top of page
black (2).png

Jennifer Greene

Jenovelle + Blue Ribbon Grill

We got the chance to speak with Jennifer Greene of Jenovelle + Blue Ribbon Grill on what it's like to be a female founder, what she's learned, her struggles along the way and what she wants to share with others.

Please tell us more about your business. How did you start? Who do you work with? What are some of your offerings? What do you love about it?

We bought our first restaurant, Blue Ribbon Grill, during COVID. We learned the food business that way. We then opened our original concept European cafe in 2024, Jenovelle. Jenovelle was inspired by our travels- we do brunch, European gift shop, and a dessert case. Our goal is to bring a little bit of Europe to every day Atlanta.

Achieving a balance between personal life and business demands is a hot topic. What strategies have you found effective for maintaining harmony in your life?

I set aside dedicated days or times each week to spend time with my kids. I also try to have at least 1-2 days of free time for myself for hobbies and rest.

How do you leverage community and collaboration in your business strategy? We're keen to explore how female entrepreneurs are strengthening ties and creating synergies with other businesses and community members.

We are strong believers in being active in the community. We hold events for people to come together in our restaurant as well as donate and sponsor local groups and charities.

Failure is often seen as a taboo subject, but it can be a powerful teacher. Could you share an experience where you faced failure and how you turned it into a learning opportunity?

We held an event where everyone said they would attend but did not show up, so we are using Eventbrite.com and staff to pre-sell tickets to our paid events now.

Every entrepreneur faces hurdles along the way. Can you talk about a significant obstacle you've overcome and what you learned from it?

Three years into restaurant ownership, our landlord hiked our rent up to an amount that was not sustainable for us, so we had to make the hard decision to move our restaurant to a new location. I have learned to not take things for granted or assume what will happen because there are always surprises in this business.

What advice or tips would you have for other female founders starting their businesses?

Have a support network of business advisors, customers that want to help you, and other supporters. They not only help you drive your business, they help you stay positive.

You can follow Jennifer on Instagram at @jenovelleco and @blueribbongrill

Join the Conversation

DIVE INTO DISCUSSION, SUPPORT + GROWTH TOGETHER

Frequently asked questions

Know A Small Business Owner?

We love highlighting female founders. If you know of someone and want to give them some recognition for their hard work, please nominate them!

bottom of page