrence has catered for Morehouse College as a Preferred Vendor for the school's Homecoming games and their accelerated student scholarship HOPPS program as well as caterers for the Henry County High School Class Reunion for the last couple of years. The Lawrence's are Members of Light of the World International Christian Tabernacle of Stockbridge, Georgia.
LDMTH: Tell me about your business. How did you start your business? Where are you from? How long in this area?
MBBQ: MoBetta BBQ Catering started in Southern California in 1999 from a need to have great BBQ in the area. No one was offering BBQ Catering with “Have Smoker Will Travel” concept. MoBetta brings a unique concept to catering, which is MoBetta will travel to an event location with a 14 ½” smoker to prepare and set up providing the freshest food hot off the smoker.
LDMTH: What kind of impact would you like our business to make within your community?
MBBQ: We would like to market and brand MoBetta so that it is the first choice people consider to meet their catering needs.
LDMTH: What inspires you?
MBBQ: We are inspired when our customers enjoy the food and refers us to their friends.
LDMTH: What is the most important part of your business?
MBBQ: The most important part of MoBetta is providing the customer with the highest qualify food and the best service possible.
LDMTH: What makes you unique or different from your competitors?
MBBQ: MoBetta has authentic Texas Style BBQ and for events of 25-99 we will deliver food hot from the smoker or grill ready to eat. In addition, one of our concepts is “Have Smoker Will Travel” to the event location to prepare and set up the selected menu selections.
LDMTH: What cities/areas do you serve? What areas would you like to expand to into?
MBBQ: MoBetta services Henry County and the Greater Atlanta areas
LDMTH: What percentage of your business is referral or repeat? Are any of your first customers still with you today?
MBBQ: A great product and top notch service has blessed us with high repeat and referral business. A great number of our repeat business has even wanted the same menu each time.
LDMTH: What advise would you give to someone that is considering starting a business?
MBBQ: To start a business they must make sure they have a passion and knowledge for their product or service. They must develop a network and a wealth of resources (you cannot develop a business in isolation). In addition, you must have a nitch that sets you apart from competitors, and stay focused on it.
LDMTH: What is one important lesson you have learned while building your business?
MBBQ: The most important lesson we’ve learned in building MoBetta is to do what you do best and let the experts take care of the rest. Do not try to be all things to all people (stay focused on your nitch).
LDMTH: What made you choose the industry that your in?
MBBQ: Cooking has been a life-long for passion for Chef O.J. The passion stems from a Texas tradition that goes back to his grandfather who always stressed putting heart and soul into the food served. Whenever you can enjoy your passion and make money, you know that it is what you are supposed to do.
