We were lucky to catch up with Reggie Robinson recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Reggie, you’ve got such an interesting story, but before we jump into that, let’s first talk about a topic near and dear to us – generosity. We think success, happiness and wellbeing depends on authentic generosity and empathy and so we’d love to hear about how you become such a generous person – where do you think your generosity comes from?
I’ll never forget watching Pops pull our big burgundy Astro van behind a dusty Honda with its hazard lights flashing. Fascinated, my little brother and I watched their conversation and gestures. Pop came back to the van, opened his tool kit, tinkered under the Honda hood, and got this guy up and going. After cleaning his hands, Pop finally let the windows down for us to get some air on this surgically hot Texas summer afternoon and we overheard him saying, “No, you keep it. You’ll run into someone who needs help, give it to them. Pay it forward.” This confounded me. You did a service, he offered to pay, and you didn’t take the money was the tune of our conversation as we got back on the highway. Pop in his abundance says, “he will go on to help many more people, maybe even you one day.”
That changed our life.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
Yeah, that’s a good question. We’re storytellers with a connective lens. We subscribe to the philosophy that food is the voice of our experience; it has the ability to make us smile, to surprise us, to comfort us. Our work allows us to source enchantment, then convert it into experiences for those looking for spaces to feel seen, and to be present. Ced always says, “We make food that inspires a more pronounced ability to love.” And when we do it well, when it’s truly special, I think what our food does best, is helps us remember.
Speaking of, we now have a documentary! Crazy right!? It helps us remember our why by perfectly encapsulating our wider-than-barbecue message of love and service. Rodney Johnson II at rjmodesigh.com is a savant behind the camera and a brilliant wizard with production. There will be a screening in the fall that celebrates this project as his magnum opus. We’re beyond thrilled. Make sure you check the website for details as they arise. Please come celebrate with us.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
For starters, I would say, get inspired. We are creatures of habit which means we can discover inspiration in uncanny places. Take the scenic route home from work. Walk the other direction. Go to the same grocery store but in another part of town. Watch a video you wouldn’t normally watch. Turn your radio 13 click to the right and then find the clearest station and just listen for a day. Do something different. Two, strengthen your integrity. When you say you will do something, do it or own it. When you care, really care. When you put your name on it, make sure you make your ancestors proud. Three, read. Read a lot. Read every day.
Thanks so much for sharing all these insights with us today. Before we go, is there a book that’s played in important role in your development?
Speaking of integrity, reading, skills, and all the things, Leadership and Self Deception by the Arbinger Institute was recommended to us by Ashley Paz and it’s completely shifted our paradigm. Super quick read, maybe because it was hard to put down? But be careful, it’s extremely potent.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.lilboybluebbq.com
- Instagram: @lilboybluebbq
- Facebook: @lilboybluebbq
Image Credits
Terrell McCoy Crystal Wise Shawn Sebesta Meda Kessler
