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Collin and Kyla Pollock, Founder and Owners of WheelyQ Barbecue photographed in a modern farmhouse kitchen.

BUILT IN A KITCHEN, FUELED BY A MISSION

WheelyQ Barbecue is a mission-driven, disabled-owned, family-run brand born from a love of great BBQ — and a refusal to let Spinal Muscular Atrophy define what's possible.

Collin, founder of WheelyQ Barbecue, sitting in a wheelchair next to a big green egg.

THE FOUNDATION

We are often asked, “How did WheelyQ get started?” Well, pull up a chair, grab a tri-tip sandwich (extra napkins recommended), and let’s get into it.

Around his 40th birthday, Collin found himself at a crossroads. He lives with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA), a progressive neuromuscular disease that eventually took away his ability to walk. He was looking for his next big adventure, and as it turns out, adventure smells a lot like hickory smoke.

Kyla—Collin’s wife, lead cheerleader, and "Chief Officer of Wild Ideas"—decided to surprise him with his very first smoker. Collin’s response? He decided to whip up a massive batch of homemade BBQ sauce to give away as party favors. Because nothing says "Happy Birthday to me" like giving everyone else a gift they’ll be craving for months.

Image of a mason jar of barbecue sauce with a brush laying on top that was dipped in sauce.

The "Wait, You Made This?" Moment

After the party, the feedback started rolling in. We weren't just getting "thank you" notes; we were getting interrogated:

  • "Where did you buy that sauce? I need a gallon."
  • "Is this a family secret, or can I find it in stores?"
  • "Seriously, Collin, did you actually make this?"

Curious if our friends were just being polite or if the sauce was actually "the one," we ran taste tests with anyone who would stand still long enough to try a sample. After a few tweaks and a lot of kitchen experiments, we landed on a recipe we absolutely loved. Just like that, WheelyQ Barbecue moved from the kitchen counter to the real world.

WheelyQ's Ancho Espresso Rub & Seasoning in a rustic kitchen with coffee beans and ancho chiles surrounding the bottle.

Leap of Faith (Kitchen-Tested, Neighbor-Approved)

In 2014, WheelyQ became an official business. We traded the casual hobby for a mission. We went from bottling in our kitchen to realizing that this "next adventure" Collin was looking for wasn't just about great food—it was about creating something that mattered.

Taking that leap wasn't just about selling sauce; it was about proving that a "crossroads" in life is just a great place to start a fire and get cooking.

SHOP OUR PRODUCTS
Collection of WheelyQ Barbecue products. Original Recipe Barbecue Sauce, All-Purpose Rub, Ancho Espresso Seasoning and SPG Seasoning with a kitchen scene in the background.

MISSION-DRIVEN BARBECUE

At WheelyQ, Our Purpose is to have a Purpose. Anyone can sell a product to make a buck, but we wanted to use our platform to move the needle for the SMA community.

From day one, giving back has been the backbone of everything we do. We use WheelyQ to raise awareness for Spinal Muscular Atrophy and donate a portion of our profits directly to research.

  • 10,000+ Bottles Sold
  • Expanded Rub & Seasoning Line
  • Proudly Supporting SMA Charities since the start

When you buy a bottle of WheelyQ, you aren't just getting the best seat at the grill—you’re helping us fight for a cure.