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ACT LIKE A LADY.

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ALSO IN THIS ISSUE: JOHNSON CITY STATE OF THE CITIES BRISTOL ANNUAL AWARDS LUNCHEON KINGSPORT CHAMBER DINNER

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Proceeds from Wine Women & Shoes will help the Wellmont Cancer Institute improve access and affordability for breast cancer screenings. Through earlier detection, we can help women live out their dreams – by outliving cancer.

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2 | VIPSEEN | MARCH 2015

Contents / MARCH 2015

EVENTS 8

Johnson City State of the City Luncheon

10

United Way of Greater Kingsport Leadership Awards

13

Bristol Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting and Awards Luncheon

17

Mapping the Cosmos

20

Hammond Post 3 American Legion Baseball Media Day

21

Winter Soup Cookoff

25

Accell Now Hosts TENN

26

Kingsport Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner

30

NN After Hours

31

Bows and Bowties Bristol Ballet’s 6th Annual Father Daughter Ball

37

Bowman Jeweler’s Valentines Day Party

39

Ligero’s 11th Annual Toast Across America

13 / Bristol Chamber of

Commerce Annual Meeting and Awards Luncheon

26 / Kingsport Chamber of

Commerce Annual Dinner

DEPARTMENTS 5 CALENDAR

18

SERVE IT UP SASSY Bunny Tales, Tulips and Treats

22

WIT BIT

40

Short Stack for a Big Change: Contact Concern’s Pancake Breakfast

32

SEEN ON THE SCENE

42

Mountain States Spirit Gala

41

WHAT IS PERSONALIZED MEDICINE, AND HOW CAN YOU PROTECT IT?

44

Girl Scout Sweetheart Dance

47

My Little Valentine Daddy Daughter Dance

49

262 Cigars

50 HAPPY FEATURES VIP EXCLUSIVE 52 THINK LIKE A LADY, ACT LIKE A BOSS:

TRI-CITIES POWER WOMEN

54

BRISTOL: ON THE CUTTING EDGE OF EQUALITY

4 | VIPSEEN | MARCH 2015

132 The Ordination of Kathy Kelly

Dunagan to the Episcopal Priesthood

MARCH 2015

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

Alice @ Wonderland @ Renaissance Center 2 pm

Woodshop Safety Class at Sr. Center Card Room 9 am

Job Lab @ Kingsport Public Library 2 pm

First Thursday Open House @ Cindy Saadeh Fine Art Gallery 5 pm-8 pm

Beginning Archery @ Lynn View Community Center 5 pm

Keep Kingsport Beautiful & City of Kingsport Arbor Day Celebration @ Ross N. Robinson Middle School 12 pm

ETSU Baseball vs West Virginia @ Home 2:05 pm

Appalachian Art Show, Opening Reception @ Renaissance Center Art Gallery 2-4 pm

Preschool Storytime @ Kingsport Public Library 10:30 am

ETSU Baseball vs Butler @ Home 1:05 pm Moses the Deliverer @ LampLight Theatre

Keep Kingsport Beautiful Green & Growing Seminar @ Kingsport Public Library Auditorium 12 pm

ETSU Baseball vs Radford @ Home 3:05 pm

Can You Hear Me Now? @ Hands On! Regional Museum until March 15

Time for Twos Storytime @ Kingsport Public Library 10:30 am

Reverse Engineering @ Hands On! Regional Museum

1

Our Body: The Universe Within @ Hands On! Regional Museum all month long

ETSU Baseball vs West Virginia @ Home 1:05 pm Shenanigans – A Musical Comedy Revue @ LampLight Theatre

2 Bay’s Mountain Chapter, Embroider’s Guild of America @ St. Paul’s Episcopal Church 6:30 pm-8 pm

3 Preschool Storytime @ Kingsport Public Library 10:30 am

4 Job Lab @ Kingsport Public Library 2 pm

Opening Reception of The Proud and the Profane @ William King Museum of Art 6-8 pm College Night @ William King Museum of Art 6-8 pm Opening Reception: Three Stories of Africa @ William King Museum of Art 6-8 pm

5

Keep Kingsport Beautiful Green & Growing Seminar @ Kingsport Public Library Auditorium 12 pm

Beginning Archery @ Lynn View Community Center 5 pm

Time for Twos Storytime @ Kingsport Public Library 10:30 am

8

9

ETSU Baseball vs Miami (OH) @ Home 1:05 pm Johnson City Community Concert Band Spring Concert @ Visitors Center 3 pm

10

TN Environmental Conference @ MeadowView Marriott

TN Environmental Conference @ MeadowView Marriott

TN Environmental Conference @ MeadowView Marriott

Forensics Challenge @ Hands On! Regional Museum until March 29

HMG Tuesday Talks @ HMG Medical Plaza 5:30 pm-6:30 pm

Job Lab @ Kingsport Public Library 2 pm

Southern Culture Cuisine @ William King Museum of Art 6-9 pm

St. Patrick’s Day Party @ Sr. Center Cafeteria 12:30 pm-1:30 pm

Shenanigans – A Musical Comedy Revue @ LampLight Theatre

KCS: Preschool Storytime @ Kingsport Public Library 10:30 am

15

Carousel Fine Craft Show @ Kingsport Farmer’s Market 10 am-5 pm Kingsport Antique & Rod SuperCruise Event @ Kingsport Town Center

11

16 Teen Tech Club @ Kingsport Public Library 3:30 pm-5 pm Harlem Globetrotters 2015 World Tour @ Freedom Hall 7 pm

17

Wellness Seminar @ Sr. Center Card Room 12:30 pm Preschool Storytime @ Kingsport Public Library 10:30 am

Explore, Experience and Express Acrylic and Mixed Media Collage with Toni Carlton @ Renaissance Arts Center, room 239 10 am

18 Job Lab @ Kingsport Public Library 2 pm

12 Keep Kingsport Beautiful Green & Growing Seminar @ Kingsport Public Library Auditorium 12 pm Friends of Library Annual Book Sale Preview Event @ Civic Auditorium 5 pm-9 pm

23

24 Mini Health Fair @ Sr. Center 1st Floor Atrium 9 am Easter Lunch @ Sr. Center Gym 11:30 am-1:30 pm

ETSU Baseball vs UNCGreensboro @ Home 1:05 pm

Preschool Storytime @ Kingsport Public Library 10:30 am

VIRGINIA CREEPER MARATHON @ Abingdon, VA

29

Shenanigans – A Musical Comedy Revue @ LampLight Theatre

6

ETSU Baseball vs Miami (OH) @ Home 6:05 pm Shamrock 4 Miler Presented

by CrestPoint Health, Johnston Memorial Hospital, and the Town of Abingdon @ Abingdon, VA 7 pm Ninth Annual Savvy SCRABBLE ® Social Game Night Fundraiser @ South View Community Center 7-11 pm Shenanigans – A Musical Comedy Revue @ LampLight Theatre

13

Brass Ring Gala @ Kingsport Farmers Market 6 pm-9 pm Carousel Fine Craft Show @ Kingsport Farmers Market 6 pm-9 pm Emerge Women’s Professional Series @ Eastman Lodge 7:30 am

Easter Musical of the Passion @ LampLight Theatre

19

20

Time for Twos Storytime @ Kingsport Public Library 10:30 am

ETSU Baseball vs UNC-Greensboro @ Home 6:05 pm

Ruth Ketron 85th Birthday Celebration 5K Walk/Run @ Kingsport, TN 6 pm

Light It Up Blue 5K Run/ Walk to Benefit Autism Speaks @ VA Campus Johnson City, TN 8 pm John McCutcheon in Concert @ International Storytelling Center 4-5:30 pm

Michelle Howe and Bobbie Lovell, Opening Reception @ Renaissance Center Art Gallery 2 pm-4 pm

Cocktails and Catwalks @ Belk at the Mall at Johnson City 6:30- 10 pm

Opening Day of The Proud and the Profane @ William King Museum of Art 10 am

Friends of Library Book Sale @ Civic Auditorium 9 am-7 pm

Friends of the Library Annual Book Sale @ Civic Auditorium 12:45 pm-5 pm

22

ETSU Baseball vs West Virginia @ Home 4:05 pm

25

26

27

Thin Mint Sprint 5k & 1 Mile Kids Run @ Creeper Trail Abingdon, VA @ 8:30 am Joggin for the Noggin 5k Run/ Walk to Benefit the Crumley House @ Crumley House Limestone, TN 1-7 pm Art Journaling with Carolyn Koesters @ William King Museum of Art 1:30-4:30 pm Shenanigans – A Musical Comedy Revue @ LampLight Theatre

7

Chris Tomlin - Love Ran Red Tour @ Freedom Hall 7 pm

ETSU Baseball vs Miami (OH) @ Home 2:05 pm 7th Annual Chasing Snakes 10K Road Race and 4K Fun Run/Fitness Walk@ Johnson City, TN 8:30 am Shenanigans – A Musical Comedy Revue @ LampLight Theatre

14

Carousel Fine Craft Show @ Kingsport Farmer’s Market 10 am-5 pm Visit with Easter Bunny – Opening Weekend @ Kingsport Town Center Friends of Library Book Sale @ Civic Auditorium 9 am-7 pm Firefall @ Niswonger Performing Arts Center 7:30-9 pm 5K Run for St. Anne School @ Abingdon, VA 9 am Bill Gatton College of Pharmacy Apothecary Dash 5k @ Johnson City, TN 10 am Run The Links 5K to Benefit the Johnson City Senior Center @ Pine Oaks Golf Course Johnson City, TN 10 am Seconds Count 5K Run/Walk @ Bristol, TN 9 am Rise Up @ Renaissance Center Theater 8 pm Miss Easter Sweetheart Beauty Pageant @ Kingsport Town Center 2 pm RED MOLLY @ The Paramount Center for the Arts 7:30 pm

21

Annual Junior League Food Drive

ETSU Baseball vs UNCGreensboro @ Home 2:05 pm Shadows of the 60’s @ Niswonger Performing Arts Center 7:30-9 pm Running for the Ladies 5K Run/ Walk @ Piney Flats 9 am Opening Day: Fortune, Courage, Love @ William King Museum of Art 10 am-5 pm ETSU Spring Concert with T-Pain @ Freedom Hall 7:30 pm

28

ETSU Baseball vs Morehead St. @ Home 6:05 pm

30

31 MARCH 2015 | VIPSEEN | 5

Letter from the Publishers / MARCH 2015 FOUNDER/PUBLISHER Angela J. Baker

She Says ...

He Says...

FOUNDER/CO-PUBLISHER Brian Hullette

If you know me, you are certain to know that I have a beautiful daughter named Madison. For nearly 18 years this child has exposed me to feelings and emotions that I did not think I was capable of having. More than anything, though, she made me want to become someone that she would always be proud to call “Mom”.

This month is near and dear to my heart because we will be taking a look into the lives of several inspiring females from around the region.

As you turn the pages, there is one in particular in there that you won’t be seeing and that is my business partner Angela Striligas Baker.

Angela refused to put herself and her story in here so I wanted to point out the next time you see her, thank her for all the blood, sweat, and tears that she puts in to this magazine. She is an amazing female and she should be recognized.

CREATIVE DIRECTOR Angelica Ares EVENT COORDINATOR DIRECTOR OF DISTRIBUTION Savanna McDavid DISTRIBUTION ASSISTANT SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR Madison Perkins EDITORIAL ASSISTANT Danielle Holder ACCOUNT MANAGERS Lark Adams 423.612.3583 Lark@vipseenmg.com Susan Couch 423.483.5591 susan@vipseenmag.com Danielle Hahne 404.483.6926 danielle@vipseenmag.com Carolyn Kestner 423.292.3436 carolyn@vipseenmag.com COPY EDITOR Lucy Honeychurch CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Lark Adams Jennifer Ares Liz Bushong Susan Couch Bob Harshbarger, III James Helmes Lucy Honeychurch Savanna McDavid PHOTOGRAPHY Mickey J. Baker Lark Adams Liz Bushong Danielle Hahne James Helmes Savanna McDavid Tom Pardue

I am proud of the woman I am raising.

When I was growing up, I didn’t have to worry about social media or text messaging. I remember exactly where I was when someone was explaining to me the details of what the Internet was and how I thought it was absurd to think that such a thing could be created. Now we spend more time “chatting”, “tweeting”,“texting” or “online” than we do having face to face conversations. The parental challenges this has created far outweigh the positive aspects of it.

We men should realize how fragile the ego of a woman/entrepreneur is, but also always how brutally honest she can be when things aren’t right. Be a sounding board, letting them know when they are taking things too personally or making decisions based on emotion versus fact. We should encourage them to negotiate harder for themselves and to dream bigger when moments of doubt creep into their mind.

Men, be their first investor! Be their best friend and support them.

How do we teach our daughters that we are not supposed to be living for our “selfie” or that reality television is not reality at all? My biggest challenges have been: • To teach Madison that we should be building other women up instead of tearing them down.

• Leading is not the same thing as being a boss.

• Be nice to everyone, even those who aren’t nice to you.

• Help those in need.

• Not everything you read on the Internet is true.

• Rumors are just that…rumors. Don’t believe something about someone just because your friends’ friend pinky swore she heard it from her sister’s boyfriend.

• God created us love one another and not judge. Period.

To all the men and other respective partners whom love, support, and nurture ambitious entrepreneurial women – I say thank you. It takes a special breed to be able to love and support a woman who is a dynamo in her own right. Thank you for being confident enough in your own self, not to be blinded by our light.

We are all better because of you.

“The important thing is not being afraid to take a chance. Remember, the greatest failure is to not try. Once you find something you love to do, be the best at doing it.” - Debbi Fields, founder of Mrs. Fields Cookies

In this last year, I have witnessed many changes in Madison; all are changes for the better. She often refers to me as a “hippie” because I try to fill her mind with positive thoughts and encourage her to look for the good in all situations. I am noticing a shift in her, one that resembles “hippie–like” thinking and, as I said before, I am proud of the woman I am raising.

When I was struggling this past month to decide on what I was going to do for the cover, Madison took it upon herself to help by researching creative ideas and sending them to me. I credit Madison with this month’s cover design. She cared enough to help make a difference when she observed my stress; and help me is exactly what she did. She became the leader: a confident one sure in her choices.

I just can’t say it enough…I am proud of the woman I am raising.

Brian Hullette, Co-Publisher brian@vipseenmag.com

ON THE COVER Premier Aundrea Wilcox It’s Personal.

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6 | VIPSEEN | MARCH 2015

THINK LIKE A BOSS. POWER WOMEN OF THE TRI-CITIES

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE: JOHNSON CITY STATE OF THE CITIES

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Angela J. Baker, Publisher angela@vipseenmag.com

CREATED BY: Angelica Ares

LEADING. INSPIRING.

CREATING A SENSE OF COMMUNITY IN NORTHEAST TENNESSEE & SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA

VIPSEEN, Inc., Tri-Cities 151 E. Main Street, Suite 5 Kingsport, TN 37660 423.398.5321 info@vipseenmag.com

The entrepreneurial journey that is rarely discussed is the role of our partners – the individuals who love and support dreamers and doers.

Children and boyfriends/husbands are often viewed as a burden to startup life – distractions that prevent entrepreneurs from focusing 110% of their time and effort on the business. Rarely do we give credence to the benefits of having a strong, supportive partner and how in some ways that can be a competitive advantage. So I’d like to take a moment to recognize and thank all the men who love and support the entrepreneurial women.

MARCH

WEBMASTER Robert Neilson Wired Web Development

There is nothing more attractive than seeing a woman who is focused, dedicated and determined to do what they love and, to go for their dreams.

VIPSEEN

DISTRIBUTION Bobby Flowers James Helms Carolyn Kestner Charles Kilgore Rita Lane Sarah Moody Savanna McDavid

Raising a girl to become a woman in today’s society has been my life’s biggest challenge to date. To put it mildly, many things have changed since I was a kid and, quite frankly, some young girls have become vicious. As a parent, my first instinct was (and will always be) to protect her and remove her from any hostile environment she was experiencing, but I was quick to learn that my daughter had a different plan. A recent run in with some not so nice girls taught both of us some valuable life lessons. I learned that Madison was, under no uncertain terms, going to allow herself to be bullied and Madison learned that standing up for herself can be an empowering experience that can set her free from the restraints of others. This incidence, and the lessons we both learned afterward, warmed my heart because I have seen in Madison the strong woman I want her to be.

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Johnson City State of the City Luncheon PHOTOGRAPHY BY DANIELLE HAHNE | STORY SUBMITTED

Business and community leaders gathered at the Millennium Centre Friday, January 30th for Johnson City’s State of the City address. Friends and acquaintances gathered for a delicious lunch and some very positive information. City Manager, Pete Peterson, gave an overview of 2014 and the plan of action for Johnson City in 2015.

The event was proudly presented by CenturyLink, and had over 170 people in attendance. Peterson highlighted the rich history of our community, noted the foresight of past leaders who made decisions that impact us positively today, and discussed the continued growth and development of the City, County, and Town. It was a great day for Johnson City and everyone left with a positive feeling of the future.

Larry England and Shaunda Blackwell Steven Bales and Brenda

John Hearns, Gary Mabrey, and John Hunter

Larry England and Pete Peterson (City Manager of JC)

Terry Woodard and Chef Jean Claude

Becky Campbell, Mary Ellen Miller, Rebecca Henderson, and Lee Ann Davis

Stephanie Cashwell, Cindy Carden, Lottie Ryans, and Delores Carroll

Michael Kilmon (Buffalo Wild Wings), Rebecca Myers (Jones Chiropractic Clinic), and Leesa Wilcher (WTFM)

8 | VIPSEEN | MARCH 2015

Rhonda Chafin, Barry Dorris, and Carroll Carter

Brent Moseley, Gayle Keebler, Amy Miller, and Rick Harbit

First Bank And Trust

Robert Plummer and Harold Dishner (State Farm)

Chuck Mason, Kim Hodge, Ladonna DeCaterina, and Mark Wininger (JA Street)

SEEN IN KINGSPORT

EASTMAN EMPLOYEE CENTER

United Way of Greater Kingsport Thanks Its Leadership Givers STORY AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY SAVANNA MCDAVID

The United Way of Greater Kingsport (UWGK) hosted its Leadership Giving Event on Thursday, January 29. The event recognized donors who contributed $500 or more to the 2014 UWGK Campaign. Leadership Givers donated $2.17 million of the total $4.2 million raised in 2014. With the contributions from key donors, like those recognized at Leadership Giving levels, UWGK helps create long-term, lasting change in community conditions by addressing the root causes of problems. Together, the community and UWGK can accomplish more than any single group can on its own, because we are all interconnected.

Craig Denison and Chip Childress

Justin Miller and Seth Bartee

“The Leadership Giving Event brought together the people and organizations from across our community who have the passion, expertise, and resources needed to get things done,” said Craig Denison, vice chair, 2014 UWGK Campaign. “Leadership Givers are the backbone of support for the United Way of Greater Kingsport as they represent approximately 52% of the total dollars raised for the 2014 campaign,” added Denison. He and every other United Way of Greater Kingsport member would like to thank the community for being a part of a special night.

To find out more about United Way of Greater Kingsport please visit www.uwaykpt.org.

Lori Miller, Stephanie Crandall, and Megan Miller

Darren Eskind, Lucy Fleming, Michelle Eskind, and Chris Glasscock

Lorrie and Robert Smith

Joe Fleming, David Strickler, and Jim White

Randy and Sherry Maddux

John Perdue, Cathy and Doug Springer, with Beverley Perdue

Elaine and William Washington

Wallace and Steven Waugh

10 | VIPSEEN | MARCH 2015

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Joe Fleming and Wally Boyd

Virgil and Clara Stephens

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Bristol Chamber Luncheon STORY AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY SAVANNA MCDAVID

The Bristol Chamber of Commerce held the Annual Membership Meeting and Awards Luncheon Friday, January 23rd at the Holiday Inn in Bristol. The Luncheon showcases the past year of programs and achievements for the Chamber and City. There were many surprised, but deserving, winners at this year’s awards. The biggest award, the Lifetime Achievement Award, was given to Steve Smith, Owner of K-VAT Foods. Smith was beyond shocked and extremely honored to receive such a prestigious award.

The program ended with outgoing Board Chairman, Chris Lee, giving an overview of 2014 in Bristol and the many things that went on. Then, he passed the Gavel to the incoming Board Chairman Jim Maxwell who gave his predictions for 2015. The afternoon was full of laughs, memories, and catching up with friends and colleagues. A big thanks goes out to all the event sponsors as well as a congratulations to all the 2014 Award Winners.

Chris Lee, Jim Maxwell, and Jim Steele

Chrissy Idlette, Pin-Chia Murphy, and Jessica Flagg

Stephanie McRenyolds, Melissa Plymal, and Kathy Lowdermilk

Blair Anderson, Gail Sykes, and Andy Puckett

Debbie and Steve Smith

Virginia Highlands

George DeFault and Leesa Wilcher

Bristol, TN Mayor Lea Powers and Congressman Phil Roe

MARCH 2015 | VIPSEEN | 13

The Business Journal

Jack Dempsey and Steve Robinson

Chris Lee presenting Steve Smith with the Lifetime Achievement Award

Tammy Baumgardner and Greg Harvey

Freddy Sullivan and Rebecca White

Miles Burdine and Jason Meredith

14 | VIPSEEN | MARCH 2015

Neil Richards and Steve Park

David Oakley, David Ring, Mark Bowman, and Todd Berthold

John Rainero and Kimberly Leonard

Shari Brown, Michelle Dolan, Tim Beavers, and Chad Keen

Chris Lee passing the Gavel to Jim Maxwell

HOLIDAY INN

Margaret Feierabend, Bill Sorah, Jack Young, and Bob Barnes

Red Gearheart and Bristol, VA Mayor Catherine Brillhart

ECU

Courtney Kieslich and Rebecca Banton

Guy Odum and Bill Hartley

SEEN IN BRISTOL

Va l e r i a S i n y av s k a y a , A r t i s t i c D i r e c t o r

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WILLIAM KING MUSEUM OF ART

SEEN IN ABINGDON

Mapping The Cosmos PHOTOGRAPHY AND STORY BY JAMES HELMS

The William King Museum of Art played host to Jan Hurt’s “Mapping The Cosmos” art exhibit Thursday Feb 5, 2015. In all, 27 artists were on exhibit with multiple themes involving our cosmos. Planets such as Venus and Pluto were represented as well as the Nebula and many other themes. Art pieces ranged from paintings, to sculptures, to high fashion clothing, and shadow boxes. The event was catered by 128 Pecan which is

by Chef Jack Burrow. Flowers for the event were provided by Humphrey’s Flowers. The evening started with a reception as art lovers perused the gallery admiring the talents of the artists and listening to music from local musicians. CEO Sean McMurray, from Johnston Memorial, was on hand to present a check in the amount of $10,000 to the museum. Mr. McMurray expressed the hospital’s desire to support the community not only through the hiring of quality doctors and nurses but through funding the arts in the Abingdon area as well. The William King Museum of Art hosts several exhibits a year and the “Mapping The Cosmos” exhibit will available for viewing through May.

Cynthia Yearwood and Jan Hurt

D.R. Mullins

Ray Andrade and Kris Truelson

Ron Sachs

Travis Proffitt and Stephen Curd

Val Lyle

Misty Stratton

Lillian Minix

Ron Sachs

Jan Hurt, Leila Cartier, and Kathy Gibian Sean McMurray and Mary Miller

Eric Drummond Smith

MARCH 2015 | VIPSEEN | 17

Bunny Tales, Tulips & Treats

J

RECIPE DEVELOPMENT, FOOD STYLING, PHOTOGRAPHY, AND ARTICLE BY LIZ BUSHONG

ust as emerging spring tulips unfurl and stretch toward the morning sun, so does our furry friend, Peter Rabbit. Forget those winter blues and hop into spring with a sunny yellow, orange, and white springtime tablescape. The golden yellow and white serveware, with the playful bunnies, is the inspirational color scheme for this bright and cheery table, and just in time for Easter. This color scheme and tablescape will bring warmth and overwhelming joy to all who experience it.

Dress your spring table with fun and colorful projects that you can make in minutes. Floppy bunny-shaped ears are made from a white ruffled napkin that is folded neatly and banded with golden yellow and polka dot scrapbooking paper. A cut out shaped paper bunny is attached to the napkin ring and monogramed with the name of each guest, then placed at each place setting. Golden round placements provide the foundation for the classic white dinner plate and playful bunny salad plates.

Pulling double duty, the tulip centerpiece can be used on your dining table or as a door décor for your front porch. A large grapevine wreath hides the stems of petite orange, yellow, and white faux tulips. The tulips are arranged in a circular motion to mimic the roundness of the wreath. As a table centerpiece, three round canisters are wrapped with alternating striped scrap booking papers to carry the golden yellow color scheme and placed in the center of the tulips. The glass candle canisters have a pleated coffee filter in the bottom of the container for added detail and continuity with the white and yellow theme. When the Easter dinner is over, you can use the tulip wreath for your main entry door décor. See more how-to instructions @serveitupsassy.com/blog.

Tulips and Sweet treats make Easter entertaining a breeze. Instead of an Easter basket at each place setting, a cream puff “cotton tail” is placed in a white ruffled mini bowl. These bunny tails are easy to make or you can purchase cream puffs and adorn them with white creamy frosting or whipped cream and sprinkle with flaked sweetened coconut. Another fun treat that is easy to make are mini Mound’s bunnies. The delicate flavor of dark chocolate and coconut mound bars is the base for these cute treats. Two colors of Buttercream frosting, cream and pink, provide the facial details and glue to attach the mini marshmallow ears and tail. Kids of all ages will love these adorable mini sweet chocolate bunny treats.

Easter is a wonderful season and comes early this year, so hop to it and do all the fun things you have planned to do with your family and friends. With these easy ideas and do- it -yourself projects your family will be amazed at your creativity. Whether you are hosting a luncheon, or an Easter dinner, this warm and sunny setting will brighten everyone’s day.

Make a Statement, Make is Sassy and Make it Yours.

Yellow banded bunny plates http://www.williams-sonoma.com/ • Tulip wreath supplies http://www.michaels.com • Mound’s candy bar http://www.hersheys.com/almondjoy-mounds/ JJ, the white bunny and media magnet belongs to Liz Bushong as a personal pet.

18 | VIPSEEN | MARCH 2015

Serve it Up Sassy

Cotton Tail Lemon Curd Cream Puffs Yield: 10 cream puffs or éclair fingers 1 -cup water or whole milk ½ cup butter, no substitutes ½ teaspoon salt 2 teaspoons granulated sugar 1 cup+1 tablespoon all purpose flour 4 large eggs +1 egg yolk

FILLING: 1 cup heavy whipping cream 1 teaspoon coconut or lemon extract ¼ cup confectioner’s sugar 2 tablespoons water ½ packet of unflavored gelatin

GARNISH: ¼ cup prepared lemon curd 2 cups sweetened coconut

INSTRUCTIONS FOR CREAM PUFFS: Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Prepare baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside. Place in medium saucepan, water or milk, butter, sugar and salt.

Bring to a rolling boil. Stir in flour, beat with wooden spoon over low heat until mixture leaves sides of pan. Dough will look like dry mashed potatoes.

Remove from heat, transfer dough to mixing bowl with paddle, beat in eggs, one at a time. Add egg yolk, dough should be a thick liquid, if it is too stiff add one tablespoon of water at a time until dough will run slowly down the wooden spoon.

Place pastry dough in a large star tip pastry bag. Pipe pastry into small 2 -inch circles, 3 -inches apart on baking sheet. Bake at 400 degrees for 25-30 minutes. Cream puffs should remain in turned off oven with door ajar until completely baked and puffed. If puffs don’t puff, no worries, they will be cut in half and filled. Let cool. * Milk will make the cream puffs rich and buttery.

FILLING INSTRUCTIONS: Mix 2 tablespoons water with gelatin, place in microwave for 1 minute to dissolve. Allow gelatin to cool but not set up. Whip heavy cream in cold mixing bowl fitted with wire whisk until soft peaks form, add flavoring and softened gelatin, beat until stiff peaks form. Place whipping cream in pastry bag fitted with large star tip. Cut cream puff in half, fill bottom puff with 1teaspoon lemon curd then two swirls of whipped cream, add top puff, pip the top of cream puff to form a covering. Sprinkle whipped cream with shredded coconut.

Mini Mounds Bunny Treats Yield: 10 mini bunnies 10 mini mounds bar candies ½ cup vanilla frosting-divided Pink food coloring 20 mini marshmallows INSTRUCTIONS: Unwrap mounds bars and place on serving platter.

For Bunny ears and nose, mix ¼ cup vanilla frosting with small amount of pink food coloring, stir to desired pink color. Cut 10 mini marshmallows in half and form into a bunny ear. Roll 10 marshmallows into a ball for the tail. Place pink and vanilla frosting into two separate piping bags fitted with small tip 5. Use white frosting to pipe dot for ears and tail. Position marshmallow ears and tail in position. Using pink frosting dot for nose and line inside marshmallow ear for the inner lining of the ear.

Tulip Wreath Yield: 1-12 inch wreath Materials Needed 1 -12 inch grapevine wreath 15- bunches each small yellow, white and orange silk tulips wire cutters green pipe cleaner for hanger INSTRUCTIONS: Separate each flower bunch off the stem of silk flowers. Insert ends of tulips alternating color and placing in the same direction onto the grapevine wreath beginning on the outside edge of the wreath, working toward the center inside. Continue this process until wreath is completely full and covered. No need to glue the stems to wreath. The tulips will stick and stay in position on the wreath. Depending on your stems you may need additional picks to make it full and pretty. Attach pipe cleaner to back of wreath for hanging or place the wreath in the center of your dining table.

Make a Statement, Make it Sassy and Make it Yours!

Liz Bushong is an expert in the three-dimensional art of entertaining. She transforms simple dining occasions into beautiful and memorable moments by adding a touch of her own “sassy” style. In 2009, 2010, and 13, she was selected from thousands nationwide to be part of an elite team of 100 professionals entrusted with decorating the White House for the Holiday. In 2014 she was invited as a designer to the White House to assist with a 4th of July event. In 2011, she was part of seven-person team selected to decorate the Tennessee Governor’s Mansion for the holiday.

To purchase cookbooks, find recipes, cooking, and decorating ideas, go to www.lizbushong.com. Like and Share Liz on Facebook, tweet @lizbushong and pin on pinterest.com/lizbushong.

SEEN IN KINGSPORT

FARMER’S MARKET

Hammond Post 3 American Legion Baseball Media Day STORY AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY SAVANNA MCDAVID

Saturday, January 24th was the first ever Hammond Post 3 American Legion Baseball Media Day. The Hammond Hornets are made up of young men and boys around the region; they compete in the Tennessee American Legion Baseball program in the Mid South region. The team has direct connections to the Veterans of the community. At the media day the team invited their sponsors, Kingsport Hammond Post 3 American Legion and TC-MAC, to the Kingsport Farmer’s Market for a delicious dinner.

Also attending the Media Day was the 702nd Engineer Co. stationed in Gray. The baseball team tries to support the 702nd as much as possible. The boys on the team got to meet Veterans and Active Duty Troops and also got to experience Military vehicles and equipment first hand. Parents of the baseball team enjoyed their boys talking with and learning from such great heroes around the community. The Hammond Hornets will continue to be active in the Veteran community and to play great ball! To learn more about them, visit hometeamsonline.com.

Page Maples and Tracy Bowman

Chloe, with Dawn and Shaw Proffitt

Brent Maples, Ed Everett, and Kevin Rasnick

Garett, Luke, Bob White, Brandon, and Howard

Joseph and John

Troy and Peggy Jonas, with Amy McCready

Ernie Rumbsey, Gerald Cardwell, and John Pollak

Triggers Salsa

Bobby Westbrook and Bill Mullins

Richard Jordan and Larry Absher Kellen and Danielle Glasscock, with Sam Jones and Ron Nussman

20 | VIPSEEN | MARCH 2015

Charlie Higgins, Vinh Dao, and Anthony Harley

SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA HIGHER EDUCATION CENTER

SEEN IN ABINGDON

Winter Soup Cook-off STORY AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY LARK ADAMS

On Saturday, February 7th, the 2nd annual great winter soup cook-off was held at the Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center as a fundraiser to support educational programs. The event was hosted by Amy Lynn of Day Time Tri-Cities and attendees were treated to music, cooking demonstrations, door prizes, and displays from culinary vendors.

Individuals, teams, and professionals participated by preparing their favorite soups and entering the competition. Awards were given in two categories, professional and amateur. Awards were given for 1st-3rd place in each category, as well as special prizes such as People’s Choice, Rooted in Appalachia, and Showmanship.

A new souper youth category for ages 9-15 was added this year. Winners received a monetary gift card and the top professional winner received a traveling trophy to be displayed at their business throughout the year.

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Eli Chestnut and Greg Bibb Jr.

Amy Lynn and Winners from the Tavern restaurant

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The Wit Bit Why Women Make Great Leaders...

WOMEN ARE INVESTIGATIVE PROBLEM SOLVERS. Not only are women able to find out details the Secret Service cannot, they can also find anything you’ve ever lost. Regardless of whether it’s your favorite socks or your birth parents, nothing is really lost until the woman in your life can’t find it.

WOMEN ARE INNOVATORS. Ever wonder why Plato said, “Necessity is the MOTHER of invention” rather than the FATHER of invention? Because even back in 400 B.C. men knew that women could make something out of nothing. If you don’t believe me, just think of how your grandmother could pick a few vegetables from her garden and make a delicious meal...or how a woman can take a little burlap and some daylillies to turn an old barn into a wedding wonderland...or just think about how you got here.

WOMEN ARE EXCELLENT MULTI-TASKERS. Let’s be honest, the term “man hours” would mean so much more if it were changed to “woman hours”, because even men know that we women are better at multitasking. A woman can actively participate in a conference call while preparing her tax return and browsing Pinterest for recipes that she’s going to make later while folding 6 loads of laundry, teaching her kids Algebra, painting her toenails, listening to the nightly news, and planning a church social.

WOMEN ARE PHYSICALLY TOUGH. We can walk around all day in a pair of 4-inch heels that are at least a half size too small. We can have the flu, bronchitis, and a sprained ankle, but still go to work, bring cupcakes to the party at school, and have dinner ready by 6:30 pm. We take great joy in plucking out our eyebrows just so we can draw them back on. We are willing to go through any amount of pain to keep our youthful appearance, because we know that pain is temporary, but looking old is forever.

Beth is a wife, mother of 2 boys, and business owner who is passionate about Jesus. Beth is an extreme multitasker by day, asleep by night. She is freakishly strong and rarely still. She likes the color orange, good grammar, and junk food; she detests misspelled words, laziness, and mouth noises of all kinds.

22 | VIPSEEN | MARCH 2015

WOMEN HAVE EXCEPTIONAL SOCIAL SKILLS. We can make you feel like you’re the most interesting person on earth or we can ignore you until you doubt your own existence. We never forget. Anything.

Ever. We always have the last word in every discussion. We like to be the boss, but we hate to be called bossy. We pretend to forgive and forget, but we’re usually more the resent and remember type. Some people think we’re completely unforgiving, but the fact that marriage and children still exist is proof we do occasionally forgive.

WOMEN HAVE THE UNIQUE ABILITY TO BE AGGRESSIVELY PASSIVE AGGRESSIVE. We can tell someone exactly what we think of them, yet still feel the need to secretly clean the toilet with their toothbrush. We write scathing open letters that never mention the enemy’s name, but mention every detail of their story and a person’s name that rhymes perfectly with theirs; just so there’s no doubt who the open letter is to or about. Women know that we could cripple the entire world by infecting all male leaders with the common cold, but we choose not to do so because, contrary to popular belief, one of our two favorite things is peace...the other is chocolate.

XOXO

Beth

My Wife: The Chief Everything Officer My wife is an incredible, astonishingly brilliant woman. After attaining multiple graduate degrees from an ivy-league institution, she has continued to amass a body of work that is world renowned in the fields of nursing science and genetics. She is so much smarter than me, it’s scary.

In addition to her cutting-edge work in nursing and her professorship with the University of Tennessee, she is also the CEO (Chief Everything Officer) of our humble abode. I, however, just work here.

Last month she was set to attend a meeting in Knoxville that would cause her to be gone all day and late into the evening. I was charged with taking care of the children and the homefront in her absence... primarily because the nanny was sick. Her parting orders to me as she left our family compound were, “Just do what I would do.”

Apprehensive, yet determined in the face of my marching orders, I kept a journal of the day’s happenings, in the event I mysteriously vanished, and my body was never recovered.

10:48 AM Every toilet in the house was backed up. The plumber came to snake our drains, because apparently when our house was built 80 years ago, rather than drainpipes, the builder installed a series of Silly Straws. I kinda hope the original plumber died of dysentery that he contracted from one of our pipes. Our new plumber’s slogan should be, “We’ll snake your drains for a modest fee, but make your entire house smell like a giant poop FOR FREE!” And right on cue, whilst our new plumber was elbow deep in our sewage, our 3-year-old suddenly, and miraculously, had to go potty. I used this as a learning opportunity, and taught her how bears do indeed go poo in the woods.

11:59 AM Cable was out. Again. Anthony with customer service, whom I am assuming is an animated Chia Pet with a call-center headset, tried to explain to me that I needed to simply reboot the cable modem. I explained to Anthony, who I ordained as Prince Crapface of Stupidtown, that I was fairly up-todate on network technology, and that in my expert opinion rebooting the cable modem would neither remove the felled tree resting on the ****** cable line, nor remedy the craptastic service the cable company has been providing for years. He retorted, “Cha-cha-cha-Chia!”

1:12 PM A cable tech and his supervisor walked into my living room and explained that upon reviewing the last THREE YEARS of our complaints, they finally brought in their “chief engineer” who determined that there really WAS a horrible problem with the service, and it was all located at the head-end. I put “chief engineer” in quotes, because when he said those words, I literally

pictured in my mind a chimpanzee in blue cable-company overalls, flinging handfuls of monkey-crap at a server rack, until a banana popped-out.

Side-note: There are now two cable employees buried in my backyard next to the “bears go poo in the woods” demonstration area. (Ok, I made that part up.)

3:44 PM Whilst getting my 3-year-old a drink of water, I slipped in a puddle of puppypee. Both feet launched into the air, as I landed flat on my back... like a scene out of Home Alone 5: The Tinkling. I cleaned-up the pee. However, I left my dignity in a puddle on the floor. Salvaging it seemed pointless.

5:34 PM I walked into the kitchen to find my 5-year-old, bawling like he just saw Jack and the Titanitc slip beneath the icy waters of North Atlantic... ...because he didn’t like the soup I had painstakingly made, from a can. Being the loving, caring, contemporary father that I am, I explained that he could either eat the soup that I made for him, or watch me eat every last drop and the cookies I was going to make after dinner. Poor kid really believed me when I said I was making cookies; so he happily ate the whole bowl, sucker.

7:23 PM My 3-year-old was walking around the house, chewing the same piece of meat from dinner, for 2 solid hours (you can’t make this up). It was easy to tell. It was stuffed in her cheek, like she was chewing tobacco whilst pitching the final inning of the World Series. Fearing that she may choke, I asked her why she was savoring a chunk of cow flesh in her jaw, as though she were a demented, carnivore chipmunk. She began to explain something in threeyear-old-ese... that included the words “princess” and “Hello Kitty”... for which, of course, I simply had no patience subsequent the proceedings of the day... thus I forcibly removed a mound of chewed meat from my baby girl’s mouth. I have a feeling we’ll both be describing that incident to a therapist one day in the future.

8:01 PM I finally got all the kids in bed with explicit instructions that if they came downstairs before 6:30 AM the next morning, I would build a bonfire in the front yard with every, single electronic device in the house. And I’d light it with a My Little Pony on a pike.

9:16 PM My wife arrived home to find me huddled in the fetal position on our bedroom floor, clutching an order form for the golden statue of her I was having erected in the den.

! s k c o R e f i W y M - GC

GC Hutson is a husband, father and senior partner with Hutson & Howell Mediation Associates. GC is a satirist; his favorite topics include his family, his practice and life in general. GC has counted to infinity three times, always knows where Waldo is and beat-up Chuck Norris whilst taking a nap.

MARCH 2015 | VIPSEEN | 23

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MEADOWVIEW CONVENTION CENTER

SEEN IN KINGSPORT

AccelNow Hosts the TENN STORY AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY SAVANNA MCDAVID

Gary Tucker and Austin Church

Rick Storey, Andrew Sheehy, and Charlie Brock

Monday January 26, AccelNow and Eastman hosted the opening event for the TENN Roadshow at the Cumberland Amphitheater in MeadowView Convention Center in Kingsport. The roadshow featured ten of the most promising start-ups from the accelerators across the state. Participants engaged in a five minute “pitch” followed by brief question and answer. This event promised to be a rewarding way to spend a Monday morning. Every businessperson and entrepreneur enjoyed each pitch as they all brought something unique to the table.

After the morning was finished, the TENN began a statewide tour of over 1,000 miles. The bus began in Kingsport and is stopping in Knoxville, Chattanooga, Nashville, and Memphis; all so the TENN group could meet with senior executives at the state’s top corporations, as well as successful entrepreneurs and technologists. Everyone who participated received unparalleled access to feedback and networks that could significantly accelerate their business.

John Campbell and Jim Barbarito

Mike Housewright, Kayla Tucker, and Kathy Frederick

Chelsie Gregory and Jose Castillo

Audrey Depelteau, Brett Norman, and Dwaine Raper

Andrew Sheehy, James Leonard, and Lucy Beard

SEEN IN KINGSPORT

MEADOWVIEW CONVENTION CENTER

Kingsport Chmaber of Commerce

Annual Dinner PHOTOGRAPHY BY LINDA COFFEY, LYNDA FONTAINE, SAVANANA MACDAVID, AND MICKEY BAKER | STORY SUBMITTED

The Kingsport Chamber of Commerce celebrated another great year for Kingsport Friday night as “The Nation’s Number One Party Band” – Party on the Moon – entertained another record and sold-out crowd at the Kingsport Chamber 68th Annual Dinner!

Hosted at the MeadowView Marriott Conference Resort & Convention Center, “Kingsport’s Social Event of the Year” was another thrilling affair that drew more than 1,700 attendees.

“It’s been another great year for your Kingsport Chamber and the City of Kingsport,” said Andy Wampler, 2014 Kingsport Chamber chair and a shareholder with Wilson Worley.

“Kingsport continues to grow and excel on so many levels and in so many areas. The state of our City is strong and the future is even stronger.”

“Kingsport is on a roll,” remarked Isaac Webb, 2015 Kingsport Chamber chair and district manager with Appalachian Power.

“And we are poised for even greater growth and more success this year and in the years to come.”

“This night presented the perfect opportunity to showcase this great community of Kingsport,” Kingsport Chamber President & CEO Miles Burdine said. “The Kingsport Chamber Annual Dinner is a celebration of all that we have accomplished and will accomplish as a community and is a great representation of who we are as a community.”

The event remains the largest Chamber annual dinner in the nation. As part of the celebration, the Kingsport Chamber showcased several community projects and endeavors that were accomplished last year and looked to many new initiatives that will be developing this year.

26 | VIPSEEN | MARCH 2015

MARCH 2015 | VIPSEEN | 27

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MEADOWVIEW CONVENTION CENTER

28 | VIPSEEN | MARCH 2015

VIP-Editor

MARCH 2015 | VIPSEEN | 29

fu

INTERNATIONAL TAPAS NIGHT

MARCH

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Nelson Fine Art Center, downtown JCity, 324 E. Main St.

thursday

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g ional ar ts one e r & bit al c ea o l g ta 2nd Annual n i d

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The Power of the Bite FUELED BY:

Virginia Buda/Artlandia: Art, Culture, Community

• A variety of tapas “bites” • Two glasses of Wine • • Several local Restaurants • Door Prize • EVENT PROCEEDS TOWARDS A BICYCLE-INSPIRED PUBLIC ART PROJECT

$20 in advance $25 week of event

Nelson Fine Art Center, Eventbrite.com or Virginia at vbudadesigns@gmail.com

artlandiajc SPONSORS:

Nelson Fine Art Center, One Stop Wines, VIP SEEN Magazine, Main Street Catering in Jonesborough

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NN, INC.

NN After Hours PHOTOGRAPHY BY DANIELLE HAHNE | STORY BY SUBMITTED

NN, Inc. hosted the Johnson City Chamber membership at their new corporate headquarters on January 27th. Attendees enjoyed networking and learning about the myriad of products produced by NN. They are a leading global manufacturer of metal bearing, plastic, rubber, and precision metal components. The company was founded in 1980 and is headquartered in Johnson City. With over 4,200 employees in 25 manufacturing facilities in North America, Eastern Europe, Western Europe, and Asia, they proudly serve customers around the globe with the highest quality precision components.

Andrei and Lindsey Ghiultu

Kyle Wirick, Kate van Huss, Rhonda Lacey, and Rob Bunch

Richard Holder, NN President and CEO states, “At NN, we have built a powerful perspective on business based on precision, traceability, nimble customer service, and a culture of zero defects. Meeting or exceeding exacting standards asked for by our customers has powered their own quality promise. From automotive to HVAC, industrial, or any other application where precision can offer our customers a competitive edge, NN is ready to respond.”

Rhonda Fox and Jennifer Helton, ECU

Christian Holder Sandy and Jeff Eaves, with Evelise Faro

30 | VIPSEEN | MARCH 2015

NN, Inc Management

Rich Holder, Arlene Weinstein, and Lindsey Ghiultu

THE BRISTOL TRAIN STATION

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Bows and Bowties

Bristol Ballet’s 6th Annual Father/Daughter Ball STORY AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY LARK ADAMS

Their first words. Their first steps. Their first break-up. It may sound cliché, but it all goes by so fast. Whether she’s 4 or 40, she’ll always be your little girl. You’ll always be the most important man in her life. The Bristol Ballet’s 6th annual Father Daughter Ball, themed “Bows & Bow Ties,” was created to promote healthy father daughter relationships and build a tradition of memories to last a lifetime. The train station was rockin’, literally, as Dads and their daughters took over the dance floor on Sunday, February 8. Gentlemen and sparkly young ladies aged 3 to 50 enjoyed an afternoon of sweets, treats, and dancing. AV Express laid down the best grooves, both old and new school and Dads scored points raising the roof. An array of cookies, cupcakes, and candy kept the energy up!

King University Department of Digital Imaging and Photography provided keepsakes photos of Daddies and their darlings. Magic, memories, and twirling— lots of twirling—ensued making it a fantastic time had by all!

Joseph and Emily-Anne Thompson

Karen Tillison and Michele Plescia

Brad, Kira and Bree Adams

Tommy, Emily and Madison Curtin

Ada and Wes Ritchie

Emily and Michael Hunt

Nate, Averie and Mayleigh Stalnaker

John and Milly Rainero

Ava and Bert White

Jonathan and Addison White

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VIPSEEN EXCLUSIVE COMMUNITY COVERAGE MARCH 2015

Seen on the Scene GRAND OPENING OF ALDI IN THE TRI-CITIES

KINGSPORT CHAMBER HONORS BETTY DEVINNEY WITH DISTINGUISHED LIFETIME MEMBER AWARD The Kingsport Chamber of Commerce honored longtime Kingsport community leader and retired Eastman executive Betty DeVinney with its prestigious Lifetime Member Award during its 68th Annual Dinner Friday night at the MeadowView Marriott Conference Resort & Convention Center. DeVinney is the award’s twenty-seventh recipient.

The German Discount Grocery chain, Aldi, opened in two locations across the Tri-Cities. The Johnson City location on West Market Street and the Kingsport location on East Stone Drive opened the same day and drew huge crowds to both locations. Aldi builds efficiencies into its business model not seen in other Tri-Cities grocery stores, which are responsible for the considerably lower prices. If you have not been by to check out the newest grocery store, drop by one of their locations today!

“10,000 HEART TO HEARTS” TO HELP LOCAL SENIOR WOMEN WITH ALZHEIMER’S FIGHT CARDIAC DISEASE

DeVinney has served in numerous leadership positions with several organizations, including the East Tennessee State University Foundation Board, the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Kingsport Foundation, the East Tennessee State University Business Advisory Council, the University of Tennessee Chancellor’s Advisory Council, and the University of Southern Mississippi Business Advisory Council.

“Betty DeVinney is the penultimate servant leader,” said Miles Burdine, Kingsport Chamber president and CEO. “She has given tirelessly and with sincere passion of her time, talents and leadership for many, many years and she has made an enormous impact on this community. Betty DeVinney best exemplifies the adage about the one who plants the seeds for whom tomorrow’s generation enjoys the shade.”

BROOKDALE ROCK SPRINGS (FORMERLY REMINGTON HOUSE) VISITS TO ALERT, ASSIST IN COMBATING PROBLEM Kingsport, TN, 2/9/2015 – As women age they become more likely to develop heart disease, a condition that poses a threat to all, including those with Alzheimer’s. To combat this problem, a team from Brookdale Rock Springs is fanning out to personally alert area women age 65 and older with dementia and their family caregivers to their increased cardiac risk and to provide resources to fight it. Brookdale, Rock Spring’s effort, is part of “10,000 Heart to Hearts,” a nationwide initiative being conducted by its parent organization Brookdale with the goal of reaching 10,000 senior women across the country. The 10,000 Heart to Hearts program begins Feb. 1 at the start of American Heart Month.

Brookdale Rock Springs provides care for those with Alzheimer’s and other dementias.

To schedule an in-home “10,000 Heart to Hearts” visit, contact Suzy Cloyd, Brookdale Rock Springs at 423-239-8803.

In addition, senior women and others concerned about heart disease are invited to ask questions of Brookdale chief medical officer Dr. O’Neil in a free webinar at 3:30 p.m. ET/2:30 p.m. CT/12:30 p.m. PT Feb. 18. To register, go to brookdale.com.

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“LOVE LOCAL….A FOOD TRUCK EVENT”, MARCH 29, 2015 – SHOWING THE BENEFITS OF COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS Abingdon, VA, 2/08/15 – Appalachian Sustainable Development (ASD) will partner with local food trucks: Slammin’ Sammy’s Sandwiches, Foodie Fiction and Toni’s Hawaiian Tacos and local band, My New Favorites on Sunday, March 29, rain or shine, from 2-4pm at Steele Creek Park in Bristol, TN. Generously underwritten by Cecelia and Joe D. Pippin, the event is sure to educate and inspire guests about ASD’s impacts to address food access issues in the region. Each food truck will feature select menu items using local, in-season ingredients procured by ASD. Guests will also enjoy live music by My New Favorites, http://www.mynewfavorites.com. As a tribute to ASD in it’s 20th year of service, the band has written a song called Daddy’s Plow which will be performed live for the very first time. Tickets are $10 for adults, children 6 and under are free. Space is limited, supporters are encouraged to purchase tickets early, at: www.asdevelop.org.

Seen on the Scene NATIONAL SIGNING DAY!

BLOOD ASSURANCE GRAND OPENING IN KINGSPORT Blood Assurance opened their new Kingsport location on January 22. They invited the community I to celebrate and cut a ribbon with them. The new location is in the downtown Food City shopping center on Clinchfield Street. The nonprofit is open from 10 am to 6:30 pm to the public.

It is a day every high school athlete looks forward to, the day they are one step closer to living their dream. Wednesday, February 4th teens all around the Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia region committing to their favorite school and firming up their future. Abingdon High’s Daniel Bailey committed to Virginia Tech, while teammate Austin Blankenship goes to Bluefield and Skylar Simcox will be attending Emory and Henry. Tennessee High’s Christian Gibson will be attending ETSU. Elizabethton’s Ethan Thomas committed to Eastern Kentucky and teammate Chris Cifers to Carson Newman.

Science Hill’s star quarterback Malik McGue signed to Army, Mikey White to Western Carolina, Malcolm White to Chatanooga and Alex Rinella to Western Kentucky. Sullivan South’s Jake Strickler committed to Navy and their star quarterback Dylan Weiger to the ETSU Bucs. Dobyns Bennett’s three star players, Tyler Norris, Taylor Helton and Devin Stuart will be playing at Appalachian State, Chattanooga and Austin Peay. Volunteer’s Jacob Carter signed to Tusculum.

Congratulations to all players who committed!

WELLMONT-BRISTOL AND HEALTHSOUTH PARTNERS FOR STROKE SUPPORT GROUP Bristol Tennessee – Broadmore Senior Living will host the inaugural meeting of the Bristol Stroke Support Group on Thursday, February 5, 6:00pm – 7:00pm. The effort is a partnership between the Bristol Regional Medical Center Stroke Center and HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital. The meeting is open to the public and designed to encourage, support and provide advice for Stroke Survivors, Family and Caregivers of those that have experienced Stroke.

The Bristol Stroke Support Group will meet regularly, monthly or bi-monthly, at Broadmore on the first Thursday of the month.

Facilitators will be Amy Hale of the Bristol Regional Medical Center Stroke Center and Veronica Quina of HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital. The public is encouraged to attend this free gathering.

FAMOUS PIANIST COMES TO MILLIGAN Pianist Chih-Long Hu is featured in the Johnson City Symphony Orchestra’s first concert for 2015, “Thermal Energy,” on February 7. Under the direction of Music Director and Conductor Robert J. Seebacher, the concert will include music by Pytor Tchaikovsky, Serge Prokofiev, and Igor Stravinsky. The concert is sponsored by Jim and Sandy Powell.

The February 7 “Thermal Energy” concert begins at 7:30 p.m. at the Mary B. Martin Auditorium of Seeger Chapel at Milligan College. Individual concert tickets are $35, $30 for seniors (65+), and $10 for students. Season tickets are still available online at www.jcsymphony. com or by calling the symphony office at 423-926-8742. Tickets for the entire season range from $70 to $150. The symphony accepts Master Card, Visa, and Discover. Free bus service is available from Colonial Hill, leaving at 6:15 p.m.; Maplecrest and Appalachian Christian Village, at 6:30; and City Hall, at 6:45 p.m. Concerts are partially funded under an agreement with the Tennessee Arts Commission and the National Endowment for the Arts.

KNOB CREEK ORAL CLINIC RIBBON-CUTTING

CROSSOVER CONCERT OF THE SEASON

Knob Creek Oral Clinic held a ribbon cutting January 12th at their new location at 2306 Knob Creek Road, Johnson City. The staff invited the community out to celebrate their grand opening with them. Knob Creek Oral Clinic practices a full scope of oral and maxillofacial surgery with expertise ranging from corrective jaw surgery to wisdom teeth removal.

Visit them for all your oral needs, give them a call at 423-467-5009.

Get ready for the crossover concert of the season as the award winning bluegrass trio, The Krüger Brothers, and Symphony of the Mountains take the stage of the Eastman Employee Center on Saturday, February 28 at 7:30pm.

SYMPHONY OF THE MOUNTAINS JOINED BY AWARD-WINNING BLUEGRASS ARTISTS

The evening will open with a performance by the East Tennessee State University Bluegrass Band and will feature the Krüger Brothers original composition “Music From the Spring” which combines the rich tones of Symphony of the Mountains with the folk soul of The Krüger Brothers.

To order your tickets, call Symphony of the Mountains Box Office at (423) 392-8423 or visit us on the web at SymphonyOfTheMountains.org.

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Seen on the Scene THE SECRET BANGS JANUARY 20TH - FEBRUARY 9TH This group exhibition features new work by Jessica Augier, Ericka Basile, Kelli Bern, Aleta Chandler, Jennifer Culp, Mira Gerard, Liz Layton, Taylor Norris, Marie Porterfield Barry, Amanda J Richardson, and Jaime Santos-Prowse.

THE SECRET BANGS came from an idea of Jaime’s that everyone in the group excitedly got on board with. The central theme they settled on is hair, which is a topic rich in associations, significations, personal and collective history, symbolism, and suggestion. As the group started talking about it in weekly meetings and in their private Facebook group, they also shared sketches, poems, images, articles, ideas, and works in progress for the show.

The work in the exhibition spans painting, sculpture, ceramics, embroidery, performance, installation, drawing, photography, and mixed media. In addition to the fact that they are all women, each person in the exhibition shares a current or former affiliation with East Tennessee State University’s Department of Art & Design, as students, professors, and in some cases, both.

For more information on the art work or the artists of THE SECRET BANGS, please contact Jaime Santos-Prowse at jaime.santosprowse@gmail.com.

SELECT SEVEN CREDIT UNION Formerly Johnson City Federal Credit Union, Select Seven Credit Union held a grand opening and ribbon cutting on February 4th. The Credit Union invited the entire community out to celebrate the grand opening and name change. This name change comes from strategic and smart growth planning. Select Credit Union continues to look forward to serving the Johnson City and Washington County are and even expanding its horizons to surrounding cities.

PRAVANA APPOINTS SHERRI JESSEE AS NEW GLOBAL CREATIVE ADVISOR PRAVANA, the ever-evolving salon professional brand with the fastest-growing professional hair color in the nation, is pleased to announce Sherri Jessee’s new role as PRAVANA Global Creative Advisor. Internationally renowned as one of the very best in the beauty business, Sherri’s expertise and unique creative vision will serve as a driving force behind many of the brands efforts in 2015 and beyond.

With knowledge gleaned through a Bachelor’s Degree in Education and two decades of experience traveling the world as a platform artist, Sherri has amazing talent in hair, makeup, fashion editorial and runway work. An esteemed industry expert, her hair and makeup work has been featured in hundreds of acclaimed publications internationally across six continents.

“We couldn’t be more thrilled to bring Sherri Jessee on board as Global Creative Advisor,” says PRAVANA Founder Steve Goddard. “Her passion, work ethic and unique feminine approach to beauty make her the perfect fit for this role.”

GROCERY MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION HONORS FOOD CITY’S STEVE SMITH WITH INDUSTRY COLLABORATION LEADERSHIP AWARD Steve Smith, president and CEO of Food City, today received the Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) 2015 Industry Collaboration Leadership Award at the Food Marketing Institute’s Midwinter Executive Conference.

The GMA award, established in 2011, recognizes an industry leader who has demonstrated excellence in fostering collaboration among consumer packaged goods (CPG) industry trading partners throughout his career.

“Steve Smith has exemplified through his extraordinary commitment the critical imperative of trading partner collaboration that extends beyond the traditional retailer-manufacturer relationship,” said Pamela G. Bailey, president and CEO of GMA. “Steve’s outstanding record of service to the Food Marketing Institute and the National Grocers Association has fundamentally changed the way our organizations work together.”

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SUBWAY GRAND OPENING IN DOWNTOWN KINGSPORT The newest Subway has opened its doors. Located at 300 Clinchfield Street, Suite 120 in downtown Kingsport, this is one of the first stores with the new “metro” feel. Members of the community came out to support the new business and to enjoy some delicious subs for lunch. Nex time you are downtown, visit them! Hours are 7 am-11pm Monday through Friday and 9 am-10 pm on weekends. Call them at 423-343-8581 for all your catering needs.

Seen on the Scene

UNITED WAY OF GREATER KINGSPORT DRIVES COLLABORATION BEHIND MOBILE DENTAL UNIT United Way of Greater Kingsport’s (UWGK) Health, Safety and Stability Vision Council identified adult dental care for the uninsured and underinsured as a compelling, unmet need for the community. With a strong coalition now in place, work began on developing a strategic plan for a mobile dental unit that would feature not only five, fully functional dental bays, but also an eye exam bay. It was apparent that the largest and most costly hurdle would be the procurement of the tractor and trailer that would serve as the mobile dental unit. Dr. Smiddy generously agreed to lend his tractor to the effort, so the focus shifted to getting the trailer donated. He met with Scott Niswonger, founder, chairman of the board, and chief executive officer of Landair Transport Incorporated, to make the request.

Landair’s donation of a brand new, 53-foot air-ride trailer set the wheels in motion for the mobile dental unit to become a reality.

The mobile dental unit is expected to be operational by mid-summer. While the specific plans are still being formalized around how and when the unit will be deployed, the unit is being prepared to serve as the unit that provides immediate dental care to RAM participants who were not able to be treated at the regional RAM events. IT will host 12-15 mini-dental events to help address emergency dental needs that often require individuals to wait until a local RAM event is scheduled.

Also the unit will serve local residents by providing dental hygiene care when not in use following a regional RAM event or mini-dental event.

Persons interested in learning more about the mobile dental unit should contact Bruce Sites at Friends In Need Health Center by calling (423) 246-0010 or emailing friends.in.need@charter.net. Correspondence may be sent directly to Mobile Dental Unit, 1105 West Stone Drive, Kingsport, TN 37660.

“Laser and skin treatments used by celebrities to reverse the signs of aging are now available at prices you can afford.”

Dr. Billie J. Minton Jacqueline Joseph, LMT, CLT Cher Taylor, Aesthetician, CLT Jessie Johnson, B.S. Psych., CLT

Specials for March

• Buy 3 facials regular price get 4th one free!!!

• Buy 3 massages regular price get 4th one free!!!

• Buy any laser treatment regular price and get 2nd treatment half price!!!

Drawing on Saturday, May 16, 2015. Tickets limited to 1,200.

2014 Winner - Heather G. Payment must accompany ticket. Deadline for internet and phone sales is May 13, 2015 at 5:00 p.m.

EST. Tickets may be purchased at event until 8:00 p.m. EST on May 16, 2015. You must be 18 years of age or older to purchase a ticket. Payments are not tax deductible contributions and are nonrefundable unless event is canceled. If 700 tickets are not sold, a full refund will be provided and the raffle will not occur. This is a fund-raising event and all proceeds directly benefit the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Kingsport, 1 Positive Place, PO Box 784, Kingsport, TN . Winner need not be present to win. Winner will be responsible for all federal, state and/or local taxes and any delivery/shipping fees. An independent accounting firm will supervise the entries and drawing of raffle.

Reduction of Hair | Acne Scars | Surgical Scars Stretch Marks | Deep Wrinkles | Trauma Scars Vascular Lesions | Spider Veins | Age and Sun Spots Body Contouring | Cellulite Skin Tightening | and Noninvasive Breast Lifts Additional Services: Professional Teeth Whitening | Massage Therapy | Facials Microdermabrasion | Total Makeovers | Advanced Skin Care Products

To Schedule an appointment call 423-378-6337 or Jacqueline Joseph at 423-367-6785.

1000 E. Center Street, Suite 200 | Kingsport, TN 37660

423-378-6337

BOWMAN’S JEWELERS

SEEN IN JOHNSON CITY

Bowman’s Jewelers’ Valentine’s Party STORY AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY SAVANNA MCDAVID

February 12th, members of the Johnson City Chamber of Commerce, members of the community, and friends and loyal customers of Bowman’s Jewelers came out to the jewelry store to attend their annual Valentine’s Party.

Everyone enjoyed delicious pizza, bruschetta, and other treats from Johnny Brusco’s Pizza along with decedent chocolate covered strawberries from Edible Arrangements. Attendees got to look, admire, and try on some of the most beautiful jewelry in the Tri-Cities; what a treat, because Bowman’s had a new line of beautiful jewelry in.

Everyone was shopping, dining, and enjoying spirits supplied by Cartridge World almost no one left empty handed.

Toward the end of the evening, the Bowman’s had a treat for their guests. Seven pieces of jewelry were given away via drawing names. These pieces included chocolate pearls, a money clip, diamond earrings, a beautiful ring, and more. Next time you are shopping for jewelry, stop by Bowman’s Jewelers!

David Pennington, Tina Lick, and Ronnie Burton

Jane Rasar and Kim Adler

Mark Owen, Bob Hayward, and Chuck Richani

Joe Slaughter, Kristin Tuttle, Debbie England, and Wayne Robertson

Rick Harden and Diana Reed

Adolphus Hall and Jason Miller

Nancy and Duane King

LIGERO CIGAR LOUNGE

SEEN IN JOHNSON CITY

Ligero’s 11th Annual

Toast Across America STORY AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY SUSAN COUCH

The annual Toast Across America event was held at Ligero Cigar Lounge on Wednesday December 10th. There was a large attendance for this wonderful event.

George Brown M.D. and John Hendrick M.D.

Daniel Bratton and Thomas Jae

This was the 11th year Toast Across America witch is all about giving back.

“Changing the world one child at a time” What started as a plan to add a wing onto a local school has grown into the 23-acre Cigar Family Community Complex that includes a Primary School, High School, a Health Clinic, Amphitheater, Sports and Recreational Facilities and an Organic Farming area. Safe drinking water stations and bridges have been constructed. A community electric supply system complemented with solar energy back-up has been developed. Their efforts are beginning to make a difference, but there is so much more to be done.

What inspired The Cigar Family Charitable Foundation was the tremendous humanitarian needs and wanting to give back to the country that produces the best tobacco and cigars in the world, in 2001 the Fuente and Newman families created the Cigar Family Charitable Foundation. The Foundation partnered with Instituto Dominicano de Desarrollo Integral (IDDI) a Dominican-based nonprofit organization that for the past 30 years has been fighting poverty by providing training and the skills necessary to make a positive change for living in both urban and rural regions of the Dominican Republic. Together, the Cigar Family Charitable Foundation and IDDI, are making a lasting impact on the people of the Bonao Region.

Joey Nickles, Jerry Sinclair, and Pete Nickles

Jonie Carter and Dee Hendrick

Phil Rogers and Brian Greenwell

Tom and Kim Dalgren with Dee and John Hendrick

Davis Harvey, Brian Liley, and Steve Scala

Fred Goodwin, Sam Huddleston, and Dan Pope

Brad Petterson and Andrew Dreger

Rafael Zabala, Martin Bagwell, and Rusty Little

Annette Rhinehart and Jim Woods

Ron and Sandra Kologiski

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SEEN IN KINGSPORT

FATZ CAFÉ

Short Stack for a Big Change STORY AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY SAVANNA MCDAVID

Cold and snowy, Saturday January 24th was the perfect morning for a pancake breakfast. Contact Concern held a fundraiser at Fatz Café in Kingsport and all proceeds went to the organization. People from all over the community came out to support the breakfast and of course everyone enjoyed their delicious short stack. Thanks to Volunteers, Contact Concern was able to serve their own food and also make tips from the generous guests. Contact Concern staff members, Helpline Volunteers and author Patty Fletcher and her Seeing Eye dog, Campbell, were also in attendance selling and signing her newest book.

Contact Concern specializes in helping people find free access to health and human services information & referrals. If anyone ever needs these services, please dial 2-1-1. Compassionate volunteers are always standing by to connect those in need with food programs, financial assistance for utilities or medical expenses, shelters, counseling services, support groups, battered women’s shelters and addiction prevention or treatment. To find out more, visit them at contactconcern.org.

Lynn Sorrell and Gary Metcalf

Foy McIntosh and Charlie Sorrell

Wayln and Carroll Jenkins, with Mary and Doug Fabick

Thomas Loughlin and Logan Bailey

Marlana and Olivia

Campbell and Patty Fletcher

Won Kim and Jenny Castle

Kathy Bright and Ann Addington

Melissa Hamilton, Janice Carroll, and Doug Fabick

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Dad and the boys enjoying their pancakes.

Betsy Geiger and Harold Leonard

What is

Drug-Induced Nutrient Depletion?

BY: BoB HarsHBarger, III, PharmD d o c to r o f p h a r m ac y

Drug-induced nutrient depletion occurs when the medications we are taking for our various health issues block the absorption, storage, metabolism, or synthesis of essential nutrients in the body. When nutrients are blocked or depleted in this fashion over a prolonged period of time, health problems can develop secondary to those depletions.

Some of the most popular medications prescribed today can create these drug-induced nutrient depletions. Statin drugs which lower cholesterol, acid-lowering drugs to relieve stomach complaints, antibiotics, estrogen replacement products, or even

aspirin can cause depletion in essential nutrients needed by the body for good health. With so many individuals taking multiple medications today, drug-induced nutrient depletion can be very common. Below you will see a list of popular medications and their accompanying nutrient depletions. Individuals should review this listing for potential nutrient depletions.

What can we do about this problem? Here at Premier Pharmacy, our pharmacists are specially trained to recommend nutrients that will help to offset drug-induced nutrient depletions created by the medications you take. It is important that you share with our pharmacist all of the medications you are taking – both prescription and over-the-counter. The pharmacists at Premier Pharmacy can review the medications you are taking and make recommendations for your protection and good health.

Like our Premier Pharmacy Facebook page and use promo code VIP to receive 25% off your first purchase of Premier Designer Supplements!* Depleting Drug

Depleted Nutrient

Premier Pharmacy Designer Supplements & Nutraceuticals

Antibiotics

Decreased Gut Flora, Vitamin K

Probiotics Ultra Max FOS Powder

Saccharomyces Combo Pack Vitamin K2

Stomach Acid Drugs (PPIs, H2 Antagonist)

Vitamin B12, Calcium Vitamin D, Folic Acid

Liquid B12 Methylcobalamin S-Acetyl Glutathione Plus Calcium & Magnesium Plus

Vitamin D 5000 IU L-Methylfolate 1000mcg

Cholesterol-Lowering Drugs (Statins)

Coenzyme Q-10

CoEnzyme Q-10

Ubiquinol CoQH 100 mg

Estrogen Replacement (BHRT, HRT, OCs)

B Vitamins, Vitamin B12, Folic Acid, Magnesium Zinc

CoEnzyme-B Liquid B12 Methylcobalamin S-Acetyl Glutathione Plus

L-Methylfolate 1000 mcg Magnesium 200 mg

Diabetic Medications (Metformin)

Vitamin B-12 Coenzyme Q-10

Liquid B12 Methylcobalamin S-Acetyl Glutathione Plus

CoEnzyme Q-10 100 mg

Anti-Inflammatories (NSAIDS)

B Vitamins, Calcium, Folic Acid, Vitamin K

CoEnzyme-B Calcium & Magnesium Plus

L-Methylfolate 1000 mcg Vitamin K2

Benzodiazepines (Anti-anxiety Drugs)

Melatonin

Melatonin 1 mg Sublingual Melatonin 2 mg Long Acting

Melatonin 3 mg with Vitamin B-6

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MARCH 2015 | VIPSEEN | 41 VIP-Editorial-Page-March.indd 1

2/10/15 6:15 PM

SEEN IN JOHNSON CITY

MILLENNIUM CENTER

Mountain States Spirit Gala PHOTOGRAPHY BY DANIELLE HAHNE | STORY SUBMITTED

On Saturday evening, Jan. 24, 2015, the Mountain States Foundation and the Washington County Community Foundation Board presented their 25th annual Spirit Gala at The Millennium Centre in Johnson City. The theme this year was “Silver Screen,” a term that comes from the early days of motion pictures, due to the projection screens’ highly reflective (silver) surface. Much like the Silver Screen, the Spirit Gala is highly reflective of our community and the many caring and generous folks who live and work here.

Proceeds raised by the Spirit Gala, estimated at over $275,000, support Niswonger Children’s Hospital, the region’s only children’s hospital.

“The Gala was a fabulous evening that celebrated our Spirit Award recipient while supporting Niswonger Children’s Hospital,” said Pat Holtsclaw, Mountain States Foundation President. “We are deeply grateful to all who attended, bought raffle tickets, donated auction items, and to Champion Chevrolet Cadillac for their continued support.

Andy, Dee Dee, and Dan Dietrich

“My hat’s off to the committee who invested countless hours of preparation to celebrate this 25th-year milestone in such a spectacular fashion. One highlight of the evening was a performance by Henry Hance, a former patient of Niswonger Children’s Hospital, now a healthy, active young man, with his special rendition of ‘Singin’ in the Rain.’”

The highlight of a very festive and energetic evening was the presentation of the 2015 Spirit Award to John Speropulos. Speropulos has served for nearly two decades and in many capacities with the Mountain States Foundation, while at the same time maintaining his role as an integral part of Mitch Cox Realtor, Inc. Mitch Cox credits John for being primarily responsible for the growth of the brokerage and management company. John has also served his community and his church in many influential ways.

And, back by popular demand, Champion Chevrolet Cadillac sponsored the eighth-annual Spirit Gala Raffle. Champion offered to the winning ticket holder a choice of a 2015 Cadillac SRX, a 2015 Chevrolet Traverse, a 2015 Chevrolet truck or $25,000 cash. The lucky winner was Sally Cox of Jonesborough (ticket number 931)! Sally chose the $25,000 cash option.

Seth and Stephanie Penley

Molly Luton and Lauri Kerns

Kristin McMurray and Laura Levine

Fred and Marilyn Grigsby

Scott M. and Nikki Niswonger

Andrew and Kristin Stafford

Debbie England

Karen and John Speropulos

Jeff and Kathy Manzagol

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001-pinna

New heights in shopping coming march 2015

An amazing new shopping destination is bringing great retailers to our region. Joining Bass Pro Shop soon are Belk and other big names!

Visit the Pinnacle in Bristol at exit 74-B off I-81.

Be sure to check our website for exact store opening dates and grand opening information at

thepinnacle.com

SEEN IN JOHNSON CITY

CARVER RECREATION CENTER

Girl Scout Sweetheart Dance STORY BY JENNIFER CLAGG | PHOTOGRAPHY BY JENNIFER CLAGG AND ANGELICA ARES

On February 7, 2015 Washington County, TN Girl Scouts of the Southern Appalachians came together for fun and community service. Every year the Girl Scouts enjoy a sweetheart dance. This year the theme was a 50s Sock Hop. The gym was full of Girl Scouts all dressed up to hang out with their adult role models. This event is more than just having fun though. The girls get to go shopping and bring in items for babies, toddlers, and new mothers. These items are then donated to Respect Life Committee, which distributes the items as gift baskets to local families that they have learned are in need. This service started out as a Girl Scout Silver Award project by the girls of Troop 86 and the Service Unit has taken it on since 2011 and has continued to collect the baby items in conjunction with the Sweetheart Dance ever since. The Girl Scouts of Washington County truly love giving back to their community and they have fun while doing it.

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THE EASTMAN EMPLOYEE CENTER

SEEN IN KINGSPORT

Fisk Jubilee Singers STORY AND PHOTOGRAPHY SUBMITTED

Thursday, February 5th, The Eastman Employee Center hosted the Grammy nominated and Dove Award Winning Fisk University Singers. People from all over the region came out to see the concert, part of a national tour. The ensemble travels around the world, singing the Negro spirituals and representing Fisk University. They have recently been inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame as well as the Music City Walk of Fame. In 2007, by a special invitation from the United States Department of State, the Fisk Jubilee Singers traveled to Ghana for the first time where they performed to celebrate the 50th Independence anniversary of Ghanaians.

The concert hall was full and everyone enjoyed the show. Afterwards, the singers and some of the audience had a reception. Members of the community got to meet the singers and take pictures. Eastman was honored to host such a talented group.

Fisk Jubilee Singers before the show

Fisk Jubilee Singers during the show

THE MEMORIAL PARK COMMUNITY CENTER

SEEN IN JOHNSON CITY

My Little Valentine

Daddy Daughter Dance STORY AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY SAVANNA MCDAVID

The Johnson City Parks and Recreation planned a sweet evening for dads and their daughters Saturday, February 7th. The Memorial Park Community Center hosted the first annual “My Little Valentine Daddy Daughter Dance.”

Fathers and daughter from all over Johnson City and surrounding areas came out to dance the night away at one of Johnson City’s newest community centers. Every little girl enjoyed snacks, sweet treats, and of course dancing with their favorite men. There were crafts available where dads and daughters could make paper hearts and a photo booth to snapshot the memory.

Kenneth and Mikkenlee

The memorial Park Community Center is a 67,000 square foot recreation center open to the public. The center has facilities for dancing, swimming, billiards, tennis, and much more. Located at 510 Bert Street, call 423-4345750 to find out more.

Matt and Brielle

Chad and Kylee

Raven Burress and Shonetra Walker

Faith, Andy and Audrey

Hunter Naive, Adam Williams, Tina Sparks

Tim and Holly

Don and Grace

MARCH 2015 | VIPSEEN | 47

THE OFFICIAL SPONSOR OF BIRTHDAYS®

The Bristol Half and Half Marathon April 11, 2015 • 8:00 a.m.

Option of a 2-person Relay Benefits the American Cancer Society Run 2 states for 1 great cause.

Presenting Sponsor

www.bristolhalfnhalf.com

LIGERO CIGAR LOUNGE

SEEN IN JOHNSON CITY

262 Cigars STORY AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY SUSAN COUCH

Ligero Cigar Lounge hosted 262 Cigars on tour on Saturday January the 24th. Ligero’s members welcomed Clint Davis founder of 262 Cigars and staff to in Johnson City.

John Hendrick and Pete Nickles

Mike Monforte, Kevin Keller, and Denny Wolfe

Frank Lauro and Parry Qualls

Clint Aaron and Jeff Greely

262 Cigars is based out of Lynchburg Virginia introduced their newest blend, Allegiance, a full production cigar. “Allegiance was originally slated to be a seasonal blend but was met with such an enthusiastic response that we decided to make it a full production cigar. It goes without saying that we truly appreciate our retailers for jumping on board early with Allegiance. Our retail partners really got behind this cigar and helped push it to the next level.”

Aaron goes on to state, “The demand for the blend is there, so we have decided to make it a full-production cigar. In doing so, we will change the box format from 10 count boxes to 20 count boxes and will be adding a Corona to the lineup.”

Hank Hughes, Tom Farrow, and Jim Rhinehart

Happy March

Happy Birthday Max Meith!

Happy Birthday Avis! You are an amazing Mom and Grandma! We love you!

Happy Birthday Linzi Hatley!

Happy Birthday Chenoa Pruitt!

Happy Birthday Johnnie!

Happy Birthday Barb Street!

Happy Birthday Brandon!

Happy Birthday Kevin Odom!

Happy Birthday Dee! You are an amazing woman!

Happy Birthday LeAnne Trivett!

Happy Birthday Eric Donahue!

50 | VIPSEEN | MARCH 2015

Happy Birthday Laura!

Happy 21st Birthday Ken Miller!

Happy Birthday Harper!

Happy Birthday Michael Ripper!

Happy Birthday to my beautiful daughter Danielle! I love you! ~Dad

Happy Birthday Miss Davina!

Happy Birthday Michelle Dolan!

Happy Birthday Dave Clark!

Happy Birthday Andy Barnes!

Happy Birthday Amy Sanders!

Happy Birthday Debbie Waggoner!

Happy Birthday Virginia!

Happy Birthday Ed Conners!

Happy Birthday Andy Armbrister!

Happy Belated Birthday Carolyn! We love you!

Happy Birthday to our wonderful friend Jo! We love you!

Happy Birthday to our beautiful jewel Linda!

Happy Birthday Boo! We love you!

I couldn’t ask for a better friend! Happy Birthday Tracy!

Love, Danielle!

Happy 40th Birthday Lark Adams!

Congratulations Cody and Kayla!

Happy Birthday Lonnie Salyer!

Happy Birthday Ben Igou!

Happy Birthday Olivia Caridi!

Happy Birthday Suzanne Justis!

Happy Birthday Mary Beth!

Seen with the SEEN And the Winner is...

KRISTEN REEDY is seen in Hilton Head, South Carolina with VIPSEEN.

Happy Birthday Lucy Fleming!

Happy Birthday Paula Wells!

VIPSEEN EXCLUSIVE

PowerWomen

BY ANGELA S. BAKER

A

s far back as my memory will serve me, I can recall my grandmother telling me that I could be anything that I wanted to become in life. As a child, those words served as seeds that were planted deep within me and grew into truth as soon as I was mature enough to believe in myself as she believed in me.

Personally, it is not my belief that modern women have been stepping up to take the lead in their households, business, or government to prove they are better or equal to a man. I feel we are witnessing so many modern women step up to the plate because of her own personal, deep desire to be all that she can be. Most women I know want to make a difference in this world.

However, I can say that I have witnessed women, year after year, take on and overwhelmingly succeed in roles that were once reserved for men in our society. Women have become less and less dependent on their partners and have developed into the provider in many cases. This is not a trend that was started as a means to emasculate men, but rather as a movement to validate the belief that woman also possess the power, intelligence and intestinal fortitude to accomplish anything.

VIPSEEN

Premier

I am fortunate to be doing what I do here at VIPSEEN. Not all people have the privilege to meet and become friends with such amazing women in our society. Many of us share our ideals, our struggles and our successes with one another and the bond created is unbreakable. The women inside my organization lead and support me in a way that I simply cannot define with words. We balance each other, support each other and we are a family.

It’s Personal.

MARCH

God formed man from dust and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and man became a living creature. ~ Genesis 2:7

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CCCAVIPAD-March.indd 1

2/9/15 11:42 AM

This issue of VIPSEEN is dear to my heart because it is a reflection of courage, love, struggle, overcoming adversity, dreams, leading and the stories of women in our region who cared enough to make a difference by believing they could be anything they wanted to be.

I feel certain that if you are reading this, you have noticed the cover for this issue. Aundrea Wilcox, Executive Director of KOSBE and Published Author, is a woman who inspires me and many other women to be more.

I have learned from her in ways she has no idea about. Aundrea is always smiling, always giving, always encouraging others and always leading. I feel certain that many of you already know her and know this about her.

For those of you, who don’t, trust me when I tell you that she is an asset to our businesses and our region.

“Girls compete with one another Women empower each other.”

– UNKNOWN

52 | VIPSEEN | MARCH 2015

54

74

BRISTOL: On the Cutting Edge of Equality

TARA BURNS

56

76

KITTY ALEXANDER

Owner of Branded

LOIS CARRIER

94

JANE HILLHOUSE

MICHELE MITCHELL

96

116

President of Hillhous Graphic Design, LLC

Director of Marketing and Community Relations for Asbury Place

Certified Financial Planner and President of Carrier, Maurice and Webb

CASSANDRA HONAKER

58

78

98

SHERRIE BACON Owner of Sher Extensions

60

PAIGE BAKER

Owner and Designer of The Guest House at Mountain View Farm

62

PATTI BAKER

PAM CORRIGAN CEO and Owner of GAAM Wealth Advisors

80

KIMBERLY COWDEN

DENISE DEPRIEST

Owner of Baker’s Jewelry

Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith

64

84

SONJA BENNETT

Kingpsort Chamber of Commerce Chief Financial Officer

70

LINDA BOWMAN

Co-Owner of Bowman Jeweler’s

72

BURKE, POWERS & HARTY

LESA HORNE Owner of Décor Exchange

102

JAZMINE HURLEY Founder of Love N People

104

INTEGRITY CAPITAL

106

MICHELLE GARBER

ELAINE BODENWEISER

100

86

66

68

Broker, Owner of Momentum Group

TRACY FLEENOR

CFO of Mitch Cox Companies

FNP Board Certified, Owner of Advanced Medicine and Aesthetics

JOANA HOOVER

Management Retirement Planning, 401K Plan Solutions

Preisdent and Co-Founder of Elite Manufacturing

BROOKE BENTLEY

Owner of Millennium Auto Collision Repairs

Owner of Soleus Massage

82

Owner of Shellz Boutique

88

CHELSIE GREGORY Owner of Rae Designs

90

ASHLEY GRINDSTAFF Co-Owner of Kia of Johnson City

92

DIANA HARSHBARGER Anti-Aging and Hormone Replacement Specialist at Premier Pharmacy

114

SHERRI JESSEE

Award Winning Hair and Makeup Artist, Global Creative Advisor at PRAVANA

108

VALERIE JOH

Owner of Blue Ridge Properties

110

MAGGIE KENDRICK Owner of Barberito’s Kingsport

112

Praying Pelican Missions USA Coordinator

KIM NICEWONDER

Executive Director of the Miss Virginia USA® and Miss Teen Virginia USA® Pageants

118

DR. KATHY SANDERS DMD, AAACD, Owner of Tri-Cities Cosmetic Dentistry

120

LISA TIPTON Founder of Families Free

122

TERESA TREADWAY

Vice President of Creative Energy

124

CHRISTINA VELLA

Food and Beverage Manager at Ridgefields, Owner of Parties and Provisions

126

DINEEN WEST

Architect at CainRashWest Architects

128

AUNDREA WILCOX KOSBE Executive Director, Published Author

130

BRANDI WOODALL

Owner at Positive Approach Group

DR. BILLIE J. MINTON

Doctor of Pharmacology, Owner of Medication Management Center

Independent Insurance Agency

MARCH 2015 | VIPSEEN | 53

BRISTOL:

On the Cutting Edge of Equality STORY BY SAVANNA MCDAVID

A

cross the United States, women have been making strides in government since 1866 when Elizabeth Stanton ran for the New York State House of Representatives. She lost the election, only receiving twenty-four of the twelve thousand votes that were cast. Twenty years later in 1887 Susanna Salter became the mayor of Argonia, Kansas making her the first female government official. Women today can be found on government rolls all across the United States: locally, statewide, and nationally.

Tennessee has 346 municipalities (considered to be both towns and cities), while Virginia has 191 towns and 38 independent cities. Ten of these are cities governed entirely by women and within those ten cities, two are located in the Tri-Cities: Bristol, Tennessee and Bristol, Virginia. Bristol is unique in that it is one large city separated by an invisible state line, but no matter what side of the state anyone is on in this large city, one thing holds true for both sides: each city of Bristol is wholly run by women.

BRISTOL, VIRGINIA MAYOR CATHERINE BRILLHART was unanimously selected the city’s first female mayor in 2014. Elected to the council in 2012, she is the third woman to serve in that role.

BRISTOL, VIRGINIA CITY MANAGER TABITHA CROWDER has served as the Director of Public Works for almost four years. In June 2014 she was named city manager and, during her tenure Public Works, has accomplished many tasks that have been beneficial to the city.

BRISTOL, VIRGINIA CITY CLERK PAMELA VENABLE was appointed to the city council for the upcoming 2015 year. She works in coordination with the City Manager, City Attorney, and other government offices.

BRISTOL, VIRGINIA CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER KIM ORFIELD, a seven year veteran of the Comptroller’s Office, has been named Chief Financial Officer. A resident of Meadowview, Virginia, Kim is an Emory & Henry graduate. She joined the City of Bristol, Virginia, in 2007 as an Accountant. Before joining the City, Kim had a 13year tenure with Highlands Community Services in Abingdon and Bristol, where she gained essential governmental accounting experience.

BRISTOL, VIRGINIA HUMAN RESOURCES DIRECTOR TRISH HENDERSON serves as a partner to all city departments, working with each one to serve internal and external customers.

BRISTOL, VIRGINIA/TENNESSEE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE PRESIDENT, AND CEO, JOY MADISON was named in to her position in August of 2013. Originally from Modesto, California, Madison loves her life in Bristol and is happy to play such a large role in the city’s economic development.

54 | VIPSEEN | MARCH 2015

BRISTOL, TENNESSEE MAYOR LEA POWERS was selected by the council to serve as Mayor in July 2014. She previously served as Vice Mayor in 2013. She is the third female mayor in Bristol, Tennessee.

BRISTOL, TENNESSEE CITY COUNCILWOMAN MICHELLE DOLAN was elected to the council in 2011. She was selected Mayor from 20132014 and now serves as councilwoman. Michelle was the second woman to be elected mayor in Bristol Tennessee.

BRISTOL, TENNESSEE COUNCILWOMAN MARGARET FEIERABEND served on the city council from 1994 to 2001. She was elected to the council again in 2005. She was selected as Mayor in 1997, and again in 2011, and holds the distinction of being the first female mayor in Bristol, Tennessee.

BRISTOL, TENNESSEE COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER, AND 911 DIRECTOR, VIRGINIA SMELSER has over 35-years of public safety experience and has been with the City of Bristol, Tennessee since 1994.

BRISTOL, TENNESSEE DIRECTOR OF ADMINISTRATION BELVA HALE is over the Human Resources department. She administers the classification and compensation plan, manages the employee benefits programs, and much more.

BRISTOL, TENNESSEE COMMUNITY RELATIONS DIRECTOR TERRIE TALBERT works hard to serve as the primary link between the city and the news media.

BRISTOL, TENNESSEE ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR SHARI BROWN works with public and private entities to foster job growth retention. She also oversees the planning division, community development, and code enforcement.

BRISTOL, TENNESSEE FINANCE DIRECTOR AND CITY RECORDER TARA MUSICK oversees the accounting budget, court, financial reporting, property tax, and utility billing for the city.

The city of Bristol has embraced women in governmental roles for years now and, as a result, has many intelligent, strong, and influential women making decisions for the city and its residents every day. Economic growth is on the rise due in large part to both the Pinnacle and the Falls: each its own unique entertainment development.

These commercial developments will bring hundreds of jobs and countless shoppers to the region, further enhancing the fabulous areas of Tennessee and Virginia that these women have helped to create. These female government officials work well together and have always put the city’s best interest first. Their cooperation is admirable and their vision for Bristol is clear in their daily work ethic. They are the women who are working hard every day to ensure Bristol is a great place to live. Some of those women are in our issue this month and are profiled along with many other power women. We hope you enjoy the issue and appreciate the knowledge that Bristol is a city on the cutting edge of equality in the workplace.

MARCH 2015 | VIPSEEN | 55

KITTY Alexander “My

PHOTO BY MICKEY BAKER

great grandfather was one of the first dentists in this area and growing up he, and other family members, inspired me to head into a field of work that meant caring for others. My grandmothers were the two most caring women I have ever known. They both had a heart of gold and gave much of their time and love to everyone they met.” Kitty Alexander had big shoes to fill when it came to the business of caring for others, but to anyone who has ever met her, she has overflowed those big shoes and is still going strong. She grew up in a caring household, her mother was in the healthcare business, and was influenced by television to find a job that helped those in need. “I grew up watching shows like “Quincy MD” and originally wanted to be a forensic pathologist. In college I changed my mind and decided to pursue a career in funeral service and after attending East TN State University I attended and graduated from Gupton-Jones College of Funeral Service.”

“I absolutely love working with people from all different walks of life and hearing their stories.

Everyone has a story to tell and I love to listen! When you listen closely, you can figure out what someone needs especially if they are afraid to tell you.”

STORY BY JENNIFER ARES

56 | VIPSEEN | MARCH 2015

VIPSEEN EXCLUSIVE

PowerWomen Her current position as of Director of Marketing and Community Relations for Asbury Place is one that allows her to help those at a time in his/her life when they are at their most vulnerable. None of us wants to think about aging or what might happen when we are unable to take proper care of ourselves, but not thinking about this inevitable part of life is a mistake made too often. “I see so many retirees that wait too long to come into a particular part of our continuum of care. That is the biggest struggle that I deal with each day.” Alexander admits that the near constant changes present in the healthcare industry are frustrating for her and scary for clients, but believes that, “as long as we learn and grow we become more competent to lead.” Leading is something she does well at Asbury, but the most important part of her job is listening to those she comes in contact with on a daily basis.

“I absolutely love working with people from all different walks of life and hearing their stories.

Everyone has a story to tell and I love to listen!

When you listen closely, you can figure out what someone needs especially if they are afraid to tell you.” Listening is an important part of caring for others and is something that Kitty has learned to do well. The fact that she comes from a family of “fixers” is both a blessing and a curse because, “some things are out of your control and worrying can’t always reconcile the issue.” Reconciling issues is part of the job though and one that means Alexander has to learn to let go when she understands that things might be out of her control. “I often tell myself to take a deep breath and hold on because I’m involved in healthcare and it’s always changing.” She

might not have any other choice but to hold on and practice deep breathing, but her clients do have choices and it is helping them understand these choices that brings so much joy to Kitty Alexander.

“I am happiest when I know that I have put someone’s fears at ease. When a coworker or family member tells me that I have helped to alleviate someone’s anxiety then I have not only done my job, but have taken another step toward my end goal.” Asbury is a place that is designed to be there for us when others cannot and Alexander is all too aware of the stigma that might be attached to a home for the aged.

The future of Asbury is very positive and she is excited to be a part of its future growth, “I have found that it is most helpful to take on and learn different roles in any organization.

Not only does this strengthen my knowledge base of the company, it also gives me a better sense of what other positions do to keep our company strong and a leader as a continuing retirement community continuum.”

Asked who she hopes to inspire and her answer is quick and simple, “anyone who struggles with selfpressure and feels overwhelmed with change.” This could be an exhaustive list since the world is so fraught with struggles these days and so many of us often feel overwhelmed, but this is a task that I am sure Ms. Alexander was made for and one that she can tackle with ease because of her purity of spirit. “Each day I try to remember to open my heart to all, my mind to many, and my mouth only to those who need the advice.”

Brilliant words from a woman born to care.

SHERRIE Bacon STORY BY JENNIFER ARES

H

istory is filled with the accomplishments of women who created business success later in life rather than early on.

Julia Child didn’t know anything about French Cuisine until she was well into her thirties, Grandma Moses didn’t start painting until she was seventy-eight, and Vera Wang didn’t begin to design until she was almost forty. Sherrie Bacon was forty-eight when she decided to start her own business. Saying she was terrified of doing so later in life is an understatement. “I had never been in business before, but I had an idea and a vision and the only reason I could think of not to pursue it was fear.

The moment I denied that fear and stepped out, my life took off on an explosive journey.” That journey has taken Sherrie from homemaker to successful businesswoman to internationalclass lash stylist to being one of only a handful of educators for the largest eyelash extension company on the planet.

PHOTO BY MICKEY BAKER

“I am deeply gratified and grateful that Sher Extensions is embraced and supported by our community. I am proud of what we have accomplished and of the work we do.”

SHERRIE BACON WITH XTREME LASHES FOUNDER AND PRESIDENT JO MOUSELLI

58 | VIPSEEN | MARCH 2015

VIPSEEN EXCLUSIVE

PowerWomen A pioneer in her profession and widely acknowledged for her skill, experience and expertise, Sherrie Bacon isn’t just on the cutting edge of the eyelash extension industry; she helped create that cutting edge. “I owe a huge debt to Jo Mouselli, the founder and president of Xtreme Lashes. Her vision, innovation and leadership created an entirely new industry and, with it, unheard of opportunity for beauty and medical professionals. But most importantly she is a model of integrity, an example that hard work, honesty and caring can take you to the very top. I’m proud to be making this journey of innovation and empowerment with her.” The professionals at Sher Extensions are among the most highly trained and up to date in the world. They are doing things that most of the beauty industry hasn’t even heard of yet. Because of Sherrie’s reputation, clients routinely travel from surrounding states to receive services at Sher Extensions, but people have sought out her lash expertise from as far away as South Africa.

One probably won’t learn any of that by speaking with Sherrie. Humble is a word that perfectly describes this energetic entrepreneur. She simply loathes talking about her accomplishments. When she was asked to provide answers for this article we ran into some resistance. Sherrie just couldn’t understand what she did any different from anyone else who warrants this attention. Uncomfortable talking about herself, she is quick to give credit to others. When asked who inspires her she credits her team, clients, friends, and family. “Every day is bursting with meaningful experience. The women I know, meet, and work with are amazing. They inspire, challenge, energize and sustain me. I am enriched and changed each day by the wonderful and ingenious women I serve and work with.

I am fortunate and honored to be part of their lives. I can never repay what they give me. They are the reason I started my business, the reason it exists and the reason I continue to enjoy it. I am fortunate to have the whole-hearted support of my husband Dana and the rest of my family.

Without their support and help I could not do what I do.”

Sherrie founded her business on the principal that every woman is beautiful and that they just need to know it. Helping women realize their inner-beauty and to feel beautiful is the mission of Sher Extensions and, to that end, they are always searching for ways to be of greater service.

Sher Extensions is always on the lookout for opportunities to do more for their clients and to serve them in ways they may not expect. “Our goal is to deliver nothing less than the finest product and service and give, give, give. I am happy when the salon is bursting with noise and laughter from every corner. It’s the sound of women becoming beautiful, inside and out.” Known in the Tri-Cities and beyond as The Lash Lady, Sherrie recently celebrated her tenth year in business. “I am deeply gratified and grateful that Sher Extensions is embraced and supported by our community. I am proud of what we have accomplished and of the work we do.” Sher Extensions expanded last year to a second location inside the celebrated Hair Bender’s salon in Ki ngsport. With plans to expand even further and committed to continue teaching it is clear that Sherrie Bacon has no intention of setting out to pasture anytime soon. She is, as with many other accomplished businesswomen, scanning the horizon for opportunity and constantly looking for ways to better serve her clients and community.“I sense that there is so much more to come, both in business and in education. I know I’m not done.

I’ve just gotten started.”

S

The

Rustic by Design. Refined by Nature.

Near the banks of the South Holston at the foothills of the Tennessee Mountains, lies The Guest House at Mountain View Farm—a rustic bungalow with stories to tell and even more waiting to unfold. Experience Southern comfort at its best.

Enjoy a gourmet meal. Relax on the breezy front porch. Absorb the casual, friendly atmosphere.

Available for Dinners, Parties & Overnight Accommodations. p Bristol, TN p www.MVFGuestHouse.com

Southern Comfort Reborn Paige Baker’s

success comes from seeing opportunity in unexpected places. As the designer and owner of the Guest House at Mountain View Farm, her vision now stands ready to receive friends and guests with the grace and charm of Paige herself.

Paige and husband, Chad, purchased the rolling spread at the foot of the Tennessee Mountains to build a home for themselves and their two young children. A new generation had arrived to breathe life into the retired dairy farm and homestead. Along with panoramic views and peaceful setting, the site was especially appealing because it would lend itself perfectly to the family’s active interest in Labrador Retriever training and field trials. Through much effort, the property was designated a natural preserve and unique landmark for the sport, where avid trainers evaluate the performance of their dogs in a competitive environment. Sportsmen came from across the country for special events and coaching from advanced trainers. With a natural gift of hospitality, she and family played host to guests and their dogs with more and more frequency. As their dreams were becoming reality, she was beginning to see a new opportunity in the original, old farmhouse.

Paige had a vision of what the tattered, bungalow-style homestead could become. And she knew that, with just the right TLC, it could offer the perfect retreat for all of her guests and perhaps even some new ones. The little farmhouse’s time had come, but not everyone saw her vision. As the project got underway, builders and craftsmen scratched their heads as she described her unique ideas, including the use of natural barn wood on interior walls, a galvanized bucket as a sink, mason jars as lighting and tree bark siding. But with her gentle guidance they all began to see the vision take shape, and the house sprung to life once again.

Now accommodating guests, Mountain View Farm is an ideal sanctuary. Fishermen come from far and wide to outsmart the native trout and bass, with exclusive access to the renowned South Holston River. Others enjoy hiking or just relaxing on the breezy front porch, while the on-site chef prepares a meal sure to please. Produce is harvested from the private garden and paired with local, organic ingredients that only taste like they’re from out of this world. Still the atmosphere, with its rustic, casual charm, makes guests feel like they’re right back home.

The Guest House is available for private parties, special dinners and overnight stays. If you’re looking to catch up on some much needed relaxation and camaraderie, the Guest House at Mountain View Farm is your exclusive one-of-a-kind retreat.

Bristol, Tennessee

p www.MVFGuestHouse.com

MARCH 2015 | VIPSEEN | 61

PATTI Baker

&LAURAN Duval STORY BY JENNIFER ARES

B

aker’s Jewelry is currently operating in their 26th year.

Joe and Patti Baker were married in 1988 and opened the store in 1989 and, according to Patti, “were young enough and fearless enough not to know any better about opening our own business, but we did it!” Patti plans to keep Baker’s Jewelry moving forward. Her dream is for Baker’s to be a multi-generational business and a landmark in Kingsport. Patti’s family and her late husband have always encouraged her.

Joe would push Patti to the forefront, out of her comfort zone and encourage her to go for the gold! Patti will continue as the manager with Lauran Duval as the assistant manager.

While growing up Lauran wanted to have a job that somehow revolved around peoples’ happiness. Today she is blessed to be doing just that at Baker’s Jewelry. Lauran says, “We don’t just sell diamonds, we Celebrate Life’s Special Moments.” When we asked Lauran who was her inspiration, she replied, “I am blessed with so many strong, loving, and determined women in my life; however, my aunt Patti and I have a very special bond. I am so lucky to call her my aunt, boss, mentor, and friend. Not only have I learned

“...our environment changes constantly, but I still believe we need a core value system to make ourselves accountable.” the jewelry industry from her, but also how to share God’s love and hope with our customers.” From wrapping Christmas presents ten years ago to working side-by-side with Patti today, she is not only an inspiration to me as a business owner and strong community leader, but a Godly woman as well. Patti has long been an inspiration to other female business owners and she is glad to help others any way she can. When asked to give advice on being a female business owner she gives these few simple tidbits, “Dream big and realize there will always be bumps along the way, but you can overcome them with perseverance and hard work. Having your own business gives you a PHOTO BY MICKEY BAKER

62

VIPSEEN EXCLUSIVE

PowerWomen sense of accomplishment because it is something you did for yourself. Be a part of a network system with other small business people. Remember connecting with others and keeping a personal relationship is all-too important in keeping a business successful.”

When asked about her passions Patti said, “My passion is the relationships I have built over the years with my customers, whom I prefer to call friends.

We share hugs and stories about our families. I love helping someone pick out the perfect jewelry gift to represent their special moment.”

Patti is proud to be a part of her community and help in any way she can. “My daughters laugh sometimes, because it seems no matter where we are people will come up and ask me for help or directions. I like to think it is because I am approachable. I always try to help or point them in the right direction, whether I am at the grocery store, a ball game, or on vacation.” Baker’s Jewelry is involved in the community by donating time, money, and gifts to support local school projects and many other community organizations.

welder will allow the jewelers to repair items that were previously not repairable. Baker’s Jewelry has two senior jewelers: William Phillips-10 years and Penny Hood Watson-22 years and other assistants as well.

Patti was asked as the world changes day-to-day and generation-togeneration, what advice she would pass down to the next generation, to which she replied, “our environment changes constantly, but I still believe we need a core value system to make ourselves accountable. Putting others first will always be good, but we should also be aware of people’s feelings and be a good listener. Staying connected to people through real relationships is important, since our world seems to want to eliminate customer service and people connections. People are needed to make the world go around. In the world of jewelry remember to purchase items that represent the moments we celebrate in life. Purchase pieces that are made of precious gold, diamonds, and gemstones that will last and can be passed from generation to generation.”

Patti does have plans for growth and advancement of Baker’s Jewelry. She loves the location of the store at 1101 N. Eastman Rd. Previously a bank building, it has been transformed to a jewelry store that affords her efficiency of the space, a vault for extra security, and visibility from the road. As a winner of the KOSBE award for business excellence in the category for ten and under employees, Patti plans to take advantage of the planning tools, training workshops, and business advice available through the KOSBE organization. Patti and Lauran plan to continue their education as they work toward GIA’s graduate gemologist degree.

When asked about her family this is what she said, “I am the oldest of four children and my maiden name was Frazier. I have two awesome sisters and a brother and father who have always encouraged me. I have been around my husband’s family (The Bakers) since I was 12-years-old. Joe and I were high school sweethearts. We have 3 beautiful daughters; Aubrey, Maria, and Sophia. They are my pride and joy and we were always first in Joe’s life. Our daughters do work in the store at holidays and when needed. The store is like their second home. Besides myself and Lauran, other family members working at the store are Kathy Duval and Gina Jones, and long time friend Gary Overbay.”

Baker’s jewelry currently has a full repair shop on the premises. Our Jewelers are always learning the best way to repair jewelry, which requires them to keep up with the style changes. Two of the jewelers just completed the Laserstar Technology course in Orlando, Fl. The operation of the lazer

Patti encourages you to come to Baker’s Jewelry and see for yourself what a family owned and operated business looks like in the year 2015. We don’t claim to be perfect but we strive to be better each day. We hope to see you soon.

PHOTO BY MICKEY BAKER

SONJA Bennett STORY SUBMITTED

S

onja Bennett is the President and Co-Founder of Elite Manufacturing and Professional Services, Inc. A native of Kingsport, TN, Bennett attended school locally and graduated from East Tennessee State University with a degree in Business Administration. Upon completing her college education, Sonja relocated outside the state and began her career as a young professional working in the field of Human Resources. During this time, she gained significant experience in the industry and was fortunate to participate in a multitude of personnel and manufacturing practices across the country.

“As my story is being told, I hope you can hear the immense underlying theme, which is my family. My family is first in everything I do.”

Ms. Bennett returned to Kingsport to take root when her oldest daughter started school. Sonja said, “I knew I wanted my children to attend Kingsport City Schools and to be raised in this community near their extended family.”

After more than twenty years of working for others in Human Resources and Manufacturing, in 2012 Bennett decided to open her own company in an effort to support local businesses by providing innovative workforce solutions. Building her company from the ground up also gave Bennett the opportunity to establish a business culture where employees are treated with respect and dignity – characteristics that are often overlooked by bigger companies whose main focus is the bottom line. Sonja Bennett is passionate about her belief in people. She acts with enthusiasm, respect, dignity and humility and leads with a compassionate heart in everything she does.

From the time Sonja was born, she was different. She was born with very little cartilage on the left side of her nose. So, she immediately heard from her peer group, “What’s wrong with you?” Kids are brutally honest. In hopes of repairing her nose, Sonja’s parents scheduled and she later had surgery; however, at this point in Sonja’s life she says, “I liked me!” And, she wasn’t ashamed of being different and refused to allow the diversity of her nose to shape her identity.

As a child, the majority of the kids in Sonja’s neighborhood were boys. They challenged her every day to be her best and to compete in a diverse world with a smile on her face. Her goal was to be the “go to” person for each of her friends and, of course, to be better than the boys at basketball. As she got older, Sonja wanted to grow up to be a person who could make a positive impact on the lives of others. “I realize it’s is a cliché; however, I love people and I longed for a career where I could help others such as a Human Resource Professional, a Psychologist, or a Coach. And, I knew I could compete with the boys.”

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PowerWomen Sonja has always been inspired by her parents, Mike and Glenna Warner and her husband and business partner, Ron Bennett. As an only child in a tight-knit family, Sonja’s parents loved her out loud. They were her biggest supporters and they began pushing her out of her comfort zone to develop confidence at an early age. By age 9, they had taught Sonja to drive a car and boat – “Not kidding,” she says with a smile. They said, “It is just the three of us, and in the event of an emergency you need to know what to do.” She also learned to paint, mow, repair cars and appliances, etc. Regardless of the job, Sonja loved being her father’s apprentice.

Glenna Warner, Sonja’s mother, showed her how to work hard and to love. “She still amazes me!”

She cares for and gives to everyone. Sonja and her mother have always been the best of friends and she taught Sonja to love those who “have” and those who “have not.” Sonja says if she can grow into the humble, loving and unselfish woman that her mother has inspired her to be, she will feel like she has made it!

The most inspiring person in Sonja’s life is her husband, Ron Bennett. She met Ron when she was eleven years old. Her first memories of him still hold true. “Ronny was this cute, blonde headed, well mannered, kind and smart little boy. As a man, he still possesses those wonderful traits.” Sonja actually worked for him prior to marrying him. She saw him welcome everyone into his office and love, encourage, develop and motivate them daily. She watched him take care of his employees while seamlessly running a multi-million dollar company often called the “Model Site” under his leadership. He is a very ethical man who has always puts everyone else first and focuses on “doing the right thing.” Ron continues to inspire Sonja every day and they share the same core values. “To work with and share a life with someone you love, admire and respect is priceless.”

“As my story is being told, I hope you can hear the immense underlying theme, which is my family. My family is first in everything I do.” Sonja says, “When you are at peace with yourself, you can become passionate about others.” At Elite, the Bennetts treat others the way they would want their family members to be treated.

Sonja says the business often feels like a ministry. When people enter Elite’s office, more times than not, they are uncertain about their future and afraid. “At Elite, we always take time to sit down and listen. We strive to make everyone who walks through our doors feel welcome with the understanding that we respect them and will make every effort to help and support them. We encourage them, create paths of opportunity for them, and often cry with them. This is just life. If we ever get too busy and lose touch with mankind, we will fail.”

Sonja knows owning a business is a huge responsibility. She feels as if God has said, “Okay, this is what you wanted; now show me how you are going to handle it.”

Her measurement of success is not based on revenue, a position or a title. Success for Sonja is defined by what the team accomplishes as a whole and whom they help along this journey called life.

Throughout Bennett’s life, she has had many reasons to quit, has had many obstacles to overcome, and has been given every reason to fail. However, Bennett says, “As a woman and a mother, failure is not an option.” If Sonja were to tell you about some of life’s real struggles, she would begin by discussing in length how she and Ron went two years without a paycheck while developing and building the business. Faith became an action word and God provided. They prayed for guidance, strength and the ability to make good decisions. And, of course they asked the Lord to provide for their family while they embarked on the journey of starting their company.

Sonja understands that struggles develop character. Anyone can be fabulous when things are going well. As a mother, she is very determined to show her children how a strong woman lives. A strong woman is someone who stands up for what she believes in, accepts ridicule, faces and overcomes adversity and loves her family with all of her might! Women who are insecure blame others, feel sorry for themselves, and seek the pity of others. That is not how God designed Sonja and it certainly is not how her parents raised her.

Bennett feels blessed to have such a strong foundation based on faith, family and education. The local community has been supportive throughout her life and continues to support her family and business. Giving back to this community is a top priority for Sonja. She and Ron have five school-aged children involved in multiple extra-curricular activities; therefore they interface with internal and external customers continuously throughout their daily lives. They appreciate everything this community has done for them and will continue to work diligently to provide that same support to others. They are dedicated first to their faith and family, then to their community.

It is a common practice for Sonja to thank the people who believe in her company.

The relationships she and her husband have with their family, friends, bankers, accountants, insurance agents, lawyers, the Chamber of Commerce, and each other are vast. Without the trust and support of their family, the people within this community, and an extraordinary amount of hard work and dedication, Elite Manufacturing and Professional Services, Inc. would only have been a dream.

BROOKE STORY SUBMITTED

Bentley

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irst impressions are everything and no one understands this better than Brooke Bentley. Brooke was raised by hardworking, honest parents who constantly pushed their daughter to be her best and conveyed to her the importance of education. The result of this upbringing is a woman who has made it her life’s passion to take care and empower others to look, as well as, feel great about themselves.

Brooke Bentley’s career as a Family Nurse Practitioner began at Holston Valley Medical Center practicing hospitalist medicine. In 2011, though, she was presented with the opportunity to become a part owner of Performance Medicine in Johnson City. Performance Medicine is an Integrative medical clinic, specializing in weight management, bioidentical hormone replacement therapy, cosmetic procedures, and quality skincare. The practice, from top to bottom, was clearly a reflection of her ideals and, not one to back down from a challenge, Brooke jumped into business ownership headfirst. “I was really excited to be able to provide more preventative and one-on-one care: something I am really passionate about.” There, under the mentorship of Dr. Tom Rogers, she realized that preventative medicine and aesthetics was truly her calling and dedicated herself full-time to her work at Performance Medicine of Johnson City.

PHOTO BY MICKEY BAKER

“In order to be a successful business owner, you have to be capable of not only learning quickly, but also making decisions quickly. Growing a business from the ground up is not easy, but if you can maintain high standards, the clients will keep coming back.” Staying up-to-date with practices and advances in the medical field is something that Brooke is also passionate about.

She maintains an active role in continued medical education, in order to stay at the top of her field and provide her patients with outstanding health care. Brooke explains that one of the perks of preventative medicine is working with people who are striving for a healthy and balanced lifestyle. Her patients are proactive about their health, so it is important for Brooke to be able to provide them with individualized and knowledgeable care. “Running a small medical practice has really given me the opportunity to get to know my patients and earn their trust. We try to identify someone’s needs and then treat them, not just cover up the symptoms with various medications. I know that what we do makes a difference in people’s lives.”

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Ms. Bentley welcomes a variety of patients, treating primary care needs and common illnesses, but also specializing in bio-identical hormone replacement, medical aesthetics, and healthy weight loss. “I love working with hormonal issues, because it can make a huge difference in someone’s life. When I have a patient with a hormone imbalance and all

VIPSEEN EXCLUSIVE

PowerWomen Brooke lives by daily, especially when it comes to her patients and staff. “I try to be the best leader I can be and I try to live like I want all my employees and patients to live. I eat healthy and exercise regularly. I am always pushing my employees to push themselves. I want them to grow and stretch as a professional and as a person.”

Brooke is proud to be a female entrepreneur and business owner, but is constantly looking to challenge herself and improve the lives of those around her. She is consistently pushing herself, her team of employees, and her patients to the next level. “Watching this business grow in all aspects is something I never grow tired of. I delight in seeing the business grow and add programs, in watching my employees do well, and in witnessing our clients grow and be able to live healthier,

the symptoms associated with that, and am able to pinpoint the problem and resolve it, it’s such a great feeling. The same goes for weight loss; it is very rewarding when someone who is unhappy with their weight can come in and get the physical and mental treatment they need to feel better about themselves and become healthier at the same time. It is truly amazing to see our clients improve their quality of life.” Bentley has also garnered quite the reputation in the field of cosmetic injections. Locally she is known for her skilled and subtle touch, but for the last five years she has been traveling nationwide as a certified trainer in cosmetic injections for large medical companies. In July of last year she expanded her skills to the Knoxville area, managing and injecting at Knoxville Dermatology Group Medispa.

It is clear that Brooke maintains a very busy life, but even more apparent is the passion she possesses for her work. When asked how she does it all, she attributes her success to many factors; foremost among those are her ability to multi-task and her keen attention to detail. Brooke credits her success to her supportive family, skilled staff, and positive friends: all have been fundamental in helping her to operate a successful business and maintain a busy career. Leading by example is something that

happier lifestyles. All of that is why I work so hard every day.”

Despite any hesitations, she is grateful that she has chosen to follow her dreams and pursue her passions, and encourages other women to do the same. Showing no signs of slowing down, Brooke talks of plans to expand her practice, new business ventures, and perhaps eventually opening a clinic in her hometown in Kentucky. In the meantime, she is excited about taking her business in Johnson City to the next level.

“So far this year has been incredible and I can’t wait to see what the rest of 2015 has to offer. I am most especially excited about becoming the sole owner of our Johnson City location, which will be newly named “Advanced Medicine and Aesthetics”. The future looks bright for Bentley and one thing is clear; she will continue to lead by example; encouraging and inspiring others to always be their best.

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ELAINE Bodenweiser

STORY SUBMITTED

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laine Bodenweiser’s business card lists her title as chief financial officer, but to the Kingsport Chamber of Commerce and the community, she is much more than that. For more than 28 years, Bodenweiser has been the behind-the-scenes stalwart and quiet never-seeking-the-spotlight leader of this high profile 68-year-old organization. During that time, Bodenweiser’s career has grown in perfect concert with the organization she holds very dear to her heart.

“I love what I do and I love the Kingsport Chamber,” Bodenweiser said.

“This place has been very special to me for nearly three decades now.”

After graduating from East Tennessee State University in 1981 with a B.A. degree in business administration, Bodenweiser served as office manager with Inove Graphics. She considers Nancy and Keener Mallicote as her early mentors. “Nancy Mallicote’s time and training helped guide me to become the accountant I am today,” Bodenweiser said. “I am forever grateful to Nancy and Keener for getting me started on my career path.” In 1986, she started what would quickly become an impressive career with the Kingsport Chamber. “Elaine is loyal, hard-working, intelligent and dedicated,” said Miles Burdine, her boss and the president and CEO of the Kingsport Chamber of Commerce.

“She has a good heart. Her integrity and ethics are exemplary.”

PHOTO BY MICKEY BAKER

Before becoming the Kingsport Chamber’s chief financial officer, Bodenweiser directed the organization’s membership and small business programs, managed many special events including the Santa Train and several Tri-Cities Air Shows. Under her guidance, membership grew to nearly 1,000 members. The small business program expanded to become what is now known as KOSBE, the Kingsport Office of Small Business Development & Entrepreneurship.

During her tenure, the Kingsport Chamber has grown from six to 30 employees. Bodenweiser created Kingsport’s Small Business Expo, which was the inaugural event at the MeadowView Marriott Conference Resort & Convention Center in 1996. She also launched the Kingsport Chamber’s small business breakfast, which eventually developed into the very popular Fourth Friday Breakfast. When Bodenweiser coordinated the Santa Train, she and Don Royston, a partner with Dent K. Burk Associates, past Kingsport Chamber president and current Santa Claus, established the Santa Train Scholarship. To date, $155,000 has been awarded to 31 students.

“I have been privileged and honored to learn from the best,” Bodenweiser commented.

“I am so proud to have worked for the Chamber these past 28 years.”

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PowerWomen When Burdine was serving in Iraq from 2005 to 2006, the Kingsport Chamber Board of Directors was quick to tap Bodenweiser as the interim CEO. But Bodenweiser, who is still the only female to serve as the organization’s CEO, didn’t just keep the business plan on a casual autopilot. She created Move to Kingsport, a program that nationally promotes the City as a perfect destination in which to live. Since its inception, more than 15,000 families have moved to Kingsport, pouring millions of dollars into the Kingsport economy. “Elaine Bodenweiser created and started so much of what we do today at the Kingsport Chamber,” Burdine said. “I may have the title of president and CEO of this organization, but I am proud to say that I am her follower,” Burdine added. “Elaine Bodenweiser is the very best of the best and the impact of her work and leadership will be felt within this organization and this community for years to come.”

and excellence. “Time and time again Elaine produces works of perfection,” Burdine added. “And it’s because of this exemplary work and her reputation that her sage advice is sought by many leaders in our community. She is the go-to-person in Kingsport and Sullivan County when it comes to how to finance a project and build the proper budget.” Many civic and corporate projects have been built with the guiding pecuniary hand of Elaine, though most people may not realize that because she prefers to stay out of the limelight. “She is sort of a ‘hidden treasure’…always in the background of many positive projects, events and programs that have happened in this city for many years,” Burdine commented. “She is modest…always defers attention and accolades to others.”

“If any one company drafted a job description defining the roles Elaine fills for multiple organizations, the resulting defined position “I have been privileged and honored to learn from would appear as a number one draft pick in the best,” Bodenweiser commented. “I am so a fantasy football league,” Feathers said. proud to have worked for the Chamber these Bodenweiser has been sought after at state past 28 years.” Bodenwesier’s expertise and and national levels to nurture and train leadership extend far beyond the Kingsport countless other Chamber executives in Chamber’s financial coffers. She is, in effect, the field of human resources and financial the de facto CFO for both NETWORKS and the management. She has served as a lecturer Kingsport Economic Development Board. and instructor for the Tennessee Chamber Both entities rely heavily on her to guide their of Commerce Executives Institute at Middle respected budgets and to provide invaluable Tennessee State University and the United counsel on all things financial. “Elaine’s skill States Chamber of Commerce Institute for set is incredibly broad,” NETWORKS CEO Organizational Management at the University Clay Walker said. “Her expertise, creativity, and of Georgia, University of Oklahoma, and professionalism have been of immeasurable Southern Methodist University. Bodenweiser is value to NETWORKS. More than that, though, is a graduate of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce the always up-beat, positive attitude she has. Her Elaine Bodenweiser - 1986, Her first year at the Kingsport Chamber.

Institute and Leadership Kingsport, a recipient of enthusiasm and optimism are contagious and they The Business Journal’s Tri-Cities TN/VA 40 Under Forty have helped us through many challenges. We are a much Rising Young Business Leaders Award, and has served stronger organization having Elaine on our team.” As CFO, as treasurer of United Way of Greater Kingsport and Junior Bodenweiser’s responsibilities include administering the financial management of four corporations with budgets exceeding $38 million, League of Kingsport, among countless other Boards and organizations overseeing state economic development grants in excess of $50 million, and to which she has leant her considerable talents. “It would be impossible structuring financial and economic development packages for new industries for a community volunteer to serve in leadership roles without the talents in the area. “Elaine’s passionate ability to juggle multiple financial leadership Elaine Bodenweiser brings to the various organizations she accounts for,” responsibilities for multiple organizations and communicate with various Feathers added. “The inherent risks associated with board governance “strong willed” personalities, along with coordination with various city and responsibilities are affirmed by knowing Elaine is involved. Her focused county officials, may be one of the most if not the most challenging CFO roles ability and knowledge of the intricate balance between the various one could construct,” said Bob Feathers, immediate past chair of the Kingsport organizations she financially manages for the benefit of this community is unparalleled and often taken for granted.” “I am most proud of being Economic Development Board and president of WorkSpace Interiors. happily married to my wonderful husband for 34 years,” Bodenweiser said.

A multi-decades long perfect audit record for all of the budgets she manages “I am next most proud of being happily employed by my wonderful company is even further testament to Bodenweiser’s reputation for financial integrity for over 28 years.”

LINDA Bowman O’Dell STORY BY JENNIFER ARES

PHOTO BY MICKEY BAKER

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he first job that Linda Bowman ever had was right in her family’s jewelry store and, if it were up to her, this will be the last and only job she will have as well. “I love carrying on the tradition started by my grandparents and keeping their love of jewelry sales alive. We are continuing to bring the Tri-cities the best in handselected and one-of–a-kind jewelry.” Bowman knows what she’s talking about when it comes to jewelry because she came about the business the honest way, she was born into and was allowed to grow and flourish in the jewelry business by her grandparents and parents. “Our jewelry business was started in 1927 as a watch repair shop by my grandfather Robert W. Bowman Sr. It was my grandmother who had a desire for it to become a fully stocked jewelry store, offering the Tri-Cities genuine gemstones, pearls, and of course diamonds. My grandfather died suddenly at forty-five, leaving my grandmother with six children to raise and a business to run.” Never one to back down

“Things have changed in our business more in the past twenty years than at any other time in our company’s history. In order to stay current, we have to be open to that change by being honest at all times, being respectful to customers, and standing behind what we sell.”

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PowerWomen

from a challenge, Linda’s grandmother Janelle took matters into her own hands. “She sent for her great aunt to come and care for her children at home. My grandmother then took over the business in a time when female owned business without a spouse involved was practically unheard of.”

Janelle Bowman left tangible reminder of the product of hard work but, more than that, she left a legacy for her family to live up to that keeps them moving forward still today.

My mother Sandra Bowman still lives here in Johnson City and my brother Rob Bowman and I have been working together at the Jewelry store for over thirty-two years now. Our sister, Victoria Duever is a Realtor who sometimes helps out at Bowman’s, and my daughter Chloe O’Dell can sometimes be seen in our commercials. My husband, Shawn, provides me with tons of support as well. Family is the backbone of the company and what we do.” Indeed, Bowman’s Jewelers works hard to provide its customers with pieces of jewelry, and quality customer service, that can become heirlooms to be passed on from one generation to the next. “We have offered all of the products we can to our customers, some years leaning more towards the watch business and some years getting back to diamonds.” The watch industry has made a lot of changes in past few years and, even though Bowman’s will always offer three great watch lines, they have once again refocused their attention on diamonds. “My true passion,” says Linda, “is diamonds. My Favorite part is traveling twice a year to Antwerp, Belgium to hand select diamonds for m customers’ engagements, anniversaries, birthdays, and all other special occasions.” By travelling to Antwerp, the

diamond cutting capital of the world, Linda is able to choose diamonds that will allow Bowman’s customers to have the best diamonds in the world at a very affordable price.

Never one to sit around and wait for luck to come her way, Linda maintains a work schedule that would make most wilt. She acknowledges that the hard work and long hours are important though, especially if Bowman’s intends to stay competitive. “One of our most useful resources is IJO or the Independent Jewelers Organization. With fellow jewelers around the country, we ban together to get the buying power that is afforded to large jewelry chain corporations. At the same time we attend lots of classes and seminars to keep us up to date on the changes in our business, sales trends and classes to keep our gemological knowledge up to date.” Doing all of these things and attending diamond shows each year means that Bowman stays busy, but she does not let that stop her from stopping and enjoying herself once in a while. “As much as I go on about how I love my business and our customers, I still have to say I am happiest on vacation with my husband and daughter; preferably somewhere warm and tropical.” A tropical vacation aside, Linda loves what she does and hopes to stay busy in the jewelry business for a long time. “Things have changed in our business more in the past twenty years than at any other time in our company’s history. In order to stay current, we have to be open to that change by being honest at all times, being respectful to customers, and standing behind what we sell.” Wise words and the number on reason that Bowman’s Jewelers is so successful after all these years.

BURKE, POWERS &HARTY

PHOTOS BY MICKEY BAKER

LEA POWERS leap@bphagency.com

Financial and Operational Officer, Lea’s focus is the exceptional client experience with Burke, Powers & Harty, Insurance. She believes, “Our “Best Business Practices” are fairly simple: We Provide Tailored, Exceptional Coverages, Experienced Customer Service, Timely Claims Resolution all Competitively Priced thus Providing Peace of Mind for Our Client’s Financial Future”. Burke, Powers & Harty, one of the region’s most experienced agencies, has spent generations developing and fine tuning its knowledge and skills on behalf of their clients. With over 30+ major carriers with outstanding ratings and claims services, combined with an exceptional in house staff, Burke, Powers & Harty is able to provide PEACE OF MIND FOR YOUR FINANCIAL FUTURE.

ELISE POWERS TAYLOR eliset@bphagency.com

Personal Lines Manager, has grown up in the insurance business and is a third generation associate. As an Honor Graduate of the University of Tennessee with a degree in Psychology, she shares and communicates a vast knowledge of personal and commercial lines coverages as it relates to Burke, Powers & Harty’s individual clients.

Elises’s greatest assets are her ability to answer questions, provide and communicate solutions and to assure clients that their priority is her priority. “I want all of our clients to be assured that when they have questions, we will have meaningful answers”.

TRINKA FELTY, CPIW, CPSR trinkaf@bphagency.com

Claims Manager, is a graduate of Virginia Intermont College. With over 49 years of experience in the insurance industry, Trinka has received and processed thousands of claims. Her experience makes her exceptional when addressing the claim needs of Burke, Powers & Harty’s clients. Trinka is the “Voice” of Burke, Powers & Harty , “I love greeting clients by phone or in person and I am eager to assist in any way possible to make their experience a pleasant one. “We believe that “Exceptional Client Service, related to claims, is only one of the many components that sets Burke, Powers and Harty apart from competitors”.

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PowerWomen

MELANIE TADLOCK BUHLS melanieb@bphagency.com

Personal Lines Representative Representative, a business graduate of Virginia Intermont College, has over 20 years of personal line insurance account development and management. Melanie is very active in the Bristol community, volunteering with two music ministries and serving on the Believe in Bristol Arts and Entertainment Committee. Melanie, a native Bristolian has a passion for Bristol history. “I really enjoy talking with my clients and hearing their story. Getting to know them helps me tailor a specific insurance package to protect them and their family.”

LISA CIROTTA lisac@bphagency.com

Life, Personal and Commercial Lines Specialist, has a background in the financial industry when combined with her exceptional customer service skills, allows her a unique insight into insurance and the ability to fully assess and address all the needs of her clients. Lisa’s commitment to her community is exemplary of the foundation on which Burke, Powers and Harty was built. “In my 25 years of experience one thing has always remained true: the best part of any business is the people. Getting to interact with clients and being able to have an impact on their lives is such a rewarding experience. At the end of the day, what matters most is not the tasks I was able to accomplish but the people I was able to help. I am not earning business, I am earning trust and this distinction is what truly defines quality service.”

JAMIE MEADE jamiem@bphagency.com

Personal and Commercial Lines Specialist, has a strong customer service background.

Her knowledge and vibrant nature make her a valuable member of the Burke, Powers & Harty Team. Her versatile skill set and drive enable her to meet all client’s needs from the simple to the complex. Jamie approaches every scenario with an ambitious attitude that there is opportunity on every obstacle. “With today’s commerce being so focused on quick self-service, I relish the chance to personally interact with and address the needs of my clients. There is no greater gratification than hearing I was able to meet and exceed their expectations and, hopefully, make a difference today and tomorrow.”

Experience, Insuring “YOUR” Personal & Professional Future 1236 Volunteer Parkway | Bristol, Tennessee | 423-764-2112

www.bphagency.com

TARA Burns B

PHOTO BY MICKEY BAKER

ecoming a small business owner has been a huge leap of faith for Tara Burns, but she wouldn’t have it any other way! Burns, owner of Branded, a supplier of logoed marketing products for businesses large and small, attributes some of her success to the lasting impression left by her late grandfather, Don Castle. “I didn’t know it at the time, but growing up watching how he ran his business was priceless.

Now that I own my own company, it is crystal clear that I want to do business the way he did. His philosophy was simple – be kind and be honest. I learned from watching him that you don’t have to be cut throat in business to get clients or sales and that having a great business doesn’t mean that you are the richest person in your industry. How you get to your success is what counts. The people you help and relationships you build are what will define your success in the end.”

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“If I could give any advice to young entrepreneurs today it would be to listen to those who are wiser than you. Build relationships. Get involved in your community and give back. Have a strong support system and BE a strong support system to other small business owners.

Hire smart people. Say “thank you” and mean it.”

STORY BY JENNIFER ARES

VIPSEEN EXCLUSIVE

PowerWomen Luckily for Burns, developing strong business relationships is her forte and she started with getting support from some fantastic people. Before establishing Branded in September 2013, the most common piece of advice Burns received was to get a great accountant, a great lawyer and a great banker. And she did. “The support and knowledge of these key people will be invaluable throughout the life of your business.” The next step she took was to seek the advice from two business savvy ladies in Kingsport. “I was referred to Aundrea Wilcox at KOSBE and Kathy Richards with AdviCoach by so many people that I ran, not walked to each of their offices!”

Burns stated that Wilcox and Richards “teach, listen, support inspire and care. I am not sure what Branded would look like today without both of these ladies that I now get to call friends.” As a 2015 winner of KOSBE’s Young Entrepreneur award and one of the Business Journal’s select 40 Under Forty, the mentoring she received from these strong relationships is not going unnoticed. Burns admits that applying for the KOSBE award was primarily for the chance to be evaluated by the panel of judges and listen to their advice and constructive criticism. “That entire process was incredible. It was the first time I really stopped to think about all that I had accomplished as a new small business owner in my first year.”

Life as an entrepreneur has been filled with thrilling and exciting moments.

“Telling my husband that I wanted to open my own business was thrilling because he was so encouraging and supportive from the start.” Burns confesses that the day her “Branded” sign was installed in Downtown Kingsport she experienced a rush of exhilaration and that receiving payment from her first client made her cry with joy, but all of her success would not have been achieved at all if not for one simple rule: always be truthful. Burns is adamant that being honest is the surest way to retain clients. “Even if it will be painful to tell the client you messed up, you forgot to enter an order or you missed an event date – own it. Don’t put it off on the UPS guy or the supplier. Clients appreciate and deserve honesty.” Her willingness to admit to and own up to her own mistakes is

 Business Excellence -10 Congratulations to TARA BURNS,  Business Excellence 10+

our 2014 Young Entrepreneur Winner!

refreshing in business. “I’ve made some mistakes and now I fondly think of them as teachable moments” Burns says. “If I could give any advice to young entrepreneurs today it would be to listen to those who are wiser than you. Build relationships. Get involved in your community and give back. Have a strong support system and BE a strong support system to other small business owners. Hire smart people. Say “thank you” and mean it.” Saying “thank you” is something Tara loves to do and will always do. “One of my favorite things I do at Branded is that I write a hand written thank you note with every single order. I really enjoy taking the time to think about the client and make sure they know that they are truly appreciated. In my industry, you have a lot of choices of where to send your business, so I really take it to heart when clients choose to do business with myself and Branded.”

Burns hopes her courageous journey to becoming a small business owner will inspire other young entrepreneurs to just go for it! “You will be so proud of yourself and your strength to jump into the unknown and you will learn that doing something scary and uncomfortable is both exciting and fun!” She also hopes her small children will be inspired to work hard and dream big. “Jake is 6 now and loves all animals. He says he wants to be a ‘space vet’ when he gets big! Emma is 3 and loves going to George Wythe and Gate City basketball games but wants to be a Hokie football or basketball player when she grows up. There is still time to figure that out though. When I was little I wanted to be an astronaut and a Solid Gold dancer! I am so glad I decided on wife, mommy and small business owner!” When thinking about what you want to do with your career, it is helpful to have a spark and a passion for what you do, like Burns. “I get to shop for my clients every day! I love what I do because I get to make people happy with branded products that will highlight their corporate brand in the community, at trade shows, at golf events – anywhere!” Burns’ business inspiration may have been her grandfather but the soul of Branded is Burns and it shows. Stop by her office on Broad Street, have a coffee, and start building a new relationship!

 New Business  Young Entrepreneur  Small Manufacturer/Fabricator

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Woman-Owned Business Veteran-Owned Business Multiple Store/Franchise Gazelle IMPACT

w w w. k o s b e a w a r d s . o r g • Thursday, December 10, 2015 • APPLY NOW!

LOIS Carrier

&SASHA Stewart STORY BY SAVANNA MCDAVID

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PHOTOS BY MICKEY BAKER

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ou are a woman who has built a successful company that makes a huge difference in people’s lives. What do you do with it now? For Carrier, Maurice and Webb Wealth Advisors this question has been answered. You grow the next generation to continue your company.

I recently interviewed Lois Carrier, Certified Financial Planner and Sasha Stewart, Operations Assistant, and was able to obtain some strong insight into who Carrier, Maurice and Webb Wealth Advisors are. Lois Carrier, along with her two partners, David Maurice and Harrell Webb, are investing in the future of their company by developing capable hands to carry on the uniqueness of the firm for future generations.

Carrier, Maurice and Webb Wealth Advisors’ personality is genuine and authentic. They have a culture of hard work, fun, caring, and sharing. “We are real people who are excellent at the services we provide and we could not be happier to educate the next generation within the firm to continue on the legacy of values,” Lois tells me.

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PowerWomen First of all, how did you start this firm Lois?

“I started my career as a broker with a large firm. After 30 days I had all of the licenses required to call myself a financial advisor but was very uncomfortable with the limited knowledge and sales training I had received. I learned about the Certified Financial Planner designation, and 60 days after starting my career as a broker, enrolled in the program.”

“After obtaining the Certified Financial Planner® designation, I had the knowledge base I desired. After several years, I left that brokerage and continued my search for a brokerage that allowed total independence. The search ended 10 years ago when I and my partner, David Maurice, decided to leave all brokerage and sales ties and be a fiduciary only to our clients and operate as a Registered Investment Advisory, “fee only” firm. It has been a tremendous journey with all of its twists and turns, each making me a wiser and better person.

Who are your clients today?

“Carrier, Maurice and Webb Wealth Advisors work with clients who are serious about their money. This includes: young leaders, pre-retirees, retirees and everything in between. We love to help people who have acquired money and are serious about using it wisely for whatever purposes.”

Ladies, what are the core values of your company?

Lois answered first proudly telling me their core values are “Trustworthiness, honesty, integrity, ethical, transparent, competent, kind, respectful, people driven, family oriented and committed to doing the right thing even if it doesn’t benefit the company. These values truly embody who we are as a firm.”

Sasha adds, “We are a client-centric values driven firm where we believe in doing the right thing no matter what. We love to help and educate our clients and the community and this is what drives each and every one of us. We want to make it simple and fun to navigate an area in your life that is typically confusing and scary. We are truly fun loving people who work as hard as we play.”

Financial advising can be a broad term, what exactly do you do for clients?

“We build balanced risk/return portfolios and then manage them for client expectations whether for growth, growth and income, or for generational wealth. We advise clients on their 401k investments, decisions regarding their stock options, teaching their families and children money skills, facilitating their estate and tax planning and business succession planning, with other professionals, as well as family meetings for generational wealth.

We accompany clients through the ups and downs of their lives because money is intertwined with all of life.”

Lois, your company’s tagline, “All the time peace of mind” is a unique statement considering you manage people’s money and the risk that goes with it. Tell me about it?

“We have always thought this about our company, but this tagline was validated for us while attending a national conference of the Financial Planning Association in 2008.

While in a keynote session we noticed many of our peer’s phones started buzzing. We watched as they left the room in droves. After the keynote session we found out that Lehman Brothers had failed. Most of our peers were receiving phone calls from panicked clients. We never received one phone call from a client. Of course they didn’t like the news and were concerned, but they knew their portfolios were built to survive storms.”

With the look of appreciation on Sasha’s face, she added, “Working with CMW is an amazing opportunity that I am thankful for every day. We strive to provide our clients with ‘All the time peace of mind.’ This feeling permeates the entire team. I love connecting on a personal level with the clients, and I am constantly striving to increase my knowledge base of

the industry so that I can provide support to our clients. There isn’t a person working here that does not want the best for our clients and I think our clients feel that each time they walk through our doors.”

It sounds as if you ladies are building a solid future, what is next for CMW? There are big plans ahead for Carrier, Maurice and Webb Wealth Advisors.

My partners and I love what we do and plan to further the company another step. We are pursuing the Certified Private Wealth Advisors® designation, the most advanced body of knowledge available and a huge step above our current Certified Financial Planner ® designation. Sasha also plans to become a Certified Financial Planner ®. Sasha speaks up, “It is a natural step which will work towards providing all of our clients with “All the time peace of mind.” I want to expand my knowledge and be able to contribute more to the firm. The idea of constantly growing as a leader and learning excites me- I cannot wait to see what the future has in store.”

Lois proudly looks at me and says, “It thrills us to know that our team wants to learn and grow into the next leaders of the firm providing services for their generation and younger generations and we are committed to making that happen for them. When I found this career it ignited a fire of passion in me because it totally encompasses taking care of people in an area where many feel inadequate and vulnerable; now I have the opportunity to pass that passion to the next generation. Sasha and I arrived at this career by different paths but united in our desire to care for clients and their families by helping them with all of their money matters.”

Before I left, Lois and Sasha told me their goal as women in the financial world was a big one. “We hope to inspire women who work with us and around us to be learners, leaders, doers and to follow their dreams,” says Lois. Sasha added, “We know the world is always changing and we hope to be an example to other women and show them the most important thing to success is to never compromise your values and don’t give up or settle. Because Lois held strong to her values, a young professional woman like me has a chance to flourish and know the values are solid. I hope to continue on this legacy for the generations after me.”

Climbing the Ladder of Success

PAM Corrigan STORY BY LUCY HONEYCHURCH

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hen Pam worked her way through college, she was fortunate enough to have a manager who understood the importance of an education. “I don’t know where the manager is today but his name was Tom Treadwell. He worked with me and others there that were in school to make sure we were able to meet our obligations and succeed.” Succeed she did and she attributes her success to both people and events that have shaped her along the way. “My mother taught me that there is truly nothing that I cannot do and assured me that no matter what I did she would always love me. Whether she approved or not was a different story, but she allowed me to try different things without the fear of failure.” Corrigan continues to work without fear today and that has allowed her to close her mind off to the idea that something cannot be done or is impossible to accomplish. “I don’t accept that something cannot be done,” she says, “I control my own destiny, but my success is a direct result of the success of our clients and associates.”

Corrigan is the CEO and owner of GAAM Wealth Advisors and, although she is an accountant by trade,

PHOTOS BY TOM PARDUE

“...we take our fiduciary responsibility with our clients very seriously and always strive to provide the best possible services to them so they may enjoy their lives.”

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Client Experience/Operations Department

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PowerWomen in a row and over the years we have put on numerous workshops to educate clients and the public on investing.

The core value that GAAM always follows, however, is that of making a positive difference in people’s lives and Pam is clear to point out that, “we take our fiduciary responsibility with our clients very seriously and always strive to provide the best possible services to them so they may enjoy their lives.” To this end, GAAM is structured a bit differently than other wealth management firms. “Paying through salary, rather than commission, keeps our advisors focused on what is best for our client instead of what is best for their paycheck.” GAAM believes in client education as well, so years ago Corrigan established a Women and Wealth program as a way to reach out to women in an attempt to help them realize their financial goals. Most recently GAAM started a series that helps clients to put his/her affairs in order for both them and their families. The Lifebook Series helps clients to know that, should anything happen, then everything is financially in order and “helping clients in this way gives us an immense amount of satisfaction.” The world of investing is continually changing so Pam and her employees at GAAM are sure to stay ahead of the game through a near continuous professional development regimen.

What is next for GAAM and Pam Corrigan is easy to figure out in some respects and not so easy in others Client Services Department aspects. “Our goal is to continue growing, educating and being a positive fixture in our community.

We will continue expanding and she was unhappy and wanted improve our services and products to do something more than just and continue to hire great people who crunch numbers. “I needed a are committed to providing the level way to feel that I was making a of service that has made GAAM so difference, so I made the decision successful.” Clear enough, but what is to leave my salaried job to start my next for Pam? “My husband I really enjoy business. I accumulated debt to get off traveling with our dogs. A few years ago the ground and to market my business, we purchased an RV so we could take them but it has been well worth the long hours with us and it has turned into something that and sleepless nights.” GAAM was founded truly makes us happy.” Wherever GAAM and twenty-two years ago by four partners and Joy Garland, GAAM’s Most Pam Corrigan end up, one thing is clear, success has since grown into a business that serves over Senior Wealth Advisor will abound and others will benefit from her fearless thirteen hundred clients and a half-billion dollars in attitude and strong sense of positivity. If nothing is viewed wealth management advice. GAAM has been fortunate as undoable then the possibilities are endless. Don’t believe me? to be ranked as one of the three top firms in the State of Tennessee by Barron’s for many years now. One of our female advisors, Just ask Pam Corrigan how she feels about being told that something Joy Garland, has been named the best advisor in Kingsport two years is impossible.

GAAM Wealth advisor’s team of professionals work together on every aspect of your investments Managing almost ½ Billion in assets Over 150 years combined experience The experts at GAAM Wealth Advisors know the Tri-City area and understand the financial needs of our friends and neighbors

Call us at 423-247-8840 to schedule your no cost initial consultation and experience the GAAM difference for yourself.

Securities offered through LPL Financial, Member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advisory services offered through CWM, LLC a registered investment advisor. LPL Financial is under separate ownership from any other named entity.

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Six Sheridan Square, Suite #200 Kingsport, TN 37660 | 423.247.8840 GAAMWealth.com 2/10/15 12:18 PM

KIMBERLY Cowden STORY BY SAVANNA MCDAVID

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imberly Cowden was introduced to massage when a friend gave her a massage gift certificate in hopes of melting away some stress after the loss of her husband. “It was as if the therapist waved a magic wand over my body that took away months of stress and anxiety in just an hour.

I was in awe.” It was then she knew her life had been changed and decided to become a therapist to help others just as she had been helped.

Kimberly completed a program of study that included Neuromuscular Therapy, a therapeutic type of massage, and then launched her studio. Born out of an experience that led to a place of inspiration, Soleus Massage was established in 2004.

“The real reward is seeing those who have escaped pain and discomfort, especially when it’s affected their life over a period of time.”

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PowerWomen She flew solo for about a year and began bringing people on board as her clientele grew. After a few years Kimberly and her staff expanded into their current location, which typically employs an average of ten people. The studio specializes in relaxation and therapeutic massage. The studio currently offers a membership program to help make massage an affordable treatment option for those wishing to experience the benefits of regular sessions.

In the early days she incorporated the assistance of SCORE, a non-profit organization of retired executives, who introduced her to a network of professionals. Many of them have become mentors and friends throughout the years. Networking has also proved to be a great tool and she has been amazed at people’s willingness to reach out and help. “I don’t have a business degree so advice from other professionals has been vital, along with the sea of information available out there. Unbelievably, the Internet and Barnes and Noble have been a great source of my informal education.”

As a business owner, Kimberly has learned that creation is something that permeates one’s life. “It’s not always just about the hours physically spent at the office or doing things for the business, but the hours spent pondering it all. Most days I wouldn’t have it any other way but there are times I could use a complete disconnect. I have found island vacations are great for that, but we could all use more of those, right?”

Positive feedback has always been motivation for her. It feeds her passion when a client tells her their well-being has been positively affected. “The real reward is seeing those who have escaped pain and discomfort, especially when it’s affected their life over a period of time.” She knows this is important and sincerely believes without passion and belief in what you do it would be impossible to weather the storms during the tough times. “Passion can

definitely help you make it over those hurdles. And a little bit of stubbornness doesn’t hurt either!”

Throughout the years, and while building her business, she was forced to step out of her comfort zone. It is one of the most important factors that helped her succeed professionally and grow personally. “I remember the first time I went to a Chamber of Commerce meeting. I was a onewoman show who had an empty storefront with tumbleweeds abound. I didn’t really have any business at that point and certainly didn’t feel like a businessperson. The anxiety was palpable. Not to mention the two words “cold-calling”. I mean, does anybody really love that?”

She also feels that learning to be decisive has been a huge benefit. “I was the kind of person who could get overwhelmed with all the choices on the board at a sandwich shop. Owning a business puts you into “decision making central.” You will either learn to do it efficiently or drive yourself bonkers.

Being more decisive has helped me personally in many ways. Not to mention it is nice there are no more glares from disgruntled deli patrons for holding up the line!”

Kimberly believes small businesses are what make a community work and has always made it a point to support and shop local. She feels businesses owned by females are great inspiration for other ladies who may be dreaming of opening their own. “Success as an entrepreneur isn’t as gender specific these days. I know plenty of women who are extremely successful in the business world.”

When asked what encouragement she has for other women who may want to start their own venture she had several key points to offer. “Listen to the encouragement of those who will spur you on and don’t be afraid to ask for help. Tune out the doubters. Nobody needs a dark cloud raining on their parade! Planning is a must. Create your initial business plan and don’t be afraid to modify it. Lastly, give some of your marketing dollars to local organizations to help the community and get your name out there. It’s a win-win.”

There is certainty in her conviction that it’s all about how hard you want something and just making that first step. “If you are willing to put in the hard work it takes and struggle through the tough times it can be a life changing experience. That being said, you can’t build a business by yourself and finding quality people to help you is crucial. I am thankful for the great people who work with me. They have been instrumental in building a business with a reputation we can all be proud of.”

Kimberly still enjoys growing with Soleus and things are going great but she is always brain storming for other ideas to diversify. “I would like to find something new to “light the fire”, so to speak. I have this fantasy about pitching something on Shark Tank. I know it’s a little corny. And I swear it has nothing to do with my crush on Mark Cuban!”

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DENISE DePriest STORY BY SAVANNA MCDAVID

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n paper Denise DePriest is a financial advisor at Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith in Kingsport. Her position as an Investment Adviser Representative gives her the opportunity to help clients plan and invest for their financial future. When you get to know her, though, she is so much more. Denise is aware that everyone will be faced with complex issues and circumstances in life but she enjoys bringing peace of mind to her clients and providing opportunities for life’s challenges.

Client’s are like family, and she loves seeing them prosper – living life to the fullest.

Practicing the Golden Rule is the foundation for her professional practice. Her clients can expect her to be transparent, ethical, kind, compassionate, perceptive, and committed to excellence in service. When asked to look back on what was most helpful to start her career, Denise simply stated the most helpful thing was the fact that someone gave her an opportunity and believed in her. She is thankful to be surrounded with intelligent and talented colleagues and mentors. “I have been given so much,” she says. She hopes to inspire young people, especially young women. “Women are stronger than they realize; it has taken me

PHOTO BY MICKEY BAKER

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PowerWomen many years to see that, but I hope I can provide a ‘shortcut’ for younger women to move forward – quicker.” She wants them to understand the opportunities they have compared to the women of the past. Denise wants to equip young women to understand their value and to take responsibility for their future.

When asked about her future, Denise commented that she is committed to life long learning, personal/professional growth. She believes when a leader stops changing, they stop leading. She knows that being lax or lazy only sets individuals up for negative outcomes. Denise lives life constantly striving for higher standards. “If I want to have influence in this world, I must stay committed to learning.” This is one reason why she is currently enrolled in Duke University pursuing her Certified Financial Planner certification. Some of her affinities are art, languages, and travel.

From her earliest recollect, she had a curiosity of the world; different cultures and geographical locations fascinated her. The dream of being a missionary drove her to intensify her volunteerism as a young person. Denise believes that people of all nationalities, are created in the image of God and therefore deserve dignity and respect. It is this view that propels her to invest in the life and service of others. If asked how she became impassioned to help others, she shares rather tenderly the story of Mr. Carl Smith, her 5th grade Sunday School teacher. He was a paraplegic WWII veteran who took joy in teaching children about God. Denise remembers him being wheeled into class every Sunday; she doesn’t remember much about the lessons, but his conviction ignited something deep within her. “This man should have been home while others served him. He had served our country and made sacrifices that would have broken most of us; however, he

had made a decision that my life was worth investing in.” She says that is something she will never forget.

It is partly because of these early experience that Denise has acquired a special interest in working with people of all ages. She notes how each tend to operate in silos and have a tendency to stay within their own circle. “There is much for us to glean from one another. Learning from each other is the perfect way to challenge ourselves to think differently and to impact the lives of others.” There is much Denise has learned from her 79-year-old mother, who tackles life with gusto and tenacity. “Her generation knows the importance in always evolving and challenging ones self. She has shown me the true gift of wisdom and kindness that a strong woman can share to other women. Every generation plays an important part in creating a healthy culture,” she shares.

Her wisdom for young people is, “First, find a mentor, next form your own identity, see your own value and pursue things that really matter in life; don’t major on the minors and never stop growing.” She says that while it is important to learn from others, most importantly, it is vital to be a steward of your own talents and opportunities.

“Do not expect others to sustain you. Plan your own future and you will find that life will go smoother, i.e. live intentionally.”

Many other things inspire Denise such as books, poetry, music and nature, but her deepest inspiration comes from her faith. Her faith allows her to see how God has intricately woven our universe in an amazingly creative way. Her two children, Nicholas and Emily have taught her to tackle life without fear and to not run from conflict. Greg, her husband of thirty years supports her dreams and together they strive to invest in worthwhile causes and opportunities.

Denise tells us the key to having unlimited inspiration is developing a positive mindset; to always be open and looking for life’s best.

She emphasizes the importance of family in staying connected. “A solid relationship with family keeps one grounded.” She knows she is blessed with the unconditional love of her husband, Greg, who is able to squeeze the best out of anyone; her son, Nicholas, who is much like her; and her daughter, Emily, a supreme example of grace and beauty. With her husband as her hero, and her children and mother as motivation, Denise considers herself blessed beyond belief. “God has placed wonderful people in my life; my family and my friends are truly a gift from God.”

TRACY Fleenor STORY BY LUCY HONEYCHURCH

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professor once told Tracy to read the front page of the Wall Street Journal every day and it would change her life. She follows this advice to this day: “whatever you do, stay informed and build your knowledge with pertinent information – not idle gossip.” The path to where she is now was not clear when she first started college. “There were no classes offered for trapeze artist or princess, so I had to pick something more practical. I closed my eyes, threw a dart, and hit accountant; so here I am.” All joking aside, Tracy has always striven to follow the words of her mother, who said “do what you love” and she does this each and every day in both work and life.

“As a partner and CFO at Mitch Cox Companies, a diversified real estate solutions company, I love to see a project start as a dream and grow over time to become reality. I would not be doing what I love if it weren’t for the great team of people that I work with every day.”

Working with others is an important trait and one that, Tracy feels, is imperative when acting as a leader at work or in the community. “I can’t think of one leader who became great without the aid of others. A leader is challenged to mold others and help them become leaders one day as well.” Being a

PHOTO BY MICKEY BAKER

“One of the greatest things that Mitch ever taught me was everyone has failures, but it is how we choose to deal with those failures that sets us apart from others.”

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PowerWomen leader is something that she has grown into over the years and a position that Fleenor takes quite seriously. She has found that leadership is learning to set a good example, sharing her failures, challenging people, and caring about and encouraging staff. “The most helpful leadership resource has been the C12 Group: a challenging program for Christians to build great businesses for a greater Purpose. The leaders of Mitch Cox Companies engage in C12 every month together to mold their businesses into effective ministries.” She is taking the leadership skills taught to her by her mentors and using them to mentor and lead others.

“Mitch Cox was instrumental in building my career and gave me the opportunity to succeed. One of the greatest things that Mitch ever taught me was everyone has failures, but it is how we choose to deal with those failures that sets us apart from others.” The company faced difficult challenges during the economic downturn of 2008. “When the recession hit the country in 2008, real estate development was not the business to be in. Real estate developers all over the country were going out of business or bankrupt. It was a very tough time for our organization.” Difficult decisions needed to be made; the economy was at a standstill since bank financing had ceased; commercial and residential development stopped; and tenants were struggling. Through unifying as an organization, making the right decisions, and seeking the right guidance, Mitch Cox Companies made it through three very difficult years. “That crisis forced us to think outside the box and, has since, resulted in the creation of a stronger team, a change in our mission and core values, and a resilient organization.”

Tracy learned a great deal from that struggle and has since realized that one of her passions, along with the love of adventure, is helping

others be successful as well. “We are not guaranteed another day on this earth so I believe that we should all work hard, but also find time to play. No one should stop growing and learning and I hope to help others succeed by being an inspiration in some way.” Working in the community is important to Tracy personally and as a part of the Mitch Cox Companies team. Mitch Cox Companies has participated in the Mountain State Foundation’s annual Dragon Boat race for over 5 years.

“It brings us together as a team while supporting the community and a great charity. We also gathered as a team this past year and packed over 100 Christmas boxes to send to deployed military men and women.

Businesses have opportunities to become involved in the community as a team outside of the business atmosphere.”

“My biggest accomplishments in life have been raising my three kids to gain knowledge, have values, and be successful. I am happiest around friends and family or traveling. I don’t think I have ever met a stranger.” Three people have helped to leave an indelible mark on Tracy Fleenor: her mother, father, and current employer Mitch Cox. “My parents always encouraged me, never judged me, and taught me responsibility. They pushed independence, education, and instilled family values and traditions that my children will pass on for generations to come.” Of her employer and mentor Mitch Cox, Tracy remarks, “His mission to create opportunities for others to succeed has not only positively influenced me, but has also instilled a strong set of values in each of the companies he has founded over the last 35 years. He has played a significant role in both my spiritual growth and my business knowledge.” Great leaders give credit where credit is due, which Tracy has demonstrated over and over again.

MICHELLE STORY SUBMITTED

Garber

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PHOTO BY MICKEY BAKER

keen eye for unique and quality fashion is difficult to miss when we happen across it and anyone who has ever met Michelle Garber, owner and creator of the cuttingedge local boutiques, “Shellz: It’s a Shopping Thing”, knows precisely what I mean.

Whether she was working from home in her previous occupation as a paralegal or lounging on the lake in summertime, Michelle always employed her innate, talented sense of appropriate fashion to her advantage; in other words, she exudes selfconfidence and empowerment in a truly down-to-earth way. Michelle always harbored the dream of owning her own boutique, but like a lot of us, could not see where to even begin. She loved her job and the attorneys and Title Company for whom she worked 26 years! Enterprising streaks are often hard to see in ourselves, but, for Michelle, it was her husband who held up the proverbial mirror and served as her backbone of encouragement to go after her dream. It didn’t take long for others to follow suit in voicing that Michelle would be excellent her new occupation, as she truly thrives on making a difference in individual lives. What better platform to carry out this drive than one in which she would be fortunate enough to witness first-hand how selfconfidence and perception, through simple wardrobe tricks, can change a woman’s attitude about herself?

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Still, a life-altering career move remained daunting for Michelle, but fortunately for us, not insurmountable. She tells us, “One night I awoke thinking, you know, I wouldn’t have to give up my job since I work freelance and from home. So in 2014 I took a leap of faith and started my own business. It was quite hard to imagine continuing my paralegal research full time and balancing all that was required in order to get Shellz up and running, but miraculously I managed to do both.” Shellz, located in the Johnson City/Boones Creek area opened one year ago in March of 2014, three months after opening, she found herself expanding her new store and adding additional lines of clothing. The rapid growth and positive reception continued, so Michelle took another huge leap of faith and opened a second location in Jonesborough after only seven months. Into her ninth month, she recognized the need for even more space at her newest location, and purchased an entire building in Jonesborough, which will house the new home of Shellz. Michelle’s tenacity and focus clearly exhibits itself

“I say to each of you, seek your dreams…

NEVER let ANYONE tell you that you cannot accomplish what you set out to do!”

VIPSEEN EXCLUSIVE

PowerWomen as extraordinary, as all this while, she was still performing her paralegal duties. Soon, it became apparent that continuing a commitment to a job she had loved for so very long, while fiercely placing all the energy she could spare into fulfilling her dream was really more then she (or dare I say anyone) could handle. A tough decision was in order, but it was one that Michelle said needed to be made. “I had always been very dedicated and always gave 110% in my work for so many wonderful years, but when I realized my new ownership responsibilities would require that dedication and more, I didn’t feel it was fair to my employers to cut back on them, so I made the decision to let go of the only job that I had done for the last 26 years. Removing a safety net that I loved so dearly wasn’t an easy decision.” It’s immensely rewarding for Michelle to witness a positive transformation several times daily in the women she serves. Shellz Boutiques offer attire and accessories for every budget and countless styles (and you might just get a personal assistant while you’re there!) She firmly believes that happiness is something that everyone deserves, and for her, this boutique was an outlet for her to get there. Her love for people and willingness to do something to make a difference, to empower self-confidence in her clients, and to give back to her community all will ensure that Michelle will continue to put her stamp on this world. “I give thanks to God and to Gordon, the most wonderful husband, for believing in me, my dreams and working endlessly to help me achieve them.

Since opening Shellz, I have been blessed more than I could ever imagine. I have met so many wonderful people whom I now call my friends,” she said. “To accomplish great things, you must not only act, but also dream; not only plan, but also believe” became a motto of sorts for Michelle. To sum it up, Shellz is a fashion-forward women’s apparel store that has gained popularity by carrying trendy, sexy, glamorous and an electric-mix of contemporary and plus size styles for women of all ages. Within minutes of perusing this fabulous boutique it will be evident that she provides her customers with affordable price points, quality pieces and exceptional customer service. Shellz also carries creative, adorably packaged, fun and affordable gifts for seasonal and holiday celebrations as well as for fashion fanatics. “I say to each of you, seek your dreams…NEVER let ANYONE tell you that you cannot accomplish what you set out to do!”

CHELSIE STORY BY SAVANNA MCDAVID

Gregory

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rowing up in Church Hill, Tennessee, Chelsie Rae Gregory always had high aspirations. As a girl she loved playing sports, attending church, and learning from her family early on how to be a strong, independent woman. Chelsie’s family has always been her main source of inspiration. Her Aunt Bea and Uncle Valmer taught her honesty, resourcefulness, and compassion. Her Aunt Elle, a successful businesswoman in Texas, sets a shining example and offers encouragement. Another aunt, Ina Danko, is a pillar of the local community, who taught Chelsie the value of a solid work ethic.

When she was very young, she wanted to be one of the Rockettes.

PHOTO BY MICKEY BAKER

“Design shapes many things in our life that most people don’t realize. Well-designed signs shape a community.”

College Graduation, December 2005

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PowerWomen She dreamed of high-kicking on Broadway in those fabulous outfits. The glamour of the performances and the well-produced music was always marvelous and alluring. Growing up, Chelsie learned of the discipline and dedication one must have to be in the Rockettes, and she wanted it even more. Then she discovered the hard truth: Rockettes must be taller than 5’8.” Still, Chelsie continued to dance and became an All American Dancer. Dance is still an important part of her life, as she currently serves as a Bristol Ballet Board Member.

At age sixteen she worked her first job as a lifeguard at the Church Hill City Pool. She taught swim lessons and worked swim meets. “Summers were so much fun,” she recalls. Chelsie made lasting friendships with co-workers and has loads of great memories. Little did she know that first job would lead to some great opportunities. Chelsie worked as a lifeguard at ETSU, where she received her Bachelor of Arts degree. She began managing the pool while earning two graduate school scholarships at Ole Miss and Georgia Southern.

of knowledge that Chelsie still utilizes. Mentorship has been the most beneficial thing to her.

With the help of great mentors, Chelsie has developed a style of business that works best for her. She enjoys research, and lots of it! “I am a commercial artist, so research is everywhere for me.” Excitement is contagious and she knows if she is excited, her clients usually feel the same way. She is always enthusiastic and, above all, makes sure her clients are 100% satisfied with the results.

Chelsie and her beloved Pedro, November 2014

Today, Chelsie owns Rae Design and specializes in helping other businesses with their branding, marketing, and advertising. She is passionate about helping businesses develop their visual identity. She feels accomplished when she sees her work displayed around the Tri-Cities and takes pride in making the region more aesthetically pleasing. Chelsie always loves to see the look on a client’s face when he or she views the final product, because the tangible product is always better than a two dimensional proof on a screen. “When design makes people feel more comfortable, they are more at ease and relaxed, and life is more pleasant.”

Many people have helped Chelsie on her career path. Former bosses and business advisors have been willing to give good advice; and organizations like AccelNow, KOSBE and BNI have helped Chelsie grow her business. Carl. B. Jessee and his team have offered a wealth

Chelsie has many ideas for her continued personal and professional growth, including going back to graduate school.

She is ambitious and has many goals she wants to accomplish, but there have already been moments of real achievement for her. “I felt genuinely proud when I attended the KOSBE awards in 2012 and many of the award recipients had my design work on the screen, as they were accepting their awards,” she said. Her work was displayed on many sponsor tables that night as well. 90% of her t-shirt designs have placed when being judged.

Another moment of personal and professional fulfillment was when the History of Signs Museum president stopped by Bristol Sign Company. He had seen her portfolio and wanted to tell her personally that it was the best he had seen. “Coming from someone who has been in the sign industry for over 50 years, that was a huge compliment.

It made me feel great!”

Driving around the Tri-Cities and pinpointing her work makes Chelsie feel that her work makes a difference in the lives of others. She truly enjoys creating artwork that decorates her region and makes people happy.

She knows she is affecting her community in a positive way, and she knows being able to do that by pursuing her personal passion is the most rewarding thing in life.

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CREATIVE DYNAMO 423.677.6607  1GirlDesign.com  chelsiesignmaker@mac.com

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ASHLEY STORY BYJENNIFER ARES

Grindstaff

W

hen Ashley Grindstaff was younger she was certain that she would “leave the Tri-Cities to work for a public relations firm,” but fate intervened and she ended up staying: something this region benefits from everyday. The Grindstaffs have sponsored Acoustic Christmas for the past five years, with all of the proceeds going to local charities, Ashley helped start a scholarship pageant, and she and her husband are co-owners of a real-estate development company. Like many moms who also work, however, Ashley struggles to find time for everything, “I still struggle every day with time and balance since there never seem to be enough hours in the day to get everything accomplished, but my number one role is that of

PHOTO BY MICKEY BAKER

“Even though we have come light years with women in bigger roles in business, politics, and life in general, we still have more to overcome and the way we overcome that is simply inspiring other women to live out their dreams, encouraging them to just go for it and nothing should hold them back.”

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PowerWomen mother.” Despite her busy schedule Grindstaff is happy to do all that she does for others because her giving spirit is something that shines through in all situations.

“This past December I had a customer in our service department with her daughter and she came up to me and said she loved one of the artists performing at Acoustic Christmas, but couldn’t afford to buy a ticket since it was so close to Christmas.” Ashley went into her office and retrieved two tickets for the woman so that she could go and take a friend. The woman was ecstatic and the gesture, although small for Ashley, was an enormous lift for the customer. “I love to see happiness in people and that woman’s daughter inspired me to be a better person so I should have been thanking them.”

Inspiring others, especially young women, is something that Grindstaff strives for everyday both at her dealership and with her pageant scholarship. “We operate one of the nation’s leading achievement programs and are one of the world’s largest providers of scholarships for young women with the Miss Smokey Mountains pageant.” The cause is one near and dear to Ashley’s heart since she was helped with scholarship pageants herself. “I hope to inspire young women in our area to know that they can be a woman and do it all. No it’s not easy, but anything of value and worthwhile takes a lot of work.” The scholarship pageants are just one way that she hopes to touch the lives of young women in this area and to help them succeed just as others have helped her along the way. “I look at these young ladies competing in scholarship pageants like I once did and they are learning to multi-task, they are learning time management, learning to speak in public, and inspiring young children to work hard in school and dream big. All of those things are why I started my scholarship pageant, because the Miss America program prepares these young women to become young leaders and our future leaders.”

Preparing future leaders aside, Ashley still remains a down to earth person who understands the struggles of all working women.

Trying to have it all is not an easy endeavor for anyone, but it can be especially difficult for women despite the advances made in women’s rights. “Even though we have come light years with women in bigger roles in business, politics, and life in general, we still have more to overcome and the way we overcome that is simply inspiring other women to live out their dreams, encouraging them to just go for it and nothing should hold them back.” Inspiring other women is something that Ashley Grindstaff works hard to do everyday, but when asked who inspires her the answer is simple and close to home, “My husband and children drive me every day to be better than I was the day before. My husbands’ guidance, love, and determination have all inspired me to do what I am doing. He inspires me to be better, learn more, never give up, be honest-always, never judge anyone and most importantly be thankful.”

We all have someone in our lives who inspire us to be better and, in turn, spurns us to help others as well, we often times have to look no further than those closest to us in order to find a little inspiration.

What is next for Ashley Grindstaff is anyone’s guess and the good Lord is the only one who knows for sure. Say what you will about her being a woman, but make no mistake that she is a force to be reckoned with and a lady with a clear mission in her mind and heart. When it comes to the betterment of the region and the lives of the young women who live here, she is at the forefront of the fight. When asked about the future of female business in the area, she is quick to point out that it is already strong. “I have so many wonderful friends who are business owners. We share stories, business ideas and have a connection that unites us as female business owners.” The future of female led businesses is certainly bright for this region and, for Ashley Grindstaff, something that she wouldn’t have any other way.

DIANA Harshbarger STORY BY LUCY HONEYCHURCH

“My

road to success started by folding jeans on the floor of a store called “World of Clothing”,” Diana Harshbarger tells me, “and when I think about how my life has gone from that to what I have now; I am truly blessed.” No one takes a straight route to anything in life and we all seem to take paths that lie before us that we never imagined we might travel down. Diana, it can be said, took a path or two different from what she ever imagined she’d travel down. As a young student at East Tennessee State University, pharmacy school never occurred her, until that is, she heard some fellow students discussing it one day. “I heard some

PHOTO BY MICKEY BAKER

“I am happiest when I can help someone, through no fault of their own, overcome health-related struggles. I always view the help that I give them as the one thing that could change their entire life.”

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PowerWomen other students talking about pharmacy one day and it entered my radar then, but I didn’t really consider it an option until I was married and my husband was in pharmacy school.” At home in the evenings Diana would listen to her husband’s class lectures and type up notes for him. “I used to listen to his lectures and think ‘well I can handle this’ so my husband encouraged me to apply to pharmacy school. I did and was accepted to Mercer Southern School of Pharmacy Doctorate Program.

Diana had some college courses under her belt, but there were more that were missing so she found herself suddenly thrust headlong into the world of fulltime student, full-time employee, and full-time mother. “I had to learn to prioritize quickly and I realized to list things in order of most important to least important. Every day is a gift not to be squandered. I take each day as it comes and work hard be productive. I cherish every day and have certainly had to learn how to stop and be still.” She is not still for long, however, and this is evident in the tightly run ship at Premier Pharmacy. New rules and regulations in the healthcare industry means that no one at the Pharmacy can “fall asleep at the wheel” when it comes to keeping up with industry standards. “I enjoy guiding my patients through the maze that is the healthcare industry, but it changes every day and this affects everything from how I can or cannot market my business to changes in treatment methods for various disease stages.”

Changes come with the territory and navigating the twists and turns that come along with owning a business is something that Diana thrives on.

of communities it is able to reach and help with its compounding prescriptions. They are planning on expanding the anti-aging aspect of its practice and incorporating advanced protocols for drug-induced nutrient depletion. “There are those who always want to knock off the person or business that is at the top of the game and having a solid reputation is the best way to combat that which we cannot always see. Our customers are our best and strongest asset. They appreciate when we follow up to see how formulations are working. We are concerned with their health and working within the patient, pharmacist, physician triad to ensure optimal patient health is our ultimate goal.” Working to help others is what drives Diana Harshbarger every day and is an asset that could never be taught at the best or brightest universities.

Her ultimate goal is for everyone in the communities that Premier Pharmacy serves to have access to the best healthcare, “I am happiest when I can help someone, through no fault of their own, overcome health-related struggles. I always view the help that I give them as the one thing that could change their entire life.” With her son now involved in the family business, the pharmacy is making high-tech upgrades that will further enhance the business model and the services that they are able to provide to customers. Diana will continue to take different paths to success, some more difficult than others, but whatever direction she decides to take, rest assured, that it will be in the absolute best interest of her surrounding communities.

“I love interacting with those who come to me for help with their medical issues and with like-minded healthcare professionals. I feel so rewarded when I can help a patient, or provider, implement a solution to an issue that they have struggled previously to get help with.” With great responsibility, however, comes the need for strong leadership: something that Diana is all too familiar with. Before starting her own business, she was admittedly unaware of how much others would come to depend upon her and her knowledge of the healthcare and pharmaceutical industries. “People rely on me to make sound job and life-related decisions and this is not a part of my job that I take lightly.

I consider it an honor to help direct them in making better choices.” Her biggest asset is her customer base and Diana is sure to ask them what they want to see in a local pharmacy. Providing a service so needed and important is something she strives to do as close to perfect as she can get. “Learning to ask patients and providers what they want to see in their pharmacy is so important. I have learned to ask of others what it is that makes them successful. Understanding those secrets, and failures, can help me avoid the same mistakes in my own business.”

Premier Pharmacy is licensed in multiple surrounding states in the hopes of expanding the number

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JANE Hillhouse N

ot many of us can say that we have a cat named in our honor, but Jane Hillhouse can. “A four-year-old student of mine named their cat Mrs. Hillhouse,” she said.

“That’s a compliment that’s hard to top.”

When she first started work in Warrensburg, Missouri’s summer recreation program, it is safe to say that her wildest dreams probably would have never put her living in Northeast Tennessee as the owner of her own design firm. “I was trained to be an Art and Spanish teacher, but when my husband Chuck’s job with Eastman brought us to Kingsport there were no teaching jobs available. I started work with a little company at Tri-City Airport—Homer Advertising and Design. I really enjoyed the creativity and problem-solving of the work. In 1984, when I needed flexibility for family, I started Hillhouse Graphic Design. In 2005 we became an LLC.”

“Just do your best, and pray that it’s blessed. He’ll take care of the rest.”

– Keith Green

STORY BY JENNIFER ARES

se, Jimmy Caswell, Chuck Hillhouse, Jane Hillhou The Hillhouse team: left to right, Sandy Vowell, . (photo by David Wood) Jay Huron, Justin Dickenson, Stephen Newton

Jane Hillhouse, president of Hillhouse Graphic Design, LLC (photo by Kelly Hammonds)

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Hillhouse Graphic Design is located at 249 De Lee Dr., Kingsport, TN 37663.

For help with your creative communication needs, call 423-239-5431 or visit hillhouse4design.com.

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PowerWomen The unexpected turn on her road in life has allowed Jane Hillhouse the opportunity to work with some amazing people and organizations, including regional, national, and international companies. Hillhouse specializes in work for nonprofits, tourism, education, and the arts and the list of clients includes the International Storytelling Center, People Incorporated of Virginia, Old Salem Museums and Gardens, King University, Northeast State Community College and the Regional Center for Advanced Manufacturing. Hillhouse has an insightful approach to creativity and a knack for knowing what will best serve a client’s needs.

Her life philosophy is simple and one that easily translates into business.

“One of my favorite faith/life lessons is from a song by Keith Green ‘Just do your best, and pray that it’s blessed. He’ll take care of the rest.’

As an extension of that, I think each of us has a responsibility to give our best.” Hillhouse insists, and rightly so, that tasks in life are more easily accomplished when done with others instead of singularly. “Individually, we might not have that much impact, but as a team we can make things happen.

That is especially true in this region.

When we all work together, the Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia region is an absolute powerhouse.”

success due to this focus. For example, in 2011, a campaign for Silent Heroes Foundation was recognized as Best of Show in the American Advertising Federation of Northeast Tennessee competition. This was especially rewarding for two reasons, Hillhouse explains, “First, everyone in our team had been involved in the project. Jay Huron was the Web developer, Jimmy Caswell was deeply involved in the design, and Sandy Vowell and Martha Jones kept the project moving along. It is always wonderful when the whole team is recognized for quality work. Second, in 1986, 25 years prior, a United Way campaign I worked on with Homer Advertising won best of show. That symmetry was a really nice touch.”

One of the best networking tools for Hillhouse Graphic Design has been Jane’s community involvement.

She plays in the viola section with the Johnson City Symphony and is volunteer music director at Concordia Lutheran Church. Jane has also been active in board leadership, including involvement with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Tri-Cities, Hay House Inc. and United Way.

There’s a lot going on at Hillhouse Graphic Design and Jane is The campaign for Silent Heroes Foundation, TheSilentHeroes.org, excited about the possibilities. “We’ve honored as Best of Show in the 2011 Addy competition. been investing considerable time, talent, and energy in the Jane is the type of person who believes in staying open to the opportunities development of creative digital communication in the last few years.” explains and challenges that are presented in life. “When tensions occur, we listen Jane. “In March of 2014, Justin Dickenson joined the Hillhouse team as Director carefully and work hard to understand all points of view. We act responsibly, of Web Development & Technical Services. His leadership is expanding our show respect, keep our sense of composure and—above all— maintain our capabilities in Web marketing, development, and design.” Recent web projects sense of humor.” include the Tennessee Watercolor Society site (tnws.org), Industrial Development Authority of Russell County, Virginia (russellcountyida.org) and Lice Treatment Aside from being so philosophical about the workplace and her craft, Hillhouse Center in Connecticut (LiceTreatmentCenter.com). Jane’s second company, is also generous when it comes to giving credit where it is due.

Hillhouse Video Works, LLC, led by writer-director Stephen Newton, produced the documentary Outcasts: Surviving the Culture of Rejection. The film premiered Much of what Hillhouse Graphic Design does is accomplished because “we all in April and was aired on East Tennessee PBS in June. work together toward a common goal.” Jane is proud of her past and present team and she is quick to gloat, within the acceptable gloating guidelines, “The Tri-Cities region is a great place to live and grow a business. I moved here about the staff at Hillhouse Graphic Design. There, the entire team is always expecting to be a teacher, but discovered I was meant to be an entrepreneur,” working to become even better at what they do, with some great moments of Jane concludes. “It’s a great adventure and I’m enjoying every minute.”

Portfolio on Clinchfield: the Hillhouse team designed both the Kingsport City Schools and Kingsport Chamber logos. (photo by Ray Austin)

Tennessee Watercolor Society website, tnws.org

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CASSANDRA Honaker

STORY BY JENNIFER ARES

“Honesty is number one to me, especially in an industry that has long been known for taking advantage of customers. We repair vehicles with the highest quality possible and treat each job as if it were our own family members riding away in those cars.”

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C

assandra Honaker, a 2002 graduate of ETSU, works in a pre-dominantly male field, but she hasn’t let that stop her from being successful. When asked what she might tell other women and young girls her answer is quick and simple, “You can be successful in the collision industry. Most of our clients are women and we can relate to these clients better. Besides, women have a better eye for things such as alignment of parts and paint matching.” The road to success is often winding and filled with obstacles, but this is not anything that Cassandra has let stand in her way because, “if you are willing to work hard enough then you can achieve anything. I believe in having a strong work ethic, giving everything more than one hundred percent and always treating others with respect.” These are valuable ideals for a business owner to have, but beliefs that are the building blocks for the business that she owns.

“Honesty is number one to me, especially in an industry that has long been known for taking advantage of customers. We repair vehicles with the highest quality possible and treat each job as if it were our own family members were riding away in those cars.” Honesty in an industry where it is almost non-existent is a rarity in today’s world, but that is not something that bothers Cassandra and she attributes that vision to her father. “My dad always treated me like I could do anything the boys could do and he taught me how to do what they did; only better.” She smiles a sly smile and begins to talk about the rest of her

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PowerWomen hardworking family; a subject near and dear to her heart. When asked what her favorite part of what she does for a living, Cassandra struggles to find just one thing that she truly loves. “I have two things that are hard to choose between, working with my family and meeting all of the amazing people God sends through our doors.” Cassandra’s mother is from Kingsport and her father is from West Virginia, but both met each other after fate intervened and each family was located to Jacksonville, Florida. Her parents met each other when they were just children and married when Cassandra’s mother was sixteen and her father was eighteen. “When dad got out of the Navy he became a full-time auto body and paint technician and, after I was born, they moved to Kingsport to be near my mother’s parents. We moved here in 1979 and, while in the Navy Reserves, my dad got a job at Cox Oldsmobile Dealership and Body Shop on Stone Drive. I grew up in that shop running

Cassandra’s mother-in-law (pictured in the golf cart) is a breast cancer survivor and the shop sponsors a race in her honor every year!

around and tormenting all the guys who worked there.”

Growing up in a body shop doesn’t make a person necessarily ready, or even capable, to run their own place but Cassandra knew that she would be able to with the support of all those around her. “In the beginning the things that sustained me were my faith, the knowledge that my husband, father, and I had in the collision industry, and the advice from a friend about how hard it would be to build a successful business. Now I find that my bank, TriSummit, and friends we have made along the way to be the most valuable asset to the company. God has placed a lot of good people in our path.” The company is currently working with a contractor to add an additional three thousand square feet to their current location in order to accommodate their growth this past year. Millennium Auto Collision Repairs LLC is also working on contracts with additional fleet and insurance companies. Although she does not feel that she has “made it” yet, Cassandra does mention an incidence recently that made her realize that she and her company had gotten the attention of those besides the usual clients her body shop works with.

“In May of 2012 we had been in business for almost eight years when we received an unexpected visit from one of the biggest insurance companies in the nation. They asked us to be their preferred shop in the region. They had been watching us work for a while and liked what they saw!” Honaker learned long ago that she had to look out for her company, so as not to let anyone else take advantage of what she and her family works so hard for. She is proud to have a business that is so focused on customer service and family. Her father is the shop manager, her husband (whom she met when he worked for her dad as an auto technician) runs the entire daily production, her two stepsons work at the shop, and her daughter in law Ashley has “become a mini-me. She has learned to do almost everything in the shop!” Cassandra and her family’s hard work has paid off and the company that she started because her parents always encouraged her to be the best she can be is well on it’s way to becoming the premier auto body shop in the region.

JOANA Hoover STORY BY LUCY HONEYCHURCH

J

oana has had to find the positives in life from the negatives that have come her way. She has been forced to be a glass-half-full type of lady, and it is that very philosophy that has pushed her to be the success she is today. “My mom and dad divorced when I was a young girl, and I saw them both struggle to make a better life for my sister and me. Seeing them work so hard made me want to go to college in an effort to make something of myself.” After she married her high school boyfriend Matt Reeves, it seemed that Joana was on calm seas and that smooth sailing was ahead; however, life had other plans. “Matt was a welder for Flouri Daniels while I was a full-time college student in nursing. He was killed in a terrible car accident, and my life was turned upside down. I was determined to push forward and be independent, so I changed my major to Industrial Engineering.”

In 1998, Joana remarried a United States Navy Submariner and moved to Kingsbay, Georgia for his deployment assignment. It was here that Joana met the man who would change her life for good and set her on a path to entrepreneurial success.

Winston Barlow, the owner of a small investment firm called RPS (Residential Property Solutions), encouraged Joana to get her real estate license in order to help sell the “ugly houses” as he called them. So that is exactly

PHOTO BY MICKEY BAKER

“Early on in my career, I learned that it was ok to ask questions, get a coach, and lean on the wisdom of others. I try as much as I can to remember to remain humble.”

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PowerWomen what she did. “Betty O’ Shields was opening the First RE/Max office in smalltown Kingsbay, Georgia, and I joined the team, RE/MAX First Coast of Georgia in 2000. I have not looked back since that day.” Joana is a people-person and derives her greatest pleasure from helping others and from seeing them happy after buying or selling a home. “I love seeing growth, and I love seeing my clients happy. I get most excited seeing others successful in whatever it is that they do or want to do.” Being the spouse of a military member is not always easy, but Joana again used those trials to help make her the successful businesswoman she is today. “As a military spouse, deployments were long and often left me having to be the not just the mom, but also the dad, disciplinarian, bill payer, and business owner all on my own. Real estate is a 24-houra-day, 7 day-a-week job. I have failed at a lot of relationships because of my workaholic lifestyle.

Joana Hoover has never been one to give up on her dreams and her advice for anyone starting a business is to refuse to let those dreams go. Her current endeavor, the Momentum Group, was established to provide clients with dynamic and experienced real estate professionals, dedicated to working as an empowered high-performance team, providing a “NO Lip Service” experience in a way that goes above and beyond the normal scope of real estate professional service, resulting in “WinWin” solutions for both parties. Joana has been a full time Real Estate Broker for over 16 years with more than 19 years of experience in home ownership and real estate investment. She is the team founder and leader of The Momentum Group: a dynamic real estate sales team. Joana obtained her teaching certification from the State of Washington where she coached and mentored other Real Estate Agents.

I have learned, though, that if I don’t take time to get to know my kids and my husband-to-be, Stephen L Glovier, then as time passes, and we could and would grow apart. I now set up date nights with my four (4) kids, and a weekend with Stephen just so we do stay in touch and won’t drift apart.”

In June 2012 Joana made the decision to move back home to raise her children, so once again another real estate move. This time she was ready, however, since the Momentum Group Team had been set in place in Port Orchard Washington. The Momentum Group would go from being a team to its own real estate company. “I opened my own real estate office in January 2015 -- The Momentum Group Real Estate Sales Team in downtown Kingsport.” She looks forward to spending more time with her four amazing kids, Weston Hoover 15, Cydney J. Kincaid 14, Devan C. Hoover 12, Allie Rebecca Ann Hoover 8 and my fiancé, and high school sweetheart, Stephen L. Glovier and giving my all to my real estate team and clients. Joana is also excited to run more road races. A finisher of thirteen marathons, she ran her first marathon in 1999 and completed the 2001 Boston Marathon with a time of 3:19. Go Joana!

Support is something that Joana says is terribly important to any business owner, and she is no different. “Early on in my career, I learned that it was ok to ask questions, get a coach, and lean on the wisdom of others. I try as much as I can to remember to remain humble.” Being in real estate means constantly educating oneself in the field; Joana Hoover has worked hard to continually keep herself aware and involved with the changing landscape. “You cannot succeed in any field of study without becoming a master of your craft. I have spent lots of time and money in education and systems. I work tirelessly to understand who I am as a person: to know my strengths and weaknesses.

I need to do this in order to provide the services my clients deserve.” The moving as a military wife eventually took its toll, however, and pushed Joana to put her foot down and set out on her own. A move from Georgia to Seattle, Washington provided Hoover with a moment of clarity like no other, even in her life. “When we received our order to move, I had to reestablish my real estate career all over. I found myself in a big, new house with lots of boxes in a new neighborhood with new schools, new daycares, a new office, new doctors, and new everything. I sat on the floor and cried. I was not ready for new, even though I had friends who had moved before us and were available to support my family and me, I was not ready at all to call Seattle, Washington my home.

This move was the reason I established the Momentum Group Real Estate Sales Team in 2004 (this was a real estate team within a RE/MAX office), it was that very moment in my life I made a decision to never leave behind all my hard work again.”

LESA Horne W

hen many of us are young we often rattle off a list of things we want to be when we “grow up” but for Lesa Horne things weren’t always so cut and dry. “I laugh and tell people that I didn’t know what I wanted to be when I grew up until I was at least 37.” That was eleven years ago and right before she took an enormous plunge and opened a 1500 square foot store in downtown Kingsport. Her idea for the store came after years of going to flea markets and yards sales as a hobby. “I always thought it would be nice to have all of the “good” stuff in one location, so that’s how it all began.” The idea of giving up the security of a steady job and taking on the uncertainty of self-employment was frightening for Lesa and a decision she did not make lightly. “At the time I was a single mom and the sole provider for everything. I was scared to death of failing.” Now with an 11,000 square foot showroom, it’s evident that the idea was a great success and the risk well worth taking.

PHOTO BY MICKEY BAKER

STORY BY LUCY HONEYCHURCH

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PowerWomen The desire to be independent led Lesa to start working at a local Baskin Robbins when she turned sixteen and she has been in the workforce ever since. “I have done a little bit of everything. I have worked in finance, sales, real estate and mortgage lending. I owned my first house at twenty and my second home at twenty-two.” With all of her success though something was missing and Lesa lacked the self-confidence of someone who everyone else viewed as successful: that was until she opened her own business. Owning her own business and watching it flourish and become bigger than she could ever have imagined has been the concrete evidence that she is indeed a successful woman. Her self-confidence has flourished right along with her growing business endeavors.

“It hasn’t all been roses and sunshine though” she is quick to tell me, “there have been many days when I thought it would have been much easier to just close up shop and do something else.” Bumpy roads are common in business and Lesa has had her fair share. She was witness to several “copycat” shops opening up all around her, but they all closed within a few months and she feared the same would happen to her. “I knew I had something special and that pushed me to stick with it.” Stick with it she has done and the area is all the better for it. “Within months of opening my business I won the Kingsport New Business Startup contest and the publicity from that,” she says, “really jump started the business.” Since then an ever growing number of people in the area have embraced the idea and become loyal consignors and customers.

According to them it’s a great source of ”therapy” and only takes one visit to

get “hooked.” Lesa says that “the relationships cultivated over the years have been the most rewarding part of the business” and that “God has placed her here as her ministry to others.”

Although telling others what to do comes with the territory of owning a business, it is a task that has not come easy for this successful business owner. “I was always so used to doing things on my own. I have really had to learn how to delegate. It is something I never even considered having to learn when I opened my own business.” In the end, Lesa is happy and content, finally, and is the proud owner of something that many would have given up on. She hopes that her struggles are not all in vain, however, and that she can be an inspiration to others; especially single mothers. “Don’t be afraid to try and to follow your heart. Let your passion ring true. You may not have the support of others but if you are determined you will not regret it.”

She says that, although she toys with the idea of expanding her business, her intention is to eventually become less “hands on” at the shop so she can spend more time enjoying her family. She has recently married “the love of her life”, Greg, and her daughter Lauren has blessed Lesa with a new granddaughter: Lily. According to Lesa, God has blessed her “beyond belief” and not so many years back she thought that could never happen. She may be interested in taking a more “hands-off” approach, but of her willingness to keep going, it is clear that whatever she does will be a successful endeavor.

Lesa and her husband, Greg

Back Row: Terry, Lesa, and Aubrey Front Row: Dena, Lily, Lauren, Terry, Molly and Nancy

JAZMIN Hurley STORY BY LARK ADAMS

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hirteen-year-old Jazmin Hurley laughs selfdeprecatingly when asked about herself and the non-profit she has started, Love N People. “I’m just a kid, but I like to see other people happy that may not always be happy.” The way Jazmin helps create that happiness for others may seem like a simple endeavor, but it is one that is making a huge impact. “ We figure out what needs exist for children and veterans in our area and then we see how our organization can help.”

PHOTO BY MICKEY BAKER

“People will help if you just try,” she says. “Remember that you are never too young to make a difference.”

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PowerWomen they are, is doing what adults normally do.” Jazmin admits that scheduling around classes, activities, and exams can be a challenge. “Last year we planned to pack backpacks during the week of exams, but we had to cancel since so many kids needed to study.”

Her organization’s members remain dedicated, however, and she has tons of friends and peers always willing to help. She has advice for other kids that want to help those less fortunate, “People will help if you just try,” she says. “Remember that you are never too young to make a difference.”

Jazmin says she wants to be known for being “outstanding” both now and when she grows up. “I think I want to be an entrepreneur, like my Dad, but I also want to do mission work throughout my life.” She may just be a kid, but if her future goes the same way her first thirteen years have gone, the world will be a better place, thanks to her.

Starting at age nine, Jazmin has forgone birthday presents, instead, asking friends and family to donate money or gift cards that she can use to help in our community. Her vast circle heeded the call, having done everything from pack backpacks full of food to prepare and serve meals to homeless children to purchase clothing and other basic necessities for anyone who could not do so themselves. This past December, her Christmas present from her parents was their help in starting the nonprofit, Love N People. “The name came about when we were out to eat as a family. We were brainstorming about a name for our organization and I said these are people that need love,” said Jazmin.

This summer the organization has a very special weekend-long event planned. The Hurley family has partnered with the organization, ‘A Soldier’s Child’, whose mission is to serve the children of fallen active duty military personnel. Jazmin and her family are going to play host to several of these children this summer for a weekend filled with outdoor activities like skeet and rifle shooting, archery, ATV rides, boating and tubing on South Holston Lake, a huge cookout with bonfire, and much more. Bass Pro Shops and the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Association are also helping with the event. “This will be a chance for these kids to do some of the outdoor activities their Mom or Dad didn’t have a chance to do with them,” says Allen Hurley, Jazmin’s father and one of her biggest supporters. For the event itself, there will even be national TV coverage on the award winning outdoor reality TV show, ‘The Sovereign Sportsman’.

Jazmin hopes to inspire other kids to make a difference in the lives of others. “The younger kids at her school (Sullins Academy) are amazed when Jazmin talks about what she does with Love N People,” says her mother Veronica Hurley. “They can’t believe a kid, not much older than

MARCH 2015 | VIPSEEN | 103

PAM Rehart

&ANGIE Chapman

“I hope to inspire both my son and daughter to never underestimate themselves – to work hard, never give up and take chances.” ~ Angie Chapman CRPC ®

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STORY BY LUCY HONEYCHURCH

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am and Angie are an ambitious financial planning duo who both started their careers in banking before becoming financial advisors and eventually owners, along with two other partners, of Integrity Capital Management. The two women have been in business over eight years and run a firm that specializes in retirement planning, asset management, and 401k advisory services. Angie Chapman comes from a long line of female entrepreneurs and attributes much of her desire to control her own destiny to her mother and grandmother. “My grandmother, who turns 90 in May, opened her first restaurant, the Dipsy Doodle, in Kingsport when I was three. She later owned the Downtown Coffee Shop and the Village Restaurant.

My mother has owned and run several businesses – the first a daycare center when I was growing up and now a permanent makeup business: Lasting Impressions.”

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PowerWomen learning to overcome her brutal honesty; something she felt she needed to make it in a man’s world. “If I had an opinion, I gave it whether it was asked for or not.

I thought I was being bold and direct, but I learned that instead I was coming across as abrasive and inconsiderate. It took some maturing on my part, but also the help of some mentors along the way, for me to realize I needed to choose my words wisely.”

Pam Rehart is a “fixer” by nature and works hard to help others succeed in any way that she can.

She also attributes her entrepreneurial spirit to her family saying that, “My parents were instrumental in shaping who I am and I learned so many valuable lessons from both of them. My dad taught me to be independent, giving to others, financially responsible, and to have strong morals. Both of my parents instilled in me the importance of loving and taking care of our family at all costs.” A month in an elementary school classroom helped Pam to see that teaching little children was not what she wanted to do for the rest of her life. “What an eye opener … I quickly learned I wasn’t cut out to be a teacher and eventually changed my major to Business Administration.” The switch was a perfect fit and she is proud of the company she is a part of today.

Both women have a sincere and deep sense of responsibility for those they help at Integrity Capital Management. “As a business owner, I’m accountable to not only our clients, but also to my partners. And when people see me, they see ICM,” says Chapman. Rehart echoes the sentiment stating, “the core principal that our firm was founded on is that ‘integrity is doing the right thing even when no one is looking,’ and we constantly use those words to guide our business and keep us on the right track.” Angie and Pam are leaders in their own right, but getting to the point of being comfortable in business was a different struggle for each woman. For Chapman it was

Rehart has overcome adversity as well, but hers was overcoming a problem that most of us would view as an asset. “I’m a perfectionist and that creates challenges in most areas of my life. I have a hard time saying no and an even harder time giving a task to someone I think won’t do it my way! I’ve learned through the years that it’s so much easier to let go of my definition of perfection but I admit it’s still a battle to remember that.”

Striving for perfection has led Pam not only to the world of female business owner, but has left her searching for a way in which to leave a legacy for those who will follow in her path.

“I still have a strong need to leave behind some type of legacy. Maybe it’s a foundation to honor and memorialize my brother or maybe it’s just finding an existing cause that I can work with to make a difference. I’m still searching.”

Chapman feels that leaving a legacy is important as well, adding, “I hope to inspire both my son and daughter to never underestimate themselves – to work hard, never give up and take chances.”

Both women are tireless in their endeavors whether in their work or with their many community engagements. The work ethic that they both have is one to be admired and emulated since it has gotten each woman quite a long way in a world seen as being male-dominated: finance. Neither woman admits to having “made it” yet and each admits that they are just getting started, but there have been some pretty sweet highlights along the way. “When we held the ribbon cutting for our new office space in the Press building,” says Angie Chapman, “I did feel a great sense of pride in having gotten to the place where we owned the tangible space that represented us.” Each woman agrees that they are far from being done and have yet to really leave their individual marks on the world something, they hope, they can continue to work toward with the clients at their firm.

Doing The Right Thing. For You.  wfwwykf...y.AIyC wwkfy. Of.Ify wkwwy f-. 423.230.4500 | 444 Clinchfield Street, Suite 302 | Kingsport .rereithic.co

SHERRI Jessee STORY BY JENNIFER ARES

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etting and reaching goals is, to Sherri Jessee, nearly as important as eating and breathing. “When I commit to something I give it my all…regardless of what the task is big or small, there is an inner drive that forces me to work as hard as possible to do the best job that I can.” She can remember cutting hair and doing makeup as far back as when she was eleven, but getting to do so for a living was something that didn’t occur to the youngster from Bristol all those years ago. “I never really thought it was something I would end up doing for a career, but I went to beauty school on a friend’s suggestion and have traveled the world doing hair and makeup for

PHOTO BY MICKEY BAKER

“There are unique qualities in all of us and it is rewarding to be able to emphasize their beauty.”

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VIPSEEN EXCLUSIVE

PowerWomen the past twenty years!” Even if Sherri didn’t think she would do any of what she does for a living, her grandmother did. “My grandmother loved beauty and taught me so much about how to be a “lady.” She even traveled with me to Nashville to be my model when I took my state board exam. She remarked to the evaluators that would come by, “I’m just so proud of Sherri. She’s doing such a good job.” Her encouraging words still warm my heart.” Having mentors in the industry has also been very helpful. Knowing that people believe in me has been an essential part of the process of setting and reaching my goals.”

Sherri works hard every day to be the best that she can be. “The favorite part of my job is making people feel and look beautiful. I get to touch people’s lives on a daily basis by helping them to look stylish and feel confident. I had someone tell me just the other day that I was influential boosting her self-confidence. There are unique qualities in all of us and it is rewarding to be able to emphasize their beauty.” The ripple effect and the fruits of her labors are quite visible and only help to further fuel Sherri’s fire. “Seeing that what I do can bless other people’s lives encourages me to strive and achieve that much more. I take this role very seriously. The visibility of being an internationally renowned figure in the beauty industry makes it even more imperative that I set a good example. My motto has long been, ‘be nice and do pretty hair’”. Growing in the corporate world of the beauty industry, shyness has been a barrier at times. “I am

a shy person by nature and I have had to learn to be more assertive and put myself out there; to step far outside of my comfort zone.” Sherri was recently appointed Global Creative Advisor for the international hair care company, PRAVANA and is thrilled to be affiliated with such an outstanding corporation. She will be representing the company in major hair shows, creating new trend collections, doing photo and video shoots and working with the team. In addition Sherri adds, “I am super excited about my makeup tool line, ‘Elegant Organized Beauty.’ It continues to grow with sales coming in daily on my website sherrijessee.com and also on amazon.com. I could have never dreamed when I began my career the many places I would go, things I’d be able to do, and lives I’d be able to touch.” Winning the North American Hairstyling Awards Editorial Stylist of the Year was definitely a career benchmark for Sherri and is akin to an actor winning an Academy Award. “Walking across the stage in Vegas to accept the award quite literally felt like I was floating.

It was such a surreal experience to receive such a prestigious honor among my peers.”

In the end, Sherri believes that slow and steady wins the race and that the journey is more important than the destination. Despite all of the places that she has visited and the people she has met, however, those who are the most precious to her are the ones right here in Bristol; a place she still calls home. “I am grateful beyond belief for my amazing family and to have so many wonderful friends that love and support me in my endeavors. I have a wonderful daughter (who works with me in the salon), a fantastic son-in-law, an awesome son, and three gorgeous grandchildren. I absolutely adore them all!” With that Sherri Jessee is off to do hair, makeup, or both; off to make someone else see the beauty in themselves that she sees in them.

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VALERIE Joh STORY BY JENNIFER ARES

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alerie Joh is not one to ever let things stand in her way, especially a little thing like a housing depression. “I bought Blue Ridge Properties in the fall of 1979, and the country immediately went into the worst housing depression in decades!

Talk about management training at its best.” Her situation was the epitome of being thrown from the pan into the fire, but Joh refused to stand down or stop working for something she loved.

“I loved being a Realtor and felt fortunate to enjoy what I did. It takes a lot of time and effort because families look for homes on weekends and over holidays, so I don’t ever remember working a traditional forty hour week. It was always more like sixty to eighty hours.” Working hard was no choice since Valerie was the supporter of herself and three children, but she counts herself fortunate to have always worked. It started on her grandparent’s farm at a tender five years old.

“I started as a little girl helping my grandparents pick out the roosters from all the baby chickens and getting paid five cents for every one I got right. I went on to babysitting, I worked for the city of Kingsport as a water safety instructor and lifeguard for $1.29 per hour and was eventually self-employed as a swimming teacher. I have been the executive secretary to the president of a bank and kept the books on a housing development for a lumber company before finally going into real estate.” Becoming a professional was not something that was always on Valerie’s radar however, especially considering the era she came from.

PHOTO BY MICKEY BAKER

“I have worked with so many newcomers to our area that I was constantly reintroduced to the benefits of living here...”

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PowerWomen The career avenues for women were limited and most assumed that women would marry and have children, so nearly the only jobs available were nursing, teaching, secretarial, or retail. Very few women were doctors or lawyers and almost none were officers or owners of their own companies. “I was engaged to be married after two years at Agnes Scott College, but my parents insisted I be able to support myself before I finished school. This was very modern thinking on their part! I went to Katherine Gibbs School to prepare myself for a job as an executive secretary so that I could be employable.”

to ride in the rafters (or, sweeps, in carousel speak).” Where she will head next or what she will do next is anyone’s guess, but when imparting her gained knowledge on others she is quick to offer this bit of advice. “Find out what makes you the happiest, and what your strengths are, and then find the job that utilizes your strengths and develops your abilities. If you enjoy what you do and work hard enough at it, you will find success.” Great advice for us all; both for business and life.

When she started in real estate sales there were only three other female real estate saleswomen in the Kingsport area and the field was totally maledominated. So much so, that after the purchase of her own business, Blue Ridge Properties, in 1979 Valerie was asked to speak at a seminar for minority business owners. She has never looked back and Blue Ridge Properties grew from one office with five agents to five offices with seventy-five agents over the years. Joh worked tirelessly with her local Board in many capacities, served as president, and has received the Realtor of the Year award in Kingsport. “I also was fortunate to receive the Broker Hall of Fame award from the Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate franchise. I would guess the greatest reward for the 41 years of being a licensed Realtor in Tennessee was leading the number one real estate company in terms of sales in Kingsport, and being chosen by the Governor to serve on the Tennessee Real Estate Commission representing East Tennessee.” Another benefit of the real estate business has been the personal connections that she has made over the years. “The biggest reward - it brought my children back to Kingsport and I got to work with them. They now run the company.”

“I have worked with so many newcomers to our area that I was constantly reintroduced to the benefits of living here. I have met many outstanding people and I formed friendships that have lasted years. The rewards in my business are the times spent with people I might never have met.”

Valerie Joh grew up in a family that believed in giving back to the community. “I was elected to the Kingsport Board of Aldermen three times and served ten years in that capacity. I served on many volunteer boards over the years. I got involved in a marvelous volunteer effort to build a carousel for Kingsport because my late husband had grown up in a town with carousels and thought Kingsport should have one. I ended up carving two full-sized carousels animals, plus three smaller ones

“VALERIE JOH is a true leader who exemplifies entrepreneurial success and growth!”

Let us help you take the leap from merely in business to GROWTH! w w w. k o s b e . o r g • 423 392 8825

MAGGIE

Kendrick

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aggie Kendrick, owner of Barberito’s in downtown Kingsport, and her team strive to be extraordinary in everything they do. They provide exceptional customer service, have a remarkably clean restaurant and go above and beyond to give the best food experience to every single person.

When she was given the leadership opportunity a little over three years ago, Maggie knew she would have the power to make people’s lives better.

She says her favorite part about owning her restaurant is knowing that she is making a difference in the lives of others. She not only focuses on her customers, she makes sure her team gains a different perspective on leadership. Her team knows a leader can have extremely high standards, but also have grace; a leader can have compassion and lead with their heart. Maggie’s passion is to make a difference in people’s lives.

PHOTO BY MICKEY BAKER

“It goes back to mental endurance,” she says, “you have to be able to weather the setbacks and challenges.”

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PHOTO BY RACHEL MCCONOUGHEY

STORY BY SAVANNA MCDAVID

VIPSEEN EXCLUSIVE

PowerWomen She began working with her mother in a restaurant, her first job, and she quickly fell in love with cooking. Maggie also loved the atmosphere of that restaurant and the fact that the whole staff felt like family. She still remembers how kind the owner was to her and how everyone took her under their wing and taught her the ins and outs of the business. Although it has been over 20 years since her first job, it made such an impact that she works to operate her restaurant just the same.

Besides her mother, Maggie says her father is her biggest inspiration. “He is the strongest and kindest man I know, his leadership style is something I try to emulate,” she says. She has watched him make a difference in countless people’s lives and, the most impressive thing to her, he has never asked for anything in return. He made an impression on her that has shaped her life.

When Maggie decided to open her own restaurant, she knew she would face a lot of struggles and “no’s” just as every entrepreneur does. “It goes back to mental endurance,” she says, “ you have to be able to weather the setbacks and challenges.” She says the only way to succeed is to believe in what you are doing and to do it with such passion that “no” just becomes something to overcome.

When she was in the beginning stages, she credits a lot of her personal and professional success to having mentors.

Maggie has two mentors who still help her grow and mature. To her, being a strong means always learning from others and never being afraid to ask for help or advice. The great business resources in the Tri-Cities area have greatly impacted her business and key staff members. Some of those resources include KOSBE, especially Aundrea Wilcox, who was always willing to help in any way possible; The Pal’s Business School of Excellence as well as Summit Leadership and Catalyst Leadership Conference in Atlanta. She is extremely appreciative for such great resources.

Being a leader, and someone who other people look to, has brought about some personal changes for Maggie. She says she worries more, but only for the good of her employees. She doesn’t want to let anyone down. She has learned as an entrepreneur she must have tremendous endurance, because she has faced so many challenges. “You have to be ready at a moment’s notice to mentally climb a mountain,” she says.

Maggie is very passionate about people. She absolutely loves getting to know all of her staff (who refer to themselves as “barbsfam”) and her customers. Thanks to Barberito’s so many of her team and customers have become some of her closest friends. Maggie explains that she loves the opportunity she has been given to help others. Her and her husband have been able to step in and help their team with hard times and help them accomplish goals. She is proud to say there is a low turnover at her restaurant and most of her staff have been with her since the beginning! The entire staff loves to actively participate in the community and continuously hold percentage nights, where a percentage of the night’s sales go to the community. They have helped so many and do not ever plan to stop.

Her growth for advancement has already begun to take place.

The team is beginning to focus on their catering business.

Maggie just hired a full time catering coordinator and is very excited to work alongside them to build a client base in the area. She says she also has plans to expand her franchise to other locations over time. Maggie knows she is living the “mission” that God intended her to live. She knows the business is about so much more than just burritos. “Although we have the best burritos, it is about changing the world by loving the team and community we are a part of. Our little motto from our home office is “bigger than the burrito.” I am happiest when I am living that out to the best of my ability.”

Maggie wouldn’t necessarily say that she has “made it,” she is always in pursuit of being better. She does recall on opening day her parents being so overjoyed for her that she felt extremely accomplished. “The pride on my father’s face will stay with me forever.” Maggie admits that she wouldn’t make it through life without her wonderfully supportive husband Shannon. “I am so deeply grateful that he believed in me enough to risk everything and encouraged me to follow my dreams.” Shannon and their son, Preston, are Maggie’s biggest supporters.

“If you are given an opportunity to lead, treat everyone with respect and dignity,” she says as she is asked about advice for younger entrepreneurs. She says that cultures do not just happen they are created on purpose, and the culture she and her team have created at Barberito’s is second to none. The way someone leads their team is the most important thing. Maggie is a true believer of this and she lives as an example every day because “it serves you well and you never know the difference you can make in someone’s life.”

DR.BILLIE J. Minton STORY BY DR. BILLIE J. MINTON

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s far back as I can remember, I was curious as to why one of my older sisters, Brenda, had to take so many different medications.

It made me so sad when I watched my Mother (Evelyn) line up all the medicine bottles down the kitchen counter everyday and dose the pills out to Brenda. Usually, I would be sitting in the kitchen floor playing with a heavy PDR book in my tiny lap just gazing at the pages of color photos of pills with great wonderment! I decided at that moment that when I grew up I was going to find out why Brenda had to take all of that medicine.

My Mother is a nurse and has been all of my life. Our whole family would always call and ask medical advice from my Mom. I feel like she invented “Ask A Nurse!” She worked at Holston Valley Hospital in the Cardiac Care Unit for most of her career and her patients always wrote letters about how much care, encouragement, and love she embraced them with while they were in the hospital. In my mind, she is just as great a nurse as she is a Mother to me. I feel blessed and honored that Mom volunteered PHOTO BY MICKEY BAKER

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to lead my private practice as Director of Nursing about twenty years ago. She was there the first day I opened my private practice and still leads it today. Many patients call our office just to talk to my Mother.

When Brenda was born in 1954, the doctor delivered her using forceps which damaged one side of her brain. Later, I was informed by my parents that one side of Brenda’s body was slightly darker than the other when she was born. The doctor misinformed my parents that Brenda had a calcium deficiency at birth. No one knew what was ahead with Brenda until she was in elementary school with my oldest sister, Linda.

One day at school, a teacher called out Linda’s name to come help with her sister Brenda because she was having a seizure in the hallway. That day of discovery with Brenda’s illness changed all of our lives forever.

Brenda was immediately diagnosed with epilepsy and given lots of medication. My parents were told that Brenda would only live to be about ten years of age.

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PowerWomen As time went on, the medications that were given to Brenda caused her to have mottled teeth. My parents kept her in school and tried to help her have a normal life like other children. Brenda stayed in school and graduated from Dobyns-Bennett High School. My family was so proud of her. Her high school graduation picture is one of my favorites. I admire that photo everyday in my office.

Brenda was older than me but we both seemed to be watching each other grow up in our own way. Sometimes she would help me deliver newspapers on my paper route. I think everybody that ever knew me helped deliver newspapers.

My bicycle and paper route were a great escape from all the worry I constantly had for Brenda. Also, I truly fell in love with elderly people because of my paper route. I feel that the paper route helped me develop character, discover kindness, and build a strong work ethic.

When I think back, one of my most favorite things about Brenda was the fact that she always made my sisters Linda, Phyllis, Libby, and me homemade birthday cards. She would draw anything that was on her mind and write poems on her homemade card rather than buying one at the store. To this day, I have one of her homemade birthday cards framed and hanging in my office at work. I also have carried on the tradition of drawing pictures and writing birthday cards for all of my family. It was just something that I thought was so genuine and special about Brenda.

Brenda was a Christian and also loved music. My first job, besides my paper route, was as a disc jockey when I was a teenager at WGOC radio in downtown Kingsport. Brenda used to listen to all of my radio shows and tape them too. One day when I came home, Brenda said “I wish I could have a job and drive a car like you do.” Then she said “Do you want to hear how great you sounded on the radio today?” I was quite surprised and very flattered that she really liked my radio shows. Today, I still have a radio show and I inform the public on health issues. I think my love for this came from Brenda too. She has influenced and inspired my life in so many different ways.

In the early 90’s I graduated with a Pharm.D. (Doctor of Pharmacy) degree and already knew that I immediately wanted to move back to Kingsport to be in my hometown with my family. My favorite grandmother was the only grandparent that I had left at the time and she was 96 yrs old, lived alone, had a large garden in her backyard, a parakeet, and played a banjo. She was such an amazing woman! Without my knowledge, a doctor put my grandmother on a blood pressure pill that she did not even need! No one told her to get up slowly and hold onto something while taking this medication and she fell in the middle of the night going to the restroom. She laid there all night because her hip was broken. My uncle found her the next morning and she was taken to the hospital by an ambulance. My grandmother only lasted six weeks then passed away October 12, 1992.

Just when things seemed to be calming down for our family, my Mom called and said that she had not seen Brenda in a few days. I could sure hear the pain and worry in my Mom’s voice. A Mother’s instinct is deep with her children. I was at work the next day (December 8, 1993) and I just did not feel right inside.

Later, I would discover that part of my soul had left my body while at work that day. My best friend came to see me at work one evening. She looked at me and said, “Brenda died.” Honestly, I don’t remember anything after that! I was told that I went running down the street in the rain in the dark and threw my lab coat down as I ran! Brenda had been murdered in an alley just two blocks away from me. She was only 39 years old.

My Mom was working at the hospital and had to identify Brenda all alone in the ER. Dad got to the hospital as fast as he could and by that time my Mom was just broken! Mother told my Dad to get all of her children home with her now. When I got home to my Mom I just fell into her arms and she held me like a newborn infant. This was the worst day of our lives! We were both almost drowning in our tears.

It was close to Christmas and I remember walking into the room where the tree was all decorated with the lights burning brightly. I looked under the tree

at the tiny silver hologram package with the handmade green ribbon that I had wrapped for Brenda’s Christmas gift. She had told me that she wanted a watch with large numbers so that it would be easy to read. I bought her a watch called a Timex Easy Reader. My heart sunk to my feet as I looked at that tiny beautiful package knowing that I could not give Brenda’s watch to her.

At Brenda’s funeral, I recall standing there looking at her thinking about everything that had happened. My sister had been murdered and many of her organs were removed for an autopsy. I stood there staring at her chest and just wanting it to rise again. I held my breath as I looked at her. It took many years after Brenda’s funeral for me to be able to buy someone a watch as a gift.

Next, in the summer of 1996, my Dad was acting odd. He thought that I was an engineer when we were talking and tried to put his shirt in the dishwasher.

I knew immediately he was ill. One day while I was grocery shopping, Dad’s doctor called me and said, “Please bring your Dad to the hospital immediately.” As I drove my Mother and Father to the hospital, Dad threw his cigarette out the window and said “I will never smoke another cigarette.”

The truth is that he kept his word but it was much too late. My father had blockages in both of his carotid arteries. After his surgeries were done, a chest scan revealed a spot on Dad’s lung. He was diagnosed with lung cancer very quickly.

My Dad battled cancer for 15 long, hard months. He was such a great, giving man to everyone! I recall one day when he came back from having chemotherapy and he saw me lying down on my bed in the middle of the day. He knew this was very uncommon for me. He said “What is my diamond daughter doing lying down, don’t you feel well sweets?” I said “Dad you need to stay away from me because I have the flu.” His response was “Honey, if I could be sick for you I would!” Another profound moment for me! Here was my Dad with lung cancer telling me that he wished he could be sick with the flu instead of me! Again, I was astonished by his love!

The very last day that I spent with my Dad at the VA in his room I was able to tell him everything I thought of him as a father. I paced in his room and described all of my fondest thoughts of childhood and adult memories that I have had with him. I told him that I knew he was proud of me and that it had almost been embarrassing at times! I let my Dad know that I could not have ordered him and Mom off of a menu as parents any better than God had blessed me with naturally! I am eternally grateful to God for the gift of my parents. My Dad died September 17, 1997.

Finally, after all of these things happened to my family, I realized that I needed to make the choice to live as an independent strong minded person. I did not have a strong male figure in my life anymore at this point. I realized that my family would turn to me for strength so I made a choice that day to become the rock. Everything from that day on would be about only relying on God as my source of faith, love and strength. I wanted to live by example for my Mother and for my children, Stephanie and Chad.

One day, I sat down with a clipboard and wrote down what I wanted to do. I also wrote down what I needed to do in order to accomplish these goals. I still have the papers from that clipboard from over 20 years ago as a reminder of where I started. I immediately opened up my private practice to provide medication counseling and disease management for children and adults.

The only ceiling over my head is the sky! I live hour to hour in daylight compartments remembering that every minute will count in honor of Brenda and Dad. I want to live my life in honor of them and take great care of my Mother and our family.

Every living spirit is one of God’s miracles. Honor, respect, show kindness, and live each encounter with passion when you interact with someone.

I give all the praise and glory to God! No one really owns anything. We are all just managers for God, recycling his goodness to help others in need. May God bless and keep you safe, healthy and happy!

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MICHELE STORY BY SAVANNA MCDAVID

Mitchell

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t the age of twenty, just after the delivery of her daughter, Michele Mitchell was diagnosed with breast cancer. Eight surgeries and twenty-two years later, she is fully recovered. But since then Michele’s family has embraced a common vision: they want to live lives of significance by adding value to others. They do that through their compassion, testimony, serventhood and leadership. As long as Michele is operating in her vision, she always has the passion to do whatever she is doing to the best of her ability.

When Michele Mitchell was a little girl, she thought she wanted to be a paralegal in a law office. Researching was one of her favorite things to do.

Her mom used to take her to the library on Saturdays where they would spend hours. It grew to be such a passion that when Michele became a teenager, her mom would ground her by taking away her library card. She has always considered herself a knowledge junkie.

“Leadership is not about position. We should lead no matter where we are. It is about more than a position or a title – it is about influence.

Leadership gives me the ability to bring others along with me…to surround myself with relationships that strengthen me rather than weaken me and hopefully I in turn do that for others. As a leader it makes me more accountable for my actions because others are following me.”

PHOTO BY MICKEY BAKER

Michele’s father used to always tell her that she could do anything she wanted.

Her dad was, and still is her biggest inspiration, and he taught her that she had everything she needed to accomplish any goal. Her favorite piece of wisdom from him was to learn three to five things about every subject in order to be able to have a conversation with anyone. She has always done that and it has made such a difference to her. Along with the encouragement of her father, the acquisition of wisdom from strong leaders and coaches throughout her life has always prepared Michele for growth.

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Today, Michele loves what she does. She gets to work with young leaders with strong global perspectives and the desire to take care of one another.

She has the ability to travel domestically and internationally with the intent of learning new cultures and forming new relationships with people all over the world. Michele feels blessed to be able to come alongside local governments, non-profits, and local churches to help communities in need. Michele enjoys helping communities place a higher focus on education, proper housing, local business economic development and overall spiritual climate. Most importantly, Michele and her team bring value to those that they meet and encourage them to a healthier way of life.

VIPSEEN EXCLUSIVE

PowerWomen At her current position with Praying Pelican Missions, Michele is responsible for the development and operations of new locations within the United States.

As an organization, Praying Pelican Missions is international as well and Michele has spent many years in Belize leading teams through short-term mission trips. The past five years, she has been able to partner with seven different cities within the United States and establish genuine partnership, long-term relationships and sustainable work.

Michele has accomplished this through meeting with three separate pillars of a community: the local government, non-profits, and the local church. “To be able to sit and listen to them all explain their city to me and share their goals for growth and health is an honor. To know that I get to participate in the success of these goals is humbling.”

Michele is very passionate about her work.

She knows bumps will come along but her vision keeps her focused on her future.

When she is able to see things like African refugee families get acclimated to a new way of life in Pittsburg, or take care of Haitian children in Miami while their single mom works, she knows she is following her personal vision and it is fulfilling. Michele has a true sense of joy knowing she is living the life she is meant to live.

In living life with purpose, Michele is always growing and changing. With every opportunity given to her, first being a surgical nurse, then becoming a youth director for fifteen years, to owning and running the popular downtown restaurant Kaffe Blue, to now being a part of a global non-profit, she has learned valuable things about life. Many lessons deal with business, but many also include learning more about herself. One of the many changes Michele sees in herself is awareness. She has found courage to face fear and she knows where she is strong and where she is weak. She wants to keep dreaming big and lives with a changed perspective that accepts failure and mistakes as a normal part of the journey.

Leadership gives Michele the ability to bring others along for the ride. She surrounds herself with relationships that strengthen her rather than weaken her. As a leader she knows she is more accountable for her actions because others are following her. To do this, she practices finding her strength because she knows the more she understands about herself, the more she can be her best. She knows she needs to maximize her strengths

and surround herself with others who are strong in her weak areas. “That is what builds a strong team.”

A great book Michele loves is 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey. She says knowing these habits have created a balance in her life. In addition, through StrengthsFinder 2.0, she has learned that she is a pioneer, a strategic thinker, and a visionary. She strives to bring value to everyone she comes in contact with, and by doing this, Michele hopes to inspire everyone she meets to be the best they can be. She wants to encourage everyone to dream bigger and take risks and to learn something that personally elevates confidence.

Michele stays so strong because she is grounded in her faith. She has always had a strong faith in God and she knows He has a plan for her life.

In her fight with cancer, Jeremiah 29:11 was powerful for her because she understands that God has a future for her. Surrounding herself with positive people was and is very important. By keeping her goal in front of her and a clear path to get there, Michele refused to be a victim and still chooses a mindset that sees struggles as opportunities for growth.

Michele’s next focused effort is to be Kingsport’s newest Alderman. She desires to see families in her hometown have a healthy, vibrant city to live and work in, and by serving on the Board of Mayor and Alderman, Michele will be able to continue living her life’s mission of adding value to others.

Michele wants to encourage the next generation to be true to themselves while also learning from those who came before them . She tries to be the best example for her younger colleagues and teaches them to respect others and take advice from those who have already been there. She pushes for young people to be educated about the world and to fight for their beliefs.

Michele has always felt most accomplished when she sees others reach their goals, and when she helps others see their potential. Michele shares, “If I get the opportunity to come in to contact with you, then I hope that I in some way will inspire you to be the best that you can be. To dream bigger than you thought you could. To take the risk that you never thought you would take. To learn something about yourself that elevates your confidence to do the unthinkable.”

KIMBERLY

Nicewonder STORY BY JENNIFER ARES

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im Nicewonder is old school in many ways, still choosing to write letters and notes by hand. She feels that connecting with people and building strong honest relationships builds a successful business. It makes a difference too, because she is a highly regarded producer/director. “I am going on my 22nd year as the Executive Director of the MISS VIRGINIA USA® and MISS VIRGINIA TEEN USA® pageants.

These are the state preliminaries to the nationally televised MISS USA® and national MISS TEEN USA® .” These are the most prestigious pageants and are owned by Mr. Donald Trump and NBC. When asked if she had ever had the feeling of real accomplishment with her business, she answered “Oh yes! When I had received a handwritten letter from Mr. Donald Trump telling me that I was much respected in this industry.” I still look at it and smile.

PHOTO BY MICKEY BAKER

PHOTO BY TINA WILSON

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PHOTOS BY EARL NEIKIRK

PowerWomen contact with hundreds of young ladies ages 14-27 and provide them a positive experience that changes their lives.” Giving back is something that Kim does everyday and a craft that she works tirelessly at perfecting. I never want to stop learning!

Don’t tell Kim that the Miss Virginia USA® and Miss Virginia Teen USA® pageants aren’t relevant to today’s world, because what she does helps young women gain skills for the rough and tumble life that we are all a part of. “The growth I see in these young ladies as they compete in this state pageant is so amazing.

They are like buds that bloom into beautiful flowers! To know that, through the Miss Virginia USA® and Miss Virginia Teen USA® pageant, a young lady can receive a full scholarship to college is just something so worthwhile to me.”

Kim’s work in this industry is a cause near and dear to her heart since it helped her get where she is today.

Growing up in the small town of Pound, Virginia, Kim always had a love for fashion and modeling but she never imagined that she would get the chance to model professionally. A family move to Bristol, Virginia in 1983 proved to be the turning point that would open opportunity for her to model. That’s when the idea of Miss USA® was presented to her. “I thought I would never have the chance to be on the Miss USA® stage but that dream became a reality in 1989 when I competed in the Miss USA® pageant as Miss Virginia® .” I was in the Miss Virginia USA® 1987 and placed 2nd runner-up and in 1988 I was 1st runner-up. I thought that surely a third time would be the charm and knew I had to go back.

I did and I won! That title took me around America and gave me unforgettable experiences that I cherish today. I still place that year as Miss Virginia USA® 1989 in my top ten most memorable experiences.” The experiences that Kim learned and gained from her title are some she carries with her still today: all in the hopes of mentoring other young women. “I feel that each of us are put through different trials and errors so that they won’t tear us down but be stepping stones for us to grow and to be able to share our experiences. God does not comfort us to simply make us comfortable, he comforts us to make us comfort---able … able to comfort others. I get the opportunity to come in

She most recently implemented an Inspiring Princess Mentoring Program with the Miss Virginia USA® and Miss Virginia Teen USA® state pageants. “Young girls ages 8-14 can take part in the weekend festivities, model on stage during the preliminary show and all receive tiaras. They each will walk away a winner and feel so beautiful about themselves.

This is exciting for us to bring in younger girls and give them the same mentoring program as the older ones.” Looking back on her pageant experiences, Kim is certain that the Lord must have had plans for her to work with young women. “I have always enjoyed helping and working with the girls, even when I was competing with them. I hold close to my heart the Miss Congeniality awards she won both at state and Miss USA®. I try to share my belief to be a “complete” woman and not a “compete” woman.” Johnson is sure to tell the girls to take their experiences from the state pageant to become the best that each of them can be and use it to step out in the real world!

“It means a lot to me to be able to give back to the community and support local organizations and my church.” She enjoys supporting the United Way, Girls Inc, SteppenStone, and Chosen Children Ministries and her church Highlands Fellowship. “I have a People’s Choice Award each year given during the Miss Virginia USA® and Miss Virginia Teen USA® and 100% of the proceeds through this award goes directly to that organization. For several years now we have worked closely with Girls Inc and raised a sufficient amount of money for the girls. It is really special being in partnership with an all girls program that is a reflection of what we do with the pageant…helping to empower young women!” Other charities that we partner with Miss Universe Organization are Best Buddies, Ovarian Cancer National Alliance and USO. The reigning Miss Virginia USA 2015, Laura Puleo has chosen THE“296” PROJECT, part of the wounded veterans and Miss Virginia Teen USA® 2015, Ann Kutyna loves working with The CHANCE FOUNDATION. Kim credits her faith in God, her family support, and the love of her three children as the true driving force behind her success and continued giving.

Whatever the secret ingredient is doesn’t really matter, Kim is helping better the lives of young girls everywhere and that, in the end, is the most important thing.

Kim encourages any young girl interested in becoming the next Miss USA® or Miss Teen USA® to visit the pageant website at: www.missvirginiausa.com.

DR. KATHY

STORY SUBMITTED

Sellers Sanders, DMD, AAACD Leading by Example

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sk Dr. Kathy Sanders the secrets of great leadership, and she’ll be quick to answer – learn to serve and lead by example. One of only eight AACD-accredited cosmetic dentists in the entire state of Tennessee, there’s little doubt Sanders knows the principles of leadership success. Some might point to her burgeoning “professional growth” library, noting title after title of national bestsellers – from the likes of leadership gurus Max DePree, Jim Collins, John Maxwell, Dale Carnegie or Spencer Johnson.

And, yet, according to Sanders, those resources, though stellar, are certainly not the initial roots of her leadership training. It was instead the sand and clay-laden soil of her coastal Georgia hometown. There, in the hot, dusty fields of Pembroke, working alongside her mother and father and three siblings, she pulled weeds from among the soybeans and gathered eggs in the chicken house, learning her first, and most important leadership lessons. “My parents served by example,” says Sanders, who now knows her parents were cultivating something far more precious than soybeans in the fertile soil of her upbringing. “No one task was ever above their ‘pay grade.’ If something needed to be done, they’d be the first to do it.”

PHOTO BY MICKEY BAKER

The very same thing can be said of Dr. Sanders’ leadership by example. At least, that’s what those who know her best tend to say. “If you want to see the quality of Dr. Sanders’ leadership, look at our team,” says Leigh Bergemann, new patient and complex case coordinator at the Tri-Cities Center for Cosmetic Dentistry. Bergemann should know. She’s worked alongside Dr. Sanders for nearly 10 years. “Dr. Sanders leads by example and by service, and she motivates us every step of the way,” adds Bergemann.Max DePree, author of Leadership is an Art, would no

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“My team just keeps getting better and better, year after year,” beams Sanders. “I can’t tell you how proud I am of their level of knowledge and professionalism when it comes to the pursuit of continuing education and excellence in dentistry.”

VIPSEEN EXCLUSIVE

PowerWomen

Celebrating shared success with a fun outing; each team member had an hour to spend a portion of his/her reward in order to keep the entire amount.

“She consistently motivates us by honoring the fruits of our labor, whether birthday lunches, goal-achieving celebrations, or team gatherings. She’s created a team that knows nothing other than striving for shared success,” explains Raden. Dr. Sanders understands that knowing her own strengths and weaknesses are key to her leadership success. “Over the years, I’ve learned just how important it is to surround myself with those individuals who can ‘fill in the gaps,’” begins Sanders. “For me to perform at my very best, those around me have to be performing at their very best, hopefully excelling in areas where I might be weaker.” doubt agree with Bergemann’s assessment. In his best-selling book, he notes “The signs of outstanding leadership appear primarily among the followers.

Are the followers reaching their potential? Are they learning? Serving? Do they achieve the required results? Do they change with grace?” The answer is a resounding “yes” when you look at the team Sanders has built around her practice success. Following in the example of a leader who consistently places a high value on continuing education, achieving more than three times the required CE training for the State of Tennessee, each of Sanders team members are on similar professional journeys of continuing education.

“My team just keeps getting better and better, year after year,” beams Sanders. “I can’t tell you how proud I am of their level of knowledge and professionalism when it comes to the pursuit of continuing education and excellence in dentistry.” In addition to each team member completing at least one unit of professional growth and development from the practice library each quarter, they participate in continuing education opportunities regionally, statewide, and even internationally. This year, they will be accompanying Sanders to San Francisco for the Annual Scientific Session of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, an international gathering of the world’s foremost cosmetic dentistry experts.

“Other notable factors of Sanders’ leadership style,” says Yvonne Raden, scheduling coordinator for the past 7 years at the Tri-Cities Center for Cosmetic Dentistry, “are her willingness to delegate, her generosity, and her firm belief in systems and protocols. Dr. Sanders is rigid in her commitment to best practice protocols and, at the same time, over-the-top generous in her commitment to incentives and rewards,” says Raden. In fact, aided by the very systems and protocols designed to foster exemplary patient satisfaction, Sanders team met their 2014 goals and were rewarded with a recent “speed” shopping extravaganza.

It’s her transparent leadership, undaunted by the strength of others that has resulted in her team participating in personality inventories such as the renowned Myers-Briggs study, or the DISC Profile test that fine tunes the art of communication. An advocate of joining with others to produce excellence, Sanders seeks out like-minded colleagues committed to dental excellence. A recent collaboration with AACD dental ceramist Dwight Rickert, CDT, AAACD, resulted in a co-authored article in The Journal of Cosmetic Dentistry. “While some are threatened by the strength of colleagues, Dr. Sanders is challenged by it,” notes Kelly Sommers, registered dental assistant at the Tri-Cities Center for Cosmetic Dentistry. “That’s part of what drives her. She lives out Proverbs 27:17: ‘As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.’” In addition, Dr. Sanders maintains a network of experts upon whom she can call to discuss especially difficult cases.

Most recently, her leadership landed her in an unlikely venue --- the Dominican Republic. It was there where she served on a Christian Medical & Dental Association mission trip, providing indigent dental care to those of immeasurable need. “That trip was one of the greatest of my life,” says Sanders. “The best part is that my husband and children were also able to serve alongside me.” With a leadership goal of lifelong service, Sanders is now sowing those very same seeds of leadership in the heart and mind of her own children. Though she’s one of the nation’s leading cosmetic dentists committed to and surrounded by the success of beautiful smiles, she’s no stranger to doing whatever it takes for the collective good of the whole -- whether raising a crop of soy beans, repairing an impoverished smile, or creating a new smile make-over that would rival any leading dentist in the nation.

To learn more about Dr. Kathy Sanders or to schedule an appointment, we invite you to call 423-239-7899.

MARCH 2015 | VIPSEEN | 119

LISATipton PHOTO BY MICKEY BAKER

STORY BY SAVANNA MCDAVID

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t a very young age, Lisa Tipton had already decided what she would do for the rest of her life. She grew up listening to country music and loved the emotion and stories of the songs. She knew she would be a country music star, but after a few voice and guitar lessons, however, it became pretty clear to Lisa that country music was not her calling. It was around that time in her young life that she became very aware of the poverty and struggles of her peers in rural Kingsport. Lisa knew God cared about these people and she tried to help them any way she could. In fact, her entire family set an example of caring for their community to see and follow.

“A wise friend and mentor told me I could either get in line behind everyone else asking folks for money and support or I could find something someone would pay me to do and do the work so well I could fund the ministry component I knew had to be apart of the outreach into people’s lives.”

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VIPSEEN EXCLUSIVE

PowerWomen Gone With The Wind, Lisa’s favorite childhood movie, made quite the impression on her. She always wanted to portray the same strength and courage that Scarlett O’Hara’s character had. To rebuild and make a better life were attractive themes to Lisa as she was growing up. From that time forward, Lisa was inspired to do the right thing by advocating for struggling people, opposing oppression and challenging the system when it wasn’t working well for people.

With the hope of inspiring people who want to make the world a better place, Lisa went searching for ways to make a difference. In 2004, she had the opportunity to attend the National Prayer Breakfast and Rick Santorum was one of the key speakers. He spoke about the power each person has to influence others and to be an agent of change by addressing problems in their region. It was at that moment Lisa had an idea that would change her life and countless others. She believed Families Free would be the exact thing she needed to be the change she wanted to see in the world and she hoped to inspire others as well.

Starting Families Free was a huge leap of faith for Lisa. With no business experience, and a small start up donation from a friend, she set out to do something amazing. Lisa knew in order to help people change their lives and overcome abuse, addiction, and poverty; her work couldn’t be just about money.

She often said, “People can change, lives can get better, children can live safely in their homes but it takes skills and investment to truly change a life.” So she began her outreach with two people in a room at Interfaith Hospitality Network homeless shelter and followed the advice of her mentor.

Families Free now “works” for Department of Children’s Services-Department of Health and Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse in the form of contracts and grants. They serve about 200 individuals and families each month through a variety of programs including intensive family preservation and through helping incarcerated women. They also specialize in programming for pregnant and parenting women with substance abuse problems. Families Free has around 20 employees and spans across the Northeast region.

To get where she is, Lisa said she has surrounded herself with people she likes to call her ROCK STARS. She has supported her team, grown her personal capacity, and encouraged others to do so as well. Lisa embraces the challenges she faces and practices her work with integrity and the idea to do what she does better than anyone else. Being a leader has forced Lisa to develop a purposefulness to how she spends her time and uses her influence.

Lisa’s passion comes from a core belief that people can change from the inside out. Building Families Free from the ground up, and watching the lives that are touched every day, continues to inspire Lisa to keep working for solutions to problems. She believes that God’s bigger purpose for each person is to be whole and healthy. “Seeing people struggle to overcome

addiction, incarceration abuse and poverty renews my faith and inspires me to face the challenges each day to be an agent of social change.”

Perhaps her favorite part of what she does, though, is listening to the stories of women at Families Free and then sharing those with individuals who can make a difference on a higher level. “I have had the privilege of “taking in” the stories of these women - where they came from- what they have lost-what they have overcome- who they want to be for their children and themselves.

To share that information with those who have the ability to change how the state of TN cares for children and families with these struggles has been a privilege.”

With such a physically and emotionally stressful endeavor, Lisa must practice balance in her life. She has a great support system in the form of her large, blended family and truly enjoys spending time with them.

She also says sometimes her work is too rewarding to take breaks.

“Professionally, I just love to see a woman’s perspective change from being self-absorbed to developing a value system that will lead to good decisions and the healthy thinking that will propel her to positive action. Starting that cycle of success, instead of failure and struggle, instills a confidence in them that a great life is possible. It doesn’t get any better than that.”

One of Families Free’s biggest accomplishments as an organization came in May of 2014 when they were awarded the Intensive Family Preservation Contract for the Northeast Region. Her team had written their proposal from scratch in a short period of time, so to see what they had created and to then be chosen as the agency to provide this service was a cool moment for everyone. Lisa said lots of coffee, late nights and Easter candy turned into an accomplishment that solidified their heart for helping families. “Getting the call we had won the contract was an amazing sense of the accomplishment and validation for our beliefs and hard work.”

Lisa believes personal growth and development is the most important thing for anyone, but especially someone who works to lift up others. She is always seeking counseling and guidance from other leaders. She is an avid fan of Dave Ramsey and Entreleadership podcast. She is always reading to gain more skills to apply at Families Free. Lisa knows that along with personally investing, loving and valuing people, and helping others through life, her passion for ForgivenessRestoration and Compassion will continue to grow and impact many.

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TERESA Treadway C

reative Energy Vice President and co-owner Teresa Treadway knew early in life that her calling would be to support and encourage people. As a little girl growing up in Alaska she would pretend to work in an office; making calls and setting appointments instead of playing with her dolls.

Her dedication to service has not only benefited her company, but the community as well. As a longtime supporter of the Special Olympics and a former Hands On Museum board member, her passion is making sure everyone has the opportunity to succeed.

Her career began as a teenage fast food employee, then as a secretary in the banking, legal and human resources fields. She joined the fledgling advertising agency as its office manager in 1991. Her journey would bring all of her experience full circle as the vice president of the largest advertising and marketing agency to ever call Johnson City its home.

“I’m enjoying an amazing life that keeps me busy and fulfilled. I love living here and venturing out of town frequently on business or pleasure...”

STORY BY SAVANNA MCDAVID

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VIPSEEN EXCLUSIVE

PowerWomen “Our company has always measured its success by the success that we can bring to our clients and I think it is simply part of my nature to help our clients succeed,” says Teresa.

Today, Teresa’s days are filled with supporting both her clients and her employees. She also develops multimillion-dollar media plans, negotiating with the likes of local TV and radio stations as well as national media outlets ranging from Pandora to the Food Network.

“I have a lot of friends in the media and I try to always give them the respect that everyone deserves, even if their media might not fit the needs of a particular client. Our growth has meant that I spend a great deal of time at my computer pouring over spreadsheets and on the phone negotiating deals,” Teresa says.

As for her employees, Teresa says she likes her role as servant leader. “I try to build a sense of family within Creative Energy. I feel that if our employees know that we care about them and their families they can focus on doing their best work.” That support includes monthly birthday lunches, crazy good Christmas parties and surprises, like a recent morning’s warm honey bun cake for a breakfast treat.

“Tony and I marvel at the number of families we’ve supported through the years here,” Teresa says. “Almost 50 children of our employees have had a mom or dad who went to work each day at Creative Energy. We’ve bought tons of Girl Scout Cookies and tried to support the kids of the agency as we do their parents. We feel a responsibility to our employees and we try to make the workplace fun, creative and supportive.”

Teresa’s dedication to service is also reflected in her role within the region’s professional organization for advertising, the American Advertising Federation’s (AAF) Northeast Tennessee chapter. With nearly 20 years of service to the organization, she has served in almost every role. Her results-oriented focus soon drew the attention of the larger district organization, the AAF’s District 7.

The district serves all advertising firms in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, and Tennessee. Rising through the ranks of the district organization, Teresa now serves as the Lieutenant Governor and in 2016 she will be the first Governor of the AAF’s District 7 from Northeast Tennessee since the early 1960s.

Marrying agency founder, Tony Treadway, in 2003, the duo is often asked how they blend their lives inside and outside the office.

“We agreed early in our marriage that we would not discuss family matters at the office nor work while at home. It works pretty well and we have a great relationship,” she says.

Off the job she and Tony encourage and support Teresa’s son, Wesley, who is finishing his college career at Emory & Henry College. “I’m so proud of Wes. He was captain of his football team and student body president at Science Hill. He has had an amazing college career and I can’t wait to see what the world has in store for him.” Tony’s daughter, Kristen, and grandson, Ty, live in Johnson City, where Kristen is a hairdresser and Ty is a first-grader.

“I’m enjoying an amazing life that keeps me busy and fulfilled. I love living here and venturing out of town frequently on business or pleasure with Tony,” Teresa says. The only downside to travel is that Skittles, the family’s Shih Tzu, frequently can’t travel with them.

“Skittles fills the role of office dog, friend, and constant companion. We love her dearly. I can remember taking Skittles to a little league ball game in a shoebox as a puppy to watch Wesley play. Today, she’s still a vibrant and playful dog that keeps everyone in stitches around the office and keeps the bed warm at home.”

Whether in her chair helping to run a multimillion-dollar ad agency, hemming pants for her son, or shopping for baby clothes for an employee’s soon-to-be-born child, Teresa does most everything well and with a loving heart. “Life is too short to not help our friends or family and our employees. I love it.”

Learn more about Creative Energy and its amazing capabilities in building brands and boosting sales for clients across the world at www.cenergy.com.

MARCH 2015 | VIPSEEN | 123

CHRISTINA Vella STORY SUBMITTED

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PHOTO BY MICKEY BAKER

ore than anything, Christina Vella wanted to be a doctor when she grew up. It may sound hokie and a little cliché’, but she really wanted to help people and serve. At the time, becoming a doctor was the only way she saw to do it. For many reasons, the path she ultimately took was business. Her first job was working at a donut shop called Mr. Donut in Washington, D.C. She was 15 years old, and there she was filling jelly donuts—and she liked it. She remembers the feeling of excitement as she chatted with customers and topped off their coffee. She had been bitten early by the entrepreneurial bug. Her father was a dedicated, hardworking entrepreneur. Growing up, she watched her father, noticing that he always took the highs and the lows with a smile on his face. He always said, “Work hard, believe in Jesus, work even harder when you don’t want to, and things will always work out the way they are intended.”

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PowerWomen When we asked Christina what feeds her passions, she told us that it was other people. She loves to live in the moment and to be in an environment of creativity. And, perhaps, that is why the hospitality industry suits her so well. She loves seeing smiles on people’s faces. Good food and beverages and good service have a strange way of doing that. Currently Christina is launching her new business Parties and Provisions, Catering and Event Design Company, in which she has the ability to cater large events at the venue of the clients choice or as small as an intimate party at your home. Additionally, Christina is doing event planning and design, planning weddings, birthday parties, anniversaries and corporate events large and small. She is also the General Manager of Food and Beverage at Ridgefields Country Club, located in Kingsport, Tennessee.

Prior to that, she owned and operated The Local, a trendy kitchen and wine bar, in Johnson City, Tennessee. She was also the co-owner of Cootie Browns, which had two locations—one in Kingsport and another in Johnson City, and Jack’s City Grill in Johnson City. In the beginning of her restaurant career she had a couple of small mom and pop type restaurants in Virginia. She started in the food business as a food concessionaire, selling funnel cakes, spiral fries, hot dogs and hamburgers. All of her concepts featured an eclectic menu of American and internationally-inspired cuisine, with truly fresh ingredients that were wonderfully prepared. She believes in putting the highest quality, besttasting food on the dinner table. She loves watching people enjoy themselves as they eat what she and her team have prepared.

labor is a chronic problem for any restaurant or storefront retail business.

When recessionary times hit, restaurants are the first to feel the brunt of it, as consumers pull back on discretionary spending. That hasn’t stopped Christina.

She has been a restauranteur for the past 20 years, and she has no plans to stop doing what she does best. Endurance through long hours and days and consistency are what have gotten Christina where she is today. She added that failing forward—learning from past mistakes, not dwelling on them—has helped her grow as an entrepreneur. The smarter you become, the smoother things will go. Consequently, she is eager to learn new information. One of her New Year’s Resolutions is to take at least three professional development or technical training classes this year.

In her new business, Parties and Provisions Catering and Event design, she is looking forward to helping others create and execute their next dream event.

At her new roles she is undertaking at Ridgefields, Christina has a gorgeous facility available to her to pursue her new venture in catering and event design.

She is very excited to have the ability to cater at any venue of your choice or in one of the many beautiful spaces available to her at Ridgefields Country Club.

In her spare time—yes she does have some—she spends time with her fiancé, Rob Glover, and her children, Sarah, Gabriella, and Chris. They all love food just as much as she does, and they love to get together to create food and art with her.

The biggest compliment you can give Christina is to ask her to cook something for you, or ask her to help you plan a special meal, party or wedding. When these requests for help stop, Christina will know that her passion has burnt out.

She hopes that never happens.

Team-building is one of Christina’s core values. She said it’s her job to remove obstacles so that her team can be successful. She considers herself a coach.

She enjoys motivating others, providing guidance, actively listening and engaging in the creative process to help her employees grow. She also said she learns from her employees. Not only does she have high expectations for them, she sets the bar high for herself too. She doesn’t take shortcuts.

The normal ebb and flow of business continues to be a challenge. The business environment is cyclical and highly unpredictable, so managing

AND

CATERING & EVENT DESIGN

partiesandprovisions@gmail.com 423.714.7212

“The biggest compliment you can give Christina is to ask her to cook something for you, or ask her to help you plan a special meal, party or wedding.”

MARCH 2015 | VIPSEEN | 125

DINEEN STORY BY LUCY HONEYCHURCH

West

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hen Dineen was growing up, much of what was expected of women in the workforce was for them to follow a career in teaching or nursing. When asked to write a paper in ninth grade English, however, Dineen knew that neither profession was for her. “I read about different career choices and what might suit someone who was creative. The idea of being an architect popped up, but I had no real knowledge of what an architect did other than what I had seen Michael Brady do on the Brady bunch. I decided that it would be more fun to take drafting than typing class, my only extra curricular choices, and once I took my first drafting class I was hooked.” West’s mother worked when she was young, not something normally done by women in the sixties and seventies, so Dineen just always assumed that she too would be a professional someday. “My mother had a career but always made time for her family and both of my parents instilled a strong work ethic in me. I wanted a career where I could enjoy what I did every day.”

Architecture is a craft near and dear to her heart, but it is also a passion that drives West to search for ever-better ways to help clients. “It is so exciting and rewarding to make a client’s dreams become reality. I really enjoy learning about my client’s needs and learning about the SICILY

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Cain Rash West

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day in the life of a scientist, doctor, teacher, business owner, and so on of whatever building type I am designing for.” She admits that architects are true Renaissance types who “have to be the artist, mathematician, physiatrist, and leader for any project,” but that being in this position has taught her to listen to others. “As a manager it is overwhelming sometimes to figure out how we are going to get all of our work done in a timely manner but I always try to lead by example. Being a leader has taught me to listen to others ideas and try to cultivate them and encourage them.” Encouragement is something she is good at, but more importantly, something she sees as imperative in helping to lead the next generation of architect.

“I hope to inspire the next generation of architects, both male and female, to push themselves with no limits to their creativity. I encourage each of them to pursue his/her dreams and never ever give up.” Wise words from a wise woman, and a lesson learned on the bumpy road of life and during early career obstacles. Being a woman and heading into a male-dominated career was hard enough, but add the duties of wife and mother to the mix, and Dineen was forced to work twice as hard just to keep up. “In the early years of my career it was hard to balance having two small toddlers and trying to study for the architectural exams. If I tried to wait until after I put them to bed to study I would be asleep after 15 minutes of reading structures. My husband Bryan has always been supportive and watched the kids when I had to go out of town for 4 days to take my exams.” West and her husband traded parenting duties so that neither missed time from work when the kids were sick and the co-parenting helped the whole family to find a balance that worked.

In her early career, she counts herself lucky to have worked in some of the busiest and most successful markets in the country. “I was fortunate in my early career to work for firms in Florida and North Carolina that let me grow as an intern architect and who gave me responsibility early on.” Much has changed in the industry and West herself admits that things are different when it comes to design, “we can accomplish in hours what it took us days to do on the drafting board,” she

says when talking about the widespread use of computers in architecture. Still, though, architecture requires a special touch and the ability to see what others cannot. When she works with her clients, West is always certain to put them first. “I have learned in our business it is important to listen to the client’s needs and to understand when you need to speak and when you need to listen.”

Listening is something she has come to be very good at because, she says, “clients aren’t always sure how to articulate what it is they really want. Even if I think someone has a bad idea, it is more challenging to lead them to a good idea than it is to just dismiss them outright.” Through her travels West has had the opportunity to observe other people and cultures and their architecture and is fascinated by the small things like bathroom fixtures and door hardware: building blocks that makes up the whole of architectural design. Her passion for it has not subsided after all these years and shows no immediate signs of waning anytime soon. Recently she has had the opportunity to become a business partner at GRC Construction and CainRashWest Architects along with Pat Breeding, Tim Hammond and Tim Lorimer entering into a succession plan to continue the business Hiram Rash and Luther Cain created.

The next generation is very excited and proud to be a part of this legacy.

PHOTO BY MICKEY BAKER

PowerWomen

TREVI FOUNTAIN, ROME

MARCH 2015 | VIPSEEN | 127

AUNDREA STORY SUBMITTED

Wilcox

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UNDREA Y. WILCOX, Brenau University MBA, is currently the Senior Business Counselor of the Tennessee Small Business Development Center (TSBDC) at East Tennessee State University (ETSU) Kingsport Affiliate Office, and Executive Director of the Kingsport Office of Small Business Development & Entrepreneurship (KOSBE) at the Kingsport Area Chamber of Commerce, Tenn.

She has provided technical assistance to over 1,200 individuals or businesses.

Previously, Aundrea provided expert testimony at a hearing of the Subcommittee on Contracting and Technology of the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Small Business in Washington, D.C., and served as a session moderator on “Small Business Incubation” at the 55th Annual Tennessee Governor’s Conference on Economic & Community Development.

In addition to being a full-time GrowthWheel Certified Business Advisor™, Aundrea has a long tradition of community service. She currently serves on the Holston Valley Medical Center Board of Directors as a member of the Executive Committee and Co-Chair of the Joint Quality Committee; she is a Board Member of the Holston Business Development Center Small Business Incubator; and a past member of the Board of Directors of the Northeast Tennessee Regional Entrepreneurial Accelerator. She is also a Selection Committee Member for the East Tennessee State University Roan Scholars Leadership Program.

PHOTO BY MICKEY BAKER

Most recently, Aundrea has received the following awards and recognition: 2011 Women of Excellence (Pi Omega Omega Chapter Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority); 2011 Caped Crusader (Kingsport Office of Small Business Development & Entrepreneurship); and 2009 Women in Business Champion Award (Tennessee District Office U.S. Small Business Administration). books--Startup Savvy: Strategies for Optimizing Aundrea is also the author of two booksSuccess--and Superwoman Smarts: Activating Small Business Survival & Success Substance. She also recently collaborated with 25 consultants Leadership & Substance affiliated with the U.S. Small Business Development Center (SBDC) program, to help write a new book designed to help entrepreneurs master three critical phases for a successful business start. The book, The TriStart™ Matrix, will be available as early as next month.

Aundrea’s newest book, Superwoman Smarts is now available on Amazon. She wrote this book because she feels that too many women are responsible for holding themselves back from achieving the success they deserve. She said it all comes down to choices, decisions, and actions. She has come a long way, but she feels she still has not quite arrived at that avenue of self-actualization and self-development that she seeks. At this time in her life, after spending 30 years in the workforce, she felt it was important to share some of her experiences in the boardroom, in various social settings, in the educational system, and while generally out and about in the world. In the book, she also shares the illuminating insights of ten influential and powerful women—and one man. She hopes women will be compelled to be kind to and embrace their fellow woman, and get out there in the world and lead—instead of getting caught up in counterproductive infighting amongst women.

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PowerWomen As for the previous book, Startup Savvy, she has worked with a narrator to produce an audiobook which is now available in addition to the print version. She listens to a lot of audiobooks herself, so she felt this would be useful to busy business owners who don’t have time (or haven’t found the time) to read. The last chapter of Startup Savvy contains a series of tactics called the 40-Day Survive to Five Campaign, which Aundrea developed herself.

In 2014, Aundrea had the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to participate in Dancing with the Tri-Cities Stars (DWTTS), a premier annual charity event which benefits SteppenStone Youth Treatment Services in Limestone, Tennessee. Together with nine other celebrity dancers, she helped raise close to $100,000.

Before this event, she said she didn’t consider herself a professional dancer in any way. She didn’t take any formal dance lessons as a child, however, she was somewhat athletic. She ran hurdles and relays in track and field in high school, but she said she only did it to be included in field trips and the after school program. This was her only way to get out of the house, as her parents were very strict. In fact, she said she always felt awkward growing up. She saw herself as just the tall, skinny, basic-looking girl who nearly drowned in the high school pool.

She said she still can’t swim! As an adult, she was the one person in any aerobics class who couldn’t get the choreography no matter how many times the instructor demonstrated.

When she was asked to participate in Dancing with the Tri-Cities Stars, she said she would because she wanted to finally squash the selfdoubt that she had about being awkward and overly self-conscious about her body. When it was all said and done, she managed to win the Dancing with the Tri-Cities Stars (DWTTS) Female People’s Choice Award. She said it was hard work, but it was worth it in the end.

She said this unique experience has changed her life in many ways.

a group dance party on Friday nights to show off their newest moves and socialize with their new dance friends. She said they know most of the basics, but Latin dance styles are their favorite.

Lastly, she wouldn’t let us write about her without talking about fitness and health. She doesn’t just talk about keeping fit, she’s doing it. She likes to train first thing in the morning, before her body knows what’s happening to it. She said a combined shock and awe blitz truly works for her. In fact, when she works out with her personal trainer, she tells him not to tell her the entire work plan for the session, because she doesn’t need to know it in advance. She will just deal with it when she gets to it. Recently, she has started taking a 5:45 AM spin cycling class at the local YMCA. She said the instructor—the one with the beard and the deep voice— is fantastic. When she walks out of the gym, she feels like a new person who is ready for a big day, and she knows that she has already done more before 7:00 AM than a lot of people will do all day long. By going early, she also manages to avoid the common gym irritants, such as too much talking and not enough lifting.

Aundrea said her husband also considers himself a non-dancer, but they are both still ballroom dancing today because of her enlightening experience. Together they take a private lesson once a week, and then enjoy

I just completed my first year as a new small business owner. Can't say it was easy but I can say that I made it through one year because I read and often referred to Startup Savvy. The layout is outstanding and the content is even better. You can simply pick up the book and read any chapter, any time. No need to go in order. After finishing this book I feel like I earned an honorary MBA degree. Great job Aundrea. —Keith C.

Aundrea said it’s great to exercise with her husband, but she doesn’t let it stop her from getting to the gym on days he may not feel like joining her.

When she has to travel, she has also started choosing her hotel accommodations based on her health and fitness goals. If the exercise facilities are non-existent or in poor condition, she simply won’t stay there. She always travels with her jump rope.

Originally from Michigan, Aundrea resides in Kingsport, Tennessee, with her husband Lonnie L. Salyer, a graduate of the University of Tennessee and a Global Procurement Manager of Energy at Eastman Chemical Company. Between them, they have two children—Barbara (21) and Cody (15).

BRANDI Woodall STORY BY JENNIFER ARES

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hen asked to give advice to the next generation, Brandi Woodall doesn’t mince words when it comes to how she feels they should handle things. “Find what you’re good at and do it. If you do something for yourself, then you’ll always be happy.” She speaks from experience, saying, “I’ve been “forced” into another’s idea of what I should be and the experience was awful: totally unmotivating and immensely stifling.” She always wanted to entertain people and growing up imagined that she would own a bar or restaurant, but event planning was something that Woodall was good at and, most importantly, happy with. Although the job that she did was clear to her, others were not so understanding as an everyday errand demonstrated, “I remember visiting my bank and someone reading my company check. She asked what an event planner did. After explaining what I did, I wasn’t sure that I really made her thoroughly understand.” Undaunted, Brandi set out to educate the public, government, and business about her company Positive Approach and what it was that event planners did.

VIPSEEN EXCLUSIVE

PowerWomen “We opened VENUE at the King’s Centre in 2010 and, once we had a space to conceptualize and create events, it’s like the light bulb came on.

Everyone could fully realize what we did and it helped define our services tremendously.” More than just events get planned at Positive Approach and Brandi is quick to point out that the business is more than just that. The company strives to give the best it can to the community and is concerted in its efforts to give back. “After the Second Annual Bacon Fest, we were able to donate monies to Special Spaces of the TriCities to help create a dream bedroom for Riley Cox. Seeing her light up when she saw her room, and knowing what a sanctuary that room has become for her was definitely a meaningful experience. I give back not always because it’s good in practice, but to see others so happy really inspires me.” Inspiring others is something Woodall works hard to do, but it was not long ago that she was looking to others for inspiration: a time she remembers fondly.

Bartenders in an effort to keep growing the business. Positive Approach feels there are definitely ways to enhance the services that it already offers and hopes to bring a few more of those services to the area in an effort to entertain and inspire. For her personally, Brandi Woodall wants to work to help others in the community understand what exactly it is that event planners do. “I would like to formalize a plan to educate the community, businesses, existing and aspiring planners on what a planner does and hopefully make it common place for companies and individuals to hire planners when the occasion should arise.”

“I would like to formalize a plan to educate the community, businesses, existing and aspiring planners on what a planner does and hopefully make it common place for companies and individuals to hire planners when the occasion should arise.”

“I remember when I had the “thought” about opening my own event planning firm, I visited anyone I thought could utilize my service. From hotels to limousine services, I visited a plethora of companies and looked for help from individuals as well. Everything I learned about financials and day-to-day business operations, I learned from Jeff Smith, a man whom I consider my first mentor. Having the knowledge and understanding of how a business should work certainly prepared me for what we’ve become at Positive Approach Group.” Not one to ever sit on her laurels, Brandi and the crew at Positive Approach are ever-expanding and looking for new opportunities. In 2013 they acquired On the Rocks

The future is certainly bright for Brandi and her company, but it is also bright for any who decide to use her planning services.

A winner of the Faith in the Future Award–Entrepreneur Category, an award they have won four times, Positive Approach is out to do more than simply “plan events” and Brandi herself is quickly becoming a guru in her own right. She has produced events for corporate clients such as The Johnson City Senior’s Foundation Senior Expo, Voice-Magazine for Women’s All About Women Expo, The Blue Plum Festival, United Healthcare, Saratoga Technologies and Gilbert Advanced Asset Management, just to name a few. Additionally she has become one of the most sought after Wedding Coordinators in East Tennessee.

Brandi is also dedicated to her non-profit work, is called upon to teach and speak to area organizations and has been published in a variety of regional magazines from the Tri-Cities to Chattanooga.

MARCH 2015 | VIPSEEN | 131

EMMANUEL EPISCOPAL CHURCH

SEEN IN BRISTOL

The Ordination of Kathy Kelly Dunagan to the Episcopal Priesthood STORY AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY LARK ADAMS

Forty years ago, the Episcopal Church ordained its first female priest. A lot has happened since then, and today it is much more common for a woman to be ordained than it was back then. Women actually comprise about one-third of all Episcopal priests today. Regardless, an Ordination to the Priesthood for anyone, male or female, is still a unique and memorable occasion in their life, and the life of a church. Many ordinands choose to be ordained at the seat of the Bishop, or in a Cathedral setting. Kathy Dunagan chose to do it in her original and current hometown of Bristol, VA, at Emmanuel Episcopal Church.

The Congregation Greets the Newly Ordained Reverend Dunagan

Kathy, whose husband, Joe, serves as Emmanuel Episcopal’s Rector, will serve Southwest Virginia as a Canon Missioner. This is a role that allows her to serve all the Episcopal churches in Southwest Virginia in multiple roles, either as a counselor, a facilitator, or as a worship leader.

“My goal is to help churches serve their communities and find outreach opportunities,” says Kathy. “Often churches focus mainly on increasing membership, when that can sometimes be the result of them working with and for the people in their area.”

When asked if she always knew she wanted to be a priest, Kathy says, “I felt called at a young age during a church camp to a life of service to Christ, but I didn’t know the specifics then.” It has been a relatively long road for Kathy, who went to seminary in her early twenties, but then went on to work for several years as a licensed professional counselor, specializing in adults who had been traumatized as children. Despite, or perhaps because of, the circuitous path that led Kathy to the Priesthood, she is no less committed today to serving people and churches than she was as a young child. Hopefully, other women will realize that same potential thanks to Kathy and the many women that have come before her in the Episcopal Church.

The children of Emmanuel Episcopal Church present the new Reverend Dunagan with a gift

Kitty Kelly and Linda Riley

Kate Monahan (Rev. Kathy Dunagan’s daughter), Reverend Kathy Dunagan, Bishop Mark Bourlakas, and Reverend Joe Dunagan

Acolytes (Altar Helpers) David Bieger, Jack Tickle, and Kira Adams

Kathy Dunagan during the Ordination Ceremony

Reverend Kathy Dunagan, Tina Hitt, and Bishop Mark Bourlakas

All of the Clergy that participated in Reverend Dunagan’s Ordination

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LEADING. INSPIRING.

CREATING A SENSE OF COMMUNITY IN NORTHEAST TENNESSEE & SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA

ACT LIKE A LADY.

THINK LIKE A BOSS. POWER WOMEN OF THE TRI-CITIES

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE: JOHNSON CITY STATE OF THE CITIES BRISTOL ANNUAL AWARDS LUNCHEON KINGSPORT CHAMBER DINNER

2015