Eggs Benedict, Quiche Lorraine, tangy mimosas. Brunch is made for more than the meal; it’s made for bonding, and Ladies Brunch GVL has taken the repast to new depths of culinary connection. “Women love making friends and they love brunch. That’s how it came about,” explains group founder and organizer Jessica Teruel. “It’s not networking. The whole goal is to spark conversation and build community.”
Teruel grew up in Greenville off Pelham Road. Her circle of friends never really expanded far beyond the Bob Jones campus, which she attended from kindergarten through college. At age 21, the journalist and marketer recognized the need for change. “During my first job, I’d be at events meeting women who were new to Greenville and didn’t know anyone. I thought, ‘I know Greenville like the back of my hand, and need to make new friends myself.’” Ladies Brunch GVL was born.
The first brunch, in 2021, was in a small bakery. Today, using an Instagram account with 1,616 followers, gatherings range from walking the Swamp Rabbit Trail, tubing the Saluda, even kickboxing. Oh, and then there’s brunch. “Typically, we’ll have 10-20 women at each brunch,” Jessica reveals. “Most are 20- to 30-year-old professionals. More than half are single, and some are married with kids. This past brunch, we had a 50-year-old. That made my day! We are not exclusive to any age.”
Growing up the youngest of four kids who all went into medicine, Jessica had to find her voice. “I was shy when I was four or five,” she recalls. “But I hit first grade and it all went downhill. I am a connector, no matter the job, or situation. I connect people and try to make them feel valued.”
She finds the friendships coming out of Ladies Brunch GVL invaluable. “These women are genuinely connecting. We’ll sit for two hours and never run out of things to talk about. I feel encouraged every time I leave.” The 25-year-old has made some deeper friendships herself. “I meet two women now monthly for a dinner club, and there’s another girl I see two to three times a month. We just clicked and have gotten really close,” she says.
A bond over bacon, eggs, and heart. One she wouldn’t mind keeping forever. “I think it’s cool to see the women actually relax,” she shares. “They come and get to be themselves and unwind from the week. I don’t know where the next ten years will take us, but I hope to keep it going as long as I can. It would be incredible if it started to grow in other cities.” Franchising the brunch bond? Pull up a seat at the table.
Ladies Brunch GVL Favorites
Favorite Drinks
- Peach Bellini
- Salty Dog
- Mimosa with Cranberry
Ladies Brunch GVL resumes in September. Follow them on Instagram (@LadiesBrunchGVL) for details on their next outing.
