Smoked Meats & Mom Life: Colleen Anderson’s Recipe for Balance

Running a growing restaurant business with your spouse while raising a family isn’t for the faint of heart, but Colleen Anderson of Old Southern BBQ Smokehouse does it with purpose, humor, and a lot of heart.

Colleen and her husband, James, are the powerhouse duo behind Old Southern BBQ Smokehouse, which will soon open a brand-new location in Excelsior. While James brings the legacy (he’s a third-generation pitmaster and son of Famous Dave Anderson), Colleen brings a deep care for the people behind the brand—and that includes her team and her family.

To celebrate Mother’s Day, I sat down with Colleen to talk about motherhood, business ownership, and all the beautiful mess in between.

Balancing Family and the Fire Pit

When asked how she balances being a mom and running a business, Colleen gives a refreshingly honest answer: “I’m not nailing it—but I’ve gotten comfortable doing the best I can with either one.”

That honesty was like a breath of fresh air, a great reminder to all parents that it's more about flow than balance. Colleen starts her days at around 4 a.m., not because she’s trying to be superwoman but because she wants to be present for her boys when they wake up. The restaurant crew gets there at 6:30 a.m., so not taking calls or emails from 7 a.m. until 8 a.m. can be tough, but “I like to focus on the boys before they’re off to school.”

Once the after-school activities kick in, she shifts back into mom mode. Dinner, decompression, and downtime with her sons are non-negotiables. "We try to do three family dinners during the week, plus a weekend dinner together,” she says. 

Clearly, for Colleen, family isn’t something she squeezes in—it’s something she builds her life around.

James and Colleen Anderson

The Power of Partnership (and a Lot of Trust)

Running a business with your husband can be tricky, but for Colleen and James, it works. “We’re a good team because we both understand the importance of people,” she says.

And that people-first mindset extends to their staff. “It’s a family business; we treat our team like family. The trust we have in each other is a huge part of our success.”

Even the food stays in the family— They still consult with James’ parents about recipes. 

Colleen may not have a business background (she was a stay-at-home mom before co-owning the restaurant), but she’s built a leadership style that reflects her strengths as a mom: She delegates well, listens, and knows how to prioritize what—and who—matters.

Just for Fun: Colleen's Mother’s Day & Mom Life Confessions

Go-to meal at Old Southern BBQ Smokehouse: Build-Your-Own Bowl with brisket and mac & cheese 

Something surprising about her: She went from full-time mom life to business ownership, with no formal business background. 

Perfect Mother’s Day (in theory): Sleep in, nap, and have a phone-free day with her family.

Mother’s Day in reality? “I’ll go to brunch and pop into the restaurant!”

Rapid-Fire Mom Questions with Colleen

Favorite thing to do for “me time”?
I take a walk with my giant headphones (which my kids make fun of, but I love) and listen to a podcast like SmartLess, which is a favorite.

What’s always in your bag?
Everything—including those giant headphones.

Go-to mom superpower?
Listening.

Colleen’s story reminds us that balance isn’t about doing it all—it’s about doing what matters. Whether she’s building BBQ bowls, business plans, or bedtime routines, she does it with intention and a lot of love.

Happy Mother’s Day to all the women who are finding their rhythm in the beautiful chaos of family and business.

In true Maggie fashion, please be sure to support this family business.

Here are some ways you can… 

 Today (Friday, May 9th) and Saturday are Mayfest Fam Jam weekend at Excelsior Brewing Company, where Old Southern BBQ Smokehouse is serving up some delicious BBQ. It’s a great way to get a taste before they open. The tentative grand opening for their newest downtown Excelsior location is early June. Not in Excelsior? They also have four other locations in Hudson, Minneapolis, Arden Hills, and Shakopee.