By Sophie Leopold
For the owners of Big Bon, work ethic involves much more than producing food and turning a profit. Kay Heritage and her daughter Anna founded their mobile restaurant with family, love and the desire to take a unique approach in managing a kitchen. While Big Bon’s pizza truck celebrates fun, the team is seriously committed to running their operation with intention. Valuing excellence in details and honesty in experience is just the beginning of what sets Big Bon apart from other culinary interactions.
Two-and-a-half years ago the Heritage family and the wood-fired pizza oven on wheels began popping up across the city to serve innovative, Neapolitan style pies. They are conscience in sourcing genuine ingredients, shipping both flour and tomatoes in from Italy, but are not afraid to play with tradition in the name of flavor, for example, kimchi on pizza, in honor of Heritage’s Korean roots. Big Bon’s philosophy is deeply grounded in delivering an authentic, yet inventive meal.
Big Bon’s guiding principles continue to extend far beyond what appeals to the taste buds. Heritage believes their defining purpose is to coach the team with life skills in the form of a hands-on business school. They recognized business skills are not always readily taught, even in the ranks of higher education. By working in the pizza truck the Heritages aim to fill this gap in training young adults for the real world. A goal of Big Bon is to share as much of their process with the team as possible. Full disclosure about financials allows each employee to gain perspective about the realities of a functioning business.
“Personally, it is not the actual work that is fulfilling,” said Heritage. “Seeing my team grow, professionally, emotionally and in maturity…that’s what satisfies me.”
The founders are equally dedicated to creating a positive learning environment for each of their employees. Heritage prefers to disregard the term ‘employee’ in favor of calling everyone part of the family. Removing hierarchy, she feels this creates a space where the team can evolve together. Heritage is committed to protecting the positive culture they work hard to maintain. Forming a place for everyone to feel safe is a top priority for all to thrive on shift at Big Bon.
Meaningful and uplifting connection has directed the Heritage family from Day One. The brand identity of Big Bon comes from Heritage’s husband’s own nickname, whose specialty is bringing people together with the warmth of a cozy fire. They call little blazes “Baby Bons,” and the larger “Big Bons.” From family affection, the name of business was born. Today, the team strives to foster the feeling of gathering around a bonfire in customer relationships.
Reflecting on what sets Big Bon apart from others in the industry, Heritage believes it always goes back to their driving intention. The team hopes not only to impact those in their own work environment, but a start a trend of performing with purpose in in the restaurant community.
