Photographer: @rarifilmz
Hair: @tytheglamking
Styling: @troy_clinton
Chef outfit: @seni_chic
Glam: @makeupbybarbee
Inventive Route/ PR: @iameboyne @divineinfluencepr
The Trailblazer
On occasion you meet somebody whose presence not solely impacts their group, however impacts the world. And that somebody is none apart from Ebony Austin, famend restaurateur, serial entrepreneur, and philanthropist. Ebony has devoted her total life to giving again to others, and from her current milestone, she is simply getting began! Ebony’s extremely acclaimed grits line, Nouveau Creations by Nouveau Bar & Grill, is now accessible in 45 Meals Lion shops all through Georgia, with an unbelievable initiative to assist HBCU college students by contributing 100% of all proceeds to scholarships, making larger training extra accessible to aspiring students.
Most not too long ago, Ebony celebrated her 2 12 months anniversary for Nouveau Bar & Grill by shining a light-weight on HBCUs at her yearly Stomp the Yard occasion with all proceeds from her grits line going to rewarding college students with over 30 scholarships starting from $500.00-$5,000.00! Along with the quite a few scholarships, Ebony additionally gave away comforters, air fryers, and fridges; to assist college students get acclimated with faculty residing. For her timeless and basic magnificence, and most of all her real coronary heart for the betterment of others, Ebony Austin is undoubtedly Hype Hair’s illustrious Girl of the 12 months.
In honor of Black Restaurant Week, Hype Hair sat down with the enduring trailblazer to debate her coronary heart for HBCUs, the legacy and soul of Nouveau Bar & Grill, and naturally, all issues magnificence and magnificence.
– ADVERTISEMENT –
We’re tremendous excited to characteristic you as an unique digital cowl story throughout Atlanta’s Black Restaurant Week! Congratulations on having your finest promoting grits being offered in over 45 Meals Lion Shops in Georgia! What’s equally as superb is that each one proceeds out of your grits go to serving to HBCU college students go to varsity! You’re making such an impression in the group, and on this planet! What impressed you to do that?
It was all impressed by my battle in faculty. I attended an HBCU–I attended Langston College in Oklahoma. However I struggled a lot from the time I registered. I struggled till the tip, and I feel that God blessed me and put me ready to have the ability to assist different college students not undergo the identical struggles that I went by. I feel that’s why my grits line is so expensive to my coronary heart as a result of really the entire proceeds return to HBCU college students. And I feel my faculty expertise was the toughest time of my life, however but it was probably the most fulfilling time of my life. I’m simply so grateful to be on this place to offer again, and it’s so essential to dedicate your life to the lives of others. Just like the Bible says, ‘to whom a lot is given a lot is required.’
You’re completely killing the restaurant recreation proper now, and trying flawless whereas doing it. So inform us in regards to the conception of Nouveau Bar and Grill, and the staple bestsellers in your menu?
I come from customer support, and I labored as a enterprise improvement supervisor for years. And so for me, once I went into actual property, it was an amazing concept. However I realized that I used to be lacking one thing. I really like cooking, and I really like individuals. I noticed that I was lacking the 2 issues that I cared about probably the most. So whereas I used to be profitable in actual property, there was nonetheless a void there. And so actually, I might simply pray like God, and ask Him to point out me what it was. And I’ll come right down to Atlanta for the weekend and I used to be like, ‘Hey, I ought to open up a restaurant in Atlanta, as a result of I really like Georgia.’ And it actually took me three years. It took me three years to search out my location. Wow. Proper. And that’s why they are saying ‘God bless the plan.’ It took me three years. And it’s loopy as a result of the identical realtor that I met three years previous to me opening, was the identical realtor that I opened my first location with that 12 months, and she was really retiring. So every thing was actually simply in alignment with God’s plan. But it surely actually introduced me again to what I really like, and what I’m most captivated with. As a result of success is one factor, however for those who’re doing one thing and also you’re not captivated with it, then at that time, I really feel such as you’re not likely residing your finest life; and your finest life needs to be having the ability to assist individuals. When you’re simply doing issues solely due to you, I really feel such as you’re dropping, you’re not profitable as a result of you may have to have the ability to assist individuals alongside your journey.
What we love about you Ebony, is that you simply actually are visionary, Nouveau Bar and Grill each areas in Faculty Park, a private favourite of mine and Jonesboro,are at all times jam packed and full of pleasure. Your R&B Thursday’s at all times convey out among the greatest names within the trade. We’ve seen Rick Ross there, we’veseen 2 Chainz and so many extra. How do you proceed to maintain your eating places so revolutionary and contemporary?
You understand what? Exterior of prayer….I’m simply going to be trustworthy, I pray for my restaurant each single night time. I pray for my staff identify by identify each single night time. So outdoors of the prayer, I simply assume that it’s at all times been about having the ability to create an expertise. Folks will at all times bear in mind how they have been handled, proper? It doesn’t matter what movie star is within the constructing, it doesn’t matter what’s going on, what they care about most of all, is that have and the way they felt. The truth that we lit 20 candles and we launched 20sparklers for somebody’s grandmother’s eightieth birthday, like they’ll always remember that. The fantastic thing about it’s we convey households again collectively. We convey coworkers in for time in an amazing surroundings the place they will simply again, chill out, and unwind. So for me, it’s the expertise that we’re capable of create for the households. I additionally assume that I needed to study that throughout the pandemic that we took a lot stuff without any consideration, one thing so simple as having dinner with your loved ones. So for me that simply sort of lit a fireplace beneath me to say ‘hey, each time a visitor involves Nouveau it needs to be an expertise for them everytime. We ensure that we cater to our prospects’ wants. However most significantly, we ensure that we give them an expertise each single time.
It undoubtedly is. Each time I’ve been to Nouveau, it’s sort of like its personal universe when you stroll within the door… Like its personal full entity, and it’s at all times time. It’s at all times an enormous vibe.
– ADVERTISEMENT –
Sure, thanks. I actually inform my staff on a regular basis that it’s essential that you simply get to know our visitors. I inform them to get to know our visitors and get private with them. Once I opened up Nouveau, I stated that I wished to be just like the ‘Cheers’ locally…To be the place the place everyone knew one another, and I need that kind of relationship with my workers and our prospects. I additionally really feel that it’s essential to have that very same relationship like I do with my prospects and likewise with the faculties. And people are the reason why I made positive that Nouveau could be in partnership with the college methods in Clayton County with the surrounding college methods. We’re not solely sending children to faculty, however we’re nonetheless doing groundwork. Once more, simply having that relationship and being in a group, being within the college methods, understanding what’s occurring and the way we might help, is one of many causes I bought on the Board of Schooling to have the ability to assist as a director to be of assist in order that we are able to assist our youngsters excel in faculty with out the monetary burden.
Atlanta is filled with so many superb eating places, particularly with that Southern aptitude. What do you assume that makes Nouveau stand out from all the remainder?
That’s actually a tough query for me, as a result of all my pals are restaurant homeowners. However I thinK for me, what units us aside, in my thoughts, is the truth that I’m in my restaurant 24/7.So I do know when one thing’s unsuitable, and I understand how to educate at that second. And I feel that having the ability to coach my staff within the second is completely different and units us aside. I feel that having that one on one with my staff, and having the ability to coach them in a second and present them various things has helped us. Actually, the distinction is I’m behind my bar, making drinks with my staff, I’m in my kitchen cooking with my staff, and I’m internet hosting that door. So I get to see the place some errors are made and proper them, encourage them and coach them in a second of tips on how to do issues… So sure, I feel that’s what sort of units us aside.
You’re a true mover and shaker! I hear you might be increasing Nouveau Bar & Grill! What are you able to inform us about that?
Yeah, I’m on the point of develop and we’re really on the point of go to Texas, which we’re finalizing this week. So we’re tremendous enthusiastic about that! I additionally simply began a vegan idea that can open on the finish of September in Atlanta. And Nouveau can even be increasing quickly to Tennessee as effectively. We’re visiting some areas in Tennessee now, however Dallas is certainly just about signed, sealed and delivered. So Nouveau Bar & Grill will formally be heading to the Dallas market location!
At Hype Hair we’re all about hair, model, and sweetness! You at all times hold it stylish and enjoyable, and may I add, we’re loving your new look, that Barbie Pink on you is every thing! What are a few of your favourite magnificence must-haves?
Effectively, my Nouveau Bar & Grill apparel is my go-to! Exterior of that I’m a Louis Vuitton Queen although. I feel most of my closet is Louis Vuitton! (Laughs) So between LouisVuitton and GoYard… I might say, these are my two favorites that I’ve been rocking for like a very long time. However more often than not I don’t depart my home with out one or the opposite. And I undoubtedly don’t journey with out them…These are my two necessities.
– ADVERTISEMENT –
What’s your favourite coiffure and why?
I really like a very, actually cute blonde coiffure…Okay, blonde with brown tones. So more often than not with my hairstyles, I’ve full lace wig on. I love with my hair lengthy. In my current photograph shoot it took me fully out of my consolation zone. I’ve by no means put my hair up in a ponytail. After which the Barbie pink costume with the chef’s hat–I completely cherished it, and it was very new to me….Due to Eboyne and the staff, as a result of that was enjoyable and was such a really completely different search for me. I’m very, very fundamental. You’ll at all times see me with a 26 inch, lengthy straight full lace wig with a center half…Candy and easy. However this lookactually took me fully out of my consolation zone and I actually cherished it.
What die-hard hair merchandise are you able to completely not reside with out?
I really like Kaleidoscope hair merchandise. Actually. I like it. I additionally love Mielle Organics, so these are undoubtedly my prime two go to merchandise that are in my home.
OK…Ebony, now let’s get into some rapid-fire questions. Are you prepared?
I’m prepared.Let’s do it! (Laughs)
What’s your favourite Hype Hair cowl?
– ADVERTISEMENT –
Undoubtedly Ari, Kendra and Joe…These are my favourite colours and they’re fireplace.
What’s your favourite dish from Nouveau?
Our seafood and grits…I’m a grit lover so I really like my Final Cajun Seafood and Grits.
Who’s your movie star crush?
God forgive me for saying this however pay attention, I’m a Jay-Z lover. (Laughs) Beyoncé, I really like you however I really like Jay-Z. (Laughs) I went to the 40/40 membership when he first opened it. I’m a fan, however he’s taken. So for someone that isn’t married, I’ll say Tyler Perry.
What was the final tune you listened to?
Jay-Z ft. Beyoncé “On the Run.”
What has been the best spotlight in your profession as a restaurateur?
I’ve so many superb highlights. I undoubtedly assume one of many biggest highlights for me was once we celebrated and one of many younger ladies who’s my intern now, who misplaced her mother as a result of COVID-19. She was one of many college students who despatched me a video for my scholarship program and I feel having a relationship together with her yearly and doing a scholarship devoted to her mother’s identify and honor, is it for me. So for me, I feel it was assembly this younger woman named Savannah and having the ability to be part of her journey. I feel that was one of many finest. I keep in contact together with her; she involves all of Nouveau’s occasions. Creating reminiscences, creating impression, I’m so blessed that God permits me to have the ability to expertise that.
Who was your favourite artist for R&B Thursday?
Ohhh, Tank! Sure, Tank was my favourite.
What’s subsequent for you?
Increasing Nouveau Bar & Grill into main cities is certainly coming subsequent. I need Nouveau to be an expertise all around the globe so when persons are touring they will additionally expertise Nouveau. So we’re in talks proper now about some issues and increasing into just a few airports proper now. I additionally wish to proceed constructing my actual property portfolio in order that I can construct communities for underprivileged and low revenue households which is one other mission that I’m engaged on now. I really feel so blessed and I’m so grateful for all that God is doing in my life proper now.
Preserve Up with Ebony Austin of Nouveau Bar & Grill: @nouveaubaratl @ebonyakira
