National Black Business Month at The Greenhouse
The Greenhouse joins in the national effort to acknowledge, appreciate, and uplift black business owners in our community. For National Black Business Month, we are excited to highlight black business owners who have participated in Greenhouse-affiliated cohort programs.
Ed Brunson, the owner of Brun Rub, participated in Saturday Shoppes Vendor Academy (SSVA) in 2021. SSVA has three distinct modules and aims to provide education, motivation, and empowerment to vendors participating in local markets and retail venues. The academy consists of interactive classes that cover a wide range of subjects, including business strategies, accounting practices, product management, labeling techniques, and so much more.
Meet Ed Brunson with Brun Rub
GH: Tell us a little about yourself and your business!
EB: I’m a married father of three who loves food, music, and good times. Brun Rub is our brand of Handcrafted BBQ Rubs and Seasoning Blends made in small batches with pride in St. Petersburg, Florida. We use all-natural ingredients and have five flavors: Original, Hot, Sweet, Sweet Heat, and Seasoned Salt.
GH: What inspired you to start your business?
EB: A disappointing shopping experience where I couldn’t find a BBQ seasoning that spoke to me as a Young Urban Professional thirteen years ago.
GH: What advice would you give to others who are looking to grow their business?
EB: Do. Not. Give. Up. It took us thirteen years to officially start but once we finally got started, we haven’t looked back.
GH: Please describe your experience in the Saturday Shoppe Academy Program. Would you recommend the program to others?
EB: Renee Edwards and the staff at Saturday Shoppes have been a joy to work with. They have helped us get to this point by advocating for our brand and putting us in a position to continue to succeed. I STRONGLY recommend their Vendor Academy. It will help you take stock of your business and move forward.
GH: Why do you think National Black Business Month is important?
EB: National Black Business Month highlights our community, showcases our talent, and ability to provide goods and services to everyone. As a person of color, I think it’s important because it shows we can rise and continue to add value, not only to our community but to our country. Our brand is black-owned, but everyone can benefit from using Brun Rub to enhance their food experiences.
GH: What are your future goals/plans for your business?
EB: We plan to release new flavors, expand our business to get into more stores and markets, and we would love to get into a commercial space. We will continue to strive to be the official flavor of St. Petersburg, Florida. We will not give up. Stay tuned here!
MORE ABOUT BRUN RUB
brunrub@outlook.com