Today we’d like to introduce you to Brandon Dotson.
Hi Brandon, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My journey with the Skrimp [Shack franchise started in the beginning of 2018. Prior to that, it was meticulous planning from a personal level to start beginning the process. My biggest challenge was securing financing. I had a great credit score, over 20 percent of my requested loan value, but still found challenges convincing a bank to finance the business. Most banks would not give a justifiable reason, I was just told NO. After 16 months of working on financing, I was able to secure a small business loan through SBA.
I was excited about the location, and weirdly I was excited about the timing. Though it was in the middle of a pandemic, I felt that people still had a need to eat. We started off very strong in our community but due to different challenges whether it be Delta variant or inflation; it caused us to run into a rough winter. First week of May will be one year for Skrimp Shack Augusta. I am beyond grateful to see how the CSRA has responded to the business.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has not been a smooth road. But it has been a very rewarding journey thus far. This business has challenged me from a time management perspective as well as a leadership perspective. This is a business that requires attention to every detail. The struggle that come with this business of course is people. The managing of personalities, work ethics, availability, as well as the unpredictable flow of costs and expenses during a pandemic. Nothing has been the same from quarter to quarter. Therefore strategic forecast has come from talking to other restaurant owners that have been doing this a lot longer than myself.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I have been fortunate to have impacted the marketplace in a quite a few areas and to have done it with success. I have been in ministry for 17 years a total of eight years here in the CSRA area in N. Augusta. I serve as the Senior Pastor of Carey Hill Baptist Church. I have also been an educator in the city of Augusta for eight years as well. These two occupations have been my introduction to the area that has afforded me the greatest impact thus far. I also coach Boys Varsity Basketball in the city. That is my way of giving back to the youth from a charitable perspective.
What I am most proud of is the intentionality that Skrimp Shack Augusta has regarding our community. We regularly find ways to give back. Whether it’s honoring our honor roll students at our restaurant or hosting special dinners for Mother and Son(s) of Father and Daughter (s). We have also hosted Marvel night where we have brought in Marvel characters such as Spider-Man and Black Panther to come eat with the kids. We even included a Disney night where we brought in Princess Tiana to eat with the kids as well. To kick off the summer, our restaurant will be honoring our high school graduates at the beginning of June. At the end of the day, we understand that our community is what makes us thrive as a business. The best community partners make the best businesses. I believe these convictions are what set us apart from others.
Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
I think good fortune and bad fortune has hit every business in the past two years. We did not get a chance to receive any of the SBA Restaurant Revitalization Funding due to the Fund have inadequate funds to meet the demand. But on the flip side, we hopefully will be able to catch it on the second round. This would be huge for our business. I feel that any business that started out in the last two years in some way started at a deficit by having to navigate the nuances of an economy that most experts weren’t familiar with.
Contact Info:
- Email: brandon@theskrimpshack.com
- Website: https://theskrimpshack.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skrimpshackaugusta/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SkrimpShackAugusta/
Image Credits:
Rushunda Ware rushunda@carolinapeachmarketingagency.com Carolina Peach Marketing Agency
