07/15/2026
Introducing our cover "Makers & Mentors" - Jon Beard
Crooked Letter Kitchen
The real lightbulb moment began with God. About nine years ago, while battling addiction and living a life completely out of course, Jon found himself at a turning point that forced him to rebuild mentally, spiritually, and physically. Before that, he had worked in the food industry for years both in the Marine Corps and in the civilian world, managing and learning different aspects of the industry. After overcoming some of the darkest seasons of his life, he chose to start over small and humble. He worked wherever he could while continuing to grow and heal, eventually taking a chance on a small food trailer with no major expectations. His mindset was simple: “Try it. If it works, great. If not, sell it.” What started as a small leap of faith eventually turned into Crooked Letter Kitchen. Looking back, he now sees that God was opening doors and preparing him for something far bigger than food. It became about people, purpose, service, and creating something that could impact others.
He describes his leadership style as intentional, demanding, and servant-hearted. Early in his career, he believed leadership was mostly about working harder than everyone else and expecting others to match that pace. Over time, however, he learned that leadership runs much deeper. It is about building culture, developing people, creating accountability, and serving a team at a level that allows them to perform at their best. While he still believes in high standards and relentless pursuit of excellence, his approach has evolved. He’s learned that consistency, emotional intelligence, and trust are just as important as intensity and ex*****on. Today, he leads with more purpose and patience, wanting those around him to grow not only professionally, but personally as well. He believes the strongest teams are built when people feel challenged, valued, and inspired all at the same time.
The greatest risk he ever took was betting on himself when he had every reason not to. After overcoming addiction and rebuilding his life, there were many unknowns and very little security. Purchasing a food trailer and launching Crooked Letter Kitchen was more than just a business decision — it was a leap of faith that required risk, persistence, and trust in God, especially without any guarantee of success. That experience taught him that some of the greatest opportunities come when a person is willing to start small, stay humble, and outwork the doubt.
He stays motivated during challenging economic cycles by remembering why he started in the first place. Built through adversity, the business was founded on perseverance, purpose, and faith, so challenging seasons do not discourage him — they sharpen him. For his team, he believes consistency, communication, and culture matter most during difficult times. Rather than focusing on fear, he encourages his team from the front, keeps expectations clear, celebrates small wins, and reminds everyone that hard seasons are temporary, but strong culture lasts. He also believes energy is contagious, and when leadership shows up with belief, accountability, and purpose, the team will usually follow.
Rankin County felt like home long before it became the place where he planted his business roots. Family has always been one of the most important parts of his life and building a business in a community where both personal and professional growth could thrive mattered deeply to him. Rankin County offered the opportunity to build not just a business, but a life centered around faith, family, and serving others at a high level. The support from the community has been incredible, and he is proud to continue growing alongside it.
When he first started Crooked Letter Kitchen, the food truck industry was still relatively small from his perspective. Early on, he looked up to local vendors such as Small Time Street Eats, T&J Concessions, One Guy Steak & Chicken, and 2 for 7 Kitchen. He remains grateful for the people who took the time to mentor him and help him better understand an industry that is constantly evolving. What started as business advice eventually turned into genuine relationships and mutual respect. Those mentors showed him that success is not simply about building a business, but about building a legacy while remaining grounded in the people who matter most.
In the beginning, success meant survival and proving to himself that he could rebuild his life, provide for his family, and turn an idea into something real. Early on, he measured success through growth, sales, and momentum. Today, success means much more than business achievements. It is about creating stability for his family, building a strong team and culture, impacting people through service, and remaining grounded in his faith throughout the journey. While growth still matters, fulfillment, purpose, and the ability to positively influence others have become the true measures of success.
The advice he would give to a young man graduating high school or college is simple: do not be afraid to start small, fail forward, and outwork your circumstances. Too many people wait for the perfect opportunity or timing, but growth often happens in uncomfortable seasons. He believes skills can open doors, but discipline, consistency, and protecting your character will keep them open. Most importantly, he encourages young people to build their lives around purpose rather than financial success alone, because success without peace, faith, or family is not true success at all.
When he is not at the office or on a job site, he is most likely spending time with his family. Whether cooking outdoors, being around the house, or simply slowing down to enjoy quality time together, those moments are where he recharges the most. Running a business demands a great deal of time and energy, but he has learned how important it is to stay grounded in faith, family, and the people closest to him. Those moments away from work are what keep him focused and motivated when he returns to it.
One of the biggest misconceptions about the restaurant industry, he says, is that people only see the finished product and not the sacrifice behind it. Customers see the food, the busy dining room, or the social media posts, but they often do not realize the long hours, pressure, problem-solving, and consistency required to operate at a high level every single day. A successful restaurant requires much more than cooking good food — it demands leadership, culture, discipline, adaptability, and a team capable of performing under pressure.
As customer expectations continue to evolve in 2026, he believes people want more than just a meal — they want consistency, experience, convenience, and connection. To meet those changing needs, Crooked Letter Kitchen continues adapting by listening to feedback, improving systems, introducing new menu items, and staying engaged with the community both inside and outside the restaurant. At the same time, he remains committed to the core values that built the business in the first place: quality food, strong culture, genuine hospitality, and making every person feel valued when they walk through the doors or visit the food truck.
To him, the gold standard of customer service is making people feel genuinely valued, not simply served. Great service goes beyond taking an order or delivering food — it is about creating an experience where people feel welcomed, appreciated, and cared for from beginning to end. Consistency is a huge part of that standard. Anyone can provide great service occasionally, but true excellence is delivering it every single day, even under pressure. He believes the best customer service comes from culture. When a team takes pride in what they do and cares about people, customers feel the difference immediately. You can read more about all of the Men in Business in our current issue out NOW!
