Meet Juanita Goss of GrandFamilyEnterprises in Northwest Atlanta

Today we’d like to introduce you to Juanita Goss.

Juanita, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
From the time I became a Grandmother in 1998, I became aware of the special relationship we have with our grandchildren. It is a feeling grandparents universally, find hard to articulate. In 2006 (I know because I recently found the note for my “poor man’s” copyright), I was dealing with a question/situation with my grandson. Realizing the “deep wisdom” of my reaction and response, it occurred to me, this wasn’t something I possessed or expressed in my parenting days. The phrase flowed into my head – “Parenting is Practice; Grandparenting is Perfection…” So I said, wow, this needs to be on t-shirts and mugs. Life happened and I sat on the idea so long, the business just became a reality at my grand opening on July 25, 2020, the 22nd birthday of that same grandson who inspired it, 14 years earlier. What was finally the catalyst? A number of things – my interest in genealogy, my position as the “family gatherer,” my volunteer work digitizing slave records at Bibb County Courthouse for Mercer University – all played a part in my finally taking action.

Also, after participating in the “Ancestor Challenge 2020” with Priestess Calister, I accepted the creation of my business as an ancestral assignment, which I had been neglecting. The “aha” moment came one day at Bibb County Courthouse. The community was learning about our work. Some came in with information of who owned their ancestors and some family lineage. The one crucial information was a name, written or passed down through family lore, to supply the missing link to be able to say, “Here is your Great-great Grandfather/Mother who was sold for $… in 1832.” Therefore, GrandFamily’s signature product is the “Heritage Journal,” which is embossed with my slogan, for Grandparents to begin with a story never too late to tell, to become their family’s historical document. It is an opportunity to say who they are as personalities. It gives a picture to our descendants, no photo or family tree can provide.

Has it been a smooth road?
It has been a long-delayed road, I am learning as much as I can as fast as I can along the way. Though feeling unprepared, at 70 years old, it was time to “Just Do It.”

So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the GrandFamilyEnterprises story. Tell us more about the business.
I said a lot of this in my introduction. Do I want to make money? Of course! However, a major goal for me with this business is honor Grandparents – their unique position, their special love. Grandma will babysit full-time for free while a young single daughter has a child with no father’s support so she can work or continue her education to better her life. Grandpa will give you loads of money from his retirement to help you out. Grandparents are filling in the role of Parents at an alarming rate after raising their own children.

I want to make “Grandparents’ Day” a household celebration, at least as popular as Father’s Day. President Jimmy Carter signed the proclamation for Grandparents Day to be celebrated the first Sunday after Labor Day in 1978!!! Over 40 years later, how many Americans even know about it? A shamingly low percentage, despite it even having its own song. I am most proud my company can help families to recognize and honor the personal and universal contributions of Grandparents and for Grandparents to leave a living, historical legacy.

How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
I foresee a groundswell of appreciating and honoring Grandparents as a societal norm.

Pricing:

• Heritage Journal – the Inaugural Edition, gift boxed w/pen, silver foil-numbered $43.50 (15% off thru 12/31/20)
• Heritage Journal – $35.00 (15% off thru 12/31/20)
• T-shirts w/ signature slogan – $18.00-$22.00
• Tote Bag w/signature slogan – $10.00

Contact Info:

• Address: GrandFamily Enterprises 2997 Cobb Pkwy Ste 300, #724131, Atlanta GA 31139
• Website: www.grandfamilyenterprises.com
• Phone: 678-768-9544
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: #grandfamilyenterprises
• Facebook: GrandFamily Enterprises

Image Credit:
Daughter – Gina Jamison

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