She’s ushering in a new era of entrepreneurship!
Jonnetta Patton is the original “MOMager,” managing her son Usher Raymond’s career as an R&B superstar for 17 years, AfroTech reports. While Usher was in the forefront, Patton was in the background, making sure his business affairs were taken care of, his brand was intact, and his sound and music reflected the classic icon that he was always destined to be.
“During that time between that first record and the second record, I worked in silence. I didn’t tell the record label what I was doing…See, they wanted him to be this bad boy image. Usher’s not a bad boy. That’s that whole image that they wanted. It didn’t work. So Usher said, ‘I’m gonna do it my way,’ and that’s basically what we did,” Patton previously explained.
His “My Way” album would go on to give him his first No. 1 record, setting the tone for a long and illustrious career while simultaneously catapulting Patton to the forefront, the mother and manager eventually opening a full-scale management company and production space. After years of dedication to her son and the music industry, Patton eventually branched out, opening a culinary incubator in 2016. It was a new frontier for her, but she had a heart for helping, “J’s Kitchen Culinary Incubator” supporting certified chefs, bakers, caterers, food producers, and mobile food service throughout Atlanta, Georgia.
Offering shared kitchen rental space, packaging services, and workspaces, Patton eventually was inspired to further her imprint in the sector, deciding to open her own restaurant. She is now the proud owner of “J’s Smokehouse,” a barbecue restaurant in Doraville, Georgia. Officially opening on August 2nd, the new restaurant boasts an authentic BBQ menu of ribs, brisket, chicken, and vegan items such as hot dogs and pulled pork.
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“We are a kitchen that deals with traditional, authentic food. So, I’ve had a chef that has grandma’s recipes so really this was inspired by my own personal chefs that I actually work with…This is an extension of the incubator,” Patton told reporters.
Of course, Usher was there for his mom’s grand opening, saying he was proud to support her the same way she had supported him for all those years.
“So happy to be out here to support your business…Congratulations…Come down here and get some of this incredible barbecue,” said Usher.
To place your order, visit www.jssmokehousebbq.com.
Cover photo: Usher’s Mother, Jonnetta Patton, Opens New BBQ Restaurant in Georgia/Photo credit: Jonnetta Patton/ @JPatJames/Instagram