2024 Big Tex Business Masterclass Produces 15 Graduates

November 7, 2024 – On the evening of November 5, 2024, the annual Big Tex Business Masterclass concluded with a graduation ceremony for 15 hardworking and dedicated entrepreneurs. The five-month cohort comprised of several small businesses provides participants with a classroom, mentoring, and hands-on opportunities for growth and exposure to the food and beverage industry.

The Big Tex Business Masterclass is a dynamic educational series for small business owners and entrepreneurs in the food and beverage industry produced by the State Fair of Texas. The program aims to take existing businesses and educate them on implementing successful business operations and disciplines while creating an environment for networking and providing opportunities for growth and exposure. Completion of the program is not an automatic acceptance to the State Fair of Texas, but it allows a behind-the-scenes view and insight into what it takes to be a Food and Beverage Vendor at the Most Texan Place on Earth.

For the past five months, participants completed a series of curriculum, business mentoring, and vendor shadowing during the State Fair of Texas. The curriculum and sessions included topics such as Creating a Restaurant Growth Plan, Budgeting & Outsourcing, Customer Service that Excites and Engages, Marketing Your Food Business, Product Development, Franchising, Financing Options & Resources, and more. Congratulations to the 15 entrepreneurs who successfully completed and graduated from the 2024 Big Tex Business Masterclass:

• Damon Bankhead, Treat Yourself
• Lance Bounlatay, BNNV LLC
• Timothy Green, SMUPlayer17 FoodSeafood
• Antonio Guevara, Tejas BBQ + Tacos
• Ghouseuddin Mohammed (Tyler Wells), Rainbow7 LLC
• Shuntara Morris, Boudamnn
• Aisha Oladeji, KIMORA’S
• Gloria Suchil, Auroras Roasted Corn
• Tifany Swulius, Tejas BBQ + Tacos
• Lawerence Taylor, Versatile Ventures LLC
• Glenn Towery Jr., KC Seoul Kitchen
• Bryanna Watson, Bry’s Brew
• La’Tonja Williams, Tatyanna Pickle Palace & More
• Henry Woodfork, Bigg Chief Soulfood LLC
• LaToya Young, Roll Up Gourmet Egg Rolls

As mentoring plays a significant role in the Big Tex Business Masterclass program, The State Fair of Texas appreciates our 16 vendor mentors’ generosity as they provided support and guidance to the graduates throughout their journey in the cohort. Though the annual State Fair of Texas is the busiest time of year for these vendors, they were willing to allow the participants to shadow them, offering a wealth of knowledge and experience. The State Fair of Texas thanks these vendors for their continuous commitment and support to the Masterclass program:

• Tony Bednar, Tony’s Tacos
• Kerston Crawford-Thorns, Pearlie’s Southern Kitchen
• Christi Erpillo, Winter Family Concessions
• Tom Grace, TS Foodsystems
• Cody & Lauren Hays, Texas Holy Catering
• Javon Henderson, Benavides Foods
• Dwania Morris, Enjoy Foods
• Tami Nevins-Mayes, Nevins Concessions
• Greg Parish, Gourmet Royale
• Brent Reaves, Smokey John’s BBQ
• Nicole Sternes, SouthSide Steaks & Cakes
• Tammy Stiffler, Stiffler Concessions
• Kyle Wall, Eatertaining Events
• Royce West, 2-5 Concessions
• Milton & Gracie Whitley, Homestyle Foods
• Tony Woods, Wingfield

Shuntara Morris of Boudamnn conquered 75 hours of shadowing. “I entered this experience eager to learn, and it has exceeded my expectations in every way. Throughout, I often reminded myself, ‘You don’t know what you don’t know,’ and as a first-generation business owner, I wasn’t sure where to find the resources I needed. The biweekly meetings were incredibly valuable, equipping us with the tools to reach our full potential,” said Morris. “Mentoring with the Fernie family was truly inspiring; the insights and lessons they shared will stay with me for a lifetime. Their guidance also prompted me to reflect on the legacy I want to create—something I hadn’t considered before. I’m leaving this experience filled with fresh ideas and excitement for what lies ahead. I’m incredibly grateful for all I gained from the Big Tex Masterclass.”

The State Fair of Texas aims to give back through our partnerships with local organizations and initiatives while expanding outreach programs and placing a special priority on promoting community involvement. Our impact focuses on three areas of our mission – economic development, capacity building, and education, and the Big Tex Business Masterclass embodies all three. A special thank you to our partners and collaborators for continuously providing their greatest strengths and making this program possible: American National Bank of Texas, City of Dallas, Comerica Bank, SBA, SBDC of North Texas, SCORE Dallas, The Texas Mezzanine Fund, Vicky Cakes, and Wells Fargo. For more information, visit BigTex.com/Masterclass.