Today we’d like to introduce you to Tawanda Pirtle.
Hi Tawanda, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I was taught the importance of communication at a very young age. My parents owned a community grocery store for over 40 years, so from the time I started walking and talking until today at 68 years old I have always worked with the general public in some fashion. From family businesses to community businesses to large corporations to today as a owner of Jack Pirtle’s Restaurants which was opened by my husband’s parents in 1957 and Feelin Memphis Retail Shop opened by myself in 2020, being in the service business has always been a major part of my daily life. My business partner, best friend and husband Cordell of nearly 34 years says begins around people, laughing and talking is just something that is required for me to be happy.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
In hindsight I can now say yes, but when growing up in the small business world it was very tough and always demanding. I feel like I went from a kid to an adult Today, I am extremely thankful for the lessons I learned as that young kid from my parents, the lessons I learned from my teachers and then the lessons I learned as an young woman from my employers. And, most of all the lessons I still learn everyday talking with visitors and serving customers at our businesses and surrounding myself with a well diverse group of friends.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am very blessed to be well around in all business matters and life. I am the responsible person for the overall operation of Jack Pirtle’s Chicken which includes 5 Memphis restaurants.
Now, the biggest lesson in business and life is that you totally understand you as an owner have no value unless you value and surround youself with good people that you trust, respect and appreciate. At Jack Pirtle i am only as valuable as my team which includes in my opinion i have the best general manager, store managers and assist managers and team members in the business.
Also, I own and operate Feelin Memphis a unique retail shop in Downtown that I opened in 2020. Its success is due to the team members, the setting of stable business hours, open 7 days a week from 9am til 6pm. Yes, its lots of hard work and you must be devoted to your city, county and community in which you live. Surviving in small businesses in todays world of daily challenges and changes you have no control over makes you as a business owner do double duty. But, if you do your part by always changing to make it better, watching everything about it and staying on top of it… you will be successfully.
What are your plans for the future?
We LIVE and LOVE TO watch our home town MEMPHIS and our community continue to grow in positive ways. This only happens by learning from our mistakes and making life better for our kids and their future.
Life is not complicated… right is right and wrong is always still wrong. BE a good human to ALL mankind.
As I like to say at the age of 68 today and Cordell’s at 82 we are running the last track and field of our life.
Its our job the leave our home and community in the best condition that we possibly can for the future.
Cordell and I have shared life together over 34 years and have 5 kids from 43 to 63 years of age. He has 3 daughters (2 deceased) and I have one daughter and one son, we have 14 grandchildren and 20 great grandchildren.
Can you say we have a responsibility just like each and every person does … to leave MEMPHIS the best we can for the FUTURE!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://feelin-memphis.com/
- Email: Feelinmemphis2020@gmail.com
- Instagram: Feelin Memphis
- Facebook: Tawanda Pirtle
- Youtube: Feelin Memphis, Tawanda Pirtle
