Meet Larry Crockett | Founder/Owner Lorraine’s Premium BBQ Sauce LLC

We had the good fortune of connecting with Larry Crockett and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Larry, what role has risk played in your life or career?
Risk Taking: That’s is such a great question, actually the thought about taking risk is paramount. We have to take risks in order to excel and go to the next level in anything worth doing. Even if one decides to just stay on a job and make a career there. There is an unsurmountable amount of risk, Jobs aren’t the same as was when my parents were coming up. They could stay on a job 20 or 30 years faithfully. Risk is a very healthy part of my life and the decisions I have made in my career and businesses. I took a risk when I was 14 years old to approach a gentleman I would see walking home from with a Gi from a Martial Arts class every evening. I asked him to teach me what he learned in those classes every evening when her came home. He respected the fact that I took a risk and approached him. He became my private martial arts instructor over the next several years. I was awarded a black belt at 16 years old. Risk can take you another level. I took the risk of sneaking into our basement and playing my brothers electric guitar when he was not at home. I of course got caught in the act. However he allowed me to continue to use his instrument to practice. I started touring as a professional musician at the age of 19 years old. Risk is necessary for growth. I was asked by a friend didn’t I want to bottle my sauce after they tasted it? That question from someone that was successful in business prompted me to take a risk and start my business. Risk can be a healthy motivator.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Lorraine’s Premium BBQ Sauce is meant to honor my mother while she is still with us. She’ll be 91 this November. We believe in the building and the revitalization of our community. We are strong supporters of our youth entrepreneur program. We teach what we practice regarding financial literacy, excellence in customer service, ensuring quality and continuous improvement policies. What sets us apart from others is our product doesn’t use High Fructose Corn Syrup, Non-GMO, and Gluten Free. with am phenomenal signature flavor profile. Also our product is available in four fantastic flavors; Original, Sweet & Smokey, Asian, and Southwest Chipotle Kick. We are extremely excited in the upcoming chapters in our journey, we are proud that even more national retailers are onboarding us. We are looking forward to partnering with some major even t planners as well. How we got to be where we are business wise and was it easy? Yet another great question. Well we got here from having support, mentoring, and encouragement. No it wasn’t and isn’t at all easy, nothing with doing is. This supports the risk taking factor and how it can shape your thought process. Don’t be at all afraid to make mistakes, just learn from them and move on. What I leaned along the way is to do your homework. Be prepared, don’t be discouraged by the word “NO”. Let the word be a motivator to create even more opportunity where a “YES” will be given, What do we want the world to know about our brand? Well the fact that we love our customers so we only use healthy ingredients in our products. My story is just like any other small business owner. We took the risk and we are absolutely intrigued by what comes next. We are encouraged to overcome and learn from obstacles and setbacks. America was built on small business, and now more than ever it is needed. We encourage others to create and develop businesses, it can be done.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Oh my goodness, I’m in the Motor City there is always something new and exciting to do here. So if there was a week to take advantage of hanging out well let’s start here. There are some of the most amazing locations to have breakfast. The Joe Louis Southern Cafe in downtown Detroit. A must have eatery. Then for late night antics we have the most fantastic rooftop locations to dine and enjoy beverages all while admiring the Detroit skyline. Now on to a couple of notable attractions that never disappoint. There is the one and only Motown Museum where the music of a generation was created. Being a professional musician I can most assuredly recommend the oldest Jazz club in the world Bakers Keyboard Lounge. The list goes on and on for week of good times in Detroit.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
This opportunity to thank those that I absolutely always want to give credit to, thank you for such a gratitude targeted question. First I am a believer, so I thank God for where I am today. I have learned to be grateful through the tough times as well as the abundant times. I cannot say enough about my mother Agnes Lorraine Crockett. Starting at age 9 she wanted me to learn how to wash, cook, clean, and sew. So she started teaching and I was a willing participant. I learned how to cook, season, and learn my way around the kitchen under her tutelage. I became efficient in making gravy, sauces, and marinades. Her encouragement meant a lot that fueled my creativity and risk taking in creating dishes. I also watched my father Arthur Crockett “doctor up” one of the few bbq sauces that were available at the time. When he passed I took over the family grill, I had watched and learned from him, and had been encouraged by my mother. I didn’t just want to “doctor up” sauces, I wanted to create my own, I wanted to honor my father that instilled the discipline and determination in me that I could do anything. It wasn’t until my dear friend Tarolyn Buckles of Oynx Enterprise Inc asked me about bottling my bbq sauce that started this journey. I have support from another small business owner in Demetrius Gatson. He and I fast became friends and brothers while attending the same church when He lived in Detroit. He lives in Dallas, Tx now but we haven’t missed a beat in each others lives. We hold each other accountable, we keep each other viable, relevant and motivated. We encourage each other to strive and deliver excellence in our walk with God, family, health, and business. But wait there’s more….. I want to thank each and every customer that took a chance and purchased Lorraine’s Premium Bbq Sauce. They truly deserve credit where it is due.

Website: http://Lorrainesbbqsauce.com