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To ask Bonnie or Betty, owners of Bonnie B's Smokin about their story they would both tell you "we are here by the Grace of God and A Little Help and Love from family and friends. Bonnie believes it is very important to thank people "Out Loud" who have helped you along the way because no matter who you are you never become successful by yourself. We would like to thank the following, (please forgive us if we left your name out): Their Mom, brothers Michael and Clarence, Uncle Leo Smith, cousins Colis, Wayne, Vallary, Carmen, Shonnie and so many others, friends The YaYa's, Beverly, Kenya, Diane, Tree, Tony, Ban, Women from the 5'Oclock meeting, the Crew at Pat's Pet Grooming, Just In Time Barber shop, A Different World II Salon and so many more, and kind strangers along the way, Joe Brumfield who is now a part of our family." Truly they believe they are nothing and their success would not be possible without God!
SPECIAL SHOUT OUT's:
There is a wonderful story about their older brother Michael a sucessful barbeque caterer; Bonnie had been praying that God would give her a solution to the following. "I had a barbeque pit but it was a small, way to small to do the type of cooking I knew would be required, but I didnt want to spend $20,000.00 either. Less than a week later their brother Michael called and asked Bonnie, " Sis I was wondering I'm going into the PhD program at school and will not be catering any longer would it be helpful to you if I gave you my BBQ Pit? "Teary eyed I said to our brother you are a Blessing, I was just praying for help and here you are, I love you brother, yes it would be more than helpful it would be a miracle, you are my miracle. He didnt charge me he didnt ask for anything except our success.
But the stories and blessings are many, but there is one person in particular that has gone and continues to go far beyond the call of duty, who has given Betty and Bonnie an enormous amount of emotional, Spiritual and financial help because she believes in their dream, that person is their mother Joyce Henderson-Geller.
Bonnie recalls reading a menu while sitting in a restaurant in Hawaii, the menu told the story of the restaurant owner who had like themselves spent thousands and thousands and thousands of dollars, lots of time and energy and dispite all the hard work she found herself, as did Bonnie and Betty a bit short on funds, but not short on faith. The story went on to say how this womans parents loaned her $500K dollars because they believed in her and in her sound dreams, Bonnie said to Betty, wow I would like for someone to believe in me like that one day. This woman went on to open several restaurants in Hawaii and she thanked her parents. Well, when Bonnie and Betty found themselves struggling to make it work, without even having to ask, there stepped an Angel in the form of their mom, Joyce Henderson-Geller, there are Angels everywhere if you only believe, Bonnie and Betty will forever be grateful to their mom, they boast we could not have done it without her.
Bonnie B's Smokin would not be in existence if not for Gellerosa Ranch Barbeque one of Downtown San Diego's most loved and famous eateries; Gellerosa Ranch BBQ would not have been in existence if not for world famous Leo's BBQ in Oklahoma City. So, as a way of paying "Respect" to those who helped us get here we offer you our story .
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Owners Joyce Henderson-Geller (Mother) and Bonnie Henderson (Daughter and current owner/partner of Bonnie B's Smokin) a successful mother daughter team opened Gellerosa Ranch Barbeque in 1986 in beautiful Downtown San Diego. Their business thrived each year. During the six (6) years they were open this dynamic duo garnered three (3) Small Business of The Year awards and three (3) Proclamations from San Diego Mayors proclaiming Gellerosa Ranch Barbeque day for their outstanding community service.
Both mother and daughter attribute their success to their excellent food and their devotion to their customers. No matter the hour or the day they pledged that any one walking through the doors of Gellerosa would be treated with love; Bonnie & Betty insist on upholding that same level of excellence in customer service and the high quality of food from Bonnie B's Smokin.
Bonnie's gratitude and admiration run enormously high for her mom, she states "My Mom gave me an opportunity to own my own business, she taught me everything I know about cooking fantastic soul food and being a good business person, but what I truly value is that she taught her children to treat every human being with love and respect, something I never forgot and apply daily... Thanks Mom" (See Rave Reviews for more on Gellerosa)
Sadly, Gellerosa Ranch Barbeque closed their doors in late 1992 due to a family emergency.
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Leo Smith 1937-1994 "Rest In Peace Uncle."
Bonnie and Betty's Uncle, their mom's brother Leo Smith owned and operated three (3) barbeque restaurants in Oklahoma City, there he was known as the BBQ King, a self made multi-millionaire. "The thing that made Leo special was his generosity of heart, he could have kept all his secrets to himself, but he was willing to share everything he knew and he did" says Bonnie. Bonnie and their Mom drove to Oklahoma City in 1986 where Joyce studied under Leo and Bonnie trained under the expertise of her award winning chef and cousin Collis Harrison, Leo's right-and-left-hand-man. When Bonnie and her Mom opened Gellerosa Ranch BBQ Leo's son , Bonnie's cousin Charles Smith came to California to help them get opened, we could not have done as easily without Charles. "Thanks Uncle Leo you have given us the ability to do what we love; bring outstanding barbeque, southern favorites and excellent customer service to the people we value and serve, our Customers!" (See Rave Reviews for more on Leo's BBQ)
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Bonnie B's Smokin is owned and operated by Betty Miller-Henderson and Bonnie Henderson. Their right and left hand team consist of Nena Hunt and Michael Henderson, Jr.
After being laid off her corporate job in August 2009 Bonnie decided to return to one of the things she loves most; loving people through TLCC (Tender Loving Care Cooking) she believes one way to show love is to cook for people you care about. They started out as 5 partners but three of the partners had to un-expectantly pull out. This left Betty and Bonnie to run the business.
Bonnie cooks using the same recipes and barbecuing techniques she and their mom learned from Leo and Collis these recipes and techniques garnered Bonnie countless first place blue ribbons, trophies and awards for her barbecue. Bonnie is the visionary of this dynamic duo. While, Betty is the accountant, the one who keeps it all together. Betty is the "B" in the company name Bonnie B's Smokin.
Both Betty and Bonnie have an Unshakeable Belief in God and in the "Good" of Humanity, they welcome the opportunity to serve you!
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