Nelson Head, owner and founder of Dixie Bones BBQ in Woodbridge, Virginia, tracks wholesale prices each week so menu prices can stay as fair as possible.
The photo on the restaurant wall is not decoration. It is why Dixie Bones fries catfish the old way—cane pole, pliers, and whatever you pulled out of the water yourself. That changed in the 1960s, when TVA scientists showed catfish could be farmed, and the U.S. industry followed. Dixie Bones still uses 100% farm-raised American catfish.
Nelson Head, owner and founder of Dixie Bones BBQ in Woodbridge, Virginia, tracks wholesale prices each week so menu prices can stay as fair as possible.
Last week a vendor sent regular russets instead of the premium U.S. No. 1 Idahos Dixie Bones had ordered. The boxes looked the same, and the potatoes look alike—but russets bake up mushy, watery, and bland, while Idahos stay firm, meaty, and full of potato flavor. The cooks caught the switch right away, baked one to confirm, and sent all 30 fifty-pound cases back with a polite note: don’t ever try to pull this again.
Nelson Head, owner and founder of Dixie Bones BBQ in Woodbridge, Virginia, tracks wholesale prices each week so menu prices can stay as fair as possible.
On Labor Day, Head’s thoughts turned to restaurant workers—the people who feed and serve guests when everyone else is off, and who are back at work preparing the next meal when the rest of the world returns to the office. For the last 30 years, he says, it has been an honor and privilege to spend his days and evenings with the people who make Dixie Bones work.
Incredibly excited to wrap up an awesome first summer. I’ve learned a lot, and I thought I’d share some of those lessons with you.
1. Hiring a JMU intern is a great idea.
This summer we were lucky enough to hire a young man from Woodbridge named Owen, who is a rising senior at JMU. He was exactly the spark we needed to help us push through our first busy summer season. We’ve already made him a job offer for next summer when he graduates, and we’re hopeful he’ll join us full-time.
2. People are generally helpful and want to see you succeed when you’re first starting out.
Over the summer, I was amazed by how many people wanted to help me get a strong start in my business. There were definitely times when I knew folks might not need a new roof, but they were still kind enough to let me come by, take a look, and give them a free estimate just in case. It was inspiring and motivating to know that there are strangers out there who don’t even know me but still want to see me win.
3. Hard work solves most problems.
From the beginning, I’ve been honest about having a lot to learn in this industry. What I’ve come to find is that even when I don’t know exactly what I’m doing, hard work will still often get me to the right result. When in doubt, just keep pushing. This is something I’ll remember as more hard times come and as we get ready to go through the cold winter season.
4. Working with property managers and realtors can be a win-win for everyone.
This year, we’ve built some great relationships with property managers and realtors. These folks are hardworking and busy, and the last thing they have time to worry about is a roof for their clients. We’ve worked with them to install new roofs, windows, gutters, doors, and siding on multiple occasions.
5. Some folks will slam the door in your face without thinking twice.
Things aren’t always easy in this game, and I don’t want to paint an overly rosy picture without talking about some of the hard stuff too. As a new person working hard to get your name out there, it can definitely be a little daunting when someone yells at you or slams the door in your face. Luckily, most people are warm and will at least talk to you, and we’ve appreciated that as we navigate these bumps along the way.
6. Most homeowners just want transparency and great customer service.
It’s wild how many contractors out there really can’t be trusted. We’ve come to learn quickly that homeowners just want fantastic customer service and transparency throughout the process. If you can honestly show someone how the process is going to take place and hold their hand a little along the way, you can make almost all of your customers pretty happy.
7. Homeowners taught me more than any training could have.
Nelson Head, owner and founder of Dixie Bones BBQ in Woodbridge, tracks wholesale prices weekly so menu prices stay as fair as possible.
A networking and awards event celebrating 99 years of service to the community — complete with wine, hors d’oeuvres, cake, and live jazz.
Starting August 29th, Feast & Fettle is bringing fully-prepared dinner to Prince William County, Woodbridge, and Manassas.
Feast & Fettle is not a subscription box full of ingredients and instructions. It is not another round of takeout, chosen at the last minute. The service is built for those looking for something different, who appreciate good food and want more time at home to enjoy it. Meals are prepared from scratch, using fresh, real ingredients. Dishes are delivered chilled, fully cooked, and ready to heat. Each week’s menu is unique, with a mix of dishes meant to cater to the full family, kids included.
That’s the whole model: skip the shopping and skip the prep. Fill the fridge each week, and when dinnertime hits, go straight to the part where everyone sits down together.
This launch builds on real traction. Since January, Feast & Fettle’s Howard County, MD facility has served the greater DMV, and that same infrastructure now reaches homes here.
The company’s approach comes down to one line they repeat often: you deserve better. For local families, that’s a dinner that’s already done by the time anyone gets home.
New members receive $50 off each of their first 3 weeks of service by using code POTOMACLOCAL at check out or following this link: HERE
Service begins August 29th. Learn more at the link HERE.
Nelson Head, owner and founder of Dixie Bones BBQ in Woodbridge, Virginia, tracks wholesale prices every week so menu prices can stay as fair as possible.
Price changes this week:
A networking and awards event celebrating 99 years of service to the community — complete with wine, hors d’oeuvres, cake, and live jazz.
Nelson Head, owner and founder of Dixie Bones BBQ in Woodbridge, Virginia, tracks wholesale prices weekly so menu prices stay as fair as possible.
