Why This Barbecue Expert Left Banking to Pursue His Grilling Passion

Raising The Grade

In this episode, I sit down with Josh from BBQ Island, a true barbecue enthusiast who has built a career around his love for cooking and outdoor living. We talk about his journey from working at fast-food joints like Arby’s to building connections in the banking and finance world, and ultimately finding his passion at Barbecue Island.
Josh’s story is all about chasing what you love and turning it into a career that doesn’t feel like work. We dive into the unique approach BBQ Island takes to prioritize customer education over commission sales, making it more about building relationships than pushing products.
Josh opens up about his love for cooking, competing in barbecue events, and the lessons he’s learned from working with different types of people and companies. From the importance of having counter space in outdoor kitchen setups to the value of genuine customer care, this episode is packed with practical advice and heartwarming stories.
Whether you’re a seasoned barbecuer or just getting started, this conversation is all about finding what lights your fire both in business and in life.
Key Moments:
0:01 Intro of Josh from BBQ Island
8:03 Understanding customer needs
27:00 The importance of communication and building trust
36:30 Vendor relationships
42:00 Feedback is the key to great results
53:00 Standing behind a product you believe in
More about BBQ Island:
Welcome to BBQ Island, where our fervor for BBQ is matched only by our dedication to assisting customers in crafting extraordinary outdoor culinary spaces. Established in 2002, BBQ Island emerged as a boutique manufacturing enterprise, showcasing prefabricated BBQ islands at home exhibitions. Our journey has since propelled us to become one of the premier retail BBQ Stores in the Western United States. Beyond our digital presence, BBQ Island boasts a network of four Arizona locations: a sprawling 6,000 sq. ft. showroom in Scottsdale, an equally expansive 6,000 sq. ft. showroom in Arrowhead, a capacious 12,000 sq. ft. showroom in Tempe, an expansive 8,000 sq. ft. showroom in Gilbert, all complemented by a strategic warehouse in Gilbert for swift stock replenishment.
Website - https://www.bbqislandinc.com/