Originally from Savannah, I have been in Atlanta about half of my life. I grew up doing animal rescue. I learned about animals through my mom who was an animal rehabilitator and we took in all kinds of animals. Cats kinda became my thing as I got into my teenage years. I went to Chapel Hill High School and Georgia State for college. I dropped out my senior year to open Java Cats Cafe. The timing didn’t seem to make sense, but at the same time it seemed perfect because I felt like I needed to refocus my energy on something else. I have no regrets. Animals are my life: cats, squirrels, birds, you name it…I’ll take care of it if it needs it!
Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do?
I’ve always been in the hospitality industry. I think it’s what has prepped me to do what I do here. I’ve learned how to manage tough situations and different people, and I want to make sure everyone has a really good time. What I love most about what we do is I can be around cats all the time and being my own boss. It’s been a learning curve for sure, but I learn figuring it out and growing with the business and people.
Q: What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in our community?
My favorite restaurant in our community is The Optimist. That’s actually a restaurant group that I came from. I worked at St. Cecilia in Buckhead and chef Ford Fry owns both of those places, along with JCT Kitchen & Bar. I love all of those places, but The Optimist is one of my favorites of all time.
Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community?
I’ve lived on the Westside for most of my time here in the city and Java Cats just celebrated 4 years.
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in our community?
The first person that comes to mind is Maurice Smalls. He’s a local farmer here on the Westside. He takes all of our coffee grounds and waste, and turns it into compost. He grows local produce for homeless and those in need. He’s just an awesome dude…and he even adopted a cat from here!
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?
Taiwan. I want to go there to visit the first cat cafes. The cafes were established there in the ’90s and I want to experience the culture of where they derived from. Also, street food.
Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
Parks and Rec’ is my go to. I’m alot like Leslie Knope, is what my friends tell me.
Q: What advice would you give to people?
Just really fight to do what makes you happy. Pave your own way because the world is not going to do it for you. If you believe in it just go after it. I had so many sceptics in the beginning of this trying to discourage me and mock me when I started, so it was really discouraging. Now I’m happy and reaping the reward of doing what I feel I’m supposed to do.
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
I really want to travel. That’s one of my favorite things to do is just get out and hit reset. See different parts of the world and learn about cultures. I think that’s one of the best things anyone can do.
Q: What is your go to band when you cant decide what to listen to?
T Swift. Taylor Swift is my girl. She is the queen of my phone! She loves cats…has 3 of them, so we would probably be best friends.
Q: If you could choose anyone that is alive today and not a relative; with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where locally would y’all meet for this lunch?
I’m getting lunch with Taylor Swift at The Opti (Optimist) easy.
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
The massive amount of support has been super overwhelming in the best way possible. Atlanta as a whole has been a constant sense of community since we have been in business. We wouldn’t be here without the support of our community and that’s my favorite thing, just the people.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
I still see myself as a part of our community with Java Cats and maybe a restaurant. I love entrepreneurialism. I love that. It’s set a fire in me, and we want to keep serving people. So whatever that looks like, we want to keep serving in the city.
Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
Playing sports and skateboarding. Most people don’t know I skateboard.
Q: What is the most beautiful place you have ever been?
Bainbridge Island in Seattle. It’s the most beautiful and unusual places I’ve been. I went to visit my very first cat cafe at the Seattle Meowtropolitan.
Q: Favorite month? favorite holiday? and best single day on the calendar?
Definitely Christmas time. That’s my favorite. It’s never changed. Christmas time is magical and everyone is in the same spirit.
Q: What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
CATS obviously!
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
Zoe. She’s my youngest employee and she came in when she was 16. When the pandemic hit we had to lay everyone off. She realized I was doing everything alone and wanted to come in–unpaid–and volunteer her time just to help me. She’s so much like me it’s ridiculous. She loves cats equally as much as I do. I’ve never met someone so similar to me. I think seeing her and mentoring her makes me a better person. I want to make sure she is making the best decisions because she is so awesome. She is an incredible person. I want to be better for her and she inspires me.
Q: What is one or two of your favorite smells?
Coffee and Japanese Cherry Blossom
Q: Finally, what 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
1. Java Cats Cafe. It’s my home away from home. 2. Atlanta. I love this city and want to see it continue to change for the better. 3. My fiance. He is home for me for sure (side note: he is allergic to cats…how ironic!)
