Today we’d like to introduce you to Guillermo Licea.
Hi Guillermo, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
In 1994, at the age of 18, I started working with a deer processing company, a small family-owned business. There I learned everything from skinning deer, to packaging the products such as sausage and meatballs. I worked vigorously for a couple years, when I was made manager of the production team. For several years I poured my heart out into this company as if it was my own and I loved what I did. The company grew and it became a very high production business, and it was great to see how I had been a big part of that. However, I made a personal choice and left the company in 2013 to focus more on my family. In 2014, I started working at Hunter’s Choice as the head butcher, and for another few years, I worked diligently and was very proud of the work I did. In 2023, I took an opportunity to work alongside the owner, and in 2024 I took over the business. Now, I am the proud owner of Hunter’s Choice, where my wife, daughters, and I pour our hearts into every season to make sure our customers get the best of us every year. I still work in production as a butcher, because it’s what makes me happy, and I like to make sure our customers are satisfied with the products they receive. We have, hunters from all over the state (and even some out of state) who come to us with their game each season, and we would like to do good by them and make sure they get the best we can provide for something that they worked so hard to harvest. I hope to continue to make our customers happy for years to come.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Since I owned the business, we have had a lot of learning curves. I am very knowledgeable in the production side, but not so much on the business side. My daughters have helped me a lot with bookkeeping and communicating with our customers.
We’ve been impressed with Hunter’s Choice, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
We are a game processor, which means hunters bring their “game” to us and we process it from start to finish, but we do not do domestic animal processing. We will skin, debone, and grind what you bring in and make it into a finished product such as sausages, meatballs, jerky, bologna, or hamburger patties. We are mostly known for our “strip jerky” which is what has won over most of our customers today. I would like for y’all to know, that we really do pride ourselves on being personable, and we would like to see more hunters come in and give our small business a try. We have a lot of products to choose from and are working hard to add even more delicious recipes to our menu. Bring your deer, hogs, elk, bear, and just about anything else to get turned into some delicious sausages.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
Not specific to what I do but, have patience. Things will come in due time and really enjoy what you do.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://hunterschoicellc.com/
- Facebook: Hunter’s Choice
