The Cobb County Board of Commissioners recently honored local business owner Juan Violantes for his personal business and civic contributions to the Cobb County community.
Violantes received awards for outstanding work in Cobb County by the following individuals and organizations:
- Sheriff Neil Warren, Cobb County
- Cobb County Police Department
- Cobb County Republican Club
“Our challenge in Cobb is to help people see and realize their dreams to empower as many people with ideas of success,” said Violantes. “We want to make a difference in our community relations and services as we prosper as a business. That is my personal motto.”
“I am a small business owner who strives to add value to others. I love people and I want others to be successful. It does not matter if I wear a suit or apron and cook at the party, I enjoy serving others! This is part of my life story!”
Juan Violantes is an entrepreneur and philanthropist in Cobb County. He is the owner of Giovanni’s Restaurant in Austell, is the founder of Giovanni’s Children Foundation, and is the owner and contractor of J.V. Drywall, Inc.
“I embody the American dream, moving here to seek a brighter future. My mother is from El Salvador and my father is from the Philippines. I moved to Atlanta in 1991 and worked from the bottom up, eventually establishing J.V. Drywall, Inc.”
In 2008, Violantes established Giovanni’s Italian Restaurant in Austell. It quickly became a local favorite for home home-cooked meals and a family -friendly atmosphere. Violantes runs the entire operation, from inventory to staffing to cooking. He work long hours, but enjoys the work and prides himself on building a restaurant that is well established when many other competitors have come and gone throughout the years.
Further, Giovanni’s Children Foundation is a nonprofit that helps poor and less fortunate families with children in Atlanta, the Philippines and Mexico.
Violantes has been Honored with the Don Quixote National Award from El Salvador. The award recognizes the entrepreneurial spirit of the people who have shown great character, strength, courage and determination, like the beloved character of Spanish literature. Violantes was also nominated in 2016 as a small business person of the year by the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce and the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce. Violantes is also an active member of Cobb Chamber of Commerce, Georgia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and South Cobb Business Association.
