Q&A with Mona Lisa and Michael Sharp, who were presented with a $50,000 check by TikTok sensation Keith Lee to recognize their community outreach in Convers, Georgia

Concept:

Mona Lisa Sharp: Our pizzas originate from Buffalo, New York, and include Buffalo, New York-style mingled with Italian flavors. Our pepperonis are the Old World pepperoni that curl up when baked, and each is sealed with amazing flavor. We offer real, fresh, quality ingredients with no processed or pre-made pizzas. Each pizza is handmade from scratch at the time of order; therefore, there is a wait time. People pay for quality and real, fresh ingredients.

Pizza Styles & Dough:

Michael Sharp: People are driving miles to come try our jerk-oxtail and jerk-chicken pizzas. Being in the South, most people love the oxtail flavor, so we decided to add savory, smoked oxtail and chicken to our pizza — and it has been a success. We also offer a spicy shrimp pizza, a sirloin steak pizza layered on top of velvety Alfredo sauce, and other classic and unique pizzas with bold flavors. People can also customize a slice to their own personal likings.

Our dough is made fresh every morning or afternoon – sometimes twice daily – and is crafted with care. It is light, airy and full of rich flavor. It’s so delicious that people savor every bite even down to the last crumb.

What has happened since being recognized by TikTok sensation Keith Lee with the $50,000 check for your community outreach?

Mona Lisa: We were so excited to see Keith Lee walk through our doors. We were told by the Toast representatives that someone was coming to present us with a check. We knew we had won, we just didn’t expect Keith Lee to present us with the check. That was an amazing and wonderful experience.

Since being recognized for our community outreach, it has encouraged us to do even more in the community. We want to create more than just a place to eat – we want to build a space where people feel like they belong. We plan to host regular events like family game nights, entrepreneur networking events and more. We also plan to partner with nearby schools, churches and youth sports teams to offer fundraising opportunities and sponsor events. Our staff knows many of our regulars by name, and we make a point to support local causes – whether it’s donating pizzas to those less fortunate or offering discounts for first responders. The goal has always been to serve more than great pizza – we want to be the place where memories are made, stories are shared and the community grows stronger, one slice at a time.

 What is your focus with community service and how does it fit into your mission?

Mona Lisa: Our focus with community service is to uplift and support our customers and the people who support us. Whether it’s feeding local families in need, sponsoring school events, or partnering with nonprofits, we believe in using our resources to give back. Community is at the heart of everything we do. Serving others is a natural extension of our mission, which is to be more than a pizzeria, but a positive and dependable presence in the lives of those around us.

How have you turned your pizzeria into a community hub?

Michael: We’ve made our pizzeria a community hub by creating a space where everyone feels welcome and valued. From hosting neighborhood events, such as food tastings and local pop-ups, we’ve intentionally built an environment that celebrates the people around us. We also plan to do more collaborating with schools, churches and small businesses to support their efforts and share their stories. It’s not just about serving pizza – it’s about serving the community and creating a place where connections are made. and relationships grow.

Learn more about Sharpiros Pizzeria at sharpirospizza.com. Follow them on Instagram.