How This Former Escort Turned Into A BBQ Pro

This is a story about how anyone can turn something they’re passionate about into a fulfilling and fruitful career. We’ve met with a former call girl who turned her passion for barbecue into a booming business. She’s now considered one of America’s best pit masters, but it wasn’t always that way.

Meet Jessica

The woman in question is named Jessica Murnane, and she was once an escort. Now she owns a restaurant called Smoke in New York City with two locations. Her first restaurant had humble beginnings. It started as a small catering company on Long Island, before moving to Brooklyn and opening up shop on Wythe Avenue. From there, the business took off and grew exponentially. Today, it employs over 30 people.

Our Interview With The Former Escort

We sat down with Jessica to discuss her journey from escort to entrepreneur.

Scotts BBQ: What made you want to become an escort?

Jessica: “Well, I guess it was because I didn’t have much else going on at the time. There were no jobs around where I lived, so I went online and found a website called SumoSearch that would connect me with someone willing to pay for my company.”

Scotts BBQ: Did you ever think you’d be in this position?

Jessica: “I never thought I’d get out. When I was working with escorting, I never imagined that I’d meet someone like myself who could help me escape.”

Scotts BBQ: How did you get involved with your current business?

Jessica: “When I got out of the escort world and tried to re-enter society, I had a lot of difficulty finding employment. People looked at me funny when I told them what I used to do for a living. But then I met someone who worked in real estate, and he introduced me to his friend, George. He owned several apartments in Manhattan, and he wanted to open up a restaurant. So we discussed opening up a barbecue joint, and that’s what we’ve been doing since 2010.”

Scotts BBQ: Do you feel any different being an entrepreneur rather than just another escort?

Jessica: “Not really. I still see myself as the same person that everyone knows from back home. I’m not trying to fool anyone or hide anything. If they don’t want to hire me because I used to sell my body, then that’s their problem. I know I’ll find more success here than I ever did as an escort.”

Scotts BBQ: You seem to be very confident. Is that something you developed while you were an escort?

Jessica: “You have to be. In this line of work, you learn how to handle yourself. And confidence goes a long way. That’s why I get hired most of the time. People respect you if you stand up straight and don’t show fear.”

Scotts BBQ: What advice would you give to others looking to go into entrepreneurship?

Jessica: “If you want to start your own business, you have to be prepared for the challenges ahead of you. Don’t expect things to happen overnight. If you’re patient and persistent, the rewards will eventually come. You might have to work harder than you ever have, but it’s all worth it in the end.”

Scotts BBQ: Thank you Jessica. I appreciate you taking time out of your day to speak with us.

Jessica: “My pleasure! Thanks for having me!”

Starting Your Own BBQ Restaurant?

Starting a new business takes commitment, hard work, and lots of patience. If you’re thinking about starting a BBQ restaurant or other business, be sure to reach out to us. We can provide you with the resources you need to succeed. With our experience in the industry, we’ll point you in the right direction. We just want to see other people follow their dreams too. Thanks again for reading. Stay tuned, and watch this space for more exciting articles about cooking and grilling.