Today we’d like to introduce you to Sheena Bryant.
Hi Sheena, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Well, long story short, I grew up in Cairo, GA which is really the country. I think my childhood was really rough, my mother wasn’t present and my father wasn’t always around due to working. Plus, there weren’t a lot of opportunities in Cairo. So I moved to Atlanta as soon as I could. Learning to navigate a big city on my own was tough and I made some mistakes along the way. Luckily mistakes are how you grow. I started cooking as a side hobby but I’ve always loved how it feels to be in the kitchen and one of my goals was to have a restaurant of my own. One of my mistakes actually led to my incarceration where I was able to really reflect on my goals and path. 10 years after my release with the help of friends, family, and God, I was able to open my restaurant in Roswell, GA. That’s where you’ll find me today.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The biggest struggle was doing this largely on my own. There was so much I was unprepared for as a first time entrepreneur, including contractors. I spent at least twice as much as needed opening the restaurant due to rookie mistakes and trusting the wrong people. Then with COVID slowing down operations, it took longer to pass regulations and actually open. I spent almost a year paying rent for a location that wasn’t even operational. Through encouragement from family and a lot of prayer, I was able to face and overcome each obstacle to open the restaurant in June 2020, which outside of my kids, is my proudest achievement.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m really passionate about what I do. I am the person that opens the doors every day and locks them every night. I cook southern foods that taste like your grandmother’s kitchen. I’m obsessed with what my customers think and how my food taste. I’m so proud of the feedback that we get and remaining a full time employee in the kitchen always helps me to stay connected to the guests that come in and their experience. I try to remain humble through everything and I continue to be who God wants me to be and who I always have been, a country girl from Cairo Ga. Whether I’m with customers or employees – who I consider co workers- its important to me that everyone is getting an Authentic Sheena, and that comes out in my food as well.
What are your plans for the future?
As of now the restaurant has become more of a to-go situation even though we do have indoor dining. I’m working on opening a second location that feels more upscale dining, which will finally include a bar!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.southernclassicfoods.com/
- Instagram: @southernclassicfoods
- Facebook: Southern Classic Foods
