Today we’d like to introduce you to Jason Lees.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
The family at Revere Meat Co is made up of industry veterans that worked for numerous companies throughout the foodservice industry. While working in management for the largest foodservice distribution company in the US thru the recession, we saw the industry begin to consolidate as family run businesses sold out to larger firms or close their doors altogether. It became clear that there was a void of true specialty meat & seafood companies that put the employees, suppliers and the customers first. We gave up that safety net of corporate America to form Revere Meat Co to do just that. While it was incredibly difficult, it is something I know we would do all over again if given the chance. And the support from family, friends, employees, vendors, and customers is why have been so successful.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Heck no!!! Before we had sold a single pound we were dragged into litigation by our former employer. They were bound and determined to shut us down before we ever started. My partner and best friend, Chad Stine, was one of their key executives. They wanted him to take over their group of nationwide meat companies. He turned them down to come and help me start Revere Meat Co. Needless to say they were not pleased and took us to court. They made it about trade secrets, but being a butcher has nothing to do with a secret recipe. It is like being a construction worker, or a deep sea crab fisherman. It is extremely difficult work in adverse conditions. But all you need to figure it out is a knife, a scale, and a pencil. And a very strong work ethic. Our biggest fear throughout the lawsuit was letting down our employees. There were a lot of scary times as we had to wait for the courts to let us go back to work. They stuck by us throughout it all, can’t tell you how good that made me feel. Fortunately, we had some great people behind us and we made it thru the legal process. And it turns out there is truth in the saying “there’s no such thing as bad press”. We had several major partnerships form just from people reading about us on the internet. Silver lining I guess.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
We specialize in the best beef and seafood in the world. Our primary customer base is white tablecloth establishments, but is not limited to just that. We sell to hotels, golf courses, butcher shops, cafes, senior centers, bars, resorts, you name it. We are based in Atlanta, but you can find our products from Puerto Rico to New York. You can find everything from fresh stone crab in daily from Florida to Kobe A5 striploin flown in from Japan at Revere Meat Co. But our specialty, what we are the best at, in my opinion, is a perfectly aged hand-cut steak. People can say whatever they want about NY or Chicago being the best. But there is a reason a small 3-year-old company in Atlanta is being asked to ship steaks and fresh seafood to NY, Chicago, Arizona, etc.
We are doing something right. We aren’t afraid to do whatever it takes to help a customer succeed. And we are very transparent about the process. No secrets, no tricks, just experts helping all these customers get the best product they can at the best price. More successful they are the more loyal they’ll be to Revere Meat Co. At least that is what we are going for.
What were you like growing up?
I was a quiet kid, smallest in my class most of the time. For as long as I can remember I wanted to be a small animal veterinarian and went to college for it. I ended up meeting a friend in pre-vet school whose father ran the largest slaughterhouse in Washington. And it happened to be located in the same town as my girlfriend at the time. As many stories go, it started with a girl. I took a summer job in the slaughterhouse to be close to her and the rest is history. I went from wanting to save dogs/cats to slaughtering cattle for a living. Going to write a book someday, “left hand turns in a right hand market”….
Contact Info:
- Address: 132 Royal Drive
Forest Park, GA 30297 - Website: www.reveremeatco.com
- Phone: 404-363-0630
- Email: info@reveremeatco.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reveremeatco/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/reveremeatco/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/RevereMeatCo
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