Meet Dana McFarland | Owner, Holistic Mountain Market

We had the good fortune of connecting with Dana McFarland and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Dana, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
The idea for Holistic Mountain Market came about because I wanted to bring high-quality vitamins and supplements to downtown Clayton. During the beginning of the pandemic, it became very obvious to me that we needed a health food and supplement store in Rabun County since so many of us were relying on vitamin C, vitamin D3, elderberry, and zinc for support to help boost immunity against COVID. The nearest options for a vitamin/supplement store were 30 minutes in either direction (north or south of Clayton). I also thought a smoothie bar would be something different and fun since Clayton had never had one in downtown before! The smoothie bar is a great way to get people to eat good, wholesome, and healthy food by offering it in a yummy smoothie!

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Its funny for me to think about and look back on “my story”. I say this because while I was going through life, doing the “things” – going to college, working certain jobs, meeting people etc., I didn’t know that I was being prepped and taught lessons that would be used and applied today. For example. while in college I waited tables and tended bar. I just thought it was a great way to make money as a college kid. Never in a million years would I have thought that job was preparing me to run a smoothie bar! Like when I had a job as a bank teller. I just thought, eh, this is a good way to possibly get a “professional” type job that might lead into other things. Well because of that job, I’m able to have a better concept of cash flow and balances. And then most importantly, my job working in the counseling field (as a Clinical Assistant with one employer and as a Field Instructor with another) taught me so much. At the time these jobs were very tough emotionally and physically, but they taught me how to be a good listener and how to put myself in other people’s shoes with sympathy and kindness. I think this ability is one of the things that sets HMM apart from a lot of other businesses – when I ask how our customers are doing, I am truly asking. I want to know. I want to see how I can help make them feel better. That is what HMM is all about. How to help people feel the best that they can. My story has not been an easy road, not at all. I think the biggest things I’ve learned is that it takes perseverance, patience, and determination (with a lot of hours put in). Nothing great happens overnight. It takes time. And again, while we’re “in it” we don’t see the “whys” and often don’t understand the purpose. I guess its true what they say – hindsight is 20/20.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
For a week long trip I would say to hit up the Tallulah Falls area for sure! So many fun things to do down there. Definitely stop at Tallulah Falls State Park and hike down into the gorge. And then after the park I would suggest hitting up a couple different places; The Tallulah Adventure Center, Wander North Georgia retail store, Tallulah 1882 Tea & Coffee Shop, and The General Store. The Adventure Center offers food and drinks on a lawn type setting and they even have a rock climbing wall! Wander North Georgia offers light hiking equipment and other outdoor gifts. Tallulah 1882 Tea & Coffee shop is the coolest place, and has the best people working there! Its set in the old Tallulah Falls Train Depot which is really cool! The General Store is like stepping back in time and has a nice relaxing feel to it. You can find snack options and drinks along with souvenirs and gifts. Then, ride on up to Clayton and check out all the downtown shops and restaurants. Start with a cup of coffee from either White Birch Provisions or Clayton Café Market and just stroll the sidewalks. So many beautiful stores offering a range of all kinds of things; clothing stores, outfitter, home décor, apothecary, pet shop, toy store, gift shops, yoga studio, and lots more. The restaurants are something special as many of them source their food (both produce and meats) from our local Rabun County farms, making the dishes so yummy and fresh. Fortify Kitchen and Bar and Fortify Pi are a must for food options. Universal Joint is fabulous for outside patio dining, and The Hush has the most delicious Cuban food. We also have a newly opened wine bar where you can go and grab predinner drinks and apps before going out to dinner. While in Clayton, you can go to another State Park – Black Rock State Park, the highest state park in GA. Black Rock offers beautiful views of Clayton and the surrounding area and has hiking trails to enjoy that are not too strenuous.
There are also beautiful lakes to visit while up here – Lake Burton, Lake Rabun, and Seed Lake. Although don’t come too early in the swimming season, our lakes are filled with true mountain streams and the water can be chilly, lol, but that is what makes these lakes unlike any others.

If you’re looking for a unique hotel to stay in while your here, I would suggest The Lake Rabun Hotel (they also offer dining) or the White Birch Inn (also offer dining). But if you’re looking to camp, you can do that at Black Rock State Park, Willow Valley RV Resort, Moccasin Creek RV Park, or Persimmon Valley Campground.

And maybe you want to learn to fly fish while you’re here and in that case I’d say to check out Hatch Camp and Art Farm or Shady Creek Expeditions. Hatch Camp often has small concerts going on throughout the summer and fall and they also offer camping. Or maybe you want to white water raft while you’re here and that would be Southeastern Expeditions, Wildwater, or the NOC Chattooga Outpost that can all take you down the “wild and scenic” Chattooga River.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
There are so many shout-outs that can be made to many different people for getting HMM (Holistic Mountain Market) where it is today! My husband Mitchell is by far one of the most incredible people I know. He is someone with so much to give (it amazes me everyday how he gets everything done and still works a full-time job of his own, often traveling much of the Southeast region by car!). Mitch is the one behind the scenes making sure all the “i’s” are dotted and “t’s” are crossed. Without Mitch, HMM would not be possible.

My family (parents Max and Janet, and my younger sister Kim) and my close childhood friends have been huge helpers and supporters along the way! Providing feedback and encouragement, they are HMM’s biggest fans!
The HMM employees definitely deserve a shout-out too! We have a rockstar team at HMM, always ready to do what is needed without question, and readily available to assist our customers!

Which is a great lead in – our customers are literally THE BEST out there! The relationships that have been formed, the talks we share, and all the hugs that are given; HMM has something really special going on and it wouldn’t be possible without them.

Website: holisticmountainmarket.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/holistic.mountain.market/

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Image Credits
Photography credit: Ronnie Pettit, Local Exposure Magazine