Today we’d like to introduce you to Paul Mata.
Hi Paul , thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
It all started back in 2021 with an idea. I build Texas barbecue smoker pits from backyard units up to large commercial smokers that measure up to 27′ feet long. The idea was to build smoker pits and supply barbecue businesses with the tools they need to scale their businesses. You see the thing is there really isn’t that many builders like myself and typically, lead times are long. Sometimes over a year or years. Knowing people in the barbecue community is what lead to starting PRM BBQ Co, Your PRiMe Barbecue Company. For as long as I can remember I’ve always loved building things with what most likely is the beginning for many, and that was playing with Legos. Fast forward all these years and I now I get to build barbecue smokers to pitmasters from all over the country. We’ve shipped smokers as far east to Pennsylvania and west to California. From backyard pop-ups to established brick and mortar restaurants. It truly has been an experience. Today I manufacture these units out of 6000 sq ft shop that started life as a movie theater in the 60’s. There is a lot of history in that building and I grew up not but 3 blocks away from here. I have a lot of pride when locals come by to see what we do then find I myself am a local. I can see the sense of pride it gives them and humbly honored to bring a positive light to our small city.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has not been a smooth road by any means. There was a large pivoting point in the business that required a complete reset and working even harder than before but it proved to be worth it. Although challenging I learned a lot from it.
The challenges have been things like learning how to market to our specific audience, managing the company and all the many layers of it from finances, taxes to payroll.
One of the most challenging times recently was actually myself making some mistakes that cost me money and time. Feeling the pressure of building and recuperating from that “reset” I found myself making rookie mistakes. From building a smoker pit in the wrong orientation, ordering material we didn’t need, building a trailer frame incorrectly. Of course all things that come with the territory however they were coupled with having mechanical issues and failure of some of our largest machines that cost thousands to repair. It definitely wasn’t a pleasant time. However despite it all, I remember clearly hearing my wife attend an online training and one person said, “Things don’t get easier, you just get stronger”
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
One of my brothers once said, We all should have been artist with my oldest sister being the manager. She was always the business savvy one. With that said for as long as I can remember I’ve always loved building things. When I was just 7/8 years old I built my first full blown clubhouse, fashioned with windows, a door and even had a shingle roof. I was quite proud of it.
Today I specialize in building Texas barbecue smokers. From design to final product I know all the in’s and out’s of them. I’m known for providing high quality smokers and grills at reasonable prices but that are efficient and predictable. We have proven results that show our products really do help you increase the overall quality of all aspects of cooking. From flavor to minimizing fuel consumption. We’re also known for being very transparent in our work. I engage quite a bit in social media which allows our followers and customers to be up to date on what I’m doing. I also show how I build the product. I want my customers to know exactly what they are getting.
Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
The fact that I built my first smoker pit back in 1998. albeit I was in high school but I built several and I built them before barbecue was even cool.
Pricing:
- Our smokers start at $4000.00 and that includes it being insulated
- Compared to the longer established builders we have very competitive pricing and offer a high quality product
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.prmbbqco.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/prm.bbq.co/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/prmbbqco
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@PRMBBQCo
Image Credits
all photos taken by me.
