Interview by Abernathy Cochran intern and Gainesville High School Senior Caroline Brown
Meet Carli Echols Jones! Carli is the full-time Agritourism and Marketing Coordinator at Jaemor Farms. She is married to Logan Jones and has a puppy named Cash. Carli graduated from Lakeview Academy in 2015 and the University of North Georgia in Dahlonega in 2019.
We want to thank Carli for spending time with us recently spending time with us and telling us more about her life and love of Hall County.
Question: Please tell us a little about your background and family.
Answer: “I was born one of five children. My dad, uncle and brother are the owners of Jaemor Farms. I grew up right outside of Hall County but I graduated from Lakeview Academy in 2015. I left and moved to Dahlonega, where I got my bachelors and business administration in marketing from the University of North Georgia. I graduated from UNG, Dahlonega in 2019. I am now back full time at Jaemor Farms and I serve as the Agritourism and Marketing Coordinator. I handle the events, social media, and any kind of marketing that is produced by Jaemor Farms. I am married to Logan Jones and we have a puppy named Cash.”
Q: What inspired you or led you to your current career?
A: “I originally started out as a nursing student because I like helping people, but I realized that I didn’t like the gory aspect. However, I like to be creative and organized, so I decided to become a business major. I got my BBA in marketing because it allowed my creativity to flow while being organized. I started out working for a small financial firm in Gainesville called JT Stratford. However, last year I joined my family back at Jaemor Farms. I think having that agriculture background led me back to Jaemor. I loved the aspect of agriculture and being on the farm with my family.”
Q: What is your favorite restaurant in Hall County, and what do you love there?
A: “Recently, my favorite restaurant is El Tepache. My favorite thing to get there is the Tepache Margarita.”
Q: How long have you lived or worked in Hall County?
A: I’ve lived right outside of Hall County my entire life. I lived right at the Banks and Hall County line. I graduated from Lakeview Academy, which is in Hall County. My husband and I moved into Gainesville in May 2020. I have been a full time resident since then.”
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met in Hall County and why?
A: “John Simpson is interesting in the best way. He is the Dean of Students at Lakeview Academy. He’s just an overall amazing person. He is loud, feisty, sweet, and just a big bundle of everything all in one. He actually married me and my husband. He is great for the students at Lakeview.”
Q: What is your favorite childhood memory?
A: “When I was younger, my entire family including my mom and dad’s side as well as extended family and friends would all meet one Sunday in the spring and we would come and have dinner at the gazebo at Jaemor Farms. We would be out on the farm and all of the kids would have 100 acres to run and play. Everybody came to explore the farm. I think sometimes there were a couple hundred people that would come each year.”
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?
A: “I would choose Italy because it’s always intrigued me. It seems so beautiful there. I like history, art, and just immersing myself into a culture and I feel like Italy would be the place to do it. This is definitely my bucket list destination.”
Q: What advice would you give a crowd of people?
A: “After 2020, I would say that my advice would be to not let a change of plans ruffle your feathers. Be fluid, adaptive, and go with a flow in every situation. You can always still find a way to be happy, enjoy life, have fun, and get back on a new track even if your plans change.”
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
A: “I would love to scuba dive in the Great Coral Reef in Australia.”
Q: What is your favorite music/ three bands you would like to see (dead or alive)?
A: “My favorite type of music is country. If I had to choose a band to go see it would be Luke Combs or NeedToBreathe.”
Q: What local business makes you the most nostalgic about Hall County and why?
A: “I would have to say the Collegiate Grill. My grandparents used to love eating there and I would always go with them.”
Q: Choosing anyone (past or present), with whom would you love to have lunch? And where locally would you have this lunch?
A: “I would love to have lunch with my grandmother, Elizabeth Sargent. I would take her to Sweet Magnolia’s.”
Q: What is your favorite thing about Hall County?
A: “You can have both a small town and a big city feel. My husband and I can go eat dinner and know 10 people in the room, but we can also go across town and feel like we’re in a miniature Atlanta. It’s really the people that make it that way with their friendliness and warmth.”
Q: Where do you see yourself in five or 10 years?
A: “Hopefully starting a family, with a kid or two. I am sure I will still be working at Jaemor full time. My role may change, but I think I will always be there.”
Q: What is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
A: “I once said that I would never work at Jaemor Farms, but now I can’t imagine not working with my family. I am also a certified scuba diver.”
Q: What three words mean “Home” to you?
A: “Comfort, Family, and Warmth.”
Q: If you had a full-time staff member that was fully paid for, who would you choose?
A: “I would choose Daniel Leavey from my favorite Netflix show. I would choose him because he would be organized and he’s a fashionista that could do my hair and outfits everyday.”
