Born and raised in Memphis Tennessee and raised by both my Aunt and Uncle.   It was like yesterday it seems.  My mother and  father both passed away leaving me to face this big world. I made the decision in 1985 to join the Marine Corps. After frequently visiting my home town of Memphis Tennessee I capture the entrepreneur spirit with the encourage words from my uncle.  Like any young teenagers growing up in the inter city you live through many life wants and promises but somehow some people never apply themselves to obtain those wants or promises. On several visits to Memphis on military leave and visiting my aunt and uncle at Interstate BBQ. It was at this time I realized what I wanted. I knew I had a career in the Marine Corps which was going very well but I wanted so bad to push time by to start my journey and dream. I would always mention in small talk with fellow Marines about entrepreneurship, but being young in age some acknowledge it and for some it just went right over. I seldom talked to Jim but when I do speak with him the conversation would always end up talking about my dream of opening a restaurant.

After the sudden death of my best friend Ms Ernestine Alexander (my grandmother)  I spoke with my Uncle Jim again about the possibility of opening and owning a BBQ restaurant. I wanted his confirmation and support to began my journey.  The rest was history.

I purchased a house in Peoria Arizona in 2000 while on Active Duty and stationed in San Diego, California. I was commuting on a regular basis to Arizona and each visit was different.  Different because I had the opportunity to get an up close view of all the new growth and development in the West Valley.

Cruising MC85 nearly approaching Buckeye  I would slow down and cruise through slowly realizing MC85 connects to 99th. My vision was kicking in each time I approach the city. It would always be approaching night time when I arrived. This little town was quiet and settled. While cruising I would consistently say to myself  “what is going on in the City of Buckeye Arizona”.

I started researching and looking for areas to start my business. I looked in Peoria, Glendale, Tolleson and Avondale. Needless to say not too many had single dwellings free standing building available. If so, they were asking a pretty price for the building or to  leased.

During the next several years I continued to do some research and with good assistance from Mr. Jim Batz a SCORE counseler with SBA and the Chamber of Commerce. Also with the help of  Self Help Employment Loan Fund program that help small business start ups. I learned a lot from both these  organizations and realized I needed to do a little more soul searching and more research to put together a solid business plan.

It was an early morning when I decided to drive the opposite direction of my house in Goodyear and visit downtown Buckeye. For the first time I could get an up close look at this town and what it had to offer. It was not a pretty site for me but because of my vision I saw something. I stopped at several places to include the Chamber of Commerce and asked questions of any single dwellings available at the time. The answer was no. My final stop was Century 21 a Realtor in town. There I met a lady name Patricia. She echoed what the Chamber told me. She did make mention about a lot that was for sale across the street. My fast thinking led me to believe I could build and do something with the lot. No one ever told me it was easy. That Marine Corps “can do” attitude kicked in and I was ready to make something happen. I spent over seven thousand dollars on kitchen  plans and engineering plans but somehow came up short. For sure I had nice plans drawn up but  no one wanted to take on the job. Quickly realizing no resources and no contractors. I started thinking of a plan B.

It was a cool winter night while working as Security Guard for a Millennium High School football game. I met Mrs. Diana from the Buckeye Chamber of Commerce and her husband at the game. On that night they felt my frustration about the business plans. They asked me how things were and I responded with not so well due to the slow progress. They both looked at me and suggested I visit and look into the Monroe Street Deli building downtown Buckeye. They mentioned it would make a great BBQ restaurant. Immediately the next morning I made a mad dash to Buckeye to check out this building and after seeing the building I realized it could make a good BBQ restaurant.  I claimed it to be Memphis Best BBQ. I  believed God had already blessed me with the building before going through the process.

This was my journey to the city of Buckeye. I hope and plan to bring Historical downtown some of the best BBQ money can buy.  I want the people of Buckeye to have a place to relax, enjoy and listen to some music and eat good Memphis BBQ.

I want to personally thank all of those people that have been inspirational in my life and that have helped me accomplish this goal and most of all thanks to the king of BBQ my uncle Jim L. Neely for his trust and confidence.

I believe in Memphis Best BBQ and believe the people will embrace me with open arms. “ Here I  come Buckeye”.