Jay Ducote 2: Bite & Booze &… Barbecue (The DOcast)

August 13, 2014 - no comments. Written by Richard Hanley Jr. in Food Industry, The DOcast.

Jay Ducote in his office with the new BBQ.

A year and half ago when I first sat down with Jay Ducote, he told me his story of how he got started in the blogging world and rose to be a prominent food blogger in the South. He also mentioned a barbecue sauce that he was working on. Well, he’s kept his word because a couple weeks ago he launched his magnificent Louisiana Barbecue Sauce to retail stores in Baton Rouge. Between managing a popular food blog, radio show, and launching a new product, he also competed on Food Networks Cutthroat Kitchen recently.

I had the pleasure to hangout with Jay at his stylish office in Baton Rouge to talk about his experiences launching his first retail product.

Be sure to get a pen and a pad, his story is jam-packed with ideas and tips to grow your business.

Interview with Jay Ducote

Sponsored by: Hanley’s Foods — Louisiana-inspired, natural, fresh foods. Enter “docast” at checkout for $4 off.

The first episode with Jay
The sparking moment of Jay D’s Louisiana barbecue sauce. (3:20)
“It got to the point where I was so busy at my 9 to 5 job, doing Bite & Booze stuff, that I knew I couldn’t keep doing both.”
“I wanted to do a Louisiana barbecue sauce, but it didn’t exist…and part of the challenge is that Louisiana isn’t known for barbecue.”
“It’s an open market, I have a chance to define what Louisiana barbecue sauce is.” (Tweet this)
Jay’s process of defining a Louisiana barbecue sauce. (11:15)
“I call it now a gumbo of barbecue sauce styles, just throw em’ all in a pot, and that’s what Louisiana’s all about to some degree.”
Jay’s reason for choosing a sauce over rub for his launch. (15:45)
Focusing on one product vs. expanding a line. (17:55)
“I see where it makes sense, to have visibility, get shelf space, to really get brand recognition, you hit people multiple times…I get that, but for me, I have a signature product. I’m telling you this is Louisiana barbecue sauce.”
Going from a perfected recipe to manufacturing. (22:00)
How Jay met his (and our!) co-packer, Panola Pepper. (36:10)
Jay is doing a video series for Louisiana Culinary Trails.
Working out all the moving parts of production. (40:10)
Jay’s original bottle designs. (photo)
Moving on from production to launching and sales. (44:00)
“1) I wanted to give them the value of being the only places that have it right away, and 2) I didn’t want to start making sales calls until I had a bottle in my hand to sell.” (a mistake we at Hanley’s Foods have made)
The worth of demos. (49:40)
“The pushing and marketing and sales of this barbecue sauce will be done in ways other than in-store demos that I have the ability to do that most people don’t.”
Jay’s advice on pitching bloggers. (64:15)
“You pitching yourself is much more valuable than having a PR company do it.” (Tweet this)
Jay’s booze sample’s shelf. (photo)
“Keep it simple, give enough, make em’ want more, make the product the first thing they care about, and make it personal.”
“If you’re a restaurant in Colorado Springs, I don’t need your press release.”
“Don’t expect anything from anybody. If you email some blogger, send them your product and they never give you any coverage, let it go.”
“If you think you’ve found a blog you like, look at their Facebook and Twitter account and make sure it matches and they have a decent amount of followers.”
What’s a book, song, and quote that you love? (76:15)
- Book: Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien
- Song: On the Road Again by Willie Nelson
- Quote: “These things are fun, and fun is good.” — Dr. Seuss
What’s next and where can people find you? (86:50)
Watch out for Jay’s appearance on Food Network’s Cutthroat Kitchen, with Alton Brown! He appears in the 8th episode of Season 4, called Ho-Ley Pot. It aired on Sunday, August 10th, however Food Network should release it online sometime soon.

Check out Jay Ducote at:
Web: BiteAndBooze.com
Twitter: @BiteAndBooze
Facebook: /biteandbooze
Jay’s BBQ: HugJayD.com

Play the interview

The DOcast is a podcast of interviews from amazing entrepreneurs who are doing the unthinkable. With topics on how they got started, where they’re going, and how you can learn from them.