Story & Lesson Highlights with Christopher Jones of Industrial Park

We recently had the chance to connect with Christopher Jones and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Christopher, thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: What is a normal day like for you right now?
I’m up at 4:45 AM sharp. First stop is a quick check-in with my restaurant staff to make sure everything is running smoothly. Then it’s off to the gym. I start with meditation and prayer in the sauna for about 20 minutes, then hit a short run followed by some light weights.

I follow an 8/16 intermittent fasting schedule, so I don’t eat until after 12 PM and wrap up around 8 PM. To hold me over, I’ll grab a Muscle Milk on the way out.

That’s how I set the tone for my day.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hey guys, Chef Christopher here—though many know me as Chef Amor, a name born from my passion and belief that “cooking is a love language.”

I recently opened my very own egg roll and sandwich shop, Hoodrolls, in Jonesboro, Arkansas. The concept fuses Asian flare with soul and American cuisines, creating an authentic experience crafted around the customer.

But this is only the beginning. I’m already working on my next concept—an elevated, more refined version of Hoodrolls. On top of that, my second cookbook is in the publishing stages, and I’ll soon be launching my very own sauce and seasoning line.

My mission is simple: to take the culinary world by storm—one customer at a time.

Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
My mom has always been my number one supporter and the first entrepreneur I ever learned from. Having the unwavering support of my family has truly been a blessing in my journey.

She instilled in me life lessons, knowledge, and a deep understanding of my heritage, which inspired and shaped many of my soul food recipes and dishes. Her love for foreign cuisines also expanded my palate at a young age, giving me the foundation to blend flavors in unique ways today.

I’m beyond grateful for her influence and contribution to my path as an entrepreneur.

What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Suffering really does build rock-solid mental fortitude. Every time your resilience is tested, your character is strengthened. Personally, I failed countless times before I finally created a successful concept. Each failure was a reset—but also a powerful learning moment.

Suffering has a way of humbling you. That’s why I encourage others to stay anchored in their faith and never lose encouragement. Taking a risk to pursue what you love and then losing everything is one of the most humbling experiences you can face.

But the power you gain by working through that kind of loss—by rising above your struggles—feels like winning the Super Bowl.

Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What’s a cultural value you protect at all costs?
At first, I wanted to be that international chef who could do everything—cooking any cuisine, mastering any style. But once I returned to my roots and began embracing my culture, my people, and their 300-year-old cooking methods, I realized just how special it is to be recognized as one of your own culture’s top chefs.

The cultural value I hold closest is the soul food recipes and dishes passed down through generations of my family. These recipes form the foundation of nearly 95% of my cooking style. By taking what I learned from my parents and grandparents and adding my own culinary spin, I’ve created dishes that carry both tradition and innovation—bringing eye-catching, flavorful energy to my customers every day.

Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
When I’m gone, I hope people remember me for my kindness and gentleness—as a great father, a devoted family man, and someone who would give the shirt off his back or his last dollar to anyone in need. I’ve always felt like a protector, not just of those close to me, but even of strangers.

I want to be remembered for the food I created—how every dish carried love in every bite. How my cooking felt like home. How I could almost translate an emotion into flavor, giving people comfort through food.

And maybe they’ll say that with one bite, I could take you somewhere else—transporting you from your seat to a completely different country with flavors so exotic, fragrant, and soulful that, for just a brief moment between your first and last bite, you felt something unforgettable

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