Two bouts of cancer lead entrepreneur to launch natural food distribution company Krista Anderson took inspiration from personal adversity when launching her business in early 2015. She harnessed what she learned during those daunting times — empathy and perseverance — and forged a more entrepreneurial life. A cancer diagnosis gave her three months to live and served as a wake-up call to change her definition
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Success Story: Albahealth
Rural manufacturer finds ‘sew’ many savings with energy efficiency upgrades Located in rural Rockwood, Tennessee, Albahealth is the largest manufacturer of “patient safety footwear” in the world. While those thick socks with the rubber pattern on the sole is their main product, they knit and dye a variety of disposable medical apparel, including compression sleeves
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Success Story: Fender Bender Repair Center
Putting an entrepreneur in the express lane to success Miguel “Mike” Saavedra’s passion for cars comes from a childhood spent “wrenching” with his stepdad in the garage. Growing up in Los Angeles, Saavedra faced the misconception that as a Latino, he’d never rise above the station of laborer. “That was a problem for me,” says
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Success Story: Power On Cycling
Powering a small business to help disabled veterans A lifelong cyclist, Mark Power built his first recumbent bike for his wife while stationed in Germany. The second was for himself so she wouldn’t feel self-conscious on their rides. This new hobby became a business and the veteran never looked back. “I had so much trouble
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Success Story: Sprocket Therapy Solutions
Occupational & Speech Therapists Double Their Impact on the Community When Nat Udwin and Barb Talbert moved to Nashville four years ago, the occupational clinic they envisioned didn’t exist. “My parents were small business owners, my grandparents were small business owners,” says Udwin. “So I’ve always had the mindset that if it doesn’t exist, you
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Success Story: Protomet
Flexible funding fuels innovation for Oak Ridge manufacturer Jeff Bohanan always wanted to be an entrepreneur, and used his years of engineering experience at Y-12 to start a consulting business. From there, Bohanan moved into component manufacturing after winning a contract with Mercedes Benz – to the tune of a million parts within five years. “It
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Success Story: Crown College
Advancing a mission of stewardship by investing in energy efficiency The Crown College of the Bible is a private, nonprofit Christian college located in East Tennessee. Since opening its doors in 1991, the college has grown to an enrollment of more than 800 students in various fields of study through in their School of Ministry,
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Success Story: Grandview Mountain Cottages
Pathway Lending helps entrepreneur expand cabins and offer glamping in East Tennessee Retired international business consultant Ilaeka Villa left Paris, France for the foothills of the Smokies in Rhea County, Tennessee. Together with her father, “Papa Phil,” she opened Grandview Mountain Cottages with two cottages and their Farm Porch Store, and has enjoyed welcoming visitors for
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Success Story: VanHooseCo
CDFI and bank partner and help manufacturer bring 165 jobs to rural Tennessee Entrepreneurs think big. They dream, plan, and execute strategies to build and sustain thriving businesses. Jeff VanHoose is one such entrepreneur. His business, VanHooseCo Precast Concrete, started small but scaled quickly following the 2008 Great Recession, as it added new divisions and
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Success Story: Maddi Mas
Athens lunch hotspot finds new owners with help of business acquisition loan Delanie and Joe Domzalski had always dreamed of moving to east Tennessee, finding some land, and owning their own business. When they moved to Athens, not only did they buy their dream house from Vickie and Jim Carr, but they also bought the
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