Kerrel and Nkem Make Space for Community

Sharing a creative journey for over a decade, spouses and serial entrepreneurs, Kerrel and Nkem Thompson, haven’t always known what the future would hold– but their willingness to explore the possibilities has never led them wrong. As the co-owners of Bird Pizzeria, a craft pizza concept in Charlotte, their story spans across Cleveland, Ohio, Chicago, and Japan with the couple most recently putting down roots in the Carolinas.

Conceived during post-pandemic months, Bird Pizzeria began as a carryout restaurant which quickly grew into a local favorite. In the summer of 2024, the shop expanded to include a dine-in experience, and for Kerrel, the growth of the venture wasn’t a surprise. Admiring the confidence and wit of his wife, he remarks of Nkem, “Anything that she has ever wanted– she always gets it.”

Inspired by their 3-month stay in Japan which followed their marriage, the Thompsons agree that their current way of life has been largely affirmed by Japanese culture. Admiring the diversity of lifestyles they observed while living there, Nkem comments,  “There was a big  juxtaposition of men in suits going to their corporate jobs and then husband and wives owning a little shop doing this one thing that they do…”  She additionally shared, “There were alot of mothers, throwing their kids on their back, getting on the train, doing whatever they needed to do… just kind of like doing it, doing the thing…” 

Action and intention are recurring themes echoed throughout the Thompson’s account of their experience with Bird Pizzeria. Similar to crafting a fine pizza crust where the rising of the dough can’t be rushed, Kerrel and Nkem have discovered that in business and in life there will be moments where they must yield to the process. Embracing imperfection to achieve progress- Kerrel admits to the vulnerability it required to reveal their venture in its earliest stages, but through their sharing of the process versus perfection– an authentic community for Bird Pizzeria was cultivated.

Intentional in their creation of a communal space, Kerrel credits Nkem with helping him realize the power of community. The co-owners remain excited to welcome patrons into their new dining space and are honored to breathe life into an experience that contributes to how their guests will feel. Far from its origin in the imaginations of the Thompsons, Bird Pizzeria is now home to community and a testament to the creative connection between Kerrel and Nkem. The visionaries and parents of 3 share that in balancing entrepreneurship and family no two days are alike, and some days, they simply agree to take it one step at a time stating, “Today, we just have to make the best pizza we can possibly make.” As it relates to their children, the Thompsons are confident that through their daily example as parents and entrepreneurs, they are planting seeds for their children to dream big with an awareness of their own ability to manifest their wildest desires. Many could agree that the visionaries will not only be an inspiration to their children, but also to a community of creative entrepreneurs.