We were lucky to catch up with Corey Jones recently and have shared our conversation below.
Corey, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.
In 2008 I was living in Charlotte NC. This was around the time of the recession. I watched people move out of their homes and their things were on the front lawn due to the economy. I called my Grams and explained my situation with not having a job and she said to me, Corey look at your hands. God has given you talent with those hands and I taught you how to cook so you tell me what you are going to do. We got off the phone and I sat there for awhile before eventually going into the kitchen and looking through the cabinets. I started pulling out food from all over the kitchen and began cooking on the stove and grilling meat in the backyard. This is how Jonesnyourbones originally started. I began selling plates in my neighborhood and finally got to the point of being recognized at corporate buildings. The whole time my purpose was right there in my hands (literally). The feedback that I was getting was tremendous!
So when I moved back to Minnesota I waited a few years and studied my craft and took lots of notes and burnt lots of meat and asked lots of questions before that one day in 2018 when I sent out a text message asking if anyone wanted ribs and I received 10 orders that day and I haven’t stopped smoking meat since.
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?
The main thing I love to do is cook. I have been cooking all of my life and learned how to cook from scratch. My sister reminded me that when we were kids I use to go in the cabinets and randomly pick out food and try to put something together . Needless to say it didn’t always turn out right but the times that it did it was pretty good. I love smoking meat. I love having to learn patience to receive a fabulous outcome. Smoking meat allows me that. I like being up all hours of the night checking my smoker and looking at the fire and checking the meat and the internal temps and even spraying it down so that it doesn’t dry out. The Smoked meat aroma is my cologne lol! Right now I have 3 bbq sauces that I sell to a few Ace Hardware’s and working on getting back into the local Hyvee’s. Also, JNYB this year will be introducing it’s very own dry rub seasoning! I can’t wait for my customers to try it as they have been asking for it for years. I am also looking into getting funding for a smoker concession trailer so be on the look out.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
The more I started to learn what I liked to do the more I made sure everything I did was legal. I have seen to many times where people have this great passion but cut corners thinking it was going to still work out the same way and it just doesn’t. The more you practice and become highly intelligent in your craft the more people will recognize you and want you to do certain events or things of that nature and when they ask for your credentials and you don’t have them then that to them makes you look like you are not serious about your craft which could still be far from the truth. So instead of getting upset with someone asking you a question about your business and you don’t know how to answer it, get all your legal paperwork in order so that you can hold your head high as people will begin to look for your business and want to see you do your best with it. Research, practice and apply.
All the wisdom you’ve shared today is sincerely appreciated. Before we go, can you tell us about the main challenge you are currently facing?
My number one obstacle is working capital. I’m in the process of trying to find working capital so that I can purchase my food trailer and my truck to pull it. This would set my business up in a great way as I have had many different breweries ask if i had a food truck as well as many big events throughout the Twin Cities. Having the capital would allow me the opportunity to expand and grow as well as be a staple in the community.
Contact Info:
- Website: jonesnyourbones.com
- Instagram: jonesnyourbones
- Facebook: jonesnyourbonesbbq catering or Corey Jones
