Taking BBQ Business from Seasonal to Sustainable with Kristen Bailey, Sweets & Meats

In this episode of Together Marketing Rescue, hosts Amy Vaughan, Bridget Murphy, and Molly Ruland welcome Kristen Bailey, the inspiring force behind Sweets and Meats Barbecue. Known for their scratch-made barbecue and strong community involvement, Sweets and Meats faces challenges familiar to many in the hospitality industry—driving traffic to their new restaurant and boosting their catering and food truck services. Despite a substantial annual revenue and a dedicated team, Kristen shares her struggles with seasonal slowness and the need for a sustainable year-round business model. As a female entrepreneur with a remarkable journey from humble beginnings, Kristen seeks innovative marketing solutions from the Together Digital community. With a soon-to-air Google commercial and aspirations to grow their business, Kristen's story exemplifies resilience and ambition. Join us as we delve into marketing strategies and support for this local favorite, ensuring it thrives for years to come. Connect with Kristen Bailey: LinkedIn: Kristen Bailey - Sweets & Meats BBQ | LinkedIn Website: Sweets & Meats BBQ Connect with our Hosts Molly Ruland : Molly Ruland - Heartcast Media | LinkedIn Amy Vaughan: Amy Vaughan - Together Digital | LinkedIn Bridget Murphy: Bridget Murphy - Mamas Uncut | LinkedIn Episode Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction 05:01 - Pivoting to Catering Success 06:45 - Clarifying Our Business Identity 12:33 - Catering Business Strategy Concerns 14:50 - Struggling with Marketing Budget 16:50 - Barbecue Branding and Catering Challenges 22:04 - Incentivize Accountability in Slow Seasons 25:45 - Barbecue Branding and Community Building 27:17 - Guest Engagement & Promotions Strategy 30:34 - "Year-Round Barbecue Guide" 33:27 - Email Marketing Timing Strategy 36:13 - Social Media's Impact on Hospitality 39:29 - Versatile Event Catering Services 44:54 - "Barbecue Strategy and Customer Engagement" 48:34 - Super Bowl Ad Email Strategy 49:32 - Maximize Opportunity with Automated Marketing 54:14 - Targeted LinkedIn Outreach Tips 57:00 - "Support Kristen's Super Bowl Project" 59:11 - Join the Women's Business Community 01:00:42 - Outro Quote of the Episode “In response to obstacles, we honed in on our thriving catering service and reshaped our space, forging a path of resilience” - Kristen Bailey "Entrepreneurs excel by shedding the old and embracing new paths, rather than lamenting over past missteps" - Molly Ruland "Social media mastery lies not just in posting, but in the strategic blend of creativity and community engagement" - Amy Vaughan “Every interaction is an opportunity to weave your story, connecting each part of your business into a cohesive narrative” - Bridget Murphy Powered by: Heartcast Media ______________________ About Together Digital We are a national collective of women in digital who choose to share our knowledge, power, and connections–to empower, educate, and improve the careers and lives of each other. http://www.togetherindigital.com