Your Guiding Light

Buck Bald Brewing owner, Patrick, worked with the TSBDC staff to strategize on location, funding options, and basic startup operations to open his brewery in Copperhill, Tennessee. The former service station in the heart of the small downtown was the perfect site, offering a small courtyard where patrons could enjoy the latest offerings amongst friends. As the company's tagline and mission are "Fill a pint, fill a growler, fill your mind,” you know you'll be in for a unique experience here.

Owner, Starborn Logistics LLC

Real Good Kitchen is Knoxville’s first full-service, shared commercial kitchen facility. Opening for business in January 2021 during an incredibly difficult time for most business owners, with only three members utilizing the kitchen facility, Real Good Kitchen grew quickly with 14 new members by April 2021. Real Good Kitchen has worked with over 30 members since opening, encompassing what Real Good Kitchen owner Bailey Foster imagined when opening.

Franklin Strap began working with the TSBDC in 2020 to negotiate a purchase agreement with the Bennett family, develop a financial plan to fund the acquisition of Franklin Strap and obtain a 150,000 line of credit for future business development. Since November 2020, the TSBDC International Trade Team has worked closely with Greg Lancaster, Sr., Charlton Moore and Greg Lancaster, Jr. to expand sales of Franklin Strap to Japan, Australia and South Korea. Their export sales have grown from five percent of total sales prior to the business acquisition to over 25 percent of net sales year-to-date for 2021. Moving forward for 2022, they are targeting export opportunities to Germany and sales for the company now annually exceed $2 million.

The TSBDC began working with Leah in 2016 on a pet care facility. Through the assistance of the TSBDC, The Houndry was successfully launched. Through working with the client base at The Houndry the staff saw an unmet need for pet owners to socialize while their dogs had outdoor play and exercise, through this unmet need the idea for The Backyard was born. Leah and her staff returned to the TSBDC for further assistance on how to launch and move forward with their new companion business. The Backyard is a dog park and beer garden that combines a fun environment for humans and their hounds. The experience provides the opportunity for dog lovers and craft beer enthusiasts to gather and share in their enjoy an experience with their pets.

CEO Twin Oaks Technology

Despite the odds stacked against retail businesses Bird in the Bush continues to thrive. Tammy Whaley the sole proprietor of the shop saw the pandemic as an opportunity to get online and keep progressing forward. Through the assistance of the TSBDC Tammy expanded her business from small-town brick and mortar to an E-Commerce platform now able to welcome in customers from across the globe.

Compass Pediatrics

Kontji Anthony is the owner of Youdle, LLC, located in Memphis, Tennessee. Youdle is a shop local community app that shortens the distance between people and the products they want to buy by using product availability data, the shopper's location, and user engagement. The TSBDC at SWTCC has provided Youdle, LLC with business strategies that include marketing, investment strategies, and financial projections. Look for Youdle soon in Android and Apple app stores.

Mayor, City of Coalmont