The Story of a Small- Town Entrepeneur
By Sydney Schwenke
Lily Hamilton balances an open, considerate personality with a no-nonsense attitude while working hard on her recently opened cafe. Why is she managing and running a breakfast café? She explains, “God uses girls who have no idea what they are doing. “The business idea came to Hamilton in February because she had a lot of free time. The young student applied to work at various restaurants. but everyone turned her down, so she brainstormed some ideas. One of these was a restaurant called Grits and Grace.
Hamilton reflected during a worship night hosted by UG. creating a clearer idea of what she wanted her business to look like. Afterward. she became determined to bring her vision to fruition and explained that “[she is] really stubborn. When [she gets] the idea for something [she wants] to do, [she will] make it happen.” Hamilton was 19 then and worried nobody would take her seriously because “[she] talked to a couple of people about buildings and spaces that [she] could use, and they told [her] “No,’ which was discouraging.” However, Hamilton persevered and won second place in the Cumberlands annual Student Entrepreneurship Pitch contest and got the contact number for one of the owners of The Game Café. The owners offered her the space during the morning and arranged to get a percentage of her earnings. Hamilton mentioned that despite “the early hours [taking] getting used to and it being challenging to get the word out.” the owners of The Game Café have been great and really easy to work with.”
Hamilton is a Christian. and her faith is a huge part of her life. Even through the difficulties of starting Grits and Grace. “[She has] seen God show up in many ways to support (her] restaurant. [She] kept expecting something to happen to shut my idea down. [She] had the space and supplies, but on opening day. [She] worried that people were not going to show up. When [she] prayed, [she] realized that if no one showed up. then that was not in God’s plan, and whether people came or not was not up to [her]. With each step. [she tries] to trust that it is all in His plan.”
When asked about her original idea for how Grits and Grace would be. Hamilton says. “[ She] definitely [felt] like [she] compromised on lots of things, but the ultimate vision of providing delicious food at hours that normally are not open to the community, has been accomplished.” When asked how she balances her school and work responsibilities, she explains. “So far, it has been easy with how flexible… classes are since [she mostly has] online classes. That is why [Hamilton] had so much free time last year and knew [she] needed to do something worthwhile with [her] time.”
Hamilton shares what she considered before her grand opening: “The goal was always to make [the menu] reasonably priced.” The practical young woman felt that many of her customers would be college students. While creating the menu. Hamilton thought about people’s various likes and dietary restrictions: “There is something for everyone on the menu. the pancakes are sweet, and there are gluten-free options.” She mentions that she has four brothers who love meat. and alter creating the meat lover’s croissant specifically for them. they constantly wanted more meat on the product.
When asked about the future of Grits and Grace, Hamilton said. “[she] would love to see it continue for the next two years and maybe even alter [she] graduate[s]. If it is successful. I would love to pass it off to someone else. Maybe a student. I am not sure, but it if the restaurant closes in a week, I do not see it a waste of time or effort or anything. I would say it is still worth something.” Overall. the way Hamilton balances Grits and Grace alongside her grades is admirable to say the very least.
She began reflecting on what is to come and recognized that if the cafe is successful, she “would pass it off to someone else.” Hamilton would even consider handing her work over to a student. If the business does not work out as planned, the current student acknowledged that her efforts were not “a waste of time” because what she built “is still worth something.” The way Hamilton balances Grits and Grace alongside her grades is commendable. This female entrepreneur is admirable, to say the least.
