About Hudson Hickory House Barbecue
It's common for entrepreneurs to dream of leaving their business to children or family members - passing on the family’s legacy. While not everyone seeks that type of responsibility, Helena Hudson knew the importance of carrying that torch for her family.
Elena is the third-generation business owner of Hudson Hickory House Barbecue in downtown Douglasville, Georgia. Her grandparents started the business in 1971. The full-service barbecue restaurant specializes in catering and has expanded over the years to add a food truck known as the HUD.
Female-owned and operated
While Elena has continued many of the deeply baked traditions started by her grandparents, she brings her own style as a female leader.
“I was following in my grandfather and my father's footsteps, and I'm the first female to operate this business full-time. Of course, my mother and my grandmother were here, but really, it's just me now and I love it,” Elena shared in our interview, later adding, “the barriers and the challenges that my mother and my grandmother faced - they walked so I could run, and I want to run so these younger girls can just get on that freight train and do the damn thing.”
Her passion for woman-owned businesses is evidence throughout Hickory House. From the lace on the HUD food truck, a nod to Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s famous lace dissent collars, to the message she shares in the community - it's clear she seeks to inspire others.
“It's just exciting to see that this construct of how women were supposed to be versus what we are doing in today's world. I just want to continue to show little girls that they can do that too.”
Her voice is already having a positive impact on the youth in the community. Displayed proudly in the restaurant is a letter that she received from a student, “She told me that I showed her that women could be business owners too. That just wrecked me, because I didn't think that what I was doing by talking to a classroom could have such an influence.”
More than a restaurant
Of course, Elena's story and example are not just for women, but inspiring to all entrepreneurs. She’s generous with sharing her challenges and experiences taking on the family-owned business.
“When my father unexpectedly passed away a few years ago, it was all thrust upon me, and it changed everything. I thought I knew what it meant to be a small business owner, and it's been so rewarding to test myself and push myself to these limits that I didn't even know I could reach.”
Elena sees her role as about more than taking care of her family’s business but a responsibility to the community and her employees.
“Even though it's just a restaurant from the outside, I'm taking care of more than fifty people, making sure they can put food on their family's tables. And of course, the community that we serve; making sure they have somewhere to eat during their lunch break.”
Her father’s tragedy coupled with the pressures of running a long-standing fixture in for the community was not easy. Elena shares that there were many times she came close to putting a “for sale” sign on the food truck or stopping other initiatives. Elena expressed that being a business owner is not easy, but the rewards for her have been worth it.
“My best piece of advice is not to get discouraged because it's so easy for that to happen. Being a small business owner is a challenge. It bears a lot of responsibility,” including to her family, “Continuing the legacy of Hudson Hickory House Barbecue is my way of honoring my family, supporting my community, and showing the strength and resilience women bring to the table.”
Plan your visit Hickory House to experience Elena's passion at hudsonhickoryhousebbq.com.
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