Today we’d like to introduce you to Jordyn Shepherd
Hi Jordyn, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Well on this one it would depend on what kind of business you’re talking about. If you’re referring to my entertaining Drag side, then I would tell you that I began transition from male to female in 2019 and that’s when I really kind of became the entertainer that I am today. I am currently the show Director for Tulua Bistro in Springfield, where I host an amazing brunch, called mascara and mimosas the 4th Saturday of every month. I also host bingo there amongst other special events that we have. I have recently signed a franchise agreement with Corporate to bring Hamburger Mary’s back to Jacksonville so I am now the excited and proud owner Mary’s and I have recently found the new locations which will be in Murray Hill. I have also signed the lease for the commercial space next-door, which will be retail/Salon and all things Drag. The shop is called Drag-on. I will tell you and we can go into detail maybe later in the interview but you know I think people think that life has always really been easy for me, but it hasn’t. As someone who struggled with gender dysphoria and drug addiction for many years of my life you know I can honestly tell you that I never thought really that I would be where I am today. Addiction lead me down a really dark road even to a point of incarceration and almost death but life has really changed for me and I’m very very outspoken about it because I have found that there are more people who understand the story than judge the book!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I guess I got ahead of myself. No honestly it has not been a smooth road. I was addicted to drugs for almost 20 years and in and out of institutions and honestly really thought that I was just going to die that way and it wasn’t until I really hit rock-bottom that life begin to take a different meaning, and at that point that was when I decided that I needed to transition, and really be who I needed to be, who I was meant to be, and when I made that decision, and I put forth the steps to make it happen little by little the fog lifted and I begin to see a different light at the end of the tunnel .. you know life really isn’t ever completely struggle free for you and some people struggles are different than others and I think it’s important that we take into consideration that not everybody’s walking the same path. Just because you don’t understand it doesn’t mean that you have to look down on it because baby we all have our downfalls, some just more obvious than others..
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m a hairdresser and I was able to get that license after I decided to sober up. I am a drag queen/female impersonator. I also sit on the steering committee for Equality Florida here in Jacksonville. I do a lot of advocacy work and work within the community. Last year Equality Florida honored me with the community leader award. Prior to moving to Florida. I lived in St. Mary’s Georgia and when I was in St. Mary’s I sat on the board of the Salvation Army and a lot of people you know often ask like why the Salvation Army and for me the Salvation Army in St. Mary’s, well they were in need of people who generally just wanted to help others. Each year the last three years I’ve done a gift of warmth clothing Drive that usually starts in October and runs through December where I pass out single-handedly, coats, blankets, socks, sweaters etc to the homeless people throughout Jacksonville and honestly anything that I can do that can help someone who’s less fortunate I’m all about it. You know not everything has to be talked about or are told and not you know every good deed needs to be you know blasted on Facebook , but I do wish that there were more people who worried less about themselves and more about others well-being
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
Yeah, you know I would like to just you know, share that it’s important that we allow others to be themselves and that we not run away from things that we aren’t familiar with. As someone who lived 42 years of their life feeling trapped, who wasn’t who I needed to be, and someone who spent over 20 years addicted to drugs, and someone whos been to prison, it’s a blessing to be able to share my story, my struggles, where I’ve been, and where I am now in hopes that I could educate and motivate at least one person out there, who this reaches. I won’t be silenced nor will I ever hide from my truths again.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: Jordynsinclair23
- Facebook: Jordynsinclair23
- Youtube: Coming soon
Image Credits
The Drag Photographer
My iphone15 promax 😝
