Today we’d like to introduce you to Daniel Hipsher.
Hi Daniel, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I grew up in the BBQ business. My father was in the bbq business in KC for 51 years. Started work beside him in 1980 and have been in this industry ever since. I worked with him until 1994 when I went out on my own and started Daniel’s Bar-b-q in Edwardsville KS. In 1997 I moved Daniel’s to Tonganoxie KS where I continued to grow by adding 2 more locations. One in Lansing KS and one in Eudora KS. We also had our bbq sauce in local grocery stores and had a professional competition bbq team on the circuit doing over 24 contest a year across the country. In 2006 I was approached by a gentleman inquiring about purchasing the businesses. We worked out an agreement and he took over the restaurants as I moved forward expanding the bbq sauce business to a larger region. After 18 months he did not see the same success I had built over the years. He made a lot of changes to the products, the quality, the prices and the overall way the business ran. In making those changes he alienated the majority of the long time loyal customers I had built relationships with. So he closed and the restaurants were no more. Since that time I have grown the sauce business to include a line of traditional award winning bbq sauces and a line of fruit based Moonshine bbq sauces Called Daniel’s Bar-b-q Shine of the Moon! I also have a line of award winning seasonings and rubs. I bought a candied jalapeno company and have expanded that line up to 4 candied jalapeno flavors, flavored sea salts and infused olive oils! I have a line of all beef meat sticks currently with 4 flavors. And after 20 years I have brought back the Daniel’s Bar-b-q Hickory Smoked Burgers and Slabs of Ribs! These are fully cooked over real hickory woods just like how I did them in the restaurant. These are cooked, flash frozen and shrink wrapped. These are ready at a moments notice to heat and enjoy any time you are in the mood for real Kansas City BBQ!
This was urged on by multiple previous customers who would approach me to ask if I was back to cooking. They would share stories of fond memories of vising Daniel’s Bar-b-q and enjoying some true KC bbq. Some of the more touching stories are from people who would visit Daniel’s Bar-b-q as a child every week with their parents or grand parents that have since passed. They were craving that flavor, that memory. So I have taken on that request on have started rolling out those products. And the most current growth in my company is the introduction of our Shine of the Moon Bourbons! We currently have 3 flavors out. With the target of 6 flavors total. Current flavors available are: Sweet and Smooth, Smoked Honey and the newest is Maple Brown Sugar!
You may ask what is next,… Well you never know.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It is never a smooth road. I have had obstacles the entire way. To start off with 11 days after I signed my first building lease my father had a major stroke which left him paralyzed and unable to speak. So in a flash I went from the excitement of starting a new business (at 23 years old) to running my fathers bbq restaurant during the day and building out my bbq restaurant at night all the while taking care of my father. But as you can see I made it through this first of many challenges. I survived my own health issues while expanding the business. I navigated staying in business while the pandemic was crushing so many lives and passions. Just to name a few.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
I am the true definition of a small business. I wear many hats and always try to not only grow my business but try to help include other small businesses. I am proud of the high quality products we have built in the face of an ever tighting economy. I am proud of the work I do to help other small businesses. I am always available for a quick chat to hear about their struggles or obstacles that they face. Chances are I may have a solution from my own experiences. I am always happy to share the information if it will help them succeed. I would like for the readers to make a conscious effort to seek out the small brands in the stores and purchase their products. If your store doesn’t have what you are looking for from a small brand then ask the manager to carry it. The stores are motivated by the consumers money. If you are not asking for them to support small businesses then they will not. You, the consumer have the power to drive the growth and success of your local small businesses! Demand that your local stores carry small brands and to give them great shelf space. Not on the end in the corner. They should be proud to display small brands front and center!
Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
There are small brand across this nation that have the same types of products as the big brands. They may cost more but they are always better quality, better flavors and a better value!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.danielsbbq.com
- Instagram: @daniels_bbq
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/danielsbbqsauce
- Other: TikTok @bar.b.q
