Cooking Up Success with Souldobo
Q&A with Small Business Institute Pitch Competition Winner
We are excited to celebrate Souldobo, a standout participant in Lift Orlando's Small Business Institute cohort, which recently took first place in our second-ever pitch competition! Founder Taylor Hobbs not only won $20,000 to help fuel the growth of his innovative food business, but he also embodies the entrepreneurial spirit with his fusion of soulful BBQ and Puerto Rican flavors. Taylor’s journey from corporate life to small business ownership was only made possible with the help of his fiancé Krystle, originally from Bronx, NY, and her natural entrepreneurial mindset. She saw this vision before he did and helped him build the business with her creativity and support. Let’s dig into their story!
Services: Souldobo provides a unique experience from BBQ catering, rentals and event backdrops
Website: Souldobo.com (coming soon)
About the Founder: Taylor Hobbs and Krystle are the creator of Souldobo, a fusion of soulful BBQ and Puerto Rican flavors. With 23 years in the food industry, Taylor turned his passion for smoking meats into a business during the challenges of COVID-19. With the vision and day-to-day support of Krystle, they’ve built Souldobo to celebrate resilience, love, and bold flavors that bring people together.
Q: What led you to become a small business owner?
A: My journey to small business ownership started with a deep dedication to my work but took a surprising turn. I started my first job at Universal Studios the day after graduation. For over 23 years, I devoted myself to the company, rarely taking time off and always putting in extra hours during their busiest seasons. I climbed the corporate ladder to become a supervisor in the food warehouse, but that level of commitment came at a price.
I missed countless moments with my family—birthdays, anniversaries, and simple evenings together. My focus on work strained my relationships, and at one point, I lost my family for a time. Then, after COVID, I lost my job, too. It was a hard blow, but also an opportunity to step back and ask myself what mattered.
The one constant in my life was the woman who’s been my rock, my biggest supporter, and now, my fiancée. Even when we were separated, she believed in me. She pushed me to take a chance on my passion: smoking food. It started small—just us, a smoker, and plates for friends and family. But with her by my side, the vision for something greater began to take shape. We blended my love for BBQ with her Puerto Rican roots and created Souldobo: a unique fusion of soul food and Puerto Rican flavor.
Through the ups and downs, we’ve worked as a team, and we’re building something special—not just for us, but for the community we serve. Joining the Lift Orlando cohort showed me how far this dream can go. Winning the $20,000 award gave us a chance to push closer to our goals and dream even bigger.
Souldobo isn’t just about food—it’s about second chances, family, and bringing people together. It’s a story of faith, flavor, and finding purpose in the unexpected.
Q: What were some of the key learnings and strategies you gained from the program that had a significant impact on your business growth?
A: Everything we learned has impacted our business already from the target audience, branding & marketing, to learning how to use the different AI tools.
Q: As a part of Lift Orlando's Small Business Institute Cohort, you had the opportunity to connect and network with fellow entrepreneurs. How did collaboration and building relationships with other small business owners contribute to your business' success?
A: This experience has changed our lives in so many ways. Collaborating and building relationships with other small business owners provided invaluable insights, resources, and support. Sharing challenges and solutions with like-minded entrepreneurs helped us with fresh perspectives on problem-solving and sparked new ideas for growth.
The network we built through the cohort opened doors to partnerships, referrals, and opportunities we wouldn’t have found on our own. It is beyond amazing to be surrounded by individuals who are as passionate and driven about their business as we are.
Q: What advice would you give to aspiring entrepreneurs who are considering applying for Lift Orlando's Small Business Institute Cohort? How could they benefit from this experience?
A: We would advise ANY entrepreneur to apply. If selected, be a sponge and soak it all in. Make connections with all the mentors and network with everyone in your class. Don’t just attend, ask questions, engage, and go in each day ready to take notes with an open mind. Our advice is JUST GO FOR IT.
You have nothing to lose and everything to gain….everyone will benefit from this experience differently.
Q: Can you share an unexpected challenge you faced during the program and how you tackled it with the support of Lift Orlando's Small Business Institute Cohort?
A: One of our challenges was giving our elevator pitch. If you asked us to explain our business, we could if you had time to chat... but with the help from Joseph Simmons, we learned how to break it down and not only deliver but feel confident in our delivery.
Q: Which specific workshops or training sessions offered by Lift Orlando's Small Business Institute Cohort had the biggest impact on your business strategies?
A: Honestly, as a start-up business, each workshop had its “a-ha” moments, some more than others. From understanding our target audiences to even refining our words with different AI tools and apps. Bethanie was one of our favorites and we wish we would have chosen to do this one in person. Due to the hurricane, we opted to all do a Zoom call for this session. Her energy and knowledge were something we wish we would have been in the same room to experience.
