The Buddy Ruski Show

On episode 26 of The Buddy Ruski Show, Justin interviews Mark Overbay.

Mark's origins begin in Kingsport, Tennessee where his interest in food and nutrition started when his father was diagnosed with Type-2 Diabetes. He became the food guru of his family, learning about healthy eating habits and nagging his parents to try new ways of cooking to support his father's health. (2:03) In turn, Mark learned about the ups and downs of entrepreneurship through his parents -- his parents owned a jewelry store. (14:14)

Mark attended Davidson College where he double majored in English Literature and Philosophy with a concentration in Film Studies. (19:19) His interest in storytelling ultimately lead to a career in journalism after graduated. It was during his time at Yes! Magazine in Seattle that Mark met a mentor who persuaded him to join the Peace Corp. (31:13)

While volunteering in Zimbabwe, Mark desperately missed one of his favorite foods: peanut butter. After watching local farmers using peanuts for other types of foods, he took a shot at making his own homemade peanut butter. "Not to toot my own horn, but it was so delicious." (35:17)

Eventually, Mark took a job working for Counter Culture coffee and moved to Durham. It was in his backyard in 2010 where Mark's craving for freshly-made peanut butter resurfaced. After remembering the peanut butter he made in Zimbabwe, Mark decided to take the leap and co-founded Big Spoon Roasters with his now-wife Megan. Big Spoon was a nickname Mark's father held because of the way he ate big spoonfuls of peanut butter right out of the jar (39:59)

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