Today we’d like to introduce you to Taisia Walker
Hi Taisia, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
The Juliette Mill was recently purchased by my husband, an Internal Medicine Physician, and I, an occupational therapist in the Monroe County area. We met online while he was still in medical school and I was living in NY. I usually say that we are one of those online couples that actually worked out. We are both dreamers and hustlers and we try our best to support each other in our little endeavors.
My husband is one of six children of a USAF Doctor Major originally from Ohio and he grew up in Middle Georgia. I, on the other hand, have a very different upbringing. I am the baby of eight siblings and grew up in the Northeast of Brazil. I started college in Brazil and was given an opportunity to come to pursue further education in the US. While in school, my husband and I met and I waited until he finished his medical training to begin my professional career. In the meantime, we had two children. Our oldest son suffered a CVA in the womb and our world crumbled then. We have worked really hard to advocate, provide and protect our children, especially the oldest one that although very functional and very smart may not have the same opportunities as other children due to his physical limitations.
Our children have been our main inspiration and we are always looking for different business opportunities that can provide different avenues for financial freedom and streams of passive income. Through my work, I have had the privilege of meeting a lot of people. Through what we call “therapeutic use of self”, I enjoy listening to my patients life stories, their many accomplishments and try my best to learn from their life experiences.
It was through one of these therapeutic sessions that we learned about the Juliette Mill. We had moved back to the area recently for a job relocation. To our surprise, we found out the Juliette Mill was for sale. My husband had visited the internationally famous Whistle Stop Cafe as a teenager many years ago. We saw it as an incredible business opportunity where we could revitalize the industrial castle and turn it into something that new generations could still enjoy and make memories there. This was a different real estate adventure from our few rental homes but we decided to give it a shot.
The view from the Juliette Mill was absolutely incredible and we purchased the building in 2023. In October of 2024, we finally began hosting our guests through Airbnb and VRBO. The Juliette Mill accommodates up to four guests in a very unique and luxurious apartment that was already there and got fully renovated. Our guests have the entire property just for themselves, where they can go fishing, kayaking, boating or just relaxing to the sounds and view of the Ocmulgee River. We also have some pet goats that enhance the experience with farm vibes.
Our strategy initially was having family and friends testing the Juliette Milll out prior to hosting our real guests. Since October, we have been growing our bookings and reservations and all of our guests only have positive things to share in their reviews.
We do not know what the future holds for us but we enjoy every inch of the Juliette Mill. We are very proud that the Juliette Mill is a family owned and family operated business. Hopefully one day in the near future we will be able to grow from lodging into a space for an industrial Venue option just South of Atlanta.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has not been a smooth road. The will is there but our time is very limited since we both, my husband and I, work full time. However, even with our limited time, we try our best to make our vision to come to life. Our main struggle has been finding reliable businesses that can deliver what they have promise, especially whenever the task requires contractors.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am an occupational therapist with 5 years of experience in outpatient and inpatient settings. The majority of my patients require hand therapy or therapy for orthopedic and/ or neurological conditions.
My husband is an Internal Medicine Physician with over 10 years of outpatient and inpatient and teaching experience. He is also a renaissance man with wood, plumbing, electrical and mechanical talents.
We began investing in real estate in 2021 and after a few years with long term rental homes, we decided to explore the short term rental opportunities.
We’re always looking for the lessons that can be learned in any situation, including tragic ones like the Covid-19 crisis. Are there any lessons you’ve learned that you can share?
As health care providers, we faced Covid-19 in the frontlines. It was a scary and challenging time for our family. During Covid we also got to spend more time at home planning our next course of action regarding our business ventures. We collaborated on some Portuguese Children’s books and began our real estate business.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://juliettemillga.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/juliettemill_injuliettega?igsh=MWc0MzFtZWV0aHVsZw%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/18hncT1hjm/?mibextid=wwXIfr
Image Credits
Raven Shutley Studios
D.Coe Photo LLC
