Meet Tori Coburn-Harriel-Austin | Community Activist/ Caterer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Tori Coburn-Harriel-Austin and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Tori, every day, we about how much execution matters, but we think ideas matter as well. How did you come up with the idea for your business?
I came up with my business ideas watching my grandmother cook and my mother working in the community. I knew I wanted to rebuild communities and through my grandmother I learned you could do this with food. Over the years I worked in both fields. I worked as a full time nanny through high school, catered through college, and then combined the two working in assisted living home. While simultaneously building my catering business.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Not only is Jonathan and James: A Blend of the South is not just a family catering company but we are also working to have a full non profit fully based in community rebuilding. Pearline’s Community named after my grandmother is an ode to old country family living. Being able to have the kids in the community playing freely, mothers and fathers joining together to build positive and encouraging environments. Remembering what it was like to play in the creek during the day and making it home safely by the time the streetlight comes on. We hope to not only rebuild but aquire property to make our own homes and community centers. Providing goods to any one who needs a push to improve themselves and their community.

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?
Honestly. I would throw them a community block party. My husband and I are blessed to have a wide arrangement of neighbors and friends who always have open arms to new people.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would like to thank my grandma pearline and Aunt Kitty for loving me through my pain. I want to thank all of those who taught me lessons I did not want or know I needed to learn. Most of all, I thank my husband for taking the time to learn and grow with me on this life journey and support me through my dreams others told me were unimaginable.

Website: https://jonathan-and-jamesa-blend-of-the-south-llc.business.site/

Instagram: @jonathan_james_catering