Meet Karson Coker: Fry Cook – Meadows at Mossy Creek

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

Hi Karson, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
Both Calah and I have had our own businesses since we were graduating high school. I started buying and flipping cars and she started doing hair. From there we have done so many things, from her opening her own salon and boutique, to me getting into wedding videography almost by accident, we have done it all. So for us it wasn’t really about starting a business, we had done that several times each, but rather starting our dream business together.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
In my opinion the one thing that is really cool about Meadows is that we are a weddings first venue. There are lots of venues that are either hotels, conference centers, resorts, etc. that have the ability to have weddings, then on the other hand you have barns and farms that people later decide to use as a wedding venue, but with Meadows every element was designed with weddings in mind.

As we continue to grow our business continues to grow we have cool plans and dreams we would love to make a reality but we will always have weddings at the center of what we do!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Obviously we would say come visit us! But there are so many cool things to do in White County Georgia.

Hiking Yonah Mountain, the mountain you’re looking at from our venue, or Raven Cliff falls are two of the most popular hikes in Georgia. Clyde’s is building a name as one of the best restaurants in the state, and Tantrum is quickly becoming a must go to brewery! Yonah Mountain Vineyard is one of the best vineyards in the country and if you have never been to Helen you should go at least once.

Some of the lesser know things to do are eat at Bernie’s in Sautee for dinner, or head over to North Georgia BBQ anytime, but especially on the weekends when they are running their specials. You can’t beat Corner Grill for breakfast, their pancakes will make you question every other pancake you have ever eaten. There are so many reasons the Soda Fountain Cafe is a local favorite. Mully’s, the Pizza Tavern, Big Daddy’s and Cowboys and Angels are also don’t miss places if your in the Helen area.

The mountain biking at Yonah Mountain Preserve is amazing, actually on second thought don’t go there, I want the trails to stay clear for myself. Hardman Trail is a great walk for kids and pets.

There are definitely so many more hidden gems in Cleveland, put if we told you they wouldn’t stay hidden. Finally make sure you check out the Cleveland Square while here, Smokey Mountain Trader is great for the adventurous, Farmhouse Coffee is killing it, there are great boutiques, and the guys never get much love when it comes to shopping, but they do when they go in Finn’s.

All in all if you want to know what the North Georgia Mountain life is really like head to White County, get married at Meadows (if you’re already married get married again), take a hike, eat some Fred’s Famous Peanuts and then go back to where you came from wondering why you don’t already have a for sale sign in your yard.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
If I were to talk about every person who has poured into mine and Calah’s lives it would take a book, but since I can’t pick just one I will briefly touch on a few that really changed the game for us.

Our families are a huge part of everything in our lives, we wouldn’t be where we are today without every one of them. In particular my dad and brother stepped in so nothing missed a beat while I got to spend a few months recovering from some sever burns during the building process, and the entire family stepped in to help Calah with our two kids, Kohan and Collins and that was huge!

We had friends that literally pitched in to help Meadows become the venue it is today. Family friends helping with building, electrical, septic work, you name it we had someone to thank for helping us build our business. Whether they were a paid contractor that we just so happen to know or people that volunteered time to help during my absence. One friend in particular, Derek Satterfield would, come help my brother, myself and our crew after he got off work every night sometimes until 2 or 3 in the morning just because he wanted to help.

However, if there is one person in particular that is truly the unsung hero here at Meadows it is Sandro Moreno. Sandro has single-handily done more for Meadows than anyone, yet unless your wedding or event is on a weekday chances are you have never even seen him. Sandro is out everyday making sure the property and venue is the best it can possibly be. Our employees always joke with one another about who is the best, who is the Employee of the Month, etc. but to put it simply they’re all really competing for first loser. Sorry guys!

The one other person I can’t mention Meadows without talking about her support is Aly, Calah’s sister. I didn’t count her in the last part because technically she owns her own business, but trust me, she knows Meadows wouldn’t function properly without her.

Website: meadowsmossycreek.com

Instagram: @meadowsmossycreek

Linkedin: @karsoncoker

Twitter: @karsoncoker

Facebook: @meadowsmossycreek

Youtube: @meadowsmossycreek

Other: Pinterest – @meadowsmossycreek TikTok – @meadowsmossycreek

Image Credits
1st Photo – Sarah Blaze Photography (Groom holding brides hands with mountains behind them) 2nd & 7th Photo – Atalie Bland Photography (People playing corn hole and couple laughing holding hands indoor ceremony) 3rd Photo – Caitlin Tabilog Photography (People standing outside) 4th, 5th, and 6th Photo – Brooke Couch Photography (Drone, Mural, and girl laughing with drink) 8th Photo – Logan Simmons Photography (Mountains at sunset)