The Greene County Chamber of Commerce recognized two Rivers Nutrition of Eatonton with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on July 11.
The health and nutrition beverage shop is located at 109 Harmony Crossing and has been under new ownership since April.
Taylor Wiggins, owner of Two Rivers Nutrition and a mother of four, purchased the business on April 1 and found her first few months in business successful. She shared her insights about a former job in the medical field and how she decided to try something different for her work.
“[My job] wasn’t really working for me, so, I was like, you know what, we have an opportunity to invest in our family,” said Wiggins. “We can continue to make somebody else money or invest in our family and make it for ourselves.”
Before purchasing the business, Wiggins was on an extended health journey. She credits her friend Reagan Nelson, owner of Madison Square Nutrition, with helping her develop an interest in nutritional drink alternatives.
“So, Reagan was like, you have got to try something, so I tried the [meal replacement] shakes, I tried the teas, I’ve done all of it,” Wiggins said. “I like the cleanliness of it. I like how it is not so loaded with sugars.”
According to Wiggins, she and Nelson have been friends for several years. She has expressed interest in opening a shop like Two Rivers and Madison Square Nutrition for about four years.
Wiggins initially wanted to open a shop in Social Circle, where she currently lives. Since she works for the business in Eatonton, she now commutes half an hour to and from work daily.
“I was looking at opening one in Social Circle, and that opportunity did not work out for us,” she said. “So, when this [opportunity] came up, it worked out.”
As the first summer in business nears its end, Wiggins believes it has been an enjoyable experience. Despite the positive turnout, she is still looking for staff, with many current employees preparing to leave for college.
“We are losing many of the staff because they are returning to college,” she said. “So, we will be looking to rekindle that staff for when school starts.”
According to Wiggins, Two Rivers Nutrition’s numbers have tripled since the month before her business purchase. Since taking over, Wiggins has made it a priority to create a family-friendly environment for customers to enjoy.
To create a welcoming environment, she has placed multiple sitting areas within the store and has found the community to respond positively to the interior changes.
“They love the atmosphere. When they come in here, they feel welcome,” Wiggins said. “I wanted it to be functional here for everyone. I wanted a relaxing area for [customers] to sit, and if you want to come in and work on your paper over here, you can hook up to the internet.”
With recognition from the Greene County Chamber of Commerce, Wiggins looks forward to growing her business. She finds it essential to be surrounded by fellow businesses in the chamber because “to be successful, you need to surround yourself with successful people.”
“I feel like joining the chamber and having them recognize me in the business in itself puts me in that category of being around the successful people to build my business,” Wiggins said. “Ultimately, it’s good to know that they are getting the word out. They are helping me, I’m helping them, and we are growing.
As she begins her journey as a small business owner, Wiggins hopes to eventually open an additional location for Two Rivers Nutrition.
“This will not end here in Eatonton,” she said. “I’m looking to branch out for another shop, so more things are coming.”