Today we’d like to introduce you to Gregory Glass.
Hi Gregory , it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
My story is layered like many. I was born in Greenwood MS. I spent most days with family. I was raised in a two parent household until I was 12. My gravel street had aunties and uncles from both sides of my family. Cousins were everywhere, and so was community. After my parents divorced, my mother moved us to Jackson, MS. There I only had friends to fill that gaping whole of community. I was an artist. I could draw and much of my calling from that point was art. As I got older, that talent kinda manifested into cooking. I was forced to make my own meal in a restaurant I worked in college. I got older, I moved around, I cooked. I got better. My purpose didn’t really hit me until the pandemic. Being inside gave me a deeper appreciation for what food could do. I opened a food truck called YaadBird in Austin, TX and that’s when I knew I’d never stop feeding people. I was blessed to travel to Italy, Portugal and train in Ecuador to learn food sustainability and diversity. After returning home to Jackson after 20 yrs away, I had purpose. Then came Sermon Sandwich Bar. A restaurant designed for community and culture. A hub for nostalgia and purpose.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
No at all smooth. But when I think back it could have certainly been more rough so I’m grateful. There has been divorce. I was away from my son for decades. Financial struggle that almost made me quit. Feelings of imposter syndrome. Outside factors pressing me to do other work. Every step along the way has been a trudge. But usually anything worth it is.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
My work in all over the place. I went to school for marketing and have always leaned toward shifting or molding preferences. Other than restaurants I was a consultant for 3 years. I also was in sales in the Saas field. I was a director for a nonprofit and mentored returning citizens. That particular role helped me more than any. There I learned that life deals many hands and the hand I got was pretty damn good. I also learned that in many cases you have little choice in how you receive that hand. But how you play it is key.
Restaurant from Jason’s Deli to Pluckers all inform my business acumen.
How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
I use Instagram as my mode of global connection. @sermonsandwichbar @doughdoughbirdjxn. Support to me looks like an open mind. I don’t always follow trends in my restaurants. I’m often outside the lines on purpose. Exposure was the thing that made me feel that anything is possible. I think we all deserve that mindset. So, in my restaurants or in my relationships, that’s my approach. Collaboration is so vital to community. My relationships adore what I value most.
Pricing:
- Booking: variiable
- Speaking: variable
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @sermonsandwichbar
- Other: @yaadbirdbychefgreg
