Philly Sisters Taking Soulful Sauces National
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - A West Philadelphia catering company is getting a rare chance Friday to pitch their special barbeque sauces on reality TV.
"We are just so excited," says Jorrae Beard.
She is one-fifth of force behind Joyce's Soulful Cuisine and creator of a quartet of bourbon, barbecue, Asian and hot sauces they call Joyce's "Lulu Bang" sauces.
"We pride ourselves on excellence," she says, "our customers really identify with us because they know we are down in the trenches."
"The minute I tasted it--- no joke, I said-- you going to make me a million dollars with this," says CEO Kelly Beard.
She says Joyce's Soulful Cuisine at one time was a restaurant and catering company. But the request for Jorrae's sauces were so intense, they decided to sell it.
So they sat in the kitchen to brainstorm a name and came up with "LuLu Bang" -- the nickname of their late brother Michael. The business is already named after their mom Joyce, who passed five years ago.
"Everything we do-- it's about family," says Kelly, "but we all stay in our lanes."
And Joyce's is truly a family affair. Kelly is in charge of business. Younger sister Jorrae is chef, creative cuisine director and the originator of their famous sauces. Ashley Beard, Kelly's daughter, is CFO, handling finances and budget. Then there's Tiffanie Beard, who relocated from Miami to help. And finally, Neffertari Jordan, who focuses on the company's images and can burn in the kitchen.
"The great thing about working with your family is that you can be mad at them today, but you get in that kitchen and start cooking, you make up," says Kelly.
The family work ethic and popularity of Lulu Bang got Joyce's a deal to put the sauces on the shelves of Walmart and ShopRite. It also landed them a spot to pitch their business on a reality TV entrepreneurial show that will air Friday Night.
Their slogan, "we bang everything," is a play on words. They promise their secret sauces will add bang to seafood, poultry, meats and even veggies.
"You can literally marinate your meats in it," says Jorrae, "it enhances any food."
"The overarching theme is game changer," adds Kelly. "It really has catapulted us into mainstream."
They are prepping to host a watch party for 150 people at the Enterprise Center in West Philadelphia. They will tell their story and bring in others to inspire because part of their mission is to pay their fortune forward.
We are out here to encourage others and empower others to pursue your dreams," says Jorrae.
And they'll have a bang of a good time while they do it.
For more on LuLu Bang, CLICK HERE.
