Meet Jewerl Stroman | CEO/Chef & Supply Chain Professional

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jewerl Stroman and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jewerl, what role has risk played in your life or career?
I find risk to be the very thing that has pushed me to achieve so many things in my life. I was taught to never be scared of failure and never let fear stop you from trying. I have grown to learn that many things you want to do happen once you do one big thing you have been scared of doing. It’s like it’s the master key to so many doors when you thought it was only unlocking one. Taking risks are how you test your mental state in times of uncertainty. It’s what got me to junior Olympic a, college, China, Atlanta, and my own business. It’s also what has gotten me to tap into me. My true essence, power and impact.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I started my business ODDZ N ENDZ Southern Cuisine during the pandemic. I already was in my corporate career of Supply Chain Management but had hit a bit of a ceiling when it came to career progression. I had a battle with the politics of the corporate environment that don’t always make it easy for black educated gay male. So I took this moment to create my own business and environment that was conducive to me and also one I did not have to put on a face for everyday. I could be as creative as I wanted with my recipes and services. I am a big people person so many times I’d sell myself before they could even get to the food because of the connections I would make just interacting with new people everyday.

I named by business ODDZ N ENDZ because that’s often what I may have had at the time to make a meal and some of my featured recipes. This also is what many of our cultural staples derived from. My signature item “Daddy’z Gumbo” is a top seller and it literally is what launched my business. Gumbo was originally made from the scraps of food that  slaves had at the time to make a soup like many of our glorified dishes we enjoy today.

I made a faith move on myself and my talent. There was no blueprint for this and I did not have anyone consulting me on how to go about starting my business. I did my own licensing, name creation, marketing materials, website and cooking. I would reinvest into my company and keep a standard for my brand which is leading with flavor first!

I wanted people to connect with me through my food and that in itself created the impact and exposure that propelled my business the way it did in just the first year. Food is a instant catalyst to relationships and connecting with others. In the black community food is used as a unifier and comforter. My favorite part about after all the work is done is just seeing the joy my food, my work and my passion brings people. When it’s good, they will talk about it all night!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Atlanta has so many places and things to do so I would take my friend to Cirque for Bottomless crab legs ,Taco Tuesday at Nuevo Laredo Cantina, drinks on the belt-line rooftop bars Wednesday, karaoke at G’s midtown Thursday, Happy Hour at Fin & Feather on Friday, The Painted duck on Saturday, and Garden Parc for brunch & Sunday funday in midtown.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Atlanta has so many places and things to do so I would take my friend to Cirque for Bottomless crab legs ,Taco Tuesday at Nuevo Laredo Cantina, drinks on the belt-line rooftop bars Wednesday, karaoke at G’s midtown Thursday, Happy Hour at Fin & Feather on Friday, The Painted duck on Saturday, and Garden Parc for brunch & Sunday funday in midtown.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I’d like to recognize my mom Marie Alcazar for setting the tone for my grind and mindset when it comes to continuously reinventing myself and raising my own bar. My family for instilling in me standards of a respectable man and how to command respect without tearing down others in the process. My grandmother for always believing and encouraging me, she is the epitome of “Ride or Die”. Last but not least. My “Pa Pa” for being the light and strength when I needed even in his passing he still steps in right on time. He was the first man I saw command the kitchen.

Website: Oddznendzatl.com

Instagram: Amor_Martel

Linkedin: http://linkedin.com/in/jewerlstroman