Success Story: An Inspiring Journey of a Minority-Owned Businesses Funding with Honeycomb Credit

Celebrating the resilience and achievements of diverse entrepreneurs.

Darren and Theresa of Carter's BBQ raised over $29,000 through their community and Honeycomb Credit.

At Honeycomb Credit, we love hearing the stories of each and every business. They’re stories of passion, perseverance, and purpose. But not all stories start in the same place. For minority-owned businesses, the journey often includes overcoming systemic barriers and navigating challenges that other business owners don’t face. Often, one of these challenges is getting fair funding from banks. And while we firmly believe all businesses should have an equal opportunity to get a small business loan from a bank, we also recognize that we can step in and help fill that gap. Just like we helped Carter’s BBQ. It’s a minority-owned business that used our funding platform to achieve remarkable success. Their story shows the resilience of entrepreneurs and the power of community-driven support.

Meet the Entrepreneurs

Darren and Theresa, the husband-and-wife team behind Carter’s BBQ in Euclid, Ohio, share a deep love for both their community and the art of barbecue. Darren, a community leader, is the founder of the Cleveland Dads Group and All Geared Up, a family bike event. Theresa complements this passion with her organizational skills and her gift for delivering exceptional customer experiences. Together, they are the heart and soul of Carter’s BBQ, a business known for its dry-rubbed, low-and-slow smoked meats with a Cleveland twist.

Their motivation for starting Carter’s BBQ stemmed from a desire to preserve the traditions of smoked barbecue while creating a gathering space for their community. From ribs to brisket and homemade sides, every dish overflows with flavor. Yes, Carter’s does great BBQ, but it also became a staple that brings people together over shared meals and good company.

Overcoming Challenges with Minority-Owned Business Funding

Eventually, Darren and Theresa knew it was time to grow Carter’s. But, like many minority-owned businesses, Darren and Theresa faced scaling challenges in scaling. Their limited cooking capacity on four small non-commercial smokers hampered their ability to meet the growing demand for their food at pop-ups, catering events, and festivals. They knew that a food trailer decked with a custom smoker could boost business, allowing them to serve more customers and expand into even more of the city. However, getting the funding to make this move was a significant hurdle.

That’s when they turned to Honeycomb Credit. Through our platform, Darren and Theresa launched a community investment campaign, inviting their supporters to invest in their vision. Their campaign exceeded its minimum funding goal of $20,000and brought together 67 investors who believed in the future of Carter’s BBQ. With a total of $29,800 raised, Darren and Theresa were able to purchase the food trailer and smoker they needed.

Achievements and Impact

Since getting their funding, Carter’s BBQ has broken through milestones. The addition of the food trailer has allowed them to:

• Increase capacity: With their new equipment, Darren and Theresa can prepare larger quantities of food, and now they can serve more customers at events and pop-ups.
  

• Expand their market: Being mobile has opened the road to their reach - from catering private events to participating in food truck festivals.
  

• Deepen community connections: The trailer has made it easier for Carter’s BBQ to make their beloved cuisine more available to their fans. Now they can get to neighborhoods, universities, and business parks across the city. 

The thing is, Carter’s success goes beyond business growth. It is local success too. Darren’s community engagement—through events like the Rib Cook Off and All Geared Up—has only grown stronger, creating a ripple effect of positivity and connection.

Honeycomb Credit didn’t just help them raise money. It helped rally a community. Now, with the food trailer, they’re not just serving barbecue—they’re serving their community in new and meaningful ways.

Final Thoughts

The story of Carter’s BBQ shows us the resilience and determination of minority-owned businesses. At Honeycomb Credit, we are proud to play a role in their journey toward success. By connecting entrepreneurs with community-driven funding, we help break down barriers and empower businesses to reach their full potential.

If you’re ready to become part of the next success story, visit Honeycomb Credit to learn more. Together, we can celebrate and uplift the diverse entrepreneurs who make our Main Streets colorful and vibrant.