Jeannie Copeland’s mission is to bring healthy and fresh meals to North Georgia; and she has been doing exactly that for the last three years at the restaurant she owns with her husband Brett, Natural Juice Café.
“We opened Natural Juice Cafe three years ago serving healthy lunches, juices and smoothies,” she said. “I had the health education with some restaurant experience while Brett had the operations, restaurant and management experience we needed to actually build a business.
“Rather than approaching health through medicine and supplementation, I want to teach people the joy of eating healthy. We love working together and building something we can be proud of and giving back to the community.”
Jeannie, a longtime Gainesville resident, is a wife, mother of a 1 year old son, enjoys time with friends and family, doing DIY projects on the weekend and is a music lover and foodie.
“Being a business owner and new mom is definitely a very exciting time in my life. Even on the most challenging days, I feel so fortunate to be living a life literally of my dreams. I wake up every morning excited about what the day will bring,” Jeannie said.
We recently caught up with Jeannie to find out more of what she loves about Hall County and her interests.
Question: What is the best part about Hall County?
Answer: “Hall County is home, I love so many things about this special place. First, is our community; I love being a part of our community here. I love seeing people I know at the cafe then again at events, restaurants and even at the grocery store.
“I love the small town feel that Hall County still has but with more people and more to do. It’s a wonderful place to have a family and raise children; the schools are great, it’s safe, and there is plenty of entertainment for families like the beautiful parks, the art programs at Brenau University, Frances Meadows, Lake Lanier, etc.”
Q: What is your fondest memory of Hall County?
A: “My fondest memories of Hall County are growing up on the lake…we did everything on the lake and enjoyed the lake life with swimming, fishing, boating and camping.
“My favorite was boating, which is why why Brett and I fixed up an old pontoon a few years ago. I want us to create those same memories with our son Evan.”
Q: What is your favorite Hall County landmark and why?
A: “First, is Wilshire Trails Park, it was my favorite park as a child and still is today. Brett and I love to meet up after work for a walk. I love the butterfly garden there, too.
“The second is the Gainesville Square; the square is our go to spot if we want to go to dinner, coffee or a day or night out. We love Recess on Friday nights and the music at Avocado’s on Thursday nights…and who doesn’t love Sunday Brunch at Avocados?!”
Q: Even for friends and some family, what is something about you that not everyone knows?
A: “I love everything beautiful, and I love to recreate beautiful spaces and places. In another life, I would probably be a designer and host a TV show on HGTV. I am very passionate about home design. One of my dreams is to have a beautiful cottage garden with tons of flowers and herbs. Right now, I’ve been able to keep two lavender bushes alive…so it’s a start. It doesn’t stop me from pinning pages and pages of my dream house and garden on Pinterest!”
Q: What events in your life do you believe shaped you into who you are today?
A: “Definitely going to college. College was a wonderful experience where I got a chance to see a different world and develop my identity and core beliefs.
“Getting married to my soulmate has been an awesome experience, he and I constantly sharpen each other, support and inspire each other. Becoming a business owner was huge. For 10 years, I dreamed of the opportunity to be creative and actually make a living at it. It is a great feeling to wake up knowing I am being genuine and living a life I truly love.
“Being a mother is a major life shaping experience; I’m so in love with my little guy. He has shifted our world in every way possible. Now, I love the simple things like taking a Saturday afternoon off and spending time as a family. Being a mom truly keeps everything in perspective.”
Q: What inspired you or led you to your current career?
A: “I have always loved to learn about health and beauty. My mother owned a health spa and I loved everything about it. I also learned about the benefits of eating well early on, so at 18, I was going to aromatherapy classes and flying to Provo, Utah at 20 to visit herb farms at Young Living Institute. It has always been a natural part of my life. I’ve always taken supplements and was interested in the latest in health and nutrition.
“I went on to graduate college with a degree in Public Relations and had a very successful career in the corporate PR world but there was always something missing. So, at 28, I went back to massage school and began a career as a licensed Massage Therapist. In 2010, I landed a very unique job at Rejuvenation Clinics here in Gainesville with Dr. Lisa Jue, MD… she provided an opportunity to further my education and become a licensed Skin Laser Technician and Aesthetician. I learned so much from her about the importance of taking care of our health now, so we can live a better quality of life as we age. That combination…gave me to motivation I needed to go out on my own and open Natural Juice Cafe with my Brett.”
Q: Who is the most interesting person you have met in Hall County?
A: “I have a lot of respect for Dr. Jue. She works tirelessly to help others. She is bold and progressive in her medicine practice, and she is always open to a better way to treat her patients. I learned a great deal from her.
Q: What advice would you give to a crowd?
A: “I’m not sure I’ve earned the room to give advice but if someone asked my opinion, I would suggest to be honest and true to yourself to the best of your ability. Do what you love, don’t put it off because of fear of what might happen or not happen. Simply believe that anything in this life is possible. So go for it!”
Q: Where do you hope to be in five years, 10 years?
A: “I hope we are still running Natural Juice Cafe together and raising Evan in our current home. We hope to expand our business and offer more in the coming years. We are also interested in publishing a cook book.
“I love to learn and teach, so I am hoping to offer health classes and get more involved with local organizations like Healing Strong and QED Motivational who are teaching people about cancer prevention and healthy lifestyles by living naturally. Of course, I want that cottage garden, too.”
To read more Faces of Hall County profiles click here.
To read more about Natural Juice Cafe click here.
The Faces of Hall County is a project to showcase the amazing people that live or work in our community. If you would like to nominate an interesting person to be featured please email babernathy@gonorton.com.
PROJECT PATRONS:
