Today we’d like to introduce you to Carl Joseph.
Hi Carl, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
In 2023 I was busy with rugby and travel because I play for an elite travel team. I kept mentioning the idea to my close friend/mentor and he kept saying it was an awesome idea. 2024 rolled around I after my tournament in Vegas around this same time actually I said this year I’ll make it happen. Towards the end of May I decided to bring the idea to a friend that was worked in the food industry. Ashleigh is her name decided to set up a meeting with me and the woman I was dating during the time and I pitched everything I wanted to do with the idea.
She said I quote “ this is a fucking awesome idea holy shit lol”. I laughed and she was more excited than I was. I felt really supported by them both. So much so after the meeting the very next day I woke up and started making oatmeal protein balls. I started with my first flavor of peanut butter chocolate. Then I made cinnamon raisin and almond joy.
The process of working to perfect a craft was motivating and rewarding. I made the protein balls and the woman I was dating created the packaging and logo and would basically take pictures and she made the business Instagram. Not long after I started giving out free samples. I started with co workers at F45 that I worked at during the time as well. I made sure to give samples to kids because kids will tell you the truth if it’s really good or not. I definitely made sure to take all critiques on them. In turn I was able to make them better and tweak my recipes.
In August i signed up to do my first farmers market. August 27th I start at the Rotunda farmers market. It was one of the happiest days in my life honestly. I had samples and then I had the real size which comes in quantity of 5 for small and 9 for a large bag. I made a good about for the 3 flavors I had during the time. We actually almost sold out at my first market I may have had 5 to 8 bags left out of the 30 I had total.
After that day I completely locked in and start to make more and to work on different flavors. I made it my goal to learn and make my market to get to the place where I’d one day have a restaurant catered to oatmeal making it the star of the show and not just apart of the menu. I joined the fells point farmers market October 2024. I was excited and a little nervous. My first day there I sold out for the first time and it was a 4 hour market and I sold out with 90 minutes still to go. It was a great feeling but it also sucked because all I could do was sit there and hand out the rest of the samples lol.
When it started to get colder outside I then stated to make my overnight oats to incorporate them with the protein balls. I started with blueberry ONO, Mango, and Peaches & Cream. I also made samples so that made things easier for customers to make a selection. They also have feedback and left many reviews. With the foot track in Fells Point I started to create a buzz about the business.
We as in the woman I was dating created the slogan gourmet oatmeal done write as well as have you tried CJ’s balls. It was very funny and creative. It was an attention grabber and conversation starter. It made people very curious about CJ’s lol. I ended up making a Biscoff flavor protein balls and ONO. That quickly sold out and became the fan favorite along side peanut butter chocolate. I felt like I started something because going into 2025 around this time again I started seeing more business making something with Biscoff lol. Many people love my ONO and protein balls. I’ve shipped to 8 different states and counting. I’ll make it to all 50 just you watch.
2025 was a great year and tough year because so much happened. When I returned from my rugby tournament in Vegas i started the farmers markets again. Not long after I had to do one of the hardest things in my life which was lay one of my sisters down to rest. She was in a bad car accident. I went to the hospital every day for 2 weeks while she laid in a coma. It was an extremely difficult moment for me because I was excited to be selected to represent our country and play against Ghana’s national team and Nigeria’s national team that would happen later in 2025. I was to share the news with my sister and invite because she never had the chance to see me play internationally it was always either on the tv or live stream. Unfortunately I had to make the decision of letting her go because of the circumstances of her injuries. She was a doctor and had just been accepted into the Howard university hospital residency program. Only 5 people were selected and she was one of the 5. Having to pull the plug was the hardest things I’ve ever did in my life. Harder than any workout or training session I’ve put my body through.
After I handled everything with her funeral. I thought about how proud of me she was and I worked on regaining my focus on what I was passionate about which was my rugby career my oatmeal business, and sports performance business. I had my moments. Then my year anniversary for CJ’s Gourmet Oatmeal Bar rolled around and I must say it was an amazing day from the support from the team around me to all the smiles we put on people’s faces that day. It was definitely one of my favorite highlights of 2025.
Shorty after my 1 year anniversary I was in Ghana playing rugby and most of the time all I could think about was my sister not being there but watching from above. Definitely easily one of the most difficult times i played but also one of the best because I still had one of the best team families I’ve ever had. My treats name is called Roots rugby. We are a professional elite team from the states that travels to other countries and states that kicks butt and makes history.
When I tell you the owners of the team and my teammates the men and women lifted me there they really did. Amazing experience. When I retuned from Africa I ended up being approached by two businesswomen one for the hotel called The William Fells and her business partner. Wanted to do a partnership with me to sell my ONO in the hotel to make it apart of the breakfast menu and room service menu.
Literally a week after I my business was mentioned on the radio and I was just very humbled and honored. I end the 2025 year of with a 8 days series of videos to count down to the new year.
2026 has started off with nothing but positive vibes. I’m looking forward to what God has for me this year and preparing myself to walk through my door of opportunity when it opens.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I believe just like any business there are ups and downs. The biggest things I’d say I struggle with is building a team and having more resources.
That’s extremely important because i want people that are just as passionate and believe in my vision and fit the image of my business. I need genuine people that want to learn and be apart of something that I believe will be big and change how oatmeal can be enjoyed. My mother always told me do what you love and are passionate about be good to people an d honest and everything will fall in place.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about CJ’s Gourmet Oatmeal Bar?
C]’s Gourmet Oatmeal Bar was founded in May 2024 with one clear vision: to give oatmeal the spotlight it deserves. While there are countless breakfast restaurants, very few celebrate oatmeal as the star of the table. We set out to change that by reimagining this humble classic into something exciting, flavorful, and full of possibilities. Our mission is to create a space where oatmeal lovers (and even those on the fence) can experience it in a whole new way. From overnight oats and oatmeal bowls layered with fresh ingredients to protein-packed energy balls designed to fuel your day, every recipe is crafted to be both nourishing and delicious. At C]’s, oatmeal isn’t just breakfast. It’s a lifestyle of wholesome eating made convenient, creative, and gourmet.
At CJ’s Gourmet Oatmeal Bar, we transform a simple staple into a gourmet, energizing experience. Every batch is crafted with premium ingredients, balanced for both flavor and nutrition, so you get food that fuels your day without compromising taste. From overnight oats to protein-packed energy balls, we create snacks that are convenient, wholesome and designed to support active lifestyles. Whether you’re grabbing a quick bite at the farmers market or stocking up for the week, our oatmeal blends are a perfect mix of health, creativity, and satisfaction.
I’m most proud of the continuous growth of the business and my ability to keep going even though the food industry is very new to me. I’m proud to be able to learn and grow as an individual.
Someone I want the readers to know is you won’t experience any oatmeal better than mine. From the protein balls to the overnight oats to the sweet and savory bowls I make. Everything I make is made with love, passion and and a smile on my face. when it’s made that way you’ll taste it in every bite.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
“Time is the one thing you can never get back. As a man and a business owner running multiple ventures, I’ve learned that every minute counts. Use it wisely, invest it in growth, and never waste it.”
Pricing:
- Peanut butter chocolate protein balls: small $5 large $8 batch $20
- Altitude Oat Bites protein balls(Biscoff flavor): small $6 large $9 batch $22
- Airline Oatmeal Delight ONO (Biscoff flavor): 8oz $10 16oz $16 batch $37
- Blueberry ONO: 8oz $8 16oz $14 batch $35
- Cinnamon Raisin protein balls: small $6 large $9 batch $22
Contact Info:
- Website: https://cjsgourmetoatmealbar.square.site/?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAdGRleAQRTElleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZA8xMjQwMjQ1NzQyODc0MTQAAaccSaJT97Sd5E_bzf12Pmj4zC1qRlVFjmhaXmEPO0mHeHjC6UsFqpODgmsbEA_aem_qGmj1n1f87WagfMo32RpiA
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cjsgourmetoatmeal?igsh=MTNiZmpkaTc0aTZpMA==
- Yelp: https://m.yelp.com/biz/cjs-gourmet-oatmeal-bar-baltimore?utm_content=link_in_bio&utm_medium=social&utm_source=ig&dd_referrer=
