We recently had the chance to connect with Harrison B. Mitchell Jr. and have shared our conversation below.
Good morning Harrison B., we’re so happy to have you here with us and we’d love to explore your story and how you think about life and legacy and so much more. So let’s start with a question we often ask: Who are you learning from right now?
The black entrepreneurs of the Flint Hills I’ve been with this group from the start of their business and mine there a group of entrepreneurs that understand the struggles of Entrepreneurship physically, financially, mentally, with faith and support they have helped me grow my business to the level it’s at right now so if you need help with your entrepreneurial Journey look them up the black entrepreneurs of the Flint Hills.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Harrison B Mitchell Jr owner and operator of Smokin H’s Meats the Harrison is very special to me it was my dad’s name I have three sons with Harrison in their names and one daughter and hopefully this is the start of a family Legacy.
Smokin H’s Meats specializes in homemade smoked Foods prepared with oak wood for an authentic barbecue flavor our business offers catering and pop-up events along with a line of signature barbecue sauces and rubs made with real fruit we have successfully established business to business and business to customer relationship with our products available in some Hy-vee grocery stores and local stores across Kansas and Missouri.
I envision building smokin H’s meats into a nationally recognized brand that not only brings people together over real Soulful food but inspires others to turn their passion into purpose.
as a founder and CEO with over 30 years in the food industry I am committed to creating a legacy of flavor ownership and opportunity I strive to uplift my community provide meaningful employment and empower the next generation of entrepreneurs all while staying true to the craft and culture of slow smoked barbecue and also providing vegetarian options.
Our sauces are made with real fruit not concentrate all products are handcrafted in small batches for flavor control proven in Market success and grocery stores and at events black-owned business with a strong cultural and Community identity flavor profiles that combine traditional barbecue roots with a modern twist.
We’re expanding into new markets working with upscale lounges scaling through third-party packaging and building a team to grow into a regional and eventually National brand.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
situations with blood family and so called friends and worldly ways
I’m finding out that is really just you and God in the fight against situations in this world and from taking care of my dad at a young age before I had kids he never got to see any of my accomplishments and helping with my grandmother before she passed and recently helping with my stepdad and mother who is 90 years old with dementia which forced me to learn more about health care and drugs we are taking and going through financial situations with them I have learned that once you get older the world does not care about you as much because your financial situation is not putting in any more we have to teach ourselves more about financial literacy. By the way is really up to God if we live or Die
What have been the defining wounds of your life—and how have you healed them?
Relearning what you was taught by immediate family because it’s not their fault they were not mentally educated enough for what’s going on in the world of Yesterday and today. The rules are basic they have been the same for a long time.
I’m in therapy now never thought I needed it but it’s all about the education of situations that family and friends or just everyday People ignored and healing can be a lifelong journey. Your parents can only take you so far mentally the rest you have to educate and figure out for and yourself and the best you can.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. Is the public version of you the real you?
Yes that’s one thing about my customer base business being in the public vision I meet people from all ages race color I am a happy person and bring joy to many people that I meet sometimes I do not understand how I do it but it has to be faith in God that keeps me on that level and they love meeting the owner of the company with positive vibes no matter who you are.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
and that is one of the problems now don’t wait the next moment is not promised when your dead Too late to say good things about you you’re gone you’re not here anymore I want to hear about good things I’ve done now while I’m still here and I can be proud of myself how I’ve made people feel while I’m living and I hope there’s more positive than negative because everyone has done something that they’re not proud of but haven’t taken a step to mentally deal with it. my dad used to always say Boy when is your time it’s your time!!!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.Smokinhhhmeats.com
- Instagram: Smokin H’s Meats
- Linkedin: Harrison B. Mitchell Jr.
- Facebook: Smokin H’s Meats
Image Credits
the black entrepreneurs of the Flint Hills
