By: Lillie Domenech
At only 20 years old, Grayson Jenkins started her own business. Sip Social, a health drink
store located in Collegedale, Tennessee, opened in May 2026, according to Jenkins in an
interview with the Accent.
Sip Social specializes in sugar-free energy drinks, protein shakes, protein coffees and
many more beverages, according to Jenkins.
Emery Hinds, an employee at Sip Social, said she sees the business as a community.
“It’s almost like a family,” Hinds said, “Everyone just comes together. … It’s very [uplifting]
and positive.”
Sara Casar, a regular customer at Sip Social, described the business as a friendly place
that brightens her day.
“It’s the little things that make your day better,” Casar said, “like talking to them when they
are making your drink… [Jenkins] is really friendly.”
For Jenkins, health became a passion when she got a job at Spring City Nutrition in high
school.
“I just needed a summer job,” Jenkins said. “I loved the drinks because they were tasty and
healthy [and] then it turned into a career. It was nice that I could start a career over stuff
that I love.”
Jenkins was ultimately led to start Sip Social through her college journey.
“I knew [after working at Spring City Nutrition] that that’s what I loved and something I
wanted to make a career out of,” Jenkins said, “But my parents just weren’t on track with it
at first, so I went to college.”
According to Jenkins, while she was in college, the owners of Spring City Nutrition went on
vacation for a month and left her to run the store.
“I was ordering the inventory and making the schedule and literally doing it all,” Jenkins
said. “And then I was like, ‘You know what? I bet [the owners] are really living life… I would
like to do that.’”
Jenkins said her grandmother has been a major supporter of her dream to open a health
drink store.
“She drinks the orange creamsicle shake every day, so she believed in the product. She
saw what it could do,” Jenkins said. “She saw the success in the store I was working at
already, so I asked her for money and she said, ‘yes.’”
Jenkin’s grandfather also provided financial support for her store so she would not have to
take out a loan from the bank, Jenkins said.
“I got lucky,” she said.
The store has had more success than Jenkins initially expected.
“It’s better every day. I’m more blessed than I was anticipating,” Jenkins said. “… You’re
always nervous because you never know if it’s going to turn out, so I’m thankful.”
According to Jenkins, Faith has been a big part of the process.
“I wouldn’t have any of this if it wasn’t for God,” she said. “I grew up in church, and I always
believed in God. The older I got, the more real-life problems I went through, and the more I
relied on Him.”
Sip Social often has Christian music playing in the background along with posters and
decorations with Bible passages. Jenkins said she wants everyone who visits the business
to see stickers featuring Bible verses on the cups.
“If they don’t know God, it can be a reminder or a reason to start believing,” Jenkins said.
“Or maybe it’s something someone needed to hear that [day].”
Buddy Summitt, a regular customer at Sip Social, explained one of the reasons why he
comes back.
“It’s a good environment,” Summitt said in an interview with the Accent. “I like the vibe; the
good Christian music, and the staff are super friendly. The staff knows everyone’s names. It
feels personal.”
Cesar also enjoys the Christian atmosphere in the store.
“The worship music makes you actually be in the moment,” she said.
Jenkins feels that she is much like other people her age.
“I feel like I’m a regular 21-year-old girl for the most part,” Jenkins said, “I just have this as
my job.”
For young people looking to start their own business, Jenkins offered a word of advice.
“You can do anything if you stay focused and put your mind to it,” she said. “Remember to
always be a servant of God before anything else, and He will bless you.”
