We had the good fortune of connecting with EJ Smith and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi EJ, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
My intention wasn’t to start a PUDN business, it just evolved from coaching football, and we needed a fundraiser to raise money. It was only supposed to be for one week, but it ended up going all season long because everyone enjoyed it. We raised so much money to take care of equipment. A parent asked me to take a sample to his friends’ restaurant, they order a dozen. One month later, they were up to 300 PUDNs a week. It wasn’t until my wife needed her kitchen back and kicked me out that I found a deli for sell downtown Long Beach on Sixth and Pine and ended up opening the first Banana PUDN shop in the United States at that location.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Our PUDN is made from scratch, cooked in small kettle batches, KSA kosher certified. We were the first ones to do it. The collaborations we do, the non-profits we are able to work with, receiving the award of small business of the year in Murrieta, being able to coach, mentor and inspire, our PUDN Professional team is what we are most proud of and excited about. We got to where we are today through pure hard work and determination. My hardest cover is the scripture, “Walk by faith, not by sight,” so it didn’t matter whatever obstacles came my way, I had to overcome them. Lessons I’ve learned is that you cannot listen to anyone especially if they have not been in your shoes. many professionals told me I was doing things the wrong way, but if I would’ve listened to them, it would have deterred me, and I wouldn’t be in the position I am now. People should know that I am the pioneer of Banana PUDN, we opened the first banana PUDN shop in the U.S. back in 2004. We are a family-owned and operated business, father and son. We are located in Murrieta, CA 24520 Village Walk Pl. STE F, visit us at www.FamousPUDN.com to hear more of our story or to place an order.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
We would start with Grazing Theory for some charcuterie, then head over to Wilson Creek Winery for some wine and champagne, then to Oscar’s Brewing Company for some Famous PUDN beer on tap, then heading over to Savage Chef for dinner and last but not least head over to Famous PUDN for some Gourmet PUDN desserts.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
To start, our family, my mom, Mr. Phillip’s BBQ, The BBQ Church, Rib Nest, Woody’s BBQ, Louisiana Fried Chicken, Famous Amous, EJ Jr (my son), Valeria (my wife), our PUDN Professional Team, Management Staff, and our community.

Website: www.FamousPUDN.com

Instagram: @FamousPUDN

Facebook: @FamousPUDN

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutLA is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.