Tyler Goguen - Curious Conversations

Meet Tyler Goguen -- my new role model! -- owner of Beau's BBQ in Fort Myers, Florida. While I was in Fort Myers two weeks ago, my crew and I stopped at a court of food trucks. Looking for the healthiest option for lunch, Beau's caught my eye. 

Tyler took my order and (as I play 20 questions with every person I meet) I found out he owned the place. I have never personally met someone younger than me who has started their own business -- Tyler's 26 years old. 

When he was 15 he started working at a smokehouse as a dishwasher. He made his way through the ranks. He earned a degree in entrepreneurship from Florida Gulf Coast University. While there he had an assignment to create a business plan, and he conceived of Beau's BBQ (named after his blue tick hound, Beau). 

The university had a grant program where they awarded top business plans some startup money, and Tyler received about $8500 -- enough to put toward his first smoker. He opened his first truck when he was 21! Now he has two trucks and a team of 5 employees. He has plans to open a full-fledged brick and mortar restaurant in 2026. 

Tyler told me he never got addicted to social media, drinking, or drugs, and instead became addicted to getting better every day. He married his high school sweetheart, and they've been together for 10 years.

My closing question to him: What piece of advice would you give someone starting their own business? His answer: Do what you love and the results will come.