Who he is: Founder of Firebug BBQ, a line of barbecue sauces and rubs.

How long he’s done it: About three months.

Origin story: Kimball grew up on an Emporia, Kan., cattle ranch, where it was his job to burn the pastures in the spring (hence the nickname).
Kimball, a tile contractor by day, sells his barbecue sauce in more than 25 stores

The secret ingredient is …: Kimball uses 28 ingredients in his sweet and spicy mild sauce, which took third place in the specialty category at the 2009 American Royal Sauce Contest. The sweetness comes from raw sugar, caramelized onions and fresh blackberries. Crushed coriander, mustard seed and cinnamon bring flavor and complexity to the party.

The heat is on: Kimball also works in the kitchen at R.A. Longs Sawmill restaurant, 3365 S.W. Fascination Drive in Lee’s Summit.
“It’s exhilarating,” he says of his new career.