living your awesome life one oops at a time
  • living your aweswome life one oops at a time
  • contact me
  • Contact Us
  • Program video
  • about me and why you should care
  • OUR STORE

My name is Gator: I turned a negative into a positive

8/7/2016

26 Comments

 
Picture
I had never met Gator before this day, didn't know I needed to really. I was too busy getting rejected by two other small businesses. They told me we don't want to grow. Thanks but no thanks to my featuring them among my community of friends on social media. For more than a minute, my feelings were hurt. I wasn't at all prepared for no thanks, but God was and he got me ready and passed it.

While licking my wounds, I remembered a late night call from my baby sister a few days before. She said, De De, I know you are in the blessing business and I know just the small business. She went on to tell me it was a young family business with all hands on deck. They had a perfect product, delicious southern BBQ. The owner and most of his family worked in some way or another in the business. What she may not have known is this young business was struggling to stay ahead of the expenses versus revenue. They closed their doors for a few days because the air conditioner broke in the peak of summer. Gator, the 30ish year-old owner and father of six young children, was in trouble and he knew it.

On a whim, I decided to follow my sister's suggestion and go find Gator's BBQ & Soul Food. I found him alone sitting at his empty small BBQ shop one Friday evening. The first thing I noticed were his many trophies won from BBQ competitions displayed so proudly. I knew nothing of his troubles, but in any case, his fate was about to change.

I liked Gator instantly. He told me the name Gator came from constant teasing when he was young due to his eczema. He said, "I took a negative and turned it into a positive!"  Over the next 4 1/2 minutes I directed a video on Gator and let him tell me about his business. The rest is history!

What is so beautiful about this story is God led me to Gator. His wife told me by phone that just two days before Gator was at his lowest point. He said, God usually sends me a sign that everything is going to be okay and I haven't seen any signs. I am worried this business may not have been the right thing to do.

HIs sign came on 8/5 at about 5:15 PM. Our paths crossed and now Gator's business has been seen by over 600,000 people in the first two days. It has been shared nationally on FB over 9,000 times already. The afternoon after the video went live so many people came near and far to support him, he ran completely out of food. YES! But people waited and so many said they would be back again.

I wrote a book along with 31 other women telling of our personal challenges and how through our faith we overcame them. The book, "This is my story, but it is not my life", has been well-received. With those profits, I have been able to give back. I left Gator with a hefty seed check to help him along his way and get him over the hump. I simply put my money where my heart is. We all did a great thing working together!
THE VIDEO LINK I WILL TRY TO ADD pic.twitter.com/6HdI4a6v35
GATOR BBQ & SOUL FOOD 2195 Brockett Road Clarkston, GA

26 Comments
Darlene Thompson
8/7/2016 07:58:02 am

Thank you for supporting and showcasing black businesses. This video is so heartfelt.

Reply
MeMe Harrison
8/7/2016 08:19:43 am

This video touched my heart this morning....thank you so much for sharing. I love soul food and now when I go to the ATL....I will be stopping in to see GATOR. Your personality love and compassion caught me at the very beginning. Thanks again for the blessing and support of BOB.

Reply
What a beautiful story. Thank you for sharing and for choosing to be a part of the solution. You are an example of what God's love is all about. link
8/7/2016 08:53:36 am

Reply
Angelia Howell
8/7/2016 09:01:19 am

So amazing to see how God ordered your steps and orchestrated this whole Blessing. God had Gators name on that blessing all along so he caused the other two businesses to reject the offer because it didn't belong to them. When God has a blessing with your name on it it doesn't matter where you are standing in the blessing line, that BLESSING is yours!!

Well done La Detra I am so greatful for the heart of God that you possess. May your days be long and prosperous in the land!!

Reply
Nancy Hunter
8/7/2016 09:24:58 am

Simply, thank you!

Reply
Freeda link
8/7/2016 09:26:06 am

I've never met you LaDetra but I love you dearly!!! God will continue to bless you. I will definitely find Gator when I visit ATL.

Reply
Latrice Smith link
8/7/2016 11:00:15 am

Mrs.White I love it, this video is the 2nd one that I've seen of you giving back, not only giving back, but giving to you local businesses in our community. I Thank GOD for you, and I pray continued Blessing on your life. Also, I love it that you are teaching your daughter the gift of giving back.
Virtuous Women you are indeed!
I can't wait to purchase your book.
Luke 6:38 Give and it shall be given to you, good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over! Be Blessed!!! 😇

Reply
marion sipp
8/7/2016 12:27:10 pm

This has been the best thing I have ever seen on face book. Oh my it was amazing to see God at work. Thank you for giving, inspiring, and loving. I am definitely going to visit Gator barbecue. Without this I would not have known about it. Also I believe the city of Clarkston is the perfect place to be. I will see you soon Gator. Many continued blessings.

Reply
Jeniffer Fletcher
8/7/2016 01:08:25 pm

Six of us went yesterday after I saw your video La Detra. The food was great and Gator is just as sweet as he can be! We asked him how it was for him since the video went live. He was speechless with a big grin. My group and I sat there and ate. People kept coming and coming. You did a beautiful thing my sister. God will owe you nothing, so get ready for your book to be a bestseller!!!

Reply
ROJEINA
8/7/2016 01:30:09 pm

Look at the good that happens when we let God take over! Bless him..

Reply
Klarque Garrison link
8/7/2016 02:07:38 pm

Thank you for setting an example for many to follow.... When we support each other, we build each other!

Reply
Tonya
8/7/2016 02:19:41 pm

God is Awesome!
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord , “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.
Jeremiah 29:11‭-‬13

Reply
Marjorie
8/7/2016 03:43:18 pm

LaDetra you have been blessed with seed money, that is ordained by Our Savior. Out of the darkness and discomfort that you all suffered, your rejoicing and blessings have brought forth seed money, whose designed purpose is blessing. Out of darkness the light comes forth, and is followed by blessing. The barbers could not receive this blessing, their businesses do not line up with this money's ordained purpose. God bless you.

Reply
Gwendolyn Griffin Odom
8/16/2016 12:31:35 am

Amen, my Sista Amen!!!

Reply
Toshara Tarver link
8/7/2016 03:56:29 pm

Love this story! What a blessing! If you are ever in Decatur, GA, check out Blazin Jerk. We just opened in June! God bless you!

Reply
link
8/7/2016 04:15:35 pm

yes!

Reply
Kim
8/7/2016 04:19:46 pm

I saw your video, which made me cry. Im such a blubber bucket, lol. Im jealous that I dont live where this place is. I would DEFINITELY come for those ribs! I wish more people would pay it forward, as you do. You're an inspiration, and an angel on earth. God Bless.

Reply
Linee'
8/8/2016 05:48:24 am

When God leads blessings follow!

Reply
Bevelyn Mitchell link
8/8/2016 06:26:37 am

This is what will happen, when you allow God to use you! He is so good. Thanks for sharing this powerful story.

Reply
Lakishia MABRY link
8/8/2016 09:23:08 am

As a home based black business owner, to watch this video and read the article I'm in awe of GOD. I love to see my people being supported, especially when they are doing something that is also helping others . Thank you for your obedience. This is life changing.

Reply
Theresa
8/8/2016 10:46:27 am

I will definitely be going to Gators on my next visit to Atlanta.The food looks I good can't wait to taste it Thanks so much for sharing and being such an inspiration to us and our community. GOD won't he do it

Reply
DYNOLIS
8/8/2016 06:49:11 pm

THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. DEVIN PASS IS MY OLDEST BABY. Her husband is my always cooking Son in Law. THANK YOU.

Reply
Gregory Cox link
8/9/2016 05:55:03 am

Amazing story, thanks for sharing Gater with

Reply
Catrina Brown
8/9/2016 06:11:00 am

This is So BEAUTIFUL. What a BLESSING. I PRAY That This is A Blueprint For Many Other's To Follow and Bring a Change. Let's All Start To LOVE one another In The Mighty Name of JESUS CHRIST AMEN

Reply
Vele Keyta Redding
8/9/2016 01:31:29 pm

I just watched the "Gator" feature on a friend's Facebook timeline! I am in tears over the kindness you showed this man and his son and your plans to continue lifting small business owners with "love tokens." As a small business owner, I have had my share of ups and downs, but people like you keep me going, inspire me and give me hope! I love what you're doing and I pray you will be abundantly blessed because of it! I also hope that this will catapult us all into a movement to support each other and to reach back and pick up someone else! I tried to friend you on Facebook, because I felt an immediate connection, but couldn't. I saw, as well, when I visited your page, that you and your family might be Georgia Tech fans...! Even better! I love what you've been led to do and its God-mazing! -- Vele Keyta Redding (author and entrepreneur)

Reply
Kim Douglas link
8/16/2016 12:22:13 am

What you make happen for others God will make happen for you. You are truly a blessed woman of God!

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    La Detra Joy

    I love being around people. I would rather live falling than break my spirit never trying anything hard. This blog is about trying and retrying life.

    SUBSRIBE TO FEED

    Archives

    June 2021
    January 2021
    October 2018
    September 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013


    Categories

    All
    Family
    Life
    Love
    Marriage
    Mistakes
    Relationships
    The Spirit
    Travel
    Victories

    Booking Inquiries

    RSS Feed

 copyright 2013 Noble Insight, Inc. All Rights Reserved