Tara Plumlee grew up in the food industry – helping at her father’s barbecue restaurant from the age of 13. After trying her hand at owning and operating a restaurant, she started The Catering Companies in Chattanooga to give her a more flexible schedule as a new mom. The beginning of a bright future When clients asked where they should host the ...

Classes are officially in session for the new school year, and students and faculty are off to a bright start…with energy efficiency that is! Investing in energy efficiency has become the newest trend for educational institutions across the country with hopes of reducing utility costs, creating healthier learning environments for students, and promoting positive community outcomes through sustainability. The Center ...

The Knoxville Racquet Club, the largest tennis, swim and fitness facility in East Tennessee, opened its doors in 1961. Overlooking the city of Knoxville and the Smoky Mountains, the 32-acre campus features a large  competitive swimming pool, a 1,500 square foot fitness area, and of course, tennis courts. 29 courts to be exact, including 14 outdoor fast-drying tennis courts. The outdoor ...

Finance Executive Enhances Pathway Lending’s Strategic Vision and Fiscal Leadership Pathway Lending, a nonprofit Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) as designated by the U.S. Treasury Department, has announced Richard Bird as chief financial officer, following former CFO, Barbara Harris’ retirement. Bird brings a wealth of financial leadership and expertise to his new role as chief financial officer at Pathway Lending. ...

After owning a Nashville bartending service for several years, Rhonda Cammon found a recurring theme in her customer base: customers wanted the experience of drinking exciting craft beverages without the alcohol. Leaning into her past work in hospitality, Rhonda brought to the table exactly what her customers needed, and in 2019 Perfectly Cordial was born. After finding success in the ...

Following a seed of inspiration planted by her mother, TaKeisha Berry-Brooks decided to shift her career focus from hair stylist to full-time business owner when she opened A Natural Affair Beauty Lounge in Memphis, Tennessee in 2008. After witnessing her mother’s own natural hair journey, TaKeisha wanted to cultivate a space to serve clients with natural hair or those transitioning ...

Crescent Sock Company is a 121-year-old sock mill in rural Niota, Tennessee.  Founded to create jobs in its small community, it is now managed by the fourth generation of the founder, Cathy Allen, with support from her sister, Sandra Boyd, and nearly 100 employees. Strategically located near the train depot, the location was optimal for receiving raw materials and distributing ...

After committing to Middle Tennessee State University on a basketball scholarship in 2017, Gregory Dixon, founder and owner of Legacy Barbershop, anticipated being in the business of sports, not haircutting. Due to an injury before his season started, Gregory decided it was time to shift in a different direction and picked back up his old sport of cutting hair. Upon ...

Project breathes new life into 270,000 square foot school building, evolving into hub for technical skills training, health care services, robust work force development, athletic and fitness opportunities and more Pathway Lending, a Tennessee-based nonprofit, and Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), announced today its Pathway Lending CDE (a Certified Community Development Entity) has provided $9.5 million in New Markets Tax ...

Understanding Business Lines of Credit (LOC) The main advantage of a Line of Credit is the ability to borrow only the amount needed and pay interest only on the amount borrowed. How a LOC works: Typically, a LOC is for 12 months. It’s short term. It’s a pre-set borrowing limit normally used for working capital to operate a business. The ...

The main goals of any business is to drive revenue and profitability. However, some business owners may not fully realize the importance of tracking their revenue in detail, along with the money their business spends. Not every business owner is an accounting expert, but a little knowledge can go a long way when it comes to tracking revenue and expenses. ...

Success is defined differently by every person. In business, success is often defined by consistent profitable growth. Below is a checklist with simple questions you can ask yourself to assess how well you are positioned for profitable growth and what changes you can make to ramp up future growth. First you must understand where your business is. Then, identify what ...