Homemade Barbecue Sauce Leads Veteran From Germany to a Spotlight on QVC
May 5, 2021: Sgt. Ret Hart was stationed in Germany when he created the formula for his signature barbecue sauce.
To help build community among the soldiers and their families, Sgt. Hart and his team would frequently gather for barbecues. At one cookout, they ran out of sauce, so Sgt. Hart decided to use what he had on hand to make his own. The sweet and smoky mixture was met with resounding approval, so he kept on making it.
Years later, after returning to the U.S., Sgt. Hart and his wife, Makieda, founded Strong Family Bonds LLC to sell SGT. Hart’s Barbeque Sauce, with the hope of inspiring memorable meals that build bonds like the ones that Sgt. Hart created with his team in Germany.
Strong Family Bonds LLC is one of the 26 Veteran-owned businesses being featured during National Military Appreciation Month in Qurate Retail Group’s Small Business Spotlight, a collaboration with the National Retail Federation (NRF) Foundation to offer diverse small businesses increased exposure through QVC’s, HSN’s, and Zulily’s platforms.
Five of the businesses, including Strong Family Bonds LLC, will tell their stories live on air at QVC and HSN, with repackaged video also shared on QVC’s and HSN’s social pages, streaming service, and our YouTube channels. In addition, these businesses will be featured on QVC’s and HSN’s digital platforms, including a profile on QVC.com and HSN.com landing pages, and will have an opportunity to participate in a virtual mentorship program with Qurate Retail Group team members. The other 21 businesses will be promoted on QVC’s, HSN’s, and Zulily’s digital platforms and will receive social tools and resources to share their participation.
“The thought of a nationwide audience seeing our company and products is amazing,” said Sgt. Ret Hart. “I still work for the Department of the Army and my wife is the driving force behind the company. I am so proud to see her hard work be recognized, and I’m excited for the growth that the Small Business Spotlight could bring to Strong Family Bonds LLC.”
Qurate Retail Group and the NRF Foundation are supporting 100 entrepreneurs of diverse backgrounds this year through the Small Business Spotlight initiative. The program builds on Qurate Retail Group’s longstanding foundation of supporting small businesses and reflects our and NRF Foundation’s commitment to increasing opportunities for underrepresented groups.
To see the businesses in this month’s Small Business Spotlight and hear their stories, visit the Small Business Spotlight pages on QVC.com and HSN.com.