We recently connected with Shawn Jones and have shared our conversation below.
Shawn, thank you so much for joining us and offering your lessons and wisdom for our readers. One of the things we most admire about you is your generosity and so we’d love if you could talk to us about where you think your generosity comes from.
I found generosity watching my grandpa growing up. The guy would often bend over backwards to help someone in need without question. This generosity ultimately saved his life.
My grandpa was a bridgetender for CSX until his retirement. He worked downtown Tampa and at the time there were a lot of houseless people who would hangout near the bridge and sleep or spend the day soaking up the sun. My grandpa would talk to anyone who would listen and the houseless listened. My grandpa spent time with them and would often know them on a first name basis. He spent time bringing leftover to them for Thanksgiving.
One fateful night, my grandpa was working late and was held up by a man with a gun. My grandpa, quick thinking, threw his wallet in a way that took the gunmen’s attention away and he was able to jump down and crawl under the bridge to avoid the gunmen’s sight. While under the bridge, my grandpa yelled for help and those slept near the bridge ran to his aide.
That is something that has stuck with me ever since. Generosity to all around you, can go a long way.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
Born and raised in Florida, I grew up with Boiled Peanuts. As a family, we would get them from a roadside vendor, at the gas station, or in a can. My wife and I moved away from Florida in 2010 to move to Los Angeles. While residing there, I would make Boiled Peanuts for parties, sports games, or just for us to have. I wasn’t fully aware of how much I missed the simple things the south had to offer such as real sweet tea, Publix, Yuengling beer, or Boiled Peanuts. After 9 years, my wife was offered a job in Portland, OR. We once again found ourselves in unfamiliar territory and I missed the simple staples I grew up with.
My wife and I were sitting on the couch one day and without hesitation, a picture of canned Boiled Peanuts was thrust in my face. The can was in front of a fridge full of beer on a local bottle shops social media page with the headline “Can’t wait to open these bad boys up”. I reached out to the owner and told them I could make them a fresh batch. The owner was hosting a Super Bowl potluck and invited us to bring them so I did just that. Who knew that picture would take over my free time for the next five and a half years!
I brought the Boiled Peanuts with me. it was simple, I made Salty Boiled Peanuts, brought them in a household crockpot and let all who wanted to try them have a few. I got a few praises that day from those who had Boiled Peanuts before. The owner asked for me to be a part of a tap takeover and to bring them along and sell them. I was excited for the opportunity!
Day of the tap takeover comes and I walk into the bottle shop with crockpot in hand, water cups to put the peanuts in, a ladle, and a towel. I set up on a corner table in the shop and realized that I had no signage, no name, no price for the product! I scrambled to find a blank piece of paper and wrote “Boiled Peanuts $1” and used a figure 8 and put dots in the circle to somewhat resemble a Peanut. The event went really well and I spoke to others who moved from the south and had talked about opening a Boiled Peanut stand. I met a few people from other countries who grew up with the snack as well and it made me realize how many other people also missed the nostalgic snack from the south. I made enough money to clear my tab, cover the cost of peanuts, and walk away with a few dollars in my pocket. More importantly, I walked away knowing there were other’s out there who were also seeking Boiled Peanuts. I
I started working on purchasing better crockpots that could hold more peanuts, I upgraded utensils, I bought collapsible tables and table cloths and started reaching out to local Taprooms, bottle shops, and breweries to book events. I started growing a following and a name for myself. I branded myself, I insured myself, I marketed myself, I became a full blown LLC business and did events every other weekend and got my product into local businesses. I fully welcomed the name, peanut guy, and had a blast with what I was doing.
five and a half years later, I am still a small business still trying to make a name for myself. I continue to make strides with the business and continue to grow my following and knowledge of the business. Residing in a state, with people who have no knowledge of Boiled peanuts, I am consistently having to explain my product and bring awareness of it. I get a lot of hesitation a t first but once some one tries the product, they typically come back for more.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Looking back, I don’t think any of what I am doing would have worked without having the ability share a direct connection to the product I am selling and I think that is seen with most successful businesses. It can also be said that my attributes of being an extrovert and people person helped get through it all as well. I now see followers who have been with me since the beginning and talk to them like they are old friends. I created a sense of community with them . I have become friends with some. I believe, if it were just about money, the business would have failed early on. For all of those who are just starting your journey, I would suggest finding what you are passionate bout and run with it. If your are passionate about it, people will notice and start to take interest in your passion.
Who has been most helpful in helping you overcome challenges or build and develop the essential skills, qualities or knowledge you needed to be successful?
I have to give most of the kudos to my wife. She was the one who gave me the push to start the business, she helped with giving me the push to start turn my childhood snack into a business. She has taught me how to keep track of finances, has given me advice on business strategies, and helped with my marketing. I feel that we both have a passion for the business now and it allows us to spend more time together and to grow as a coupe. I love you Mrs. Jones, thank you!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://boiledpdxnuts.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/boiledpdxnuts
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/boiledpdxnuts
- Other: I am also on Tik Tok as BOILEDPDNUTS and Threads as well.
Image Credits
I would love to give credit firstly to my wife who has helped me and continues to help me with the business. Secondly, i would like to thank all of my awesome customers and followers. Without you all, I wouldn’t do what I do and enjoy it. Lastly, I want to thank all of the business out there who gave me an opportunity to work with them and make my presence known. Thank you all!
