Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Trip Fountain. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Trip, 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.
I found my purpose through sharing my love, energy, passion, and creativity in food. It all started with popcorn and the smiles it left on my friends faces each time I wipped up a new popcorn flavor creation. This small but significant snack ignited a spark and passion for creating delicious food that would bring joy to others.
The path to success was not an easy one and I faced countless obstacles, both personal and professional. I encountered skepticism from friends and family who questioned the decision to leave a stable job and venture into the uncertain world of entrepreneurship. Deep down, I knew I was meant for something greater, the idea of opening my own food business, where I could showcase my culinary talents and spread happiness.
Fuelled by determination, I honed my craft, spending hours experimenting with different cooking techniques, flavors, and recipes. I became an expert in the art of barbecuing and developed a unique style that blended traditional Memphis barbecue with my own creative twists. I believed that my craft barbecue creations would find a special place in the hearts and palates of the locals in Memphis—the self-proclaimed “Barbecue Capital of the World.”
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
I am a Memphis native with love for the city and its culture including sports, music, and especially food. My business offers a wide variety of exquisite cuisines. Our #1 goal is to make every bite an unforgettable experience for our guests. We only use the best and freshest ingredients as well as locally grown produce and locally sourced meat.
Please feel free to follow us on social media where we post all of our upcoming events, booking dates and locations, and how to contact us for your next catered event.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
One important thing I realized early on, as a foodtruck owner, was that I wore many hats. I quickly realized I wasn’t just a chef but I was also an accountant, a social media guru, a handyman, an electrician, and more. I think it is very important to remain positive and roll with the punches.
Also, you get out what you put into it, and you have to work hard to establish a name for yourself and to be rewarded with loyal customers.
Lastly, perseverance is key! Betting on yourself is a must, I worked many shifts for no money or at a loss of money to make a name for myself. Keep on and hold your head up high. You will quickly learn you will work way harder for yourself than you ever would have for someone else.
Advice would be to understand that you never stop growing and it is okay to ask for help. Study those around you that have paved the way and make it to where you want to be.
How can folks who want to work with you connect?
Recently we did an amazing collaboration with McLaren Custom Grills, a Canadian Sports BBQ Manufacturer. We would love to do some more collabs with them or any other companies in the future. We love our Chevy truck that pulls our 12,000 lb trailer, our Dexter meat cleaver that chops all our meats, so either of those companies would be a dream. Not to mention, being huge music and sports fans in Memphis, any artist or sports team would be an incredible opportunity.
We would love to form relationships with brands associated with cooking equipment, coolers, athletic or chef clothing lines, fans or any foodtruck equipment distributors, and most importantly meat supplies or local farmers.
We would also be open to partnering with local breweries, wineries, or distilleries where we would infuse food or do pairings for a wonderful experience.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: instagram.com/yippietrippieandtheporkstars
- Facebook: facebook.com/yippietrippieandtheporkstars
Image Credits
@bear.lawler www.bearlawler.com
