Abuzo, John Edward M.

BSA 1.1A

ACTIVITY
For years, Christopher Kelley dreamed of becoming a mobile restaurateur by launching a food truck
specializing in barbecue. However, he was hesitant to give up his job security at the company where he
had worked in maintenance for 14 years. Like many entrepreneurs, Kelley refused to give up on his
dream, bought a food truck, outfitted it, and started Bad Newz BBQ as a part-time business, catering
local school events, church gatherings, and fundraisers in Huntsville, Alabama. Two (2) months later,
Kelley’s employer announced a massive layoff, and his job was eliminated. The layoff prompted him to
transform Bad Newz BBQ into a full-time business. He began marketing his food truck via social and
traditional media, even landing a regular spot at a nearby army post. Kelly, who is 43 years old and has
lost three (3) jobs over the last 20 years to layoffs, decided it was time to take control of his destiny by
starting a business. He advises other entrepreneurs to believe in their abilities even when others do not
and devote all their energy to building a successful business.

Answer the following questions: (3 items x 10 points)

1. What did you learn from Christopher Kelley’s story?

- Base entirely on the story, I have learned that as an employee your livelihood entirely depends on your
employer’s decisions and starting your own business will let you be in control with your destiny. I also
learned that, if you don’t have a capital to run your own business, you may temporarily work as an
employee. More importantly, the story advised me to believe in my abilities even when others don’t, as I
do know myself better than others, and that to devote all my energy in making that dream into reality.

2. In your opinion, do you think that success in entrepreneurship is sometimes based on luck? Why or
why not?
- Yes, success in entrepreneurship has luck involved. Skills and hard work are important, but without
opportunity you won’t be going further. Philippine farmers for example, they are skilled and very hard
working yet they’re barely making enough to survive, if they were living in other countries whose
government supports agriculture, they would have plenty of opportunities. Based on the story, I
consider Christopher Kelley’s job removal an opportunity to realize, to spend, and to dedicate more time
into becoming a successful business owner. He got fired from his job, exactly at that time when he was
having doubts, that is luck.

3. How can Bad Newz BBQ implement and promote sustainability?

Regular vehicle inspection - A food truck with an old battery or transmission increases fuel consumption,
thereby emitting more toxic gases into the atmosphere.
Designing their menu efficiently - By creating a menu in which one ingredient can be utilized to make
multiple dishes. This eliminates waste and decreases the load on inventory.
Reducing waste - By limiting the menu and cross utilizing the ingredients it reduces waste to a great
extent. They can encourage their patrons or provide them with reusable, non-toxic, green containers to
take home the leftovers.
Leveraging social media for marketing - In a technologically advanced world, with the power of social
media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc.