10/10/2026
I want to take a moment to give some well-deserved flowers to Jerome Johnson of Slappy's Slaw Dog and Sandwich!
Man, when I tell you this dude is a straight-up stand-up cat, I mean that wholeheartedly!
Since getting to know Jerome, he's been nothing but genuine, supportive, and willing to share his knowledge and wisdom about the food industry. From offering guidance and advice to being open to collaborations and even creating an opportunity to get some of my Rub-N-Grub products into his store, he's been a solid individual every step of the way.
This is the type of relationship I believe more entrepreneurs, creatives, and people in the food industry should have with one another.
Unfortunately, too often people view others in the same space as competition rather than recognizing the opportunities that come from building genuine relationships, sharing knowledge, and supporting one another. Everybody can eat! Somebody else's success doesn't have to come at the expense of your own.
And here's a little backstory...
Before I ever developed a personal relationship with Jerome, I stopped by his establishment and ordered an Italian beef sandwich. Now, anybody who knows me knows that Italian beef is one of my absolute FAVORITE sandwiches.
To this day, I maintain that Jerome makes the BEST Italian beef I've had anywhere in the state of Michigan! And when I finally had the opportunity to meet him personally, I told him exactly that. I meant it then, and I still stand on it today!
I believe in giving people their flowers while they're here to receive them, especially people who operate with integrity, humility, and a genuine willingness to see others succeed.
Jerome, I appreciate you, brother! Thank you for the wisdom, the opportunities, the conversations, and most importantly, for simply being a solid individual.
I wish you and Slappy's nothing but continued growth, prosperity, and success. You deserve every bit of it!
This is what building community through business should look like. Respect, collaboration, and mutual support. 💯
