In the few short years since launching, Power of Clean Energy (PCE) has built a thriving business as a trusted energy efficiency consultant helping nonprofits, schools and churches across the Southeast save money with brighter, safer campuses, facilities, classrooms and worship halls. The Nashville firm has set itself apart in the fast-growing market with its
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3 Fears Every Entrepreneur Must Overcome
Owners of Bradley’s and Knoxville Chocolate Company, Brad and Joy Hamlett, found themselves in a scary situation after purchasing a 100-year-old candy factory: Sales were flat but expenses doubled. “I just remember times when we felt like how are we going to make it? Something has to give,” said Joy. While the candy business might
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Understanding Your Competitive Advantage
As an entrepreneur your competitive advantage must be front and center in your mind. It sets you apart and is essential to your business success. To understand and define your competitive advantage you need to know three things: your business, your customers and your competition. Through an in depth knowledge of your products and services,
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The Dangers of Falling In Love With Your Business Concept Too Soon
The first step in the process of planning your business is asking yourself if your business idea is a good one. Your business idea must be one of two things: something people already want but can’t get or something you can convince them they want. Many new entrepreneurs fall in love with a concept before
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Client Profile: D&C Freight
Neal Clack’s retirement was in full swing when his son, Joe Dischner, pitched him a business idea – launching a freight trucking business. The idea made sense. Trucking ran in the family after all, and Neal hauled explosives for a time on one of his early assignments in the Marines. “I may be stating the
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6 Questions, 9 Weeks: Your Plan To Start A Small Business in Tennessee
The excitement of turning your big idea into a new business can quickly become overwhelming. With everything on your plate, you may find yourself stuck in get-it-done mode at the expense of planning. If that sounds familiar, it may be time to hit pause and make a plan. Read on to see what we think
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Client Profile: Bristol Skateway
The opening of Bristol Skateway in September 2018 was the realization of a long-held dream for the Bristol community and neighboring cities as much as for its owner-operators Gary Easmunt and partner Debbie Williams. Easmunt and Williams first learned of the property in 2016, a neglected rink that operated for four decades before it closed
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Client Profile: Alliance Mechanical Solutions
It was a sink-or-swim moment for Alliance Mechanical Solutions (AMS) – a massive contract to construct new ships ended abruptly in early 2017 and with it jobs for most of AMS’ 200 employees. “We had concentrated our business heavily with one client and quadrupled our staff for the project. While we survived, it became clear
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More Than A Lender: Clients Turn To Pathway Lending To Start, Grow And Succeed In Business
Pathway Lending does more than make loans. Growing and running a successful business – one that creates wealth and jobs for the surrounding community – takes more than financing; it takes know-how. That’s why we offer our clients educational and financial resources alike and place equal emphasis on delivering both. In 2018, 61 percent of
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Client Profile: Olympus Rentals
When it comes to real estate, Devan McClish has done it all since starting in the industry nine years ago – flipping, new construction, property management, general contractor, apartments and small retail. Recently, he’s added affordable housing to the mix. The creativity and challenge involved in making affordable housing projects work – and the
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