Contenders Wanted

Episode 12 - BBQ, Business, and Motherhood with Phyllis Williams-Strawder

November 30, 2020 Rob Cook / Phyllis Williams-Strawder Season 1 Episode 12
Contenders Wanted
Episode 12 - BBQ, Business, and Motherhood with Phyllis Williams-Strawder
Show Notes Chapter Markers

Show Notes

Have you ever thought about starting a business but you weren’t sure if your passion project was just a hobby or could become a full fledged business? Well our guest today is Phyllis Williams-Strawder or Mrs. Big Mista as she is known in the BBQ community. Phyllis is the Queen of late bloomers. She received her first college degree when she was 38 years old. She birthed her one and only child at 42 after two miscarriages and six months later purchased her first home. Next in her series of first was starting a legit business at 43 and quitting her good government job at 45. She opened her first restaurant at 50 and her second at 51. At 52 she took her first international trip (London & France) and published her first book at 53. As if that wasn’t enough, she chucked the restaurants (with the support of her husband) to follow her passion of helping entrepreneurs young and old start businesses. As a certified business coach and brand strategist she is on a mission to help small businesses build big brands and conquer more first. She is the author of 7 books and a proud homeschooling mom. On the show today we discuss:

  • Who is Phyllis (3:15)
  • What is Big Mista’s BBQ (4:32)
  • What it is like on a reality TV show (7:06)
  • Lessons from the food/restaurant business (11:00)
  • If she was scared to start their business (23:35)
  • Phyllis’ million dollar mistake (28:23)
  • Leaving her 9-5 job and overcoming fear (33:41)
  • Patience’s role in success (38:44)
  • Being a working mom (43:24)
  • Momshaming advice (52:18)
  • What does it mean to be a contender (56:37)


Resources:

How to learn more about Phyllis and what she does:

Additional Books, Individuals, or Items Discuss in the show:


Contact Me:

As always, feel free to reach out to me by emailing me at rob@contenderswanted.com for suggestions of ways to improve the show, to let me know how the show is helping you, or to even suggest a future guest.

Who is Phyllis
What is Big Mista's BBQ
What it is like on reality TV cooking shows
Lessons learned from the food business
Were you scared to start your restaurants
Phyllis' million dollar mistake
The decision to leave her 9-5 job and overcoming the fear
Success comes to those with patience
Being a working mom
Momshaming advice
What does it mean to Phyllis to be a Contender
How to contact Phyllis
My key takeaway