Today we’d like to introduce you to Megan Jamison.
Megan, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
After graduating from Auburn University I joined Teach For America and was brought to Atlanta to teach High School Science. After teaching at Booker T Washington HS off MLK for several years I decided I wanted to open my own business. With a passion for art I decided to open a working art studio in a community that was just beginning to form. The City of Milton had only just formed in 2006 and construction had just begun in the Crabapple area in late 2007. I fell in love with the location. My husband had grown up in the area and I fell in love with the horse farms and beauty. So, in January 2008 I opened a store in downtown Crabapple called Just For Giggles and served the community with thousands of art classes for children and adults for many years. Just for Giggles is the longest standing business in downtown Crabapple. I started the business while a newlywed and after our third child came along I decided to sell the business and stay home to spend more time with our kids. My favorite part of Just For Giggles were the people I met. I really fell in love with the people in our community. So in 2014 I was asked to help with Milton’s local charity, Children’s Charity. I helped lead their auction that year and was then asked to serve on the board. We are currently working to build the largest all-inclusive playground in the southeast right here in Milton. From chairing a showcase home to throwing our favorite party, Denim and Diamonds, we have been working hard to raise money for such an awesome project. I also serve on the Milton Cultural Arts Board. As a new community we have an incredible opportunity to shape the future of what our city looks like and how it is represented and I am honored to be a part of it. I love blending my love for giving back, my love for Milton and the Arts all at once.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Opening Just For Giggles at 26 years old was pure naiveness mixed with a strong entrepreneurial spirit. I took out a small business loan and hit the ground running. However, never in a million years did I imagine a crash in the market less than a year later in 2008. Fortunately I was young and determined, I was frugal and willing to work hard and I was able to grow my business month after month. Again, I was fortunate to create my business in a community that wanted to support me. Never in a million years did I believe the concept of Just For Giggles would take off quite like it did.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Past owner of Just For Giggles and current Milton Cultural Arts and Children’s Charities Board Member story. Tell us more about the business.
I sold Just For Giggles in late 2014 after spending 6 months on bed rest with our 3rd child and determining it was time for me to spend more time at home. However, it was a hard transition and I really missed the community interaction. When I was asked to serve on the board of Children’s Charities I decided it would be the perfect transition. I am most proud that we are a board of local women who are unpaid and working everyday to make our community an even greater place to live. I am most proud of being a part of some great women in our community who are constantly seeking ways to help those in need.
Running a small business was such a fun time in my life. I have also very much enjoyed being a part of Children’s Charities and the greater cause it is serving in our community. But, as I look to my future I hope to make an impact in our Milton community and Fulton County Schools by working to bring trained Orton Gillingham professionals to our local elementary schools. As a mom of a child with dyslexia my heart is being pulled towards helping so many of our struggling kids in our community. I am forwarding a speech I recently gave at the Fulton County Board Meeting!
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I believe prayers are everything, timing is important and a little risk is necessary and then luck is the extra icing on the cake. I use to wonder all the time what our life would be like had we chosen a different community to start our business. And without our business we would not have met our closest friends who have shaped our path today and reminded us that our community is ultimately what we put into it! And we choose to put in gratitude and love and we get a whole lot back. As I write I realize I don’t think about that question as much. We are right where we were meant to be! While I no longer own a business in Milton and my kids are almost all in elementary school again I find myself starting to ask what my next steps will be.
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