by Jenny Gregory
CLEVELAND, Ga., (TMNews) – Preston Bowen, a Truett-McConnell College senior, was named 2014 Entrepreneur of the Year in Habersham County for his business, Midtown Grill, in Clarkesville, Ga.
“It is a huge honor as there have been many businesses open in the past year,” Bowen shared on his recent award presented by the Habersham County Chamber of Commerce. “We were very grateful for the honor.”
No stranger to the restaurant business, Bowen was previously employed at his parents’ café, the Soda Fountain, a popular restaurant in Cleveland before opening his latest venture.
When the Lord blessed them with the opportunity to purchase Midtown Grill, Bowen and his business partner, Andrew Kelley, jumped at the opportunity. Bowen and Kelley can be seen preparing the food each day for the packed out restaurant.
“We have doubled our business in a year and a half,” Bowen said, and “We have received so much support from family, friends, and the community.”
Preparing the way
As a senior Business major, with a concentration in sports management, Bowen, a Cleveland native, knew TMC was the school for him after high school.
“I was offered a basketball scholarship and the Lord gave me [a] peace about going to TMC,” Bowen shared.
Truett-McConnell is not just a school for Bowen but a family: “TMC is as close to a family environment as you can get,” he shared “The attention every student receives is awesome and the work going on to further the kingdom of God is incredible.”
Bowen shared how several staff and faculty members played influential roles in his life, preparing him as an entrepreneur. Bowen cites TMC’s, “tough business curriculum and the professors high expectations” as an integral part in preparing him to take on the business world in real life.
Claiming his faith in God as foundational to his current success, Bowen says he would not be where he is today without God.
Bowen and his business partner plan on expanding the current Clarkesville location and perhaps looking intoadditional restaurant locations. Bowen will finish his senior year at TMC next spring.
Midtown Grill is a family friendly restaurant located in downtown Clarkesville and specializes in burgers, sandwiches, salads and ice cream.
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Jenny Gregory is the Content Manager for TMC.
Photo/Adam Roark
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