In memory of Jason Smallwood who passed away in September of 2018. Meet Jason Smallwood! Jason is married to Brooke Smallwood and both are natives of Hall County, The couple are the proud parents of three beautiful daughters: Bentley, Kennedy and Lilly. Jason and his family have roots in the tile business in North Georgia and for the last 16 years he has owned Smallwood & Associates; a roofing, renovations and flooring company. Jason loves spending family time with his girls, traveling to the Bahamas in the summers and boating on Lake Lanier.
We recently caught up with Jason to find out more about him and his love for Hall County.
Question: What inspired you or led you to your current career?
Answer: “My grandfather was in commercial tile business for over 45 years, I learned from him and my Uncle Scott that business. But then decided I wanted to do more in the construction industry. I enjoy working with many different people/ customers.”
Q: What is your favorite restaurant in Hall County, and what do you love there?
A: “It’s a tie between Poor Richards and Yellowfin. At PR’s an absolute must eat is the prime rib and Yellowfin the Rockafeller oysters and peel and eat shrimp.”
Q: How long have you lived or worked in Hall County?
A: “I was born in Hall County in 1977 and have worked in Hall County after graduating high school for my family then started my own business in 2001.”
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met in Hall County?
A: “My father-in-law Harrison Haynes. He is what every man should strive to be; hard working, kind, patient and the best husband, father and grandfather I’ve ever had the pleasure of knowing. Close runner up would be Dr. Bill Coates, who is our pastor.”
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be? And why?
A: “Treasure Cay, Abaco, Bahamas. My father has a villa there and even though I have been many times, it is still my heaven on earth. I have so many great memories there with my wife and our three daughters.”
Q: What is the first movie you remember seeing in a theater?
A: “’E.T’ with my grandmother.”
Q: What advice would you give a crowd of people?
A: “Life is short, don’t sweat the small stuff and hug your loved ones daily.”
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
A: “To spend time with my wife, Brooke, in the Maldives in an overwater bungalow.”
Q: What is your favorite music/ three bands you would like to see (dead or alive)?
A: “Bob Marley, Willie Nelson and Sturgill Simpson.”
Q: What local business makes you the most nostalgic about Hall County?
A: “Anything on the square.”
Q: Choosing anyone (past or present and a non-relative), with whom would you love to have lunch?  And where locally would you have this lunch?
A: “My answer has to be a relative. The only person that comes to mind is my recently deceased grandmother. I would want to have breakfast that she cooked from scratch at her old kitchen table!”
Q: What is your favorite thing about Hall County?
A: “The people and Lake Lanier.”
Q: Where do you see yourself in five or 10 years?
A: “Paying for two girls to attend college and saving money for the third! I laugh but it’s true…also, still living and working in Hall County.”
Q: What are three words that mean “Home” to you?
A: “Thirty Nine Ten: the street number of our home. It was my grandparent’s property and house and its where I grew up; I have so many wonderful memories there and now it is where my daughters are making same wonderful memories. It brings security and stability to all our lives.”
The Faces of Hall County is a project to showcase the amazing people that live or work in our community. If you would like to nominate an interesting person to be featured please email babernathy@gonorton.com.