🔥 From Tent to Empire: The Outside BBQ Story w/ Tay Godwin

On this flavorful episode of the No Chaser podcast, host Remy Roe sits down with Tampa’s own Jevonta “Tay” Godwin, the passionate owner of Outside BBQ. What started as a side hustle with a tent, grill, and home-style recipes has transformed into a full-fledged restaurant with plans for expansion. Tay shares his incredible journey from working corporate jobs to launching his business just after the COVID-19 pandemic, grinding on weekends for years, and eventually building a brand that now operates seven days a week with a loyal following.

From humble beginnings selling plates under a tent on the side of the road, Tay walks us through his evolution as an entrepreneur. He opens up about how word-of-mouth marketing and family recipes inspired by his grandmother helped create a menu that brings customers back again and again. He discusses the emotional and physical sacrifices it takes to run a food business—from missing paychecks and holidays to investing everything back into the restaurant just to stay afloat. Still, Tay remains grounded and grateful, citing his team, his family, and his neighborhood as the pillars of his success.

Listeners also hear the challenges of transitioning from employee to employer, especially when it comes to trusting staff, managing finances, and avoiding the pitfalls of hiring friends or family who may not treat the business seriously. Tay emphasizes the value of consistency, leadership by example, and understanding the financial realities most people don’t see—like overhead costs, food waste, broken equipment, and the myth of overnight riches.

In the second half of the episode, call-in guests—ranging from his managers to regular customers—sing Tay’s praises, proving just how much Outside BBQ has impacted the community. Remy and Tay close things out by reflecting on music, motivation, and future aspirations, with Tay revealing he wants to take his Southern BBQ flavors nationwide. From 90s R&B vibes to smoked ribs and real talk, this is one of the most heartfelt and unfiltered interviews of the season.

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Chapters & Timestamps
00:00 – Welcome & Guest Introduction
01:00 – Surviving the First Year in Food Business
03:00 – Demand Grows: Opening 7 Days a Week
05:00 – Trusting Staff & Letting Go of Control
08:00 – From Grandma’s Kitchen to BBQ Fame
11:00 – Cooking from the Soul: Home Recipes at Scale
14:00 – Surprising Supporters, Including NFL Alumni
17:00 – From Tent to Restaurant: The Grind Years
21:00 – Importance of Family Support & Mental Endurance
25:00 – Taking BBQ Nationwide & Future Locations
29:00 – Real Talk on Profit Margins & Entrepreneurship
33:00 – Community Support, Staff Culture, and Sacrifice
36:00 – Favorite Music & 90s R&B Vibes
38:00 – Live Call-ins From Customers & Team
43:00 – The Highs and Hidden Lows of Being a Boss

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YouTube Tags (max 500 characters)
Outside BBQ, Jevonta Tay Godwin, Tampa BBQ, No Chaser Podcast, Black entrepreneurs, restaurant startup, food truck journey, small business hustle, soul food business, community restaurant, southern BBQ, Florida small business, 90s R&B, black business owner, real talk podcast, family business, food entrepreneur, trust your team, entrepreneurship advice, restaurant growth