Today we’d like to introduce you to Pierre Hendrix.
Pierre, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
My mother and my birth father separated before I was born which caused my mom to have to raise my sister and I until she met my step dad when I was three years old. They got married three months after meeting and my sister and I gained a younger sister; we became a blended family. Due to many difficult challenges and struggles between my mom and stepdad, it caused our family to move constantly, sometimes even to the point where we slept on the floor of some of our family member’s homes or cheap motels. Honestly, it was to the point where it seemed as though we moved every three- six months. One would think that the constant relocation would cause many setbacks in my life and would make it nearly impossible for me to build true lasting friendships or relationships with anyone. But my mom had a way of making the transition seems as though we were on mini vacations which seemed fun to me; I know that seems strange. It didn’t really hit me of what we were going through until a major shift happened in our lives that changed our world. This change catapulted our family to relocate to Dalton, Georgia. This shifting was more than just a relocation; I discovered it was a complete life- changing event. I remember in beginning, one would say that I became a bit of loner and looked forward to holidays where I would reconnect with my cousins. Moving to Dalton, Georgia was a blessing and a curse. At that time of transition, I built up so much anger on the inside with myself and our lives because I was too young to help my mom and sister and felt helpless to our situation.
“But in the darkness, there will always be light”
My mother noticed this within me and decided to sign me up for little league football, which was the greatest decision my mom made concerning me at that time in my life. I continued to play football through middle school and high school and earned a scholarship to play JUCCO football in Kansas. I left Kansas and transitioned back to Florida where I attended Hillsborough Community College. From Hillsborough Community College I went back to Florida with my family where I decided to walk on as a football player with Georgia Southern University. During tryouts, I lost my grandfather to cancer; the one true man I really considered to be my heart growing up. After losing my grandfather, my life went for whirlwind and I lost my passion for football; I honestly lost passion for life. But in the darkness, there will always be light. I returned to Georgia Southern University and bonded with a classmate, Bayo, from my calculus class whom I discovered was part of a fraternity. He talked to me about the advantages of becoming apart of the brotherhood. Initially, I was a little hesitant, but after talking to my family, I trusted him and decided to cross. Joining Phi Beta Sigma helped me to be heard, they gave me a voice where I felt comfortable telling my story and provided leverage in understanding how to truly develop as a Grown man and as a businessman.
“If the door of opportunity isn’t there, make one”
As I continued to grow and learn, I took up odd jobs at TJ Maxx and Books-a-million. One day while working at TJ Maxx, my old professor, Susan Roach, came into store and asked what were my plans after finishing school. I told her I was thinking about a little acting maybe some modeling; no real clear vision at that time, but working on a plan. We begin to talk about an opportunity in Atlanta, GA that will help me gain leverage in the market and meet a diverse group of successful business owners. She asked me to get a resume together and bring several copies on the next day and that she would arrange for me to meet some of them at career fair. The next business day she literally walked me around and introduced me to those she knew on a first name basis. One of the companies I really connected with was National Distributing, Inc. Atlanta, GA. One interview and I landed the job. Working with company allowed me to meet with other successful business owners and I begin to build a professional client list. The company open the doors for me to began networking and I learned the business lingo while gaining validity under my name. But the one thing I noticed was missing, was the true connectivity between successful millennial business owners and curators. I did not have a clear- cut plan, but I knew something will foster if I continue to talk to others and pick their brains, so to speak. One Saturday afternoon, a friend of mine (Jasmine Harvard) was having a party at her house, and we began to speak and think collectively. Trying to find a way to create a faucet to connect progressive millennials and showcase their work. Nowadays brunch is something that everyone in my friendship circle looks forward to every weekend, and Jas’s roommate and close friend (Stevie Berry) is a certified chef. Hence Forth “The Brunch Club Atlanta” is born. Created to tear down negative connotations revolving around millennials; as well as to serve as an exhibit and connect progressives.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
The road has definitely not been a smooth one; I think that is always the case when one is working with a team. You’re dealing with different personalities, and figuring out what assets each team member brings to the table. Accountability has been a tough one when it comes to business dealings. Due to THBCA not having a set venue, we have to set up at different locations every month. We constantly have to trust owners to be on time for setup and trust that the sound for the DJ booth is in order. Understanding the strengths and weaknesses of my team is vital. Some members don’t have the reach through social media to pull in a crowd but are very punctual with great work ethic. I feel like just figuring that level out through trial and error was the biggest obstacle.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
The Brunch Club Atlanta is a platform that focuses on breaking down negative connotations of the millennial generation. We create lifestyle events to connect progressive millennial’s as well as entrepreneurs, artists and other creators around the city. Each event has a different theme behind it. We have a vendor table set up to showcase their crafts, live artists performances, and new chefs to implement new food ideas and showcase their business. We implemented a different way to brunch by creating a comfortable setting to network and meet other creative thinkers. I am most proud of my team, we are very transparent about how we run our business; as well as bringing forth so many different creative ideas to make sure that our next event (is in someway different experience then the last.) hits the ball right out of the park. Each patron always gets a different experience. Our guests appreciate each moment that they share and we try to captivate those moments through our social media page. What sets us apart is we are not a promo team, we are a lifestyle, we are a club. Each event we bridge the gap of brunch and business.
What were you like growing up?
Growing up, it was just me and my sister and she was a little bit older so I found my way through sports. I focused a lot on trying to become the great football player. A dream that provided an opportunity to transition my families life. My mother raised me with integrity, to be determined, and to always treat others with respect. My interest has always been sports; I played football, basketball, and even wrestled for a brief moment.
Pricing:
- Bottomless mimosas and Brunch Buffet $35
Contact Info:
- Phone: 727-212-1204
- Email: pierre.Hendrix996@icloud.com
- Instagram: The Brunch Club Atlanta
Image Credit:
Jasmine Harvard, Stevie Berry, Evan Dekay
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