VIPSEEN March 2018

SPECIAL FEATURE

2018

POWER WOMEN ALSO INSIDE: BRISTOL TN/VA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ANNUAL AWARDS KINGSPORT CHAMBER 71st ANNUAL DINNER JOHNSON CITY CHAMBER ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING

VIPSEEN-Mar18Cover.indd 3

3/1/18 12:09 PM

Saving lives never looked so fabulous

Saturday, April 28 2–5 p.m.

The Virginian Golf Club Bristol, Virginia

With sip-sational wines, delectable food, stunning fashion and charming Shoe Guys, Wine Women & Shoes is a can’t-miss event, featuring: • Golden Ticket: Enter for your chance to win a trip to Napa Valley.

• Magazine cover photo shoot: Grab your sole sisters and strike a pose.

• Wall of Wine: You can win a top-dollar bottle.

• Buy a Spot: Enter our raffle for a high-end designer purse.

• King of Sole competition: With an online donation, you can vote for your favorite Shoe Guy. • A high-energy fashion show.

• Fashion marketplace: Shop the latest styles from Beauty in Stone, F&W Style, Lips that Last by Amy Herndon, Monkee’s, Tucker’s Twinkles, JK Kollections and more.

• Silent and live auctions.

Proceeds will help Ballad Health Foundation improve access and affordability for breast cancer screenings.

Through earlier detection, we can help women live out their dreams – by outliving cancer.

Presenting sponsor:

To purchase tickets or learn more, please visit winewomenandshoes.com/balladhealth

Gold sponsors:

818 State Street, Bristol, TN

(423)573-9950

kilntimeceramics.com

Now featuring classes in canvas painting, fused glass, and hand building with clay!

Media sponsors:

Fashion show sponsored by:

Letter from the Publisher

FOUNDER/PUBLISHER Angela J. Baker angela@vipseenmag.com CO-OWNER Mickey J. Baker CREATIVE DIRECTOR Angelica Ares angelica_a@vipseenmag.com

She Says ...

GRAPHIC DESIGNER Dianna Pilkenton diannapilk@gmail.com EVENTS COORDINATOR Allison Galloway allison@vipseenmag.com VIPSEEN LIVE! Whitney Carr whitney@vipseenmag.com Morgan King morgan@vipseenmag.com ACCOUNT MANAGERS Lark Adams 423.612.3583 lark@vipseenmag.com April Barnes 423.646.4626 april@vipseenmag.com Kirsten Hall 423.502.0695 kirsten@vipseenmag.com Beth Muncy (423) 967.3043 beth@vipseenmag.com

WHAT IS A “POWER WOMAN”?

I think each of us has our own opinion about what it takes to be considered powerful. Some would say it involves money or a prestigious title to be powerful, but my ideal power woman needs to have a lot more depth beneath her surface.

To me, a powerful woman is selfless. She is kind. She is giving. She leads with her heart. She stands firm in her beliefs no matter how unpopular.

A powerful woman embraces her mistakes, and failures, as life lessons; growing and learning from them. She is approachable, coachable, and uses her influence for good. A power woman empowers others to walk beside her while she leads, not behind her.

This is our fourth year featuring some of our regions finest power women.

I always look forward to this issue because I enjoy learning new and inspiring details about these incredible women. It showcases their depth and displays the thing behind their true power: the heart.

Thank you to all the businesses and individuals who generously sponsored our 2018 Power Women!

COPY EDITOR Lucy Honeychurch BEAUTY EDITOR Sherri Jessee MUSIC EDITOR Anthony Wayne anthony@vipseenmag.com

Angela Baker, angela@vipseenmag.com

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Logan Bailey Crystal Dawn Carter Linda Coffey Katie Day Eric Donahue Allison Galloway Beth Street Haley White PHOTOGRAPHY Logan Bailey Crystal Dawn Carter Linda Coffey Katie Day Eric Donahue Allison Galloway Nathan Mays Haley White DIRECTOR OF DISTRIBUTION Barbara Werner DISTRIBUTION Abigail Gantz Martin Kilgore Mark Kilgore Katherine McClanahan Leslie Morgan WEBMASTER High Road Digital VIPSEEN, Inc., Tri-Cities 151 E. Main Street, Suite 5 Kingsport, TN 37660 423.398.5321 WWW.VIPSEENMAG.COM

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SPECIAL FEATURE

ON THE COVER Tina Wilson

PHOTOGRAPHY BY Nathan Mays Photography

2018

POWER WOMEN ALSO INSIDE: BRISTOL TN/VA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ANNUAL AWARDS KINGSPORT CHAMBER 72nd ANNUAL DINNER JOHNSON CITY CHAMBER ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING

March Contents EVENTS 62 United WE Read Celebration 63 The Longest Day Kickoff Party 66 Bristol TN/VA Chamber of Commerce Annual Awards 68 East Tennessee RV Show 70 Club Moxie – Mountain States Foundation Spirit Gala 2018 73 2018 Regional Legislative Breakfast 75 Mountain Music Museum Reopening 76 Women’s Missionary Council Presents Gifts to HOPE, Inc.

to Celebrate 100-year Anniversary 77 SteppenStone Cards, Craps, and Cocktails Casino Night 79 Tri-Cities Military Affairs Council January Meeting 81 Kingsport Idol 2018 All-Star Concert 84 The 9th Annual CASA Red Shoe Gala 86 Johnson City Chamber Annual Membership Meeting 89 Kingsport Chamber 71st Annual Dinner 92 2nd Annual Wine & Chocolate Festival 94 The Blake at Kingsport Open House 95 10th Annual Bows & Bow Ties Father Daughter Ball

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DEPARTMENTS

FEATURES

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8 2018 VIPSEEN POWER WOMEN 10 ON THE COVER

TINA WILSON

60 SPECIAL FEATURE

AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION’S QUEEN OF HEARTS

7 CALENDAR OF EVENTS 58 NONPROFIT PROFILE

JACQUELINE CRAWFORD: LUNCH BOX PROGRAM

64 VIP BEAUTY

FIVE DREAMY LOOKS

82 VIP MUSIC

THE POWER OF BEAUTY

78 PET PERSONALS 96 WIT BIT

(SAD, BUT) TRUE CONFESSIONS

What clients are saying...

“I just want to say ‘Thank You’ Whitney and Morgan. You were such a joy to work with. I loved the video promo that you did for our store! I was amazed to see such a great response from it! It really helped boost my business. I’m looking forward to doing it again soon.”

Lesa Horne Decor Exchange Home Furnishings Consignment

“Being interviewed by Morgan and Whitney is like having family over for a visit. They arrive with a warmth and ease allowing you to immediately feel relaxed–especially helpful if you are nervous like us! They are very well informed about the topic of conversation and come prepared with questions. We love how they play off of each other more like brother and sister.

Their warmth and playful banter ease the atmosphere prior to the interview, and they always deliver very professional work.

We have had the joy of working with Morgan and Whitney on at least three different occasions and always feel they pull from us the best we have to offer our clients. Our live stream on the VIPSEEN Live! Facebook page has been seen by so many and has really been a boost for us.

Thank you, Morgan and Whitney! We love working with you.”

David and Margaret Douthat Douthat Insurance

“Whitney, Morgan, and Angela at VIPSEEN Live! brought a fresh perspective to our company’s social media campaign. With their help, we added 1,000 Facebook likes within 6 weeks, changed the way we approach our marketing strategy with Facebook, and sold two hot tubs from the first live ‘Where the Locals Go’ broadcast. The best part about partnering with VIPSEEN Live! is that Whitney and Morgan continue to remind us ‘to have fun!’”

David Isaacs Isaac Pools & Spas

Calendar of Events / MARCH 2018 MARCH 1 11:30am 2018 Annual Meeting Luncheon Bristol Train Station Bristol, VA 423-968-4912 Email@UnitedWayBristol.com

6pm St. Patrick’s Day Bash MeadowView Marriott Conference Resort and Convention Center Kingsport, TN 423-975-5437 tina@rmhsa.org

6pm River Ministry Spring Sale Boones Creek Christian Church Johnson City, TN 423-282-0248 polkatotstoteens@gmail.com

6pm 5th Annual Musical Night of Hope The General Morgan Inn Greeneville, TN 423-926-2921 Cancer.org

MARCH 2 – 4 45th Annual Home Show MeadowView Marriott Conference Resort and Convention Center Kingsport, TN 423-378-5501 Carolyn@HBAGK.com MARCH 3 9am 2nd Annual Run for Your Buns 5k Franklin Woods Community Hospital Johnson City, TN 423-302-1000 Runforyourbuns.com 8 - 11am Honor Flight Breakfast Tennessee Breakfast 2722 E Oakland Ave Johnson City, TN 423-330-6189

7pm HOPE Black History Award Program Kingsport Office of Cultural Arts Kingsport, TN 423-276-6541 stella@hopetricities.com 7pm PEAKeasy – Fifth Annual PEAK Event Taylored Venue and Events Kingsport, TN 423-246-6550 info@ypkingsport.com MARCH 4 1pm Battle of the Call Centers ETSU Mini Dome Johnson City, TN 423-707-9446 Lgates@marchofdimes.org MARCH 9 – 11 2nd Annual 3B Outoors National Expo MeadowView Marriot Conference Resort and Convention Center Kingsport, TN 423-392-8800 info@visitkingsport.com

MARCH 11 Netherland Inn-Exchange Place Association annual dinner Press Room 300 Clinchfield St Kingsport, TN Sara Selby 423-349-8372 sbselby@juno.com or Marshall Adesman 423-357-5352 msadesman@gmail.com MARCH 12 7:00 pm Quest A Portrait of an American Family ETSU Martha S Culp Auditorium 412 J L Seehorn Jr Rd Johnson City, TN Mary B Martin School of the Arts 423-439-8587 MARCH 12-14 17th Annual TN Environmental Conference MeadowView Conference Resort & Convention Center 1901 Meadowview Pkwy, Kingsport, TN registration@TNEnvironment. com MARCH 15 5:30pm Edward Jones “Commitment to Compassion” Fundraiser Once Acre Café Johnson City, TN 423-282-4354 Cindy.Thurlow@edwardjones.com

March @ BARTER THEATRE: A FACILITY FOR LIVING A comedy by Katie Forgette The Golden Girls meets One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest in the hilarious and possibly disturbing story of what life may be like in the not-so-distant future. For the residents of Federal Nursing Home #273, a penitentiary that has been converted to a senior center, every day is a monotonous cycle of pills, old Ronald Reagan movies, and mandatory bedtimes, all overseen by the killjoy head nurse who has embraced her inner Nurse Ratched. When a new resident arrives to shake things up, this band of misfits hatch an outrageous plan to

6-8pm March Madness Client Event MeadowView Conference Resort & Convention Center 1901 Meadowview Pkwy, Kingsport, TN cathy@bhretire.com MARCH 16 6pm 5th Annual Washington County Agricultural & Business Appreciation Dinner Appalachian Fairgrounds Gray, TN 423-461-8000 Hill@johnsoncitytnchamber.com MARCH 17 8:30am Chasing Snakes 10k Road Race & 4k Fitness Walk St. John’s Episcopall Church 500 North Roan Street Johnson City, TN 37601 423-926-8141 chasingsnakes@gmail.com 7pm St. Patrick’s Day Party to Benefit Bristol Virginia Public Schools Education Foundation Warehouse 817 817 State Street Bristol, VA 7:30pm Women in Song Choral Festival Concert Milligan College, Mary B. Martin Auditorium in Seeger Chapel 1 Blowers Boulevard Milligan College Stephen Woodward 423-461-8674

MARCH 23 6-9pm Believe in Bristol Presents Dancing Dowtown: Adult Prom Bristol Train Station 101 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd Bristol, VA 423-573-2201 info@believeinbristol.org MARCH 24 8am Joggin for the Noggin 2018 Crumley House Brain Injury Rehab Limestone, TN 423-257-3644 RunTriCities.org MARCH 29 7:30pm Flashlight Easter Egg Hunt Ages: 3-12 Memorial Park Community Center 510 Bert St Johnson City, TN Kelly Finney 423-434-5749 MARCH 31 8:30am Bunny Hop 5K and Kids Dash Founders Park Johnson City, TN blueplumdirector@gmail.com 8:30am Puzzle Paces Walk for Autism 2018 Bristol Motor Speedway 151 Speedway Blvd Bristol, TN

break all the rules and in the process rediscover purpose and dignity in the face of a system mightily stacked against them.

ALSO IN MARCH: Bright Star COMING IN APRIL: In the Heat of the Night Aesop’s Fables Shakespeare’s Richard III Alice in Wonderland

Visit www.BarterTheatre.com or call 276-628-3991 for show times and to purchase tickets.

www.vipseenmag.com | march 2018

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–Unknown

“

“

HERE’S TO STRONG WOMEN: MAY WE KNOW THEM, MAY WE RAISE THEM, MAY WE BE THEM! Introduction by Lark Adams

E

very year, our community eagerly awaits finding out who will be on the list of women in the Tri Cities that are included in the VIPSEEN Power Women annual issue.

Sometimes these women are business leaders, either in an existing company or organization, or they have started and lead their own business. Sometimes they are great philanthropists and/or community leaders. But always, the reaction most of us have upon seeing the list is, “Of course, she should be included,” or even, “I can’t believe she hasn’t been featured before!”

We all have special gifts that we can use to make the world a better place, and the connection between each and every one of the women ever featured by VIPSEEN in the Power Women issue, is that these women are using their gifts and talents to add value to those around them; their co-workers, their families, the entire Tri Cities area, and beyond.

This past year, women in our country have gained great attention and support through the #metoo and #timesup movements. While

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VIPSEEN strives to be a politically neutral publication, this is one cause/movement that we can all get behind – the support of equality between genders and freedom from persecution of one gender to another.

In 2017 alone, women around the world have made countless advancements. In Saudi Arabia, women finally gained the right to drive, after campaigning for years to be able to do so. The Wonder Woman movie became the highest grossing female-led superhero movie ever. And, in an unprecedented move, Time Magazine’s Person of the Year for 2017 was “The Silence Breakers,” a collection of women (and some men) who came forward to put a spotlight on harassment and assault.

Right now the United States, and perhaps the world, is poised to make sweeping and lasting changes that will affect us both today and will also impact future generations.

There is no time like the present for women to stand up, be empowered, and take charge of our own destiny.

Table of Contents 10 2017 POWER WOMAN COVER UPDATE: WHITNEY, WHITNEY, WHITNEY! 13 COVER STORY: TINA WILSON 16 JEANETTE BLAZIER 18 JOSIE BWAWA 20 KATY BROWN 22 CLAUDIA BYRD 24 ANGELA CAMERON,

DDS, PC, FDOCS, LVIF, FAGD

26 ROBIN CLEARY 28 JO CULLEN 30 DESSI FOSTER 32 KETA HAWLEY

34 HIGH ROAD AGENCY 36 RHONDA KRENZER 38 LINDA LAHR 40 SARAH E. LARKIN & AMBER FLOYD LEE 42 MEREDITH MATHESIUS 44 MARTHA MCGLOTHLIN 46 AMY PATTERSON 48 LARA POTTER 50 STELLA ROBINETTE 52 KATHY SANDERS, DMD 54 CHARLOTTE SUTHERLAND 56 LINDY & PAM WALKER www.vipseenmag.com | march 2018

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VIPSEEN 2017 Power Woman COVER UPDATE

Whitney WHITNEY Whitney VIPSEEN LIVE! SOCIAL INFLUENCER Photography by Mickey J. Baker | Story by Lark Adams

M

ore than one person had to do a double take when they saw the cover of the March 2017 issue of VIPSEEN magazine. Our annual Power Women feature has become one of our most popular issues and finding out who the cover will showcase is always highly anticipated by our readership. Last March, the VIPSEEN cover had everyone seeing not just double, but triple! As we all found out after opening the magazine, it was not a set of triplets on the cover, but rather our very own Whitney Carr, the co-host of VIPSEEN Live!

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Some days, when she and co-host Morgan King, have several events they are covering, Carr wishes she could split herself in three in order to make it all happen, but instead, she just does what she has always done – buckles down and works even harder.

“I was very honored to be chosen to be on the front cover of the Power Women 2017 issue of VIPSEEN magazine,” says Carr. “This issue also announced the start of our online show, VIPSEEN Live! with Whitney and Morgan.” “I can’t believe it’s already been a full year,” she adds. “Morgan and I have had so much fun going out in the community to showcase events live! If there is an event going on in the Tri-Cities, we’re probably there.”

Carr goes on to say, “The best part of our job has been partnering with area businesses to help build their social media awareness. Our official title, according to Facebook, is ‘Social Influencers’. Sounds very cool doesn’t it?!”

HOW WAS THE REST OF THE YEAR FOR CARR? Here are some fun facts: APRIL: The Carrs sold the house they’d lived in for 18 years (they had so much stuff, they ended up donating three truckloads of items to Haven of Mercy). They officially hate moving.

Carr’s husband started a new business, Zion Stone. Zion Stone manufactures high quality stone for all home building needs. To cap off an already busy month, Carr then rescued a chihuahua named Caddie from the Greene County Humane Society.

SEPTEMBER: Carr started her own business called Wonder Images. She directs two pageants a year, Miss Apple Festival and Miss Tri-Cities. Winners from each of these pageants get to go on to a state pageant. She feels this is a great opportunity for ages zero all the way up to married women to grow and promote their platform for change in the community.

OCTOBER: Carr became a ‘BigWig’ and raised $3,350 for Susan G. Komen of East Tennessee.

DECEMBER: Yet another sweet dog was rescued by Carr and her family from the Greene County Humane Society, this one was a three-pound chihuahua named Pezz.

2018 is off to a great, and busy, start for Carr. Along with all the events she and Morgan King cover in the Tri Cities for VIPSEEN Live! they also have continued their “Wet Nose Wednesday” segment and feature a VIP pet of the week every Wednesday to help save animals’ lives. They have had great success with adoptions, and each animal is so grateful to be placed in their forever home. The entire Carr family is well known for educating others about the

“

I’M THE ONLY PERSON TO HAVE BEEN ON THE COVER OF VIPSEEN THREE TIMES! SO WHAT IF IT WAS THREE PHOTOS OF ME ON THE SAME COVER...

I CAN STILL CLAIM THAT HONOR!

“

ALSO IN APRIL: Carr won the title of Mrs. Tennessee!

“Those of you that know me know that I emcee and host pageants, and have for years, but had never competed in one,” says Carr. “Both of my daughters were competing at this state pageant and so I stepped out of my comfort zone and thought ‘what the heck? I’ll do it’ with them to create fun memories. All three of us won overall titles with the highest scores. What a fun weekend it was!”

Carr and her daughters then went to the national pageant in July to compete against women from all over the US. All three won national titles, resulting in another proud momma moment for Carr: Mrs. US, Miss US and Miss Pre-Teen US! JULY: Carr’s son started high school. Just another reminder of how fast time is flying!

importance of spaying/neutering pets. They believe that it is the only humane way to control the pet population.

Local shelters are constantly full and that can be easily controlled by being a responsible pet owner. They ask everyone to “adopt, don’t shop!” which means that instead of buying pets, please consider adopting one of the many waiting to join a new family in an animal shelter.

In March, Carr will travel to Franklin, Tennessee, to receive the Tennessee Governors Volunteer Star award. She was so honored to be nominated, and excited to be chosen to receive the award along with others from different counties in the state of Tennessee.

Even though Carr can’t actually multiply herself to accomplish all of her goals, she can do what she does best– focus on her family and the community and try to make the area a little better, one step at a time. www.vipseenmag.com | march 2018

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Cover Story

TinaWILSON

I fancy myself a pendulum swinger and experience addict.

A pendulum is weighted in the center and swings back and forth from extreme to extreme. Whether it’s marriage, parenting, leadership, or just basic day-to-day decisions, I have to swing my pendulum from extreme to extreme to find the answer that feels right.

Experiences are part of my DNA. I’m not sure where that comes from in my life, but when I have experiences, I am deeply impacted by them. It doesn’t matter if they are positive or negative. The way I’m treated at hotels, restaurants, businesses; everywhere really...I study them. I’m obsessed with details and thoughts that go into processes and verbiage and visuals. I reflect on them, then reshape what I learned and apply it to my business. It fuels me to make people feel special, thought of, and considered. I love WOWing people and creating things that elicit positive responses.

It’s a thought process, a creative process, and also works great for me in a visual process. For example, I am constantly thinking – “What if we made the shoppe a super sparce and modern space, paint everything white, and have visual space around every item so people could walk through fairly quickly to know if the products are for them?” This thought is then followed by the pendulum swing of finding the extreme opposite – “What if the shoppe were warm and dark and was filled to the brim with curated inventory that tells a story and promotes lingering for our shoppers?” Almost every decision goes through a process like this until I settle somewhere in between.

I am a genuinely grateful, happy, passionate, energetic being who loves love, analogies and word pictures, making people feel special, achieving, witnessing, and facilitating the process of “becoming” for people and projects alike. I thrive on building and growing relationships, as well as systems and processes, connecting people, and creating beautiful things that mean something.

I strongly believe that I am here on this earth to encourage women to walk in their purpose, to spread authentic positivity, to create beautiful, useful and meaningful things that change lives for the people who experience them. www.vipseenmag.com | march 2018

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I once heard someone say, “in order to find your true place in life, you must go through a crushing.” After living that experience in my own life, I believe it to be true. Hard and hurtful places in life are fertile soil for the purpose of discovering. I’m not sure I would ever willingly ask to be crushed, but every time it happens, I get more clear about why I’m here and how to spend my days not wasting my life on things that do not matter.

Living My Dream

I’m a lifestyle, family, and kids photographer, interior design business owner, retail shoppe owner, community cultivator, and a cheerleader for those who are looking for their purpose in life.

Fortunately, I get to be one of those annoying “do what you love and you’ll never work a day in your life” kind of people. I know. Eyeroll. It’s amazing though. When I’m in a photography client’s home installing images I have created on their walls, beautifully matted and framed to their home’s aesthetic, or when I pull in to photograph a space our interior design team has just completed and when our team pulls up to a home prepped and ready to finish a beautiful space in a styling session client’s home … I can barely contain the squeals that I get to do this for a living.

Here’s A Run Down Of What We Get To Do

RECLAIMED INSPIRED GOODS is our shoppe. The products are fresh, curated and displayed in a way that sparks interest, wonder and inspiration.

Items are arranged as stories and have a nice mix of the comfort of old and the luxury of new. We want passers-through to think of someone in their life as they stroll and feel compelled to walk out with a one-of-a-kind gift that makes the recipient feel known and cared for. We want to sell products that inspire women to gather in their homes and connect in that way because we believe the most powerful words in a woman’s life are “me, too” and those deep conversations have more of a chance happening around a table or standing in a kitchen. We want leisurely shoppers to be inspired to change something in their home–update, re-accessorize, remodel, repaint, reclaim a space that is drab and lifeless and give it new life.

We want to gather women every chance we get. One way we’ll do that is through Reclaimed Inspired Events.

RECLAIMED INSPIRED EVENTS is the aspect of Reclaimed that allows us to add value to our community. Practical learning for the way you live and give….events can be classes, pop up shops, open houses, wine tastings, bible 14

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studies, book clubs, and small events. It’s a way for us to create opportunities for people to connect and form relationships in our community, to learn new things, to gather, to be in our inviting and inspiring space.

RECLAIMED INSPIRED INTERIORS is where our full service interior design team is passionate about creating irresistible environments in our client’s homes; where relationships can grow and cultivate and where families can’t wait to run home to. Our aesthetic can best be described as curated, comfortable, and juxtaposed. We love light neutral palettes where hints of gold and natural textiles are mixed with fine linens and authentically worn wood elements and just the same, we adore bold, striking design that makes a statement. While we always appreciate current trends, we nod a little heavier to the classic side of life because investments in your home should last.

Superior quality in products we sell, and an experience where our clients feel heard and are given more than they ask for, is a non-negotiable for us.

TINA WILSON PHOTOGRAPHY exists to help families taste life twice.

We specialize in children (of any age) and family lifestyle/loose casual styles of photography. Fleeting moments in life and relationships are the most important things for us to capture. After documenting our client’s and creating authentic images, we turn those moments into treasures that tastefully display in our client’s homes today and can be passed down through their families for generation after generation.

RECLAIMED INSPIRED STYLING SESSIONS is where we take the shoppe to the client’s home to “finish” a space. We scout, take pics, ask a few style questions, meet quickly as a team, then rob our store, load items into our cars and ambush the client’s room, leaving a completely irresistible environment behind us. This service is excellent for someone who doesn’t have time or energy to make their space feel “finished” and personalized.

Truly. I have my dream job.

What Brings Me To Where I Am Today

I launched a lifestyle photography business in 2003 out of a small room in my home. By 2005, I had found my niche in the market. I opened a studio downtown Johnson City and specialized in documenting the fleeting moments in life and relationships, creating custom wall galleries and fine art books for a small elite market in the Tri Cities. After 8 years of this work, I began to feel nudged to more. After a brief trip to Chattanooga, I walked away inspired by a high end home store I visited while there and couldn’t shake the thought

VIPSEEN

COVER STORY

that I may someday open something similar. Soon after the trip, (unrelated, but completely related) I led a small group of women to share their testimony for the first time and after watching how their lives transformed, the word RECLAIMED became a passion and a new way of thinking and living. After a few years in prayer for clarity and clear direction, the vision for Reclaimed Inspired Goods was birthed. Home Goods, Gifts, Interiors, Photography.

Simultaneously, Ginger Rockett launched Bella Casa Design Studio in 2008 in Johnson City. She rapidly grew her clientele as a stellar interior designer in our area and earned the respect of several builders, due to her uncanny decision making ability paired with her unprecedented style. Her clientele and my clientele were synonymous. The way we valued and treated our clients, our core values, our hearts for growing long standing relationships and growing with clients through the years were interchangeable. In 2014, Ginger began to feel a shift coming in her family’s life. She started the process of exiting Bella Casa. The timing was anything but coincidental. When she and I spoke about the shifts we were experiencing, all the stars aligned and the angels sang.

Tina Wilson Photography and Bella Casa Design became Reclaimed Inspired Goods and opened to the public August 14th, 2015.

My Advice to Others

Know the difference between comparison and inspiration.

Comparison is the thief of joy. We watch other people juggle their lives on social media and scroll through their perfectly curated Instagram feeds and, without meaning to, get a little too caught up in their highlight reel forgetting that we have our own awesome race to run. Comparison creeps in and we find ourselves wishing we had someone else’s life...or maybe just that we should somehow be or have or do our own race in a way that feels just out of reach.

It’s crippling.

Inspiration is on the other side of the extreme. Throughout my life, the people who have turned my head are those who are unapologetically true to themselves. Artists, Photographers, Interior Designers, Makers, Creators, Chefs, Musicians, etc...People who are running their race in their own lane, not looking from side to side...just doing what they do and not people pleasing their way through it. Compromising your vision for others only steals life and passion from you. To be inspired means to be expanded. It means you see things more clearly and in different ways and you feel a sense of permission to be more of who you are in your places.

Be teachable. This is one of the most valuable pieces of advice I can offer.

Always be learning and seeking wisdom from those who have gone before you. Ask questions, be okay with not having all the answers, don’t be afraid to say, I don’t understand, can you explain it to me as if I were five years old.

Drop The Balanced Life Envy

Balance is a myth. There is no such thing as a perfect life balance (unless you are a robot). Imagine a whole pie and each part of your life is a slice. Your parts are faith, family, friends, health, finances, hobbies and professional life.

Seasons of life have always and will always be in constant motion, so what could possibly make us believe that we can spend the same amount of time, money, energy, passion and dedication equally in all areas of our life? It’s just not real. What is real is finding a rhythm for each season you find yourself in.

For example: some seasons, your family requires more of your attention than you can give your professional life. Some seasons your professional life needs more attention. When you spend too much unevaluated time on any one thing, everything seems to feel off kelter thus leaving you a desire for balance.

It’s important to stay in tune with where you are and what slices of your pie are going to the biggest for the season you’re in, then establishing a rhythm for that season. Typically you can only do really well in two areas at a time.

What Every Leader Should Possess

The ability and willingness to serve. I believe it’s common to hold the idea that once we’ve put in our “due diligence” that delegating responsibilities and multiplying efforts mean we no longer have to do the mundane or menial tasks like taking the trash out, answering the phones, grabbing a coffee or lunch for a team member, offering up time to help with a task no one really likes to do…Of course there’s only so much time in a day and a leader holds multiple pressing tasks, but taking a few minutes out to serve our teams goes a long way for them and for us. It demonstrates humility and speaks out loud to the fact we are all on the same team and no one person is more important than the other.

My Superpower

I have always had a knack for spotting trends before they become popular and sensing when they are about to die out. I’m not sure I would have ever considered that a superpower before now, but looking back over the last 20 years of my career life, it’s always been a very natural awareness. From glamour shots to chevron patterns to shiplap, I have no idea how or why I sense it, it’s just clear to me. www.vipseenmag.com | march 2018

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Q&A with

Jeanette

BLAZIER

KINGSPORT VISIONARY, MENTOR, COMMUNITY LEADER, AND WOMAN OF WORTH (WOW) TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOURSELF. I have lived in Kingsport for over 50 years with my husband, Dr. J. Kent Blazier; a retired pediatrician. We have a son and a daughter, six grandchildren and one great-grandchild. I am a graduate of Carson-Newman College (B.S. Biology), and a former public school general science and biology teacher. After a time of being a ‘stay-athome-mom’ and a busy community volunteer, I re-entered the work place.

As I was entering I met many of my peers who were on the way out. I began a 15-year adventure in community development work, first as the founding Executive Director of Kingsport Tomorrow, Inc., and next as the Mayor of the City of Kingsport for three terms, serving from 1999-2005. In my role as Director of Kingsport Tomorrow, Inc., I worked with every segment of our community using an open, inclusive, interactive process to bring life to the goals created during the community-wide visioning, called Vision 2017. I have received several awards and recognitions for volunteer efforts and leadership accomplishments. Among these are; the National Distinguished Community Leadership Award, The American Society for Public Administration Excellence in Public Service Award (non-profit sector), and the Business Journal “Woman of Distinction”.

WHAT DO YOU SEE AS YOUR PLACE OR PURPOSE IN LIFE? AND HOW MUCH DO YOU PLACE ON VOLUNTEERISM AND GIVING BACK TO YOUR COMMUNITY? Working from my personal mission statement, “To build bridges of understanding in my church and community,” I had several years that I would call my volunteer career. As an advocate of life-long learning, I found the nonprofit sector a great place to volunteer and to develop new skills for my tool box such as: organizing mobilizing, collaboration, board development, public speaking, public relations, facilitation, consensus building, and planning (specifically strategic planning). These skills were honed by serving on several boards (many times as a founding board member), in my church, CNC Board of Trustees and community service projects through membership in the Kingsport Junior League, Leadership Kingsport, and Kingsport Tomorrow, Inc. There is no way to adequately describe the value of volunteerism to a community! I thank our Kingsport founding fathers for encouraging our citizens to volunteer as a wonderful way to bring about change and to improve our community. This ultimately created a culture that remains today – thus the development of what we call “The Kingsport Spirit,” one of our key characteristics.

WHAT THREE WORDS BEST DESCRIBE YOU? When I ran for Mayor I brought a focus group together to help identify traits that best described me.

That group determined the following: Trust, Vision, and Leadership. Others have described me as a visionary, consensus builder, and a strong team builder.

HOW DO YOU WANT PEOPLE TO REMEMBER YOU? I want people to remember me as one who loved God – loved people and made a difference in my church and community, especially in the areas where I’ve invested the most.

TELL US ABOUT A PROJECT OR ACCOMPLISHMENT THAT YOU CONSIDER BEING ONE OF THE MOST SIGNIFICANT IN YOUR CAREER. During my work at Kingsport Tomorrow, Inc. the vision goal that spoke to the creation of a multi-purpose convention center gained more support than any other of the 27 goals. It was my joy and privilege to coordinate 16

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the citizen piece of what became the MeadowView Resort and Convention Center. To borrow an often used phrase, “It took a Village” to accomplish this goal. Kingsport Tomorrow, the City of Kingsport, Kingsport Chamber of Commerce, Kingsport Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, our corporate and business community, and our citizens were all involved. We had over 13 community wide meetings to determine the what, where, and when questions related to the project. There were obstacles to overcome from individuals and groups who were opposed to the effort, and who were quite vocal in those public meetings. However, we moved forward and our citizens voted to increase local sales tax by ¼ cent to fund the center. This plan was suggested by one of our wonderful citizens, Pal Barger. After a prominent national hotel company was secured through the efforts of a special task force, MeadowView Resort and Convention Center opened in the fall of 1996. It is now over 20 years old and still serving our region as originally planned. It has also been a catalyst for other major development in that corridor of our city.

WHAT ARE YOUR HOBBIES? My hobbies and special interests are reading, tennis, hiking, serving in my church and community, and spending time with family.

WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED ABOUT LEADERSHIP, ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND MENTORING OTHERS? Good leaders surround themselves with the best people they can find - individuals who have passion for the task at hand, willingness to persevere, positive attitude, willingness to take a risk, ability to work with a diverse group, and possess a sustained level of energy. (Good leaders must themselves be willing to take risks). I’ve been fortunate and blessed mightily to work with great leaders who demonstrated these qualities.

Good leaders are always looking for ways to stay on the cutting edge, learn from others, and develop good listening skills. My personal mission statement has changed since I retired from public service. I am still very involved in my church and community as a ‘bridge builder’ but find that I’m doing more mentoring now. Therefore, I’ve moved to this mission: “To be available for mentoring, supporting, and assisting others as needed and as God leads.” I had wonderful mentors during my high school, college, and early career. I want to be available in that capacity now to encourage young women to share their talents, hold our community in trust and lend their voices to help our community reach its full potential.

DEFINE A GREAT LEADER. WHAT ARE SOME TRAITS YOU THINK GREAT LEADERS POSSESS? WHAT IS ONE CHARACTERISTIC THAT YOU BELIEVE EVERY LEADERS SHOULD POSSESS? Great leaders build strong teams and point the way; are visionary, trustworthy, and know how to motivate; they must have a sustained level of energy. The greatest task of a leader is to “keep hope alive.”

WHAT’S YOUR SUPERPOWER, OR WHAT’S YOUR SPIRIT ANIMAL? My superpower is X-Ray Vision that gives me the unique ability to see through things without getting caught up with distractions. Being curious, inquisitive, insightful, patient and a problem solver are characteristics of this ability. In all of my work on behalf of my community as a volunteer, non-profit director and mayor, I’ve been able to use these traits to achieve the desired outcomes.

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GREAT LEADERS BUILD STRONG TEAMS AND POINT THE WAY; ARE VISIONARY, TRUSTWORTHY, AND KNOW HOW TO MOTIVATE; THEY MUST HAVE A SUSTAINED LEVEL OF ENERGY.

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Photography by Nathan Mays

Q&A with

Josephine “Josie”

BWAWA

EASTMAN, IT SERVICE MANAGER FOR FINANCE Photography by Carla Olson

TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOURSELF. I’m a mother, a wife, and a leader. I grew up in Southern Africa, Zimbabwe and attended college in United States. I have a Masters in Computer Science from East Tennessee State University and a Professional MBA from the University of Tennessee–Knoxville.

I enjoy travel, chess, outdoor activities, and I love to cook.

I’ve have had the honor of working at a company like Eastman for 12 years.

WHAT WAS YOUR DREAM JOB AS A KID AND WHY? I wanted to be a Meteorologist. I loved Geography class, was fascinated by the different clouds and, the idea of being in front of the camera was exhilarating.

WHAT DO YOU SEE AS YOUR PLACE OR PURPOSE IN LIFE? HOW DID YOU COME TO THAT CONCLUSION? My purpose in life is to transform lives, thus enabling hope. I receive very positive feedback from the relationships I build. I believe it is truly a noble goal.

WHAT DO YOU DO FOR A LIVING? In my line of work at Eastman I am able to provide a digital lens to enable business strategies as the IT Service Manager for Finance, Record to Report process and as a Relationship Manager to the business.

AFTER ALL THIS SUCCESS, WHAT DO YOU STRUGGLE WITH NOW? Parenting! Parenting of teenagers is a struggle for me. It is not easy, but I thrive on the challenge and love my children very much.

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WHAT THREE WORDS DESCRIBE YOU BEST? Visionary.

Structured.

Fun. WHAT DO YOU WANT TO MAKE SURE YOU DO BEFORE YOU DIE? My bucket list includes travel to all continents. I would also love to add mission work to my accomplishments before I die.

WHAT DO YOU THINK IS THE MOST SIGNIFICANT BARRIER TO FEMALE LEADERSHIP? To me, the most significant barrier for most women is the lack of confidence to speak up. We need to be better at teaching and encouraging our young generation to be confident about their ideas and to not be afraid to express them. I also feel like there is a lack of leaders willing to advocate for women.

WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED ABOUT LEADERSHIP AND MENTORING OTHERS? During my studies at UT-Knoxville, I was introduced to a leadership development plan program. The program encouraged us to develop goals in four areas– developing self, developing others, work-life balance, and communication. Through that process I developed goals that allowed me to become more confident in my abilities to lead and mentor others. The program challenged us by broadening our perspectives, and to not live in a box and not to isolate ourselves. Collaborating and finding ways to value yourself and others are also an integral part of the process, helping to open myself to new opportunities.

WHAT’S YOUR SUPERPOWER? My superpower is prayer and financial peace.

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MY PURPOSE IN LIFE IS TO TRANSFORM LIVES, THUS ENABLING HOPE.

Q&A with

Katy

BROWN

BARTER THEATRE, ASSOCIATE ARTISTIC DIRECTOR OF BARTER THEATRE; ARTISTIC DIRECTOR OF THE BARTER PLAYERS Photography by Billie Wheeler TELL US A LIT TLE BIT ABOUT YOURSELF. I moved to this region right out of college for an acting internship at Barter Theatre, and I fell in love with serving audiences here. I am now an Associate Artistic Director of Barter and I get to help with the steering of the organization, in addition to directing 6-8 shows each year and heading casting. I’m also the Artistic Director of the Barter Players, the theatre’s company that does shows for young audiences. We are on track to perform for well over 100,000 young people this year between our shows at Barter and our three tours. The Barter Players themselves are some of the best young actors in the country who have come to Barter to serve young people and to receive rigorous acting training. One of my greatest joys is helping each of them learn and grow every day.

WHAT’S A TYPICAL DAY LIKE FOR YOU? One of my favorite things about working at Barter is that there isn’t a typical day. Many days are a mix of preparation (working with designers, studying plays, writing speeches), planning meetings (What should our next season be? What are the long term goals? What are this week’s numbers?), work with the public, paperwork, keeping teams moving in the right direction, and rehearsal, but you never know what exciting project or curveball might come your way. Live theatre is never dull.

WHAT WAS YOUR DREAM JOB AS A KID AND WHY? When I was five, my teacher asked what we wanted to be when we grew up, and she said we could be whatever we wanted. When it came to me I said, “A tiger,” and I was pretty miffed when she said I couldn’t be one.

I would show her! As an actor early in my time at Barter, I played just about every animal you can name in our Barter Players’ shows.

WHAT DO YOU SEE AS YOUR PLACE OR PURPOSE IN LIFE? HOW DID YOU COME TO THAT CONCLUSION? My purpose in life is helping people connect to their own purpose and to free them up to go after it. With the young artists I work with, this is the thrust of the work. What do you really want? What do you really believe? And how can your career and life reflect that? How is this a part of your acting technique and choices? In producing and directing plays, I also look for what it is about this story will allow our audience members to shake themselves free of the day to day and to look at what they really want out of being alive. This goes for the small child who had never seen a play before who told me that a Barter Players show made him want to be brave for the rest of his life-- and for the adult on the back row who grabbed my hand after a show to say she hadn’t laughed like this since her husband passed away.

WHEN DID YOU CONSIDER YOURSELF A SUCCESS? My senior year in college I choreographed a dance concert for my thesis project. Every second of it–the music, the costumes, the poetry for 20

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transitions, every move of the dancers, came out of my head. And the dancers and actors involved were affected by being part of it. I didn’t know anything, I don’t even know for sure that it was good, but I knew then that creating like this with other people would be all I needed to feel like a success in my life.

WHAT DO YOU FEEL HAVE BEEN THE IMPORTANT SUCCESSES IN YOUR LIFE? THE FRUSTRATIONS? My greatest successes are always when someone I’ve helped in some way succeeds. I think particularly about the Barter Players who have come through my doors that I have seen reach their goals, or seen them point their lives towards something truly meaningful to them.

WHAT THREE WORDS DESCRIBE YOU BEST? Driven. Compassionate. Interested.

PEOPLE OFTEN WONDER ABOUT THE DIFFERENCES BE TWEEN HOW MEN AND WOMEN LEAD. WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THAT? While I don’t think there is just one way that all women (or men) lead, there is something that I have noticed in some women leaders, and certainly in myself, that is perhaps different than the stereotypical idea of leadership. I lead in a quieter way that, when I am doing my best leading, calls little attention to myself, but rather allows the team to work together with full ownership of the project. I think of directing a play like asking everyone to get on a ship.

I have a sense of where we are going, but I truly want us all to find the undiscovered country together. Maybe the audience has seen Macbeth before, but they’ve never seen this production— never been to the place we will find with it. I don’t dictate the path. I try to empower everyone in the room to do their very best work, to be the look outs, the oarsmen, the navigators, and I find that we discover the best places, create the best art, when we’ve truly found it together. This isn’t easier.

This isn’t softer. It takes real steel to be able to listen and accept that your way isn’t complete without the other voices in the room.

TELL ME ABOUT A PROJECT OR ACCOMPLISHMENT THAT YOU CONSIDER BEING THE MOST SIGNIFICANT IN YOUR CAREER. A couple of years ago I was directing productions of Hamlet and The Miracle Worker at the same time. My office work load at that time happened to be particularly challenging as well, and I felt completely at sea. But what I found during that time because of the challenges I was facing, was a whole new set of tools and trust in my work and the work of others that I had never experienced before. It has changed the way I direct plays forever. Breathing my way through that shift in my process is the accomplishment of which I am most proud.

WHAT’S YOUR SUPERPOWER? My superpower is seeing what is quietly happening inside a person and helping that be expressed.

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IT TAKES REAL STEEL TO BE ABLE TO LISTEN AND ACCEPT THAT YOUR WAY ISN’T COMPLE TE WITHOUT THE OTHER VOICES IN THE ROOM.

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Q&A with

Claudia

BYRD

SPEEDWAY CHILDREN’S CHARITIES–BRISTOL CHAPTER, DIRECTOR TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOURSELF. I was born and raised in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. That is where I met my husband, Jeff Byrd. We both attended Wake Forest University.

We were given the opportunity to move to Tennessee in 1996 for him to work at Bristol Motor Speedway. I have had the privilege of being the director of the Bristol chapter of Speedway Children’s Charities since its inception 22 years ago. We are one of eight chapters of SCC and our parent company Speedway Motorsports is passionate about giving back to the community, especially children’s organizations. We raise money for children all year through fundraisers including Speedway in Lights, Red Bucket brigade during races, golf tournaments, food tastings, shooting tournaments, 5K road races, auctions and general donations. I work alongside the best team of individuals in the world. I have been blessed with an amazing family. My son and daughter-inlaw and daughter and son-in-law, eight wonderful and beautiful grandchildren and five grand dogs are what motivate me and bring joy to my life.

WHAT THREE WORDS DESCRIBE YOU BEST? The three words that describe me are caring, blessed and compassionate. I only hope that people I meet everyday see those qualities in me.

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO MAKE SURE YOU DO BEFORE YOU DIE? Before I die, I want to give away a lot more money through Speedway Children’s Charities. I’d like to spend more time with my family and friends. I would also like to spend more time at the beach.

HOW DO YOU WANT PEOPLE TO REMEMBER YOU? I hope I am remembered as someone who gave back to my community, served my community, followed Jesus, and loved people well.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO YOUNG WOMEN WHO WANT TO SUCCEED IN THE WORKPLACE? Some advice that I’d like to give young women who want to succeed in the workplace is to follow your heart and be passionate about what you do and you will never work a day in your life, because you will just be doing what you love everyday.

TELL US ABOUT A PROJECT OR ACCOMPLISHMENT THAT YOU CONSIDER BEING THE MOST SIGNIFICANT IN YOUR CAREER. One of the most significant accomplishments in my career was when SCC gave one million dollars to children in our area in 2016. With the help of the community, the employees at BMS, and BMS hosting the Battle of Bristol, we had a record year 22

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in 2016. To date, SCC has raised over 13 million dollars for the children of our area and that is something to smile about.

DO YOU HAVE ANY HOBBIES OR SPECIAL INTERESTS? I enjoy reading, spending time with my grandchildren, and taking walks on the beach when I’m not working at the world’s greatest speedway.

HOW MUCH IMPORTANCE DO YOU PLACE ON VOLUNTEERISM AND GIVING BACK TO YOUR COMMUNITY? My (late) husband, Jeff Byrd, and I believe that “To whom much is given, much will be required.” I also believe that it is better to give than to receive. With this being said, I think volunteerism and giving back to our community is of the utmost importance. My children always tell people that I am a professional volunteer. From serving on the PTA, serving my church, volunteering with different nonprofits and leading a nonprofit, you realize that volunteers are essential to make a community succeed.

WHAT KEEPS YOU AWAKE AT NIGHT? Sometimes, I lay in bed at night and think about how we can meet all of the needs of the children in our community. Every year, SCC receives request for more than one and a half million dollars for very worthy causes. There are children who need food, clothes, school supplies, counseling, love, care, and some need families. It can be overwhelming at times, but I rest in knowing that our community is so supportive and wants to help these children. The same thing that can keep me up at night is also the thing that inspires me to get out of bed every morning. I can’t wait to make a difference in the life of a child.

WHAT IS YOUR SPIRIT ANIMAL? My spirit animal is a dog. My goal each day is to love and serve others. I think that is the same goal of my dogs. I’d love to love people like a dog does. A dog’s love reminds me of God’s love, it is unconditional and always available. A dog also protects the people they love and I try to do the same thing.

WHAT IS YOUR SUPERPOWER? I think my super power is loving people well. I consider it an honor and a joy to love and serve others. I’m known for my hugs amongst the employees at the speedway. Nothing makes me happier than getting to love on my eight grandchildren. I feel so loved by my family, friends, and fellow employees, that it makes it very easy to love people back.

“We love because He first loved us.” 1 John 4:19

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THE SAME THING THAT CAN KEEP ME UP AT NIGHT IS ALSO THE THING THAT INSPIRES ME TO GE T OUT OF BED EVERY MORNING. I CAN’T WAIT TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE LIFE OF A CHILD.

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Q&A with

Angela

CAMERON

DDS, PC, FDOCS, LVIF, FAGD SOPHISTICATED SMILES, FOUNDER, CEO, LEAD DENTIST, AND SMILE ARTIST Photography by Nathan Mays TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOURSELF. I was born and raised in Morristown TN. I was the first person in my family to attend college. I have a BS in Biochemistry and an MS in Bio-physical Chemistry, both from Furman University. I have a DDS degree from the University of Tennessee College of Dentistry. I have post graduate fellowship awards with the AGD, DOCS, and LVI. I am an active member in the ADA, TDA, AACD, AGD, DOCS, AAFE, AADSM, and the First District Dental Society. I have a wonderful husband, Jason, and two beautiful children, Andrew and Alexis. I am an active member of Central Baptist Church in Johnson City, Tennessee. I am the founder of Sophisticated Smiles located in Johnson City, and I am the developer of the White House Professional Suites also in Johnson City where my office is located. I have been named one of America’s Top Dentists 16 years in a row by the Consumers’ Research Council of America. I have received many other honors in my field. I am the official dentist of the Tri-Cities Otters Soccer Team.

WHAT DO YOU DO FOR A LIVING? I am the founder, CEO, lead dentist, and Smile Artist for Sophisticated Smiles. I am also the primary treating doctor for the TMJ Clinic, which is the only clinic of its kind in the TriCities. I am also the President of the White House Professional Suites, and the President of Cameron & Cunningham Development LLC. AFTER ALL THIS SUCCESS, WHAT DO YOU STRUGGLE WITH NOW? Getting to the top can sometimes be easier than staying at the top. The bar is constantly being raised and our world (as well as our society in general) is changing at a faster pace than previously seen in human history. Therefore, growth and improvement have to be a constant process. In this 24/7 world, one must take time to unplug, to renew, and to recharge the batteries. This sounds counterintuitive because you have to unplug to recharge. Finding balance is an absolute necessity for long term sustained success.

WHAT ARE YOUR SUCCESS HABITS?At least one 24-hour period per week, I “unplug” and do not look at any emails or social media. I take an entire day to just interact with my family and friends and have zero work communications. I also try to have one “make-up free” day per week.

That’s a day I don’t have to put on any make-up because I don’t have many public commitments or events to attend.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO YOUNG WOMEN WHO WANT TO SUCCEED IN THE WORKPLACE? First and foremost “know thyself.” You have to be comfortable and confident in your own skin and know what your core values are. In other words, it’s very important to be a well grounded individual and to be well anchored.

That way when the storms of life come at you, you can survive and not be tossed about.

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WHAT’S YOUR BIGGEST PIECE OF ADVICE FOR FEMALE ENTREPRENEURS? You have to learn to wear many hats. So get used to it.

As the saying goes, “Heavy is the head that wears the crown.” With great rewards come great responsibilities. If it were easy, everyone would do it.

PEOPLE OFTEN WONDER ABOUT THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN HOW MEN AND WOMEN LEAD. WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THAT? I find that often women and men can lead the same way, but people perceive their actions differently. A woman can say and do the same thing as a male counterpart, and sometimes it can be perceived differently (in a negative way). Perceptions are different, but I feel that things are changing and the gap is closing.

WHAT’S A GOAL YOU HAVE FOR YOURSELF THAT YOU WANT TO ACCOMPLISH IN THE NEXT YEAR? My 2018 challenge is to complete 365 miles on an elliptical machine; complete 10,000 sit-ups; and to complete 10,000 push-ups by December 31, 2018 in an effort to raise money for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. I have people who have pledged donations if I complete the challenge. #AC2018StJudeChallenge A fun goal for me this year is that I would like to take dancing lessons with my husband.

WHAT WOULD BE YOUR PERSONAL MOTTO? I have many personal mottos…one of them is “when in doubt, be nice.” That means to take the high road in any situation, and give other people the benefit of the doubt.

Too often, people jump to conclusions without all the facts OR they forget common manners. I try to look for the good in people.

HOW MUCH IMPORTANCE DO YOU PLACE ON VOLUNTEERISM AND GIVING BACK TO YOUR COMMUNITY? In life it is not what you get, but what you give that is important. Giving back to your community and the world is a critical component to being a successful person. I want to leave the world a better place than I found it. At times, it can be overwhelming because there is so much need in the world, but I’ve seen that one person can make a positive difference.

AS A MENTOR TO US ALL, WHAT IS ONE PIECE OF ADVICE THAT YOU WOULD GIVE TO READERS? Every day when you wake up, decide that you are going to do your best and give your best in all that you do that day.

WHAT’S YOUR SUPERPOWER? My superpower is that I can transform/ rejuvenate someone’s smile/life in a single visit!

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EVERY DAY WHEN YOU WAKE UP, DECIDE THAT YOU ARE GOING TO DO YOUR BEST AND GIVE YOUR BEST IN ALL THAT YOU DO THAT DAY.

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Q&A with

Robin

CLEARY KEEP KINGSPORT BEAUTIFUL, DIRECTOR

TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOURSELF. I’m a native of Kingsport, a proud graduate of Dobyns-Bennett High School, and attended East Tennessee State University majoring in Mass Communications. I served in leadership roles on various nonprofit boards over the past 25 years, including Junior League of Kingsport, Rascals Teen Center, Kingsport City Schools PTSA programs and the Dobyns-Bennett Quarterback Club. I truly believe my years of volunteering with these organizations prepared me for my role with Keep Kingsport Beautiful. My pride and joys are my two adult sons. Colin, who is an employee at Domtar in Kingsport and Rafferty, a news director in Middle Tennessee. They are the driving force behind everything that I do. I want to give my very best, as a mother, an employee, a leader, a friend, and as a community advocate. In the beginning it was because I wanted to set the best example for them, but now it’s because I want them to be as proud of me as I am of them. They have grown into amazing men with big hearts, kind souls, and strong work ethics. Colin and his wife are expecting my first grandchild (a boy) in late April and I am absolutely over-the-moon with excitement.

WHAT IS A TYPICAL DAY FOR YOU? There isn’t one! That’s one of the best things about my job. Working with an environmentally focused program, each season brings new activities and projects. I cross paths with so many different from people from so many walks of life and I love that.

WHAT WAS YOUR DREAM JOB AS A KID AND WHY? Growing up my dream job was to be a reporter, just like Mary Tyler Moore. I wanted the cool career, amazing apartment, great clothes, and of course the Mustang. Mary was the ultimate career girl goal to a little girl in the 70s.

WHAT DO YOU DO FOR A LIVING? I serve as director of Keep Kingsport Beautiful, a partnership program of the Kingsport Chamber and the City of Kingsport. KKB is an affiliate of Keep America Beautiful and Keep Tennessee Beautiful. In my job, I oversee fundraising, volunteer recruitment and coordination, promotions and marketing, grant procurement, and event coordination for the program. Each year, KKB provides more than 40 projects and events, including Clean Sweep Kingsport, the Beautification Awards program, “Green & Growing” Gardening seminars, “Saturday in the Gardens” garden tour, the Trash Barrel Paint-In, and Conservation Camp for fourth graders. I am so proud of the KKB program. It represents the very best of the Kingsport Spirit, bringing together support from city government, industry, and the business community with these amazing volunteers who have a passion for community beautification and environmental stewardship, but most importantly love where they live. I also serve as co-director of Santa’s Depot and manage The Gift Shop at the Kingsport Chamber.

Working at the Kingsport Chamber is such a privilege. The people that I work with are quite simply the best of the best. To be surrounded by such talented, giving, community minded people that work every day to make Kingsport a better place to live, work, play, and visit is truly inspiring.

WHAT THREE WORDS DESCRIBE YOU BEST? Loyal.

Dedicated.

Empathetic.

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WHAT WOULD BE YOUR PERSONAL MOTTO?Never let your past define your future.

DO YOU HAVE ANY HOBBIES OR SPECIAL INTEREST?I probably read at least two books a week. Wherever I am, if I can pull out my Kindle and get lost in a book, I’m in my happy place. I bought a house in the last year, so working on projects there and putting my stamp on it is so enjoyable.

Traveling is my favorite thing to do with my free time. I absolutely love the excitement of exploring new places and meeting new people. For me, travel puts life into perspective…you see what a tiny spot you take up in the world.

It certainly helps me not take myself too seriously.

DESCRIBE ONE OF YOUR BIGGEST FAILURES. WHAT LESSONS DID YOU LEARN AND HOW DID IT CONTRIBUTE TO A GREATER SUCCESS? I think I would use the word challenge rather than failure. Finding myself divorced after 23 years of marriage was probably one of the biggest challenges I’ve ever faced. The best way to sum it up is something I shared with Jeff Fleming a few years ago.

I came into the KKB job at a very precarious time in my life. I was scared to death that first week, thinking “what have I gotten myself into.”

Confidence in myself was non-existent. I had been through a year and a half of constant change and upheaval, most of which was thrust upon me whether I wanted it or not. I was sending my youngest child off to college five hours away, stressed about putting him through school alone. To say I was terrified of life was an understatement.

What a difference a few years can make. This job, and the people I’ve met because of it, helped me to build back my self-confidence, trust my instincts, and push through the fear. I have added a whole circle of people that I can’t imagine my life without. I’ve learned that I am capable of more than I ever imagined, respected for my capabilities, and able to make a true difference in the place that has always been home. I’ve received so much through this job. I’ve grown professionally and personally. Watching women like Aundrea Wilcox, Kim Jones, and Lucy Fleming inspire me every day to be a better person, always seek the wisdom of those around me, and never, ever quit trying. Somewhere along the way these past several years, I’ve quit surviving and began thriving. I do genuinely love this place I call home.

AS A MENTOR TO US ALL, WHAT IS ONE PIECE OF ADVICE THAT YOU WOULD GIVE TO READERS. Maintain your friendships. Friendships can take a backseat to raising kids, marriage, and building a career. It’s hard to juggle it all, but carve out time for your friends, make it a priority.

Whether it’s coffee, lunch, or a movie night–make it happen. I’ve got an amazing network of girlfriends, some have been in my life since elementary school and some have come into it in just the past few years, but these girlfriends are my oxygen tank. They keep me inspired, accountable, and most importantly they love me. And can I just say that multi-generational friendships are so important. I have close friends that are 20 years younger than me and some that are a bit older than me. I learn from all of them.

They bring wisdom, insight, and fresh perspectives to my life.

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I’VE LEARNED THAT I AM CAPABLE OF MORE THAN I EVER IMAGINED, RESPECTED FOR MY CAPABILITIES, AND ABLE TO MAKE A TRUE DIFFERENCE IN THE PLACE THAT HAS ALWAYS BEEN HOME.

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Photography by Nathan Mays

Q&A with

Jo

CULLEN JEREMIAH SCHOOL, HEAD OF SCHOOL

TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOURSELF. I am a British immigrant, having come to the US with my family in 2008. We were relocated from Liverpool, which is in the north of England, to Johnson City due to my husband’s job with Eastman. There was a degree of culture shock involved in this – particularly with regards to the Southern love of iced tea. Tea is an integral part of the British culture, but it is drunk piping hot. Ten years on, despite becoming ‘Americanized’ in many other ways, I am still unable to adapt to drinking cold tea!

Prior to moving across the pond, I spent 16 years as a teacher and then a school principal in an English elementary school. When my younger son Tom was three, he was diagnosed with autism, and thus began what has been a 12 year journey along a road I had never anticipated traveling. A road which has been both joyous and heartbreaking; a roller coaster ride of highs and lows, but which has ultimately led me to where I am now – Head of School at Jeremiah School.

WHAT’S A TYPICAL DAY LIKE FOR YOU? I spend much of my day at Jeremiah School, which is a private, non-profit school for students on the autism spectrum. The school was conceived and founded by parent Amy Lowe, as her son was finding life in the public school sector quite challenging. Showing enormous courage, passion, and faith she decided to provide something better. I came on board as someone who had experience of running a school, as well as knowing about autism due to my own son.

My day is never dull! Our students are amazing individuals and it is a privilege to work with them. We are also lucky to have great support from Milligan College and ETSU, so we regularly have college students in to enrich the curriculum and to provide therapies. Every Friday, we head out into the community–either to swim, eat, or go on a field trip. We teach life skills (cooking is our current focus), as well as much needed social skills.

Jeremiah School is a truly wonderful place to be.

WHAT DO YOU SEE AS YOUR PLACE OR PURPOSE IN LIFE? HOW DID YOU COME TO THAT CONCLUSION? I am an educator at heart. Our children are the future; we need to ensure we have a well-educated, multiskilled workforce to meet the challenges that lie ahead. Unfortunately, the lack of investment, the intense focus on acquisition of knowledge rather than skills, and the unrelenting test taking which subverts the curriculum, have all led to an education system which is depressing for teachers, and failing our students. And then, lost in this system, are the most vulnerable of all – our students with special needs. It is this group that has stolen my heart. For students with autism, a traditional curriculum simply doesn’t work. These children need to learn social skills, they need life skills, and they need teachers who can adapt the curriculum to ensure it is meaningful and relevant. They need to work in an environment that is calm, organized, quiet, predictable, and most importantly of all, safe. This is my purpose, and this is what Jeremiah School is all about.

IF YOU WON ONE MILLION DOLLARS TOMORROW, WHAT WOULD YOU DO WITH THE MONEY? Well, as I am helping to run a nonprofit, I 28

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would give the vast majority of it to the charity. Jeremiah School receives no state or federal funding. We have to rely totally on tuition, donations, and fundraising in order to run the school and pay the teachers. Every cent counts; Amy and I work entirely as volunteers and draw no salary from the charity. It breaks our hearts to know that there are children in our community who desperately want to come to our school, but who cannot afford the tuition. We can provide some financial assistance, but it is not enough. We need to be able to offer full scholarships to families who need them. So yes, winning one million dollars would be the answer to a prayer. But we aren’t greedy! Donations of any amount would be hugely appreciated, as the money truly has the power to change a child’s life forever.

WHAT KEEPS YOU AWAKE AT NIGHT? That’s an easy one. It’s the same as every parent of a special needs child, it’s the questions, “Who will look after them when I’m gone? Who will love them like I do?” It’s a fear that settles like a huge icy weight in the pit of your stomach; it reduces you to tears; it paralyses you. This is why it is so critical that our special needs students get an education that actually prepares them for life; an education that may enable them to live independently, and possibly hold down a job. Believe me, the middle of the night can be a dark, lonely place when you are the parent of a child with special needs.

WHAT ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT DECISIONS YOU MAKE AS A LEADER OF YOUR ORGANIZATION? To put people first and to build strong and effective relationships. In any organization, the staff are the greatest resource you have – and this is most especially the case in a school. Valuing the staff, listening to them, investing in training for them are all absolutely critical. When times get hard, it is the people who see you through. Their goodwill and willingness to go above and beyond can make the difference between success and failure. We have an amazing team of passionate, committed, dedicated individuals at Jeremiah School, without whom we would not be able to achieve the things we do.

AS A MENTOR TO US ALL, WHAT IS ONE PIECE OF ADVICE THAT YOU WOULD GIVE TO READERS? Don’t lose sight of your core purpose.

Always remember what is at the heart of your business or your work.

As a principal in England, and as Head of School here, I always ask the questions, “Is this in the best interests of the children? Will this benefit them?” If the answer is ‘no’, then I will not take it onboard. As organizations and businesses grow, it can be easy to lose sight of the very thing that made them successful in the first place. Outside pressures can be very hard to resist, especially when it comes to dealing with shareholders, or being accountable for achieving set standards. It takes strength to stand up for what you know is right.

WHAT IS YOUR SUPERPOWER, OR WHAT’S YOUR SPIRIT ANIMAL? Hmm, that’s a hard one. I’ll say my superpower is having a British accent - it’s amazing how much people like it. So, when I’m giving presentations or asking for help, it gives me a little advantage as people enjoy hearing my voice – even if what I actually say makes no sense!

Photography by Nathan Mays

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OUR CHILDREN ARE THE FUTURE; WE NEED TO ENSURE WE HAVE A WELL-EDUCATED, MULTI-SKILLED WORKFORCE TO MEE T THE CHALLENGES THAT LIE AHEAD.

Q&A with

Dessi

FOSTER

STEPPENSTONE YOUTH TREATMENT SERVICES, DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOURSELF. I was born and raised right here in East Tennessee. I graduated from David Crockett High School and then went on to ETSU where I graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing.

I’ve been married to my husband Josh for 4 1/2 years and have a 21 year old daughter, Sierra, and two step-children, Hayley (12) and Chandler (16). We have 4 dogs that I can’t get enough of!

WHAT DO YOU DO FOR A LIVING? I am the Director of Development for SteppenStone Youth Treatment Services. SteppenStone is a residential treatment facility in Limestone, TN for boys 13-17 years old who, due to some sort of abuse, neglect, or extenuating circumstance have developed emotional or behavioral problems. They live, eat, go to school, and receive counseling and support there until they can either go back to a family member, go into foster care, be adopted, or turn 18.

TELL ME ABOUT HOW YOU GOT INTO YOUR LINE OF WORK. In 2014, I was asked to be a contestant in “Dancing with the Tri-Cities Stars” which is the primary annual fundraiser for SteppenStone. I had never heard of SteppenStone, but I thought it might be fun to learn how to ballroom dance.

The first thing they did was take the new contestants to SteppenStone so we could see exactly what we were raising money for. I will never forget walking in and seeing those kids sitting in their school room for the first time. They were so sweet and had the best manners. It broke my heart to know that they had lived through such terrible circumstances and that each evening they didn’t get to go home to ​a family. After that day, I decided that I wanted to raise a lot of money to help them. I could see some major needs at SteppenStone. At that time they had a two room school house that was about 75% built, but construction had come to a halt ​due to ​lack of funds. As I looked around I saw so many things that could be improved. I challenged the other contestants that year to compete with me to see who could raise the most money. We ended up raising enough that year to finish the school. In 2015, I came back to help and volunteer with fundraising. In 2016, I was ready for a career change and SteppenStone was looking to hire someone to handle their fundraising. The rest is history!

HOW DO YOU ACHIEVE A WORK-LIFE BALANCE? For so long, I struggled to have a work-life balance. I listened to many people that told me things like, at a certain time I had to turn off my phone and only focus on family, or during work hours I could not take a family call because I had to focus on work. I beat myself up because I could never truly draw that line in the sand between work and personal time. I have now come to realize that because of my line of work and the work I have always chosen, there may never be that perfect line between the two and that’s ok. I spend lots of time with my family and I also get my job done. There doesn’t have to be a set schedule or formula. What I would tell people is to be ok with what works for you, because what works for someone else, may not be the best for you.

The day I became ok with that my life became less stressful!

WHEN DID YOU CONSIDER YOURSELF A SUCCESS? I don’t know that I have gotten to that point yet where I could call myself a “success” but I do feel like I am “successful”. I still feel like I have a lot of bigger and better things to achieve. I do remember the first time I felt “successful.” I was in college at ETSU and was a Mary Kay Sales Director. I had just earned my first free Pink Cadillac. I felt successful because it was something that I had 30

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done on my own. It was a career and an achievement that no one gave me or told me I had to do. It was simply a result of the hard work that I had put into it on my own. Every day when I parked that car on campus and went to class I felt like a successful kid!

TELL US ABOUT A PROJECT OR ACCOMPLISHMENT THAT YOU CONSIDER BEING THE MOST SIGNIFICANT IN YOUR CAREER. Looking back at what led me to where I am now, I would say the project that is most significant is when I held a fundraiser for a Special Spaces bedroom makeover. I have a great friend who has a son that was in need of a bedroom and bathroom makeover to better accommodate his wheelchair. At that time, I also heard of Special Spaces and contacted the local director, Krista Wharton, to see if it might be possible to do a makeover for his room and I would raise the money necessary. I did a bake sale, silent auction, and fitness fundraiser. I raised a little over $4000. The day of the bedroom makeover was a game changer for me. To be able to raise money for a cause and then to see exactly how that money was used for was a feeling like I had never had before. My heart was so full. I did several other fundraisers after that for seniors to go to the Senior Olympics before joining forces with SteppenStone. That first Special Spaces fundraiser showed me a true passion I never knew I had before.

WHAT’S A GOAL YOU HAVE FOR YOURSELF THAT YOU WANT TO ACCOMPLISH IN THE NEXT YEAR? In the next year, I want to help raise enough money for SteppenStone to be able to complete renovations on our gymnasium and add on a strength and conditioning room.

DO YOU HAVE ANY HOBBIES OR SPECIAL INTERESTS? My biggest hobby is teaching group fitness classes. I have been doing that for about 20 years.

I teach a dance fitness class called WERQ at Lifestyles Fitness Center in Johnson City. We turn the lights out and turn on disco balls and fun lighting and just dance for an hour. It’s such a blast. I also have been teaching group fitness classes for the senior community for the past 15 years. My “Silver Sneakers” class each Friday is one of the highlights of my week. Other than that, my other hobby is watching TV. My daughter and I have always loved TV and movies. Neither one of us has ever been interested in sports or outdoors, so our together time was curled up on the couch watching a good show. Now when she comes in to visit from college we will stay in our pajamas all day in front of the TV. I love it!

WHO HAS BEEN THE KINDEST TO YOU IN YOUR LIFE? By far, the kindest person in my life is my Mom. From the day I was born she gave up everything for me. She was basically a kid herself. Her sacrifices for me go beyond any level of kindness. I know she would drop anything, anytime for me, if I needed something. Even if that something was silly or unimportant.

I don’t know how I got so lucky to have her in my life.

WHAT’S YOUR SUPERPOWER, OR WHAT’S YOUR SPIRIT ANIMAL? I think my superpower is friendship. There are not many people in this world that I truly don’t want to be friends with. I love meeting new people and making new friends. I do not base my friendships on who you voted for, race, religion, or anything else. I just like you. That’s all. So I guess my superpower is looking above all those things to see everyone as a person created by God. And hey, who needs a real superpower when you have an army of friends?

Photography by Nathan Mays

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I LOVE MEE TING NEW PEOPLE AND MAKING NEW FRIENDS. I DO NOT BASE MY FRIENDSHIPS ON WHO YOU VOTED FOR, RACE, RELIGION, OR ANYTHING ELSE. I JUST LIKE YOU. THAT’S ALL.

Q&A with

Keta

HAWLEY TURQUOISE BOUTIQUE, OWNER Photography by Nathan Mays

TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOURSELF. I love my life. I opened my own business, Turquoise Boutique, when I was 57 years old and made it my own by choosing unique designers and spoiling my customers as I like to be spoiled. I’m a wife to my husband of 37 years, Wayne. A mother to three daughters, Heather, Tabitha, and Tiffany, as well as son Brent and their spouses. “Kiki” to six beautiful grandsons and a granddaughter due this summer. My family is what I’m most proud of and I’m constantly reminded of how blessed my life is. Growing up I was viewed as a “Plain Jane” in our little country town but dreamed of two things: family and fashion. Piecing together articles of home sewn clothing led me to fashion, expression, and business. Faith and prayer led me to my family.

WHAT WAS YOUR DREAM JOB AS A KID AND WHY? I wanted to be like Nicki Newman on The Young and The Restless! I wanted everything she had. Handsome husband, a beautiful home to host parties and entertain in, and a secure and happy life. I’m ready for a Real Housewives of the Model City show!

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WHAT THREE WORDS BEST DESCRIBE YOU? Happy.

Honest.

Strong.

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO MAKE SURE YOU DO BEFORE YOU DIE? Lots of travel. I want to see life everywhere.

HOW DO YOU WANT PEOPLE TO REMEMBER YOU? I want people to remember that I loved life BIG and loved my family with all my heart. I also want people to remember me as someone who saw the best in everyone and found something good in bad situations. Finally, but not by far the least, that I trusted in God at all times, especially the hard ones.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO YOUNG WOMEN WHO WANT TO SUCCEED IN THE WORKPLACE? The same advice I give for success in life–be passionate and positive about everything you do. Stay strong and keep your faith.

WHAT DO YOU SEE AS YOUR PLACE OR PURPOSE IN LIFE? HOW DID YOU COME TO THAT CONCLUSION? I believe my purpose is to show how beautiful life can be by having faith in God and following his path. I believe that showing compassion for people and all his creations is what really matters. Those are the things that I have to thank for my ongoing successes and happiness.

WHAT WILL BE THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE FOR THE GENERATION OF WOMEN BEHIND YOU? In my opinion, the biggest challenge will be that the standard expectation is perfection. Social media and the images of perfect women with perfect lives is what people see and expect. That they will not know the importance of being themselves or accepting failures as part of life and overcoming them.

IN WHAT WAY IS IT IMPORTANT TO KNOW YOUR LIMITATIONS IN YOUR LIFE OR CAREER? Being mindful of my physical limitations due to some health issues has taught me the importance of being happy. Taking care of myself and taking time for the little things allows me to enjoy all of life.

WHAT WOULD BE YOUR PERSONAL MOTTO? Love my life!

WHEN DID YOU CONSIDER YOURSELF A SUCCESS? With personal life it was when I made a home, married by husband, and had our children. Last year, one of my favorite designers, Bronte, named a dress after me. The “Keta” dress. That was “the success” moment in business. I was so touched and honored!

WHAT’S YOUR SUPERPOWER? My superpower is love and God is my superhero.

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HOW DO YOU PUSH THROUGH YOUR WORST TIMES? Prayer and faith. I don’t talk or think about the bad things much. I just give it to God and he always takes care of it.

WHAT’S YOUR SPIRIT ANIMAL? A dove must be my spirit animal.

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I WANT PEOPLE TO REMEMBER THAT I LOVED LIFE BIG AND LOVED MY FAMILY WITH ALL MY HEART. I ALSO WANT PEOPLE TO REMEMBER ME AS SOMEONE WHO SAW THE BEST IN EVERYONE AND FOUND SOME THING GOOD IN BAD SITUATIONS.

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VIPSEEN featuring

The Women of the

HIGH ROAD AGENCY Photography by Nathan Mays

S

ince its beginning in 2013, The High Road Agency has been riding in the fast lane on its path to success. With a team that excels in creating strategic marketing and public relations campaigns, website development, video and graphic design and much more, High Road is a full-service agency that can be counted on to deliver maximum results. With a talented crew of 13, which includes the following awesome five women and eight men (who aren’t so bad themselves), their office is a busy one, filled with innovation, ingenuity, imagination and lots of humor.

They’re proud of the work they’ve done with some of the region’s largest companies, which has propelled The High Road Agency to new heights. And while the guys (who were featured here last year) certainly do their fair share, we all know these ladies, who are passionate about the work they produce and the relationships they build, are the glue that holds it all together.

CHELSEA EIK – One of The High Road Agency’s Project Managers, Chelsea joined the team three years ago. Born and raised in Indiana, she first tried her hand at nursing before deciding to take The High Road. Growing up in Hoosier Land she played softball and cello (not at the same time) and somehow out there amidst all the corn, became a die-hard Clemson fan. She has two big vices, her sweet puppy Sammy and Diet Coke - and there’s absolutely zero chance she would ever give up either.

Chelsea, who appreciates a good laugh, is unfortunately not able to enjoy one of the great joys of the world – bacon – as she is allergic to it. She is, however, able to find happiness in other things, like sarcasm and swear words.

SARAH MAST – Sarah, who came to The High Road Agency two years ago, is a Creative Designer, specializing in branding packages, layout production and graphic design. She was born and raised in the Tri-Cities, attending University School and ETSU, where she majored in Corporate Finance and Digital Media. Sarah was an excellent athlete throughout her school years, playing soccer, basketball and softball, her favorite sport. A sweets and coffee addict (and she’s got the energy to prove it), she finds joy in cooking, baking and trying new types of food. Sarah loves being outdoors and can often be found hiking, water and snow skiing and camping. She has always enjoyed traveling and loves to see the world. A huge University of Tennessee fan, she continues to dream of a football national championship she can actually remember (she was only four the last time the Vols won).

KATE VAN HUSS – Kate came to High Road after years of community networking and grassroots marketing with Earth Fare.

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She now gets social as High Road’s Digital Content Strategist, specializing in social media development. Her experience in the hospitality industry, which started with fine dining service and led into hotel and event sales, gave her an appreciation of gourmet food which she now enjoys posting on Instagram in hopes of being invited to travel the world to eat amazing dishes. Kate, who has a degree in Ancient History and Philosophy, provides a glimpse into her contemplative nature through her blogs. Her close friends and family, especially her two teenage sons, know all too well that she weaves all aspects of her life into this experiential journey and also know that she puts her all into everything she does.

KATIE WESTBROOKS – The High Road Agency was fortunate enough last June to add Design Strategist Katie Westbrooks to the team. She wears many hats with High Road, serving as a copy writer, social media strategist, graphic designer and event planner. She was born and raised in the City of Lights, Paris…

Texas. She graduated from Dobyns-Bennett and ETSU (where she majored in Graphic Design and minored in Marketing) and always knew she wanted to be a graphic designer (she dressed up as an artist for career day). The award-winning designer, who finds joy in sarcasm and making people laugh, is a die-hard Braves fan and is allergic to pretty much everything. Living by the motto “First I drink the coffee, then I do things,” Katie loves meeting dogs and wants to be successful enough to “give my future dog the backyard it deserves.”

LORI WORLEY – Lori is the newest member of The High Road Agency and serves as Director of Public Relations and is also Partner Success Manager. Born and raised in Bristol, Lori attended Tennessee High School and ETSU, incorrectly believing that she would one day be a teacher. A sports nut, a job at the Bristol Herald Courier changed her career path as she gave up on education and became a sportswriter. Realizing she needed to make enough money to eat/pay bills she went to work at Bristol Motor Speedway in public relations, where she used all her PR know-how to cajole drivers into shooting guns, playing air guitar and drums and taking part in shower games like dirty diapers. Lori loves most sports (especially curling) and her mood during football season is in direct correlation with how the Vols are doing (so yeah, not happy a lot of the time).

There you have it, everything you ever wanted to know (and some things you probably didn’t) about the women of The High Road Agency. If you would like to take the High Road, give them a call and schedule a meeting today!

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I’VE LEARNED THAT PEOPLE WILL FORGE T WHAT YOU SAID, PEOPLE WILL FORGE T WHAT YOU DID, BUT PEOPLE WILL NEVER FORGE T HOW YOU MADE THEM FEEL.

(L to R – Chelsea, Katie, Lori, Kate, Sarah)

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~Maya Angelou

Q&A with

Rhonda

KRENZER RE/MAX REAL ESTATE, PRINCIPAL BROKER Photography by Nathan Mays TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOURSELF. How did a Pennsylvania

Yankee end up in East Tennessee? My husband’s father and sister were transferred to East Tennessee with Magnavox in the early 80’s. My husband and I finished pharmacy school (how many realtors do you know who are pharmacists??), spent a few years in New York, and finally one very cold, wintry morning, while shoveling two feet of snow out of our driveway so we could go to work, my husband turned to me and said, “Let’s get out of here.” I thought he meant out of the driveway but he meant out of New York. I asked, “Where will we go?” He said, “Tennessee!” That was the winter of 1990. We sold our house, I finished my MBA, my husband moved here in October 1991, and I followed in February 1992. I wish we had come sooner! I love the weather, the scenic beauty of the lakes and mountains, and the friendly people.

There is a plaque hanging over my kitchen window that says, “I wasn’t born in the South, but I got here as quick as I could.” That pretty much sums it up.

HOW DO YOU ACHIEVE WORK-LIFE BALANCE? It took me several years to achieve work-life balance. I take my gym bag to the office every day and unless I have very late evening appointments, I go to the gym for cardio and weight training or to a yoga class before I head home for the day. My phone stays in the car because I need to unplug from the world for a couple of hours every day to keep my stress level low and maintain focus. I love to travel and take about six weeks of vacation every year. Most of those trips are three to five day trips – just enough of a break to come back to work refreshed and rested. Even while on vacation, I spend an hour or two every day responding to emails, phone calls, and texts. My business is 24/7/365 and it has become impossible to disconnect from the world for more than a few hours per day. I have learned to make those few hours per day count.

WHAT THREE WORDS BEST DESCRIBE YOU? TENACIOUS – Quitting is not in my DNA. DAUNTLESS – No fear of trying or learning new things. As a matter of fact, I have a low threshold for boredom so I am constantly looking for new challenges in my professional and personal life.

PATIENT – This word may come as a shock given the other two words I have chosen but real estate has taught me patience. Working hard and patience have contributed to my success as much as tenacity and fearlessness have.

From day one in my real estate career I made my business about my customers and clients. It is not about me – it is about their needs, wants, and desires. I give sound advice when asked and don’t take it personally when it is ignored. I do a thorough analysis of every new real estate project I take on to make sure I can live with the worst-case scenario – plan for the worst and work toward the best outcome.

WHAT’S A GOAL YOU HAVE FOR YOURSELF THAT YOU WANT TO ACCOMPLISH IN THE NEXT YEAR? This question plays right into my wheel house because I am a consummate planner. I keep a note pad in my office and I make lists every day, plus, I use the note app on my phone just about every day. It keeps me on track and I feel a sense of joy and accomplishment as I cross items off the list. I sat down about a year ago and wrote my 10-year plan.

It has personal and professional goals and a plan for the next phase of my life.

I don’t believe in retirement but I believe I will undergo a metamorphosis into another career that is more focused on family, friends, travel, and personal health than work.

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As for the next year, I am working with Rick Laney Marketing to put myself at the top of the list in residential and commercial real estate in the Lakeway and East Tennessee market. I am very competitive and want my next 10 years in real estate to be my best 10 years. On a personal level my daughter is getting married in September, so I am heavily involved in the planning. I have thoroughly enjoyed it and am thrilled to have a son in the family. My husband and I are going to southern Italy and Sicily for two weeks in April and next year we plan to do a river cruise of the Danube and Rhine rivers.

We have a bucket list of trips we want to do while we are in good health and capable of walking 10-12 miles per day. I am hoping to start my 500-hour level of yoga training and certification in the next year. I am hoping it will be done by my favorite yoga instructor from Asheville and in a studio in Knoxville. I am working with developers and a builder on a subdivision in Morristown, Cedar Ridge. We plan to build 30 houses over the next three years and then do a condo/townhome development. I have always wanted to learn about developing land and construction – another facet of my real estate education and career. My husband and I have purchased several pieces of land over the years and hope to develop them in the next 8-10 years. I am also remodeling several of my rental properties and doing an apartment building conversion.

Yes, I keep myself busy and always have a plan in place!

HOW DO YOU PUSH THROUGH YOUR WORST TIMES? WHAT IS THE BEST AND WORST DECISION YOU’VE EVER MADE? The worst decision I ever made in real estate was starting a property management company and the best decision I made was selling it in December 2015. It was beyond demanding, two cell phones, managing employees, court evictions, etc. It took my focus away from what I truly loved – listing and selling residential/commercial real estate and managing my own investment properties. It also brought about the worst experience of my professional career. A former bookkeeper embezzled over $250,000 from my two companies, Executive Places and Collegewood Apartments all under, supposedly, the watchful eye of my CPA. When we uncovered the theft, I allowed myself one day long pity party. The next day I got my big girl panties on, developed a plan, and dealt with it. It was 18 months of hell and sleepless nights before I saw daylight at the end of the tunnel. I thought I was going to lose everything I had worked so hard to build, but I didn’t. It took four years to put the bookkeeper in prison and it will take another 13 to be paid the restitution in full ordered by the court. That doesn’t cover all the theft or the immeasurables – loss of clients and customers, sleepless nights, self-doubt, etc. Anyone who owns their own business should manage their own money and if you have employees, have a good employee dishonesty policy in place. Thank goodness, I had employee dishonesty insurance which covered the forensic audit and a good portion of the theft.

I learned a lot about myself from that ordeal but most importantly, I knew I wanted to sell my property management company and get back to what I was most passionate about – listing and selling residential/commercial real estate.

AS A MENTOR TO US ALL, WHAT IS ONE PIECE OF ADVICE THAT YOU WOULD GIVE TO READERS? There are two sayings I believe in wholeheartedly and my best advice as a mentor to current and future entrepreneurs. “If it was easy, everyone would be doing it.” “Anything worth doing, is worth doing well.”

WHAT IS YOUR SPIRIT ANIMAL? My spirit animal is a lion. To me the lion represents positive aspects of my character, self-confidence, strength, courage, and assertiveness.

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NO FEAR OF TRYING OR LEARNING NEW THINGS. AS A MAT TER OF FACT, I HAVE A LOW THRESHOLD FOR BOREDOM SO I AM CONSTANTLY LOOKING FOR NEW CHALLENGES IN MY PROFESSIONAL AND PERSONAL LIFE.

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Q&A with

Linda

LAHR

AGAPE CHRISTIAN MISSION IN HAITI, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Photography by Nathan Mays

TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOURSELF. I have been married to the love of my life for 32 years. I am a mother of five and grandmother of ten. I am a Retired Clinical Laboratory Science Program Director after 30 years of healthcare service. I am in my 20th year as full time Executive Director of Agape Christian Mission in Haiti.

WHAT DO YOU SEE AS YOUR PLACE OR PURPOSE IN LIFE? HOW DID YOU COME TO THAT CONCLUSION? My foundation in life was given to me through my grandparents. They taught me, through their lives, that we are all created by God for a purpose and our most important job is to find that purpose and be devoted to it. We are prepared in life with knowledge and skills you learn along the way. When all the preparation is complete, your purpose is revealed. You will recognize your purpose when you feel the passion ignite in your spirit. Our pitfalls on this journey to purpose include society and self. These often derail us and cause our quest for purpose to be delayed. I am blessed to have found my purpose in the middle of a successful career and large family. When my passion was ignited, there was no turning back.

WHAT DO YOU DO FOR A LIVING AND HOW DID YOU GET STARTED? My academic passion was life science, with a goal to work in a career which would challenge me to make lives better. The study of human physiology and biochemistry led to my career of Clinical Laboratory Science. I knew that this was my God given talent and purpose in this phase of my life. I committed to do my work to the best of my ability while still looking for the greater purpose.

WHAT DO YOU FEEL HAVE BEEN THE IMPORTANT SUCCESSES IN YOUR LIFE? THE FRUSTRATIONS? After practicing Clinical Laboratory Science in large hospital-based diagnostic laboratories for 15 years, and directing a nationally accredited Clinical Laboratory Science Program for East Tennessee State University for the next 17 years, my heart was pulled to the millions of people in 3rd and 4th world countries who had little access to the basics for life. Healthcare was non-existent but desperately needed.

God was calling me to my greatest challenge, “Go to Haiti and make a difference in those lives.” That was the message my heart received and my passion was ignited. He had prepared me for this purpose and now it was time to fulfill that purpose. Agape Christian Mission in Haiti became part of my life in 1988 and I accepted the Directorship in 1996.

All it took was one trip to Haiti and God verified to me that this was the place where He could work through me and the mission to give the Haitians we serve a better life.

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Now, 20 years later, I can truly say that my life is fully blessed with a safe and secure three-acre compound which is a refuge for the Haitian communities we serve. They hear, see, and experience “hope” through worship, education, and community service to others. Children are provided a free education. Adults are given skills training that allow them to be self-supporting. They are given free medical care one week each year through our medical mission team. Clean water is provided and living conditions are being improved. Our Haitian communities witness and feel the love and support of a faith-based community created by God through Agape Christian Mission.

Agape is a mission of people from our Tri-Cities area who help by sponsoring, praying, and volunteering with the mission to serve those in need. These volunteers travel with Agape to the compound in Haiti to experience an opportunity to make lives better. Many feel a passion ignite in their spirit when God shows them a greater purpose for their lives. They become part of the Agape Mission family. I am privileged to witness lives changed and made better through those serving out of love. What I am witnessing is true success.

WHAT WORDS BEST DESCRIBE YOU. I am a type A personality with a fearless, passionate attitude to ask the hard questions and the faith to face difficult situations head-on. I have been that way since birth and will be that way until the day I am gone from this Earth. I was the first to graduate college in my family with academic scholarships and work studies funding my undergraduate and post graduate degrees.

IF YOU WON ONE MILLION DOLLARS TOMORROW, WHAT WOULD YOU DO WITH THE MONEY? If I won one million dollars, I would use the funds to invite people to Haiti and offer them an opportunity to be blessed by a culture who lives in poverty and oppression but abounds in love and strength.

WHAT WOULD BE YOUR PERSONAL MOTTO? AS A MENTOR TO US ALL, WHAT IS ONE PIECE OF ADVICE THAT YOU WOULD GIVE TO READERS? My personal motto is from The Bible, “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength” (Phillipians 4:13).

To anyone seeking a career or working in their career, I advise you to begin each day with prayer for wisdom and guidance to your purpose.

When you find it, you will find true success.

WHAT’S YOUR SUPERPOWER? My superpower is my Lord, Jesus Christ.

There is no better boss and His never ending benefits are out of this world. #heavenbound

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I AM BLESSED TO HAVE FOUND MY PURPOSE IN THE MIDDLE OF A SUCCESSFUL CAREER AND LARGE FAMILY. WHEN MY PASSION WAS IGNITED, THERE WAS NO TURNING BACK.

Q&A with

Sarah E. LARKIN & Amber FLOYD LEE LEE LAW GROUP, PLLC Photography by Nathan Mays

Sarah E. Larkin, Esq.

TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOURSELF. My little sister once won a poetry contest with a poem that compared our family to the toys in a toy box. She said I was the windup car because I always “go go go go go.” That was so accurate and has never changed! But as a trial lawyer, this has served me well. I’ve never been good at relaxing and I’ve made that work for me!

WHAT WAS YOUR DREAM JOB AS A KID AND WHY? I was going to be a famous singer! But I grew up a little in college and started to get serious. Don’t we all?! As for serious career plans, I never knew what I was going to do and that was always distressing to me. But I’ve found my path and I love what I do!

I now think that knowing exactly what I need from a career, rather than knowing the exact career path I would take, leads to so much more satisfaction.

HOW DO YOU ACHIEVE WORK-LIFE BALANCE? I’m not sure that I do! I often collapse into bed at night. But I think perspective is key. I listened to a TED Talk years ago that said “too busy” doesn’t exist; it’s about priorities. This was an incredibly important lesson for me. Like all of us, I have a million things I need to get done every day. But I’m making the choice to prioritize the thing I’m tackling in any one moment.

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Amber Floyd Lee, Esq.

TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOURSELF. I’m a civil litigator from Bowling Green, Kentucky. I’m raising two amazing kids in the historic Tree Streets neighborhood of Johnson City. I love to travel. I’m a political news junkie and an airstream aficionado.

WHAT IS ONE CHARACTERISTIC THAT YOU BELIEVE EVERY LEADER SHOULD POSSESS? A thick skin. It is easy to sit back and critique, but it is harder to step up and do. A great leader must listen to legitimate criticism, learn from it, and ignore the cacophony of the naysayers and complainers.

HOW DO YOU WANT PEOPLE TO REMEMBER YOU? I hope people remember me as a fierce advocate professionally, loving and generous personally, and as an engaged citizen socially.

WHO HAS BEEN THE KINDEST TO YOU IN YOUR LIFE? Besides my very supportive parents, I would say my fierce group of ladyfriends have been the kindest. Having that diverse group of accomplished women as support and as a sounding board is crucial in my life.

AS A MENTOR TO US ALL, WHAT IS ONE PIECE OF ADVICE THAT YOU WOULD GIVE TO READERS? Never read the Internet comments. It’s where people unleash their garbage selves.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE YOUNG WOMEN WHO WANT TO SUCCEED IN THE WORKPLACE? Don’t ascribe to the labels they want to pin on you. For example, because you’re female, you’ll likely be deemed “too emotional.” Who cares. You don’t need to show them different. Those are their labels so they can cheaply understand you. Be who you are, find your strengths and celebrate them. Work on your weaknesses. Show them, over time, that you have so much to offer and never be afraid to fail. I promise you, we’re all figuring it out as we go, and the world will not end just because you got something wrong. Be brave and take big chances.

WHAT WILL BE THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE FOR THE GENERATION OF WOMEN BEHIND YOU? Remembering the women who came before them that fought for the rights and basic freedoms they enjoy...and realizing there are those who would gladly take them away.

WHAT’S YOUR SUPERPOWER? My superpower? Staying sane through my crazy days! But seriously, I’m pretty darn good at discussing my clients’ expectations and working with them to see the benefit of a particular course of action. These relationships I get to build with them are so important to me and often lead to lasting friendships. I love being able to cultivate trust and understanding with my clients and to help them through some pretty stressful stuff.

WHAT IS ONE CHARACTERISTIC THAT YOU BELIEVE EVERY LEADER SHOULD POSSESS? Tenacity. There will be setbacks, failures, and losses. Our job is to learn from them so our next attempt is smarter, smoother, and better. My clients depend on me to stay tenacious.

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HOW MUCH IMPORTANCE DO YOU PLACE ON VOLUNTEERISM AND GIVING BACK TO YOUR COMMUNITY? It is extremely important to me. We have the ability to make an impact in others’ lives every day. It’s something my parents instilled in me and I hope I am passing on that love to my children.

WHAT’S YOUR SUPERPOWER? My superpower? Delegation! I have a magnet on my refridgerator that says, “No one can do everything, but everyone can do something.”

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DON’T ASCRIBE TO THE LABELS THEY WANT TO PIN ON YOU. FOR EXAMPLE, BECAUSE YOU’RE FEMALE, YOU’LL LIKELY BE DEEMED “TOO EMOTIONAL.” WHO CARES. YOU DON’T NEED TO SHOW THEM DIFFERENT. THOSE ARE THEIR LABELS SO THEY CAN CHEAPLY UNDERSTAND YOU. BE WHO YOU ARE, FIND YOUR STRENGTHS AND CELEBRATE THEM. Amber Lee

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Sarah Larkin

Q&A with

Meredith

MATHESIUS THE LEVERAGE GROUP, CEO Photography by Nathan Mays TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOURSELF. First and foremost, I am a mother, a wife, a daughter, a sister, a friend, and a business owner. My husband and I are blessed with three beautiful children, Emerson (11), Merritt (8) and Lauren (2). My family means everything to me and my life is full because of them. Beyond that, I am very active. I manage my company, The Leverage Group. I also make time to be involved in community events and projects. I feel that exercise and wellness, whether it be a strong cardio regiment or yoga practice, helps me to stay happy and balanced.

TELL US ABOUT HOW YOU GOT INTO YOUR LINE OF WORK. I started my career in media sales and management while living in Atlanta after college. The experience and opportunities I gained from my mentors were invaluable. Upon returning to the Tri-Cities, my coworkers in Atlanta urged me to start an agency because they felt I had some strong business relationships in this area and that the Tri-Cities would support and benefit from a strong, new agency. At the same time, I was becoming a mother.

With all of this being said, I decided I wanted to take my professional career to the next level, but one that would allow me to prioritize my family. That is why I started The Leverage Group.

HOW DO YOU ACHIEVE WORK-LIFE BALANCE? I am able to lead a balanced work-life relationship due to the way The Leverage Group is structured. I have surrounded myself with team members that are excellent at what they do. The Leverage Group is a boutique-advertising agency that employs a number of talented professionals with a variety of industry skills and talents. However, we also partner with other advertising, marketing, and communications professionals regionally and nationally to ensure our client’s needs are met. Through these partnerships, we have the flexibility to bring the right skill mix to each project based on client expectations and budget. Not only do we greatly value our relationships with our partners, but most importantly, with our clients. It’s all an integral part of our company’s success.

PEOPLE OFTEN WONDER ABOUT THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN HOW MEN AND WOMEN LEAD. WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THAT? I think females are by nature more nurturing. That allows us to lead from the heart and often be a little more understanding and sensitive with those we are leading. But, I also feel it enables a woman to create an upbeat, yet productive work environment.

DO YOU HAVE ANY HOBBIES OR SPECIAL INTERESTS? I do have a number of hobbies and interests. Overall, I think I just love to be creative!

I enjoy a good project. I love to design and decorate; and I’m always up to something. Whether it is at home or the office, I enjoy the challenge of creating a beautiful, useful, and functional space. I also appreciate music, fitness and travel. But if you were to visit my home or office, it would not take long to discover I am a dog lover too.

WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED ABOUT LEADERSHIP, ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND MENTORING OTHERS? Being a leader, entrepreneur, and mentor is hard work. You appreciate a challenge and yes, you are typically a risk taker! You have to be willing to invest quite a bit of time in people to be a 42

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true leader. You have to be willing to take responsibility for any and every mistake, while staying optimistic, understanding, and encouraging; all at the same time. You also must come to the realization that your team has skills and abilities that are better than yours, so you do not have to micromanage but just help them flourish.

HOW AND WHY DID YOU BECOME AN ENTREPRENEUR? WAS IT SOMETHING YOU ALWAYS INTENDED FOR YOURSELF? As mentioned, I started The Leverage Group because I wanted a professional career but one that would allow me to prioritize my family. I knew for me to stay healthy—mentally and physically—I needed both. By nature, entrepreneurship is about taking risks, but it is also about creating opportunities that you wouldn’t necessarily have otherwise. This path was a way for me to stay true to myself, my goals, and my priorities. It has allowed me to stay rooted and grow along with my business and my family.

WHAT ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT DECISIONS YOU MAKE AS A LEADER OF YOUR ORGANIZATION. I think some of the most important decisions I make as a leader of The Leverage Group are actually decisions from the past. At The Leverage Group, we pretty much handpick our clients. We do not work for everyone that comes through our doors. We understand who we are and what clients are the best suited for our agency. We have a very family oriented and familyfriendly work environment.

The team that has been assembled represents some of the best people in their areas of expertise in the region and beyond. Plus, we always focus on what is best for our clients and driving results. All of these aspects of The Leverage Group represent a decision I made early on when I started the agency in 2007.

These decisions have allowed us to grow into one of the premier fullservice agencies in the Tri-Cities.

WHAT IS ONE CHARACTERISTIC THAT YOU BELIEVE EVERY LEADER SHOULD POSSESS? There are three characteristics that I have found a leader must possess. First, the ability to build a team that will help make them a better leader is essential.

Also, a leader must know and respect his or her own limits. Finally, they need to have a positive attitude with the ability to be firm, while remembering to always stay real.

AS A MENTOR TO US ALL, WHAT IS THE ONE PIECE OF ADVICE THAT YOU WOULD GIVE TO READERS? I believe people need to follow their heart. Find what they enjoy or what is the most important goal they could ever achieve and then just go for it!

WHAT’S YOUR SUPERPOWER? I would say my superpower is organization.

Plain and simple! I am very organized and it allows me to stay on top of my career and my family life. Balance is important in life, and for me, organization is an essential part of maintaining that balance.

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I BELIEVE PEOPLE NEED TO FOLLOW THEIR HEART. FIND WHAT THEY ENJOY OR WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT GOAL THEY COULD EVER ACHIEVE AND THEN JUST GO FOR IT!

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Q&A with

Martha

McGLOTHLIN HOUSE DRESSING, OWNER Photography by Nathan Mays

TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOURSELF. I’m the owner of House Dressing, an upscale consignment boutique in Bristol, Virginia. We carry home furnishings and ladies’ clothing. I’m a non-practicing attorney and that education has helped me in all facets of my life. I love to write, so as a side job I am the editor of The Olde Farm Magazine. My number one job is being mom to three sons and one daughter, ages 11 through 12, and I’m getting married in May! WHEN DID YOU CONSIDER YOURSELF A SUCCESS? I don’t know if one should ever reach the point of thinking they finally are a success; otherwise you’d stop setting goals and chasing your dreams. There’s always another milestone to hit and it’s never good to rest on your laurels.

WHAT ARE YOUR SUCCESS HABITS? I always strive to find a creative solution to problems and never say “it can’t be done.” I like to think outside the box. With four kids I have to be scheduled to the minute and I make lists and sub-lists constantly!

Beginning at an early age, I became a classically-trained pianist, which taught me discipline and the benefits of honing your skills for several hours each day. I’m lucky to have parents who told me that I could do anything I set my mind to and taught me to be confident. Don’t let it show if you feel unconfident about a situation. Don’t follow the crowd. Keep in contact with people throughout your life and create a big network of friends, co-workers, and contacts. You never know when you could be a help to each other. Most importantly, be friendly, treat everyone the same and remember names! Give back to your community as much as you can.

WHAT THREE WORDS BEST DESCRIBE YOU? Creative.

Outgoing.

Musical.

TELL US ABOUT A PROJECT OR ACCOMPLISHMENT THAT YOU CONSIDER BEING THE MOST SIGNIFICANT OF YOUR CAREER. I’m proud of the work I’ve done on The Olde Farm Magazine. It enables me to talk to many people, spend time in a

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beautiful setting, and write almost a hundred pages of articles.

Each issue takes about a year to complete, so the end result is particularly rewarding.

WHAT PUBLICATIONS DO YOU REGULARLY READ? I read all the shelter magazines: HGTV, Better Homes & Gardens, Southern Living, Coastal Living, Garden & Gun, Country Living (and of course, VIPSEEN!). I love to read the local paper of towns I visit. I watch Fox News and read various home décor and fashion blogs.

DO YOU HAVE ANY HOBBIES OR SPECIAL INTERESTS? Where to start? I love antiquing, decorating, golf, piano, writing, tennis, pickle ball, and hanging out at the lake with our family.

WHAT KEEPS YOU AWAKE AT NIGHT? How to keep my children safe. Also everything I have to do the next day and I am always rearranging rooms of furniture in my head.

HOW AND WHY DID YOU BECOME AN ENTREPRENEUR? WAS IT SOMETHING YOU ALWAYS INTENDED FOR YOURSELF? I’ve always loved selling things…particularly making items and selling them. When I was in fourth grade, I had a little business called the Pine Cone Shop. I sold crafts and painted pine cones to neighbors. From then on, I was always trying to sell something through yard sales, working retail, then building and owning a Bassett Furniture store, all prior to starting House Dressing. I love talking with people and the thrill of a sale.

WHAT’S YOUR SUPERPOWER? I think I’m pretty good at designing a room. I can visualize a space in my mind then bring in elements from various sources and tie them together even when there seems to be little in common between the pieces. I love helping people rework their space and use vintage items in new and different ways.

My motto is buy what you love and you will always be able to find a place for it.

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I DON’T KNOW IF ONE SHOULD EVER REACH THE POINT OF THINKING THEY FINALLY ARE A SUCCESS; OTHERWISE YOU’D STOP SE T TING GOALS AND CHASING YOUR DREAMS.

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Q&A with

Amy

PATTERSON CONSERVUS REAL ESTATE GROUP, BROKER/OWNER PAT TERSON HOMES, C0-OWNER Photography by Nathan Mays TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOURSELF. I was raised in Hawkins County and have lived in this area all of my life. My husband Travis and I have been married 23 years and have two beautiful daughters, Brianna and Lauren. I have been actively involved at Harvest Community Church for nearly 17 years. I love spending time with my family no matter what we are doing. For the past 20 years I have enjoyed countless hours on a field or court watching our daughters participate in sports.

Now that the high school chapter has ended, I look forward to what the next chapter brings for my family.

WHAT DO YOU SEE AS YOUR PLACE OR PURPOSE IN LIFE? HOW DID YOU COME TO THAT CONCLUSION? I believe God created me to inspire those around me to become all that He created them to be.

I love spotting gifts in others and helping them activate their gifts in creative ways. A perfect day for me is seeing someone evolve into the person they were created to be and knowing that I had a small part in that.

WHAT DO YOU DO FOR A LIVING? I am a licensed Real Estate Broker/Owner at Conservus Real Estate Group as well as co-owner of Patterson Homes and I am on the Executive Staff at Harvest Community Church. I have been selling real estate since 1992. In 1994, I became fascinated with new construction when I began listing spec homes for a homebuilder in Mt. Carmel.

TELL ME ABOUT HOW YOU GOT INTO YOUR LINE OF WORK? I love the feeling of the word “home.” My husband builds homes and I sell homes. I love homes. A home is a place that holds our best memories, it is the only place we want to go when things around us are falling apart.

A home is where we are when we wake up and when we go to bed, it is where we can always go and know we are loved and accepted. Home is where the most important part of our lives occur. Owning a home is still the American Dream and it is rewarding to be a part of helping people find their home.

HOW DO YOU WANT PEOPLE TO REMEMBER YOU? I hope those closest to me know the decisions I made as a leader were made with the heart of the other person in mind. That the Golden Rule was my measuring stick and was the expectation I had of my daughters and those that I was blessed to lead alongside.

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WHAT ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT DECISIONS YOU MAKE AS A LEADER OF YOUR ORGANIZATION? I feel that one of the most important decisions I have made as a leader is to continually surround myself with great people that have the drive to get things done and the integrity to do them right.

WHAT THREE TOOLS (APPS, BOOKS, PODCASTS, ETC.) WOULD YOU RECOMMEND TO ANYONE TRYING TO START HER OWN BUSINESS? • Emyth Revisited by Michael E. Gerber - This is the book that will show you the difference between being an entrepreneur versus doing a job.

• Good to Great by Jim Collins – Discovering what makes good companies great.

• 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership is a classic. Anything by John Maxwell is worth implementing. These laws, standing alone or together, can be learned by anyone willing to accept their consequences.

• There are so many great podcasts that I listen to daily: Building a Story Brand by Donald Miller, Andy Stanley Leadership Podcast by Andy Stanley, The School of Greatness by Lewis Howes, The Action Catalyst Podcast by Rory Vaden WHAT WOULD BE YOUR PERSONAL MOTTO? Attitude is the difference between success and failure. No one likes to fail however it’s all in how we view the failure. Henry Ford said “Failure is only the opportunity to begin again, only this time more wisely.”

HOW MUCH IMPORTANCE DO YOU PLACE ON VOLUNTEERISM AND GIVING BACK TO YOUR COMMUNITY? I believe that volunteering is very rewarding and is an essential key to effective leadership. Everyone wants to be a part of something bigger than themselves. Find a cause you believe in and give your time serving there.

WHAT’S YOUR SUPERPOWER? My “superpower” is Jesus. I am nothing without Him but I do admit that when things are going great, and everyone is happy and making money, I have a tendency to forget where it all comes from. I believe that if you are going to accept the accolades for the successes, then you also have to accept the responsibility for the failures. It is so much easier to give God the responsibility for the successes and trust that any failures will only give me the opportunity to take my leadership to another level.

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OWNING A HOME IS STILL THE AMERICAN DREAM AND IT IS REWARDING TO BE A PART OF HELPING PEOPLE FIND THEIR HOME.

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Q&A with

Lara

POTTER

VISIT KINGSPORT, ASSOCIATE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOURSELF. I’m the true definition of small town girl. I was born and raised in a town of about 1200 people 40 miles outside of Lexington, KY. I’m still as big a Kentucky Wildcat fan as I was when I moved to Kingsport 17 years ago. I come from a family of five. My amazing mom and dad survived raising me with two brothers who are much older than me, but have taught me more than I’ve ever let them know. I have a fantastic sister-in-law and two nieces, as well as a fabulous family I gained through marriage. I am married to a Big Stone Gap boy, Matthew, and we have two fur babies, Harley and Hokie (my husband is a VT grad). We enjoy music, food, craft beer, and creating our own adventures. I’m also a big fan of cooking, exercise, and most recently hot yoga.

WHAT IS A TYPICAL DAY LIKE FOR YOU? At Visit Kingsport, one day we are laying a basketball court, the next touring visitors around our town, other times hosting lunch for customers who speak very little English but are planning to call Kingsport home, and some days we take off to other parts of the country to sell our city to meeting planners and let them know they need to host their next conference in Kingsport, TN. I’m thankful things never get typical.

WHAT WAS YOUR DREAM JOB AS A KID AND WHY? There were a few things I considered for my future when I was a child ... a musician and governor were on the list.

WHAT DO YOU SEE AS YOUR PLACE OR PURPOSE IN LIFE? I’ve always wanted to make people feel welcome whether they are visiting my city, my home, gym, or church. Also, to make sure my house full of boys stays happy and they never go hungry.

WHAT DO YOU DO FOR A LIVING? I am the Associate Executive Director of Visit Kingsport. Visit Kingsport is housed at the Kingsport Chamber. Our team’s focus is to bring visitors to our area for meetings, sports tournaments, festivals, and leisure travel so they can spend their dollars in our hotels, restaurants, and retailers. More specifically, I recruit conferences and conventions to bring their events to Kingsport.

Last year we hosted more than 30 meetings ranging in size from 50 visitors to 2,000. We bring thousands of visitors into this community every year; generating over ten million dollars in economic impact.

One of the best parts of my job is that I get to showcase all we have in our city. I find such joy in telling people about Bays Mountain Park, Downtown Kingsport, The Kingsport Carousel, our river, breweries and tap house, Pal’s, our cultural and performing arts, along with many other assets. I also manage our Move to Kingsport Program, helping to recruit and retain residents. You never know, those visitors may one day also turn into a resident...win, win!

TELL US ABOUT HOW YOU GOT INTO YOUR LINE OF WORK. God’s plan is always way better than mine. After graduating from college, I packed up and moved four hours away from home to start my first job as a television news reporter and anchor at WKPT-TV. Thank 48

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you to Betty Payne and Morgan King for giving this young, Loretta Lynn looking, Kentucky kid a chance. Then later I joined the team at WJHL-TV. I spent six and a half years in the television business. That job allowed me to develop a relationship with the Kingsport Chamber family and the folks with Visit Kingsport who approached me about a job opportunity. I had been praying about my TV career because the next steps would lead me out of Kingsport and I was unsure about leaving this place and the people that had truly made me feel like family. So, an interview was literally scheduled while standing under a tree outside of the current VIPSEEN office. I interviewed a couple of days later and the following week I was headed on a new career path and never looked back. It was a leap into a world I knew nothing about, but reminded me the importance of building relationships.

What a blessing!

WHAT ARE YOUR SUCCESS HABITS? My success habits; building and securing relationships, always learning, truly listening, and being part of a strong team. In my sales world, you never give up after that first time being told no.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO YOUNG WOMEN WHO WANT TO SUCCEED IN THE WORKPLACE? Success is not determined by the number of likes or followers on your personal social media pages. Young women, I encourage you to surround yourself with positive people. More specifically be in the presence of other successful and uplifting women, ask questions, don’t be afraid of not knowing the answers. Study the styles of other leaders and decide the type of leader you want to be. Speak up. If you see an opportunity for furthered success, talk to those who can help you decide if it’s the right fit. “Don’t get so busy making a living that you forget to make a life,” Dolly Parton.

WHAT PUBLICATIONS DO YOU REGULARLY READ? Southern Living (it’s part of turning 40), The Skimm, local newspaper, and my hometown newspaper.

WHAT WOULD BE YOUR PERSONAL MOTTO? I have several that are motivational and inspiring for me, but here’s a constant...

“Put on some lipstick and pull yourself together.”

HOW MUCH IMPORTANCE DO YOU PLACE ON VOLUNTEERISM AND GIVING BACK TO YOUR COMMUNITY? I’m so thankful for the opportunities my husband and I have to volunteer with organizations like H.O.P.E., Girls Inc, and United Way. Give back!

The reward is priceless.

WHAT’S YOUR SUPERPOWER? My superpowers are my faith and the people I’m surrounded by in life. My family, my husband, my friends, and coworkers along with many in this Kingsport community all fuel me to be better, work harder, and enjoy the journey.

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Photography Photography

by Nathan

by Nathan Mays Mays

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SUCCESS IS NOT DE TERMINED BY THE NUMBER OF LIKES OR FOLLOWERS ON YOUR PERSONAL SOCIAL MEDIA PAGES. YOUNG WOMEN, I ENCOURAGE YOU TO SURROUND YOURSELF WITH POSITIVE PEOPLE.

Q&A with

Stella

ROBINETTE

HELP OUR POTENTIAL EVOLVE (H.O.P.E.), FOUNDER, PRESIDENT, AND CEO TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOURSELF. I was born in Kingsport.

Tennessee but raised in Hawkins County to a family that prided themselves in hard work and self-sufficiency. As a youth, I moved to Nashville and graduated high school. While living there for several years, I married and started a family. As a Nashville resident and mother, I co-founded a nonprofit for sickle cell patients. After moving back to Kingsport, I started working for Frontier Health and saw a need to start Stella’s Clothes Closet to help my clients. I also started volunteering with the South Central Kingsport Development and Weed and Seed programs.

With a passion for helping youth, I founded H.O.P.E. (Help Our Potential Evolve) in 2008. This passion was instinctive from my life’s story and from family members and their experiences. I wanted to teach our youth the mindset of ‘work for what you need and want’ and also instill in them about strong family standards and values like I grew up to understand and appreciate. As a 501(c)3 non-profit, the mission of H.O.P.E. is to connect community resources and help youth ages 11 to 19 achieve their goals for education, career and service. H.O.P.E. teaches necessary life skills for youth to become self-sufficient later in life.

Since the inception of H.O.P.E., young people have participated in the various programs such as college prep courses, college tours, scholarship application workshops, resume writing, interview skills, personal and budgeting skills, job shadowing, teamwork building, Career Planning. Dress for Success, etiquette, banking classes, food nutritional learning, real estate classes, CPR, First Aid, Babysitting Certification and many community service and charity projects.

With the college prep programs, H.O.P.E. teaches youth how to have higher educational opportunities through academics, scholarships and grants. To have this introduced even farther, H.O.P.E. youth go on college tours to get additional insight to higher learning and college life. The youth realize higher education is attainable regardless of income or other barriers.

H.O.P.E. awards the Annual Joyce Dockery Memorial Scholarship to graduating seniors. The youth are required to maintain academic scores, complete volunteer hours and adhere to the mission and vision of H.O.P.E. of ‘giving back to the community’.

The youth are offered a Career Planning opportunity that concentrates on a personal interest survey that gauges areas for possible career choices.

The surveys are scored by Stanford University and returned with the top 10 careers that match the student’s interests. After added research, analysis, coaching and mentoring; the student has a completed written career plan with timelines.

H.O.P.E. Dress for Success, etiquette and other classes and events, prepare youth for appropriate behavior at job interviews, self-presentation, and preparation for social and professional settings. This added selfassurance lends to youth empowerment and confidence.

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Banking and Real Estate classes for the youth focus on such topics as saving, managing, and building good credit. These wise concepts aid the youth about being vigilant about creditors with college lending and financial skills.

H.O.P.E. youth are certified in CPR. This is especially helpful for youth considering medical fields, but also is a vital life skill for all people to know. This is also an asset for the H.O.P.E. youth that babysit.

This information about me is actually about H.O.P.E. because “I eat, sleep, and drink H.O.P.E. – I have the love for our youth to do better in life.”

HOW DO YOU WANT PEOPLE TO REMEMBER YOU? I want people to remember me as the lady that gave a hand up not a hand out.

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO MAKE SURE YOU DO BEFORE YOU DIE? What I want to do before I die is to see H.O.P.E. be stable and functioning without me.

HOW MUCH IMPORTANCE DO YOU PLACE ON VOLUNTEERISM AND GIVING BACK TO YOUR COMMUNITY? Volunteering to me is the best way to give back to the community that helps you as you are growing up. We all had that one person that we looked up to that helped us grow and become the person we are today. So, volunteering is very important to me to always give back.

HOW DO YOU PUSH THROUGH YOUR WORST TIMES? To push through the worst times, I always remember to fall on my knees and pray to God for help and guidance. I also pray for all my good times as well because my faith is very important to me.

DEFINE A GREAT LEADER. WHAT ARE SOME TRAITS YOU THINK GREAT LEADERS POSSESS? To define a great leader to me is someone who listens and will work side by side for and with all people. We are people, not just one person, and success comes from working hard together.

Honesty, delegation, communication, confidence, and love are the biggest components of keeping a positive attitude. In H.O.P.E., we have this little game we play – if you speak negative, then you must speak three positives. Youth can call out adults as well as each other. Positives go further in life than negatives.

WHAT KEEPS YOU AWAKE AT NIGHT? What keeps me up at night is trying to find ways to help my youth leaders if they have a problem or a need - I’m constantly thinking of ways to find help.

WHAT’S YOUR SUPERPOWER? My Super Power is the joy I experience in helping others and certainly the pride I have in my two daughters and my lovingly spoiled three grandchildren.

Photography by Nathan Mays

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“

TO PUSH THROUGH THE WORST TIMES, I ALWAYS REMEMBER TO FALL ON MY KNEES AND PRAY TO GOD FOR HELP AND GUIDANCE.

Q&A with

Kathy

SANDERS, DMD TRI-CITIES CENTER FOR COSME TIC DENTISTRY, OWNER Photography by Nathan Mays

TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOURSELF. I grew up in Georgia, but Tennessee has been my home for the past 27 years. The people of this area are very dear to me and the beauty of East Tennessee feels like a daily blessing from God. My passion for dentistry has been a mainstay in my life and I consider serving my dental patients an enormous honor.

WHAT IS A TYPICAL DAY LIKE FOR YOU? I begin every work day with the most amazing team members. We meet each morning to review the day’s activities and to discuss each patient’s schedule of care. This brief meeting ends with a short devotional.

Our first patient of the day usually requires the most complex treatment. This appointment might include combinations of veneers, crowns, dental implant crowns, or dental implant supported dentures. Later in the day, we handle the smaller restorative needs, such as fillings, whitening, and dental sleep therapy. Additionally, all throughout the day our dental hygiene team is providing the very best periodontal care in the area!

I spend most of my non-clinical time strategizing the best treatment route for our patients seeking full-mouth restoration.

Our primary goals in this smile design process are to shorten the overall chair-time for the patient and to give patients a truly remarkable smile!

WHAT DO YOU FEEL HAVE BEEN THE IMPORTANT SUCCESSES IN YOUR LIFE? THE FRUSTRATIONS? Achieving accreditation with the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry has, by far, been the most important success in my career; however, it was also the biggest frustration. The process involved a great deal of self-critique as well as critique from my most acclaimed colleagues. The learning curve for this credential was steep. Without my determination and the encouragement of my husband, I don’t know how I would have achieved it. My photography skills and the review of my work under intense magnification has grown my confidence and ability.

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WHAT ARE YOUR SUCCESS HABITS? I desire to do the very best for each person under my care. This requires dedicated study of clinical procedures and careful selection of the best materials.

I also make it a habit to create systems that enable consistency of care. When a team member finds a way to improve the procedure, I encourage them to share it with the rest of the team and then update the written procedure. This process is on-going so that it continues to benefit our patients.

WHAT THREE WORDS DESCRIBE YOU BEST? Ambitious.

Compassionate.

Inspirational.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO YOUNG WOMEN WHO WANT TO SUCCEED IN THE WORKPLACE? We, as women, have the world before us more now than ever. I believe we will become even more successful in the workplace in the future. When one encounters negative stereotypes about women, just laugh and prove them wrong. View them as just the hiccups that they are and disregard them.

WHAT’S A GOAL YOU HAVE FOR YOURSELF THAT YOU WANT TO ACCOMPLISH IN THE NEXT YEAR? After I completed my accreditation with the AACD in 2006, I set my sights on an even bigger goal. Within the next year, I am striving to earn Accredited Fellow status with the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry.

Fellowship status requires the submission of 50 excellent cosmetic cases and I am getting close! Whew!

WHAT’S YOU SUPERPOWER? HA! My superpower is remaining calm in any situation! I frequently hear from my team that I explain dentistry in a manner that is calming and instructive for both their and the patient’s benefit. I also encourage my team and patients to always ask questions in order to fully understand all aspects of dentistry.

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WE, AS WOMEN, HAVE THE WORLD BEFORE US MORE NOW THAN EVER. I BELIEVE WE WILL BECOME EVEN MORE SUCCESSFUL IN THE WORKPLACE IN THE FUTURE.

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Q&A with

Charlotte

POWERS SUTHERLAND JOY & COMPANY WEDDING AND EVENTS, LLC, MASTER BRIDAL CONSULTANT

™

Photography by Nathan Mays WHAT DO YOU DO FOR A LIVING? For over 25 years, I have worked as a wedding and event planner earning the distinction of Master Bridal Consultant™. For seven of those years, I owned a retail store dedicated to the wedding day, specializing in high end wedding gowns and accessories.

I work with my clients from the engagement to the honeymoon. Together with the couple, and their unique families, we design a plan to cover every facet designing their wedding. Working within their designated budget, and throughout the next months and weeks, many hours go into preparing for each personalized wedding, reception, and honeymoon.

The event segment of Joy & Company Wedding and Events, LLC includes small to large celebrations and gatherings from simple to grandiose, which could include birthday parties, graduations, and large corporate events.

The business also encompasses group and individual travel, as well as international travel and leisure.

WHAT IS A TYPICAL DAY LIKE FOR ME? My typical day starts at 6 am with my dear, sweet, 90-year-old mother, Juanita Turner Mullins. We have our coffee and morning devotionals, followed by breakfast while watching the morning news. I make sure she takes her medication and has what she needs until I see her again at lunch. Then, I am off to my house to dress and get ready for my day.

My business day starts once I am back in my home office checking messages, emails, returning calls, following up on orders and clients, and preparing for scheduled appointments with current and future clients. My daughter, Sadra, is a great help to me, whether we are discussing plans, addressing situations or just brainstorming for new ideas on current weddings or projects. We like to to meet at our favorite restaurants for lunch to discuss our list of “to-dos.” On most days, however, I am back to my mother’s house to see how she is doing and checking that she has taken her medication, had lunch, and see if she needs anything from town, as I run errands in the afternoon before returning to work.

My favorite thing to do in the evenings is to attend baseball practice or games to watch my grandson, James Isaac. He is quite the baseball allstar! My final stop everyday is to check on Mother to see that she is ready for bed and all tucked for the night. Once I am back at my house I run through my notes from the day and prioritize my efforts for the next day. If it’s not too late, I like to watch a movie or read until I fall asleep.

Of course, this all drastically changes in the weeks before a wedding.

BIGGEST PIECE OF ADVICE FOR FEMALE ENTREPRENEURS? The best advice I could give to young women considering a business venture is to do the research and talk to other professionals that have been in the field three to five years. Ask them about the advantages and disadvantages of the business that they have experienced and discuss the required skills to be a success in the chosen career path, as well as, the personal sacrifices required to meet the obligations of that career.

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In my years as a wedding planner, I have encountered many jubilant brides who think being a wedding planner looks like such great fun and are convinced that, having recently participated in their own wedding somehow qualifies them to begin working as a wedding planner. They have not experienced the long hours behind the scenes meeting with clients, vendors, and working with staff until the wee hours of the morning to prepare the beautiful and perishable flowers delivered from all over the world for the next day’s event. Nor have they stopped to think couples mostly want to get married on holidays and/or weekends which means that is time away from your husband and children. These are just a few examples of unseen and littleknown job requirements of a wedding planner that I would happily share with any young woman considering a career as a wedding planner.

WHAT ARE THREE WORDS BEST DESCRIBE YOU? Visionary.

Ambitious.

Knowledgeable.

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO MAKE SURE YOU DO BEFORE YOU DIE? Travel to Paris with the love of my life.

WHAT ARE YOUR HOBBIES? My hobbies include reading and watching old movies. The highlight of my life and favorite activity is watching my grandson, James Isaac (#9), and his team play baseball. This makes my heart happy. I have a desire to learn to play golf, but the newest and most fun hobby I have is currently taking ballroom dance.

WHAT IS YOUR PERSONAL MOTTO? Know your calling and walk in it.

WHEN DID YOU CONSIDER YOURSELF A SUCCESS? I consider my life to be a success when I see my daughter, Sadra Victoria, as a mother, wife to her husband Jeff, and the loving caring person she has become. She is loved by all that know her as a genuinely good friend and neighbor.

HOW DO YOU WANT PEOPLE TO REMEMBER YOU? I want people to remember me as part of their lives when they became a family. When I see my couples in line at the movie theatre with their children or see their family on Facebook, I feel that they are a part of my life. I recently ran into a young woman in the post office who visited my store to buy her wedding gown many years ago. She told me how fine I had treated her and that is another way that I would like to be remembered.

WHAT IS MY SUPER POWER? My super power is that I have an innate ability to make decisions under pressure that prove to be reliable.

WHAT IS YOUR SPIRIT ANIMAL? My spirit animal is the owl. In ancient cultures the owl was believed to be a bird of wisdom and prophecy.

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I WANT PEOPLE TO REMEMBER ME AS PART OF THEIR LIVES WHEN THEY BECAME A FAMILY.

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Q&A with

Lindy & Pam

WALKER

DECORATING DEN INTERIORS, INTERIOR DECORATORS/OWNERS Photography by Nathan Mays TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOURSELF. Pam: We are a mother-daughter team and share a love for design and interior decorating. We were born and raised in Texas. Lindy moved to this part of Tennessee 20 years ago for work and loved this area so much she stayed. Both of us had worked in the corporate world for a number of years, but our passions have always been in the interior design field. We also were intrigued with the idea of owning our own business. So when we learned about the Decorating Den franchise, we felt it was the right time to take the opportunity of making our dreams come true.

WHAT’S A TYPICAL DAY LIKE FOR YOU? Lindy: Every day is truly unique in our studio. We work on a client design almost every day, which consists of pulling and narrowing down fabrics for upholstered furniture, bedding, and soft window treatments, and looking online and through supplier books for casegoods, accessories, art, rugs, hard window treatments, and/or lighting.

We have 140 suppliers that we utilize for our designs, which we narrow down based on element type, design style, and budget. I also draw out floorplans and 3D views for rooms. A great amount of time is spent on administrative work with placing and following up on orders, scheduling consultations, design appointments, and installations and coordinating installations with our furniture receiver, subcontractors, and clients. Staying organized and great communication are key to our work.

WHAT DO YOU THINK IS THE MOST SIGNIFICANT BARRIER TO FEMALE LEADERSHIP? Pam: The most significant barrier is believing there IS a barrier. There’s nothing a woman can’t do if she wants to do it bad enough and works hard to make it happen. We can come up with a million reasons why we can’t or shouldn’t do something, but focusing on “why not” is a much stronger argument.

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donations to several area organizations where funds stay local. I believe everyone should be able to have a personal connection to a local organization, and if not able to give money, should think about giving their time to support its mission. The need in this area of the country is great, but we are blessed with great people that want to help and support area nonprofit organizations.

WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED ABOUT LEADERSHIP, ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND MENTORING OTHERS? Pam: Great leaders don’t carry the flag for others to follow. They have a knack to bring out the best in others. I’ve found that I have learned more from other people than I will ever be able to teach. The rewards of doing a good job, creating an environment where people are free to contribute without retribution, and helping others see their true value is much greater than imagined.

HOW AND WHY DID YOU BECOME AN ENTREPRENEUR? WAS IT SOMETHING YOU ALWAYS INTENDED FOR YOURSELF? Lindy: Entrepreneurship is in our blood and spirit. We are both very independent women that have enjoyed leadership roles. Being an entrepreneur aligns with our personal missions and brands. I am not sure that I ever thought it would be a reality, but with my mother by my side, we are fearless!

DEFINE A GREAT LEADER. WHAT ARE SOME TRAITS YOU THINK GREAT LEADERS POSSESS? Pam: I’ve always believed that the best leaders are those who help others to be the best they can be.

They value input, communicate, and talk through decisions with those people who have a vested interest in the outcome. Some of the strongest leaders I know practiced servant leadership, showing respect to others, recognizing that she/he is not an expert in all fields, and always giving credit to others for a contribution, idea or a job well done.

WHAT’S YOUR BIGGEST PIECE OF ADVICE FOR FEMALE ENTREPRENEURS? Lindy: Honestly, if financially positioned, GO FOR IT! Start and open the business that you have a passion for.

There is great satisfaction in making your dream happen and being in control of every aspect of your work. Participate in events that allow you to support, connect, and bond with other female entrepreneurs. It is a great reminder that we are not alone and we are all in this together.

WHAT IS ONE CHARACTERISTIC THAT YOU BELIEVE EVERY LEADER SHOULD POSSESS? Pam: Integrity! People should be able to trust you, know that you will do what you say, and genuinely care.

HOW MUCH IMPORTANCE DO YOU PLACE ON VOLUNTEERISM AND GIVING BACK TO YOUR COMMUNITY? Lindy: Giving back to the community that supports us is very important to both of us. I have served on boards for several nonprofits, and we give

We can see a finished product and the potential of a space just by walking into the room. The challenge then is to help our clients see that picture as well which we do through the use of 3D technology. It is truly exciting and rewarding to design spaces our clients love.

march 2018 | www.vipseenmag.com

WHAT’S YOUR SUPERPOWER, OR WHAT’S YOUR SPIRIT ANIMAL? Lindy: I believe we are both visionaries, in the most literal sense of the word.

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THE REWARDS OF DOING A GOOD JOB, CREATING AN ENVIRONMENT WHERE PEOPLE ARE FREE TO CONTRIBUTE WITHOUT RE TRIBUTION, AND HELPING OTHERS SEE THEIR TRUE VALUE IS MUCH GREATER THAN IMAGINED.

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VIPSEEN

NONPROFIT

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BE THE CHANGE YOU WANT TO SEE IN THE WORLD.

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- GHANDI

Jacquelyn

CRAWFORD

LUNCH BOX PROGRAM, CHILD HUNGER ADVOCATE “God has blessed me with a story that so many families can identify with and it is my hope to turn every struggle that I have faced in to a strength used to connect, inspire, and encourage families that need it the most.”

Fourteen seems to be the wakeup year for me. That’s the year I saw firsthand how circumstances can change quickly and how families can get caught in the struggle to provide even basic necessities. My family experienced a difficult time when my father lost his job due to a company closure. Like many others, we were caught in the middle of the economic recession that was sweeping across the country. My dad spent an entire year unemployed, only to be followed by a year of underemployment, barely making above minimum wage to support our family of five. I watched as many in America lost everything they had worked for, including their homes. While our situation did not become as dire, it did teach me not to take things for granted and to be more compassionate to the needs of others.

It was during this time, that I learned from a friend that his family was struggling to put food on the table. Most times, he and his siblings only ate at school because they were on the free and reduced lunch program. He confided in me that his family was surviving on peanut butter and jelly. I was shocked!

I knew that times were hard, but to learn that a friend didn’t have food was mind blowing. That afternoon, I confided in my mother and offered her what little money I had saved in order to grocery shop for my friend’s family. My mom matched what I had, and we went shopping together and arranged to have the groceries delivered anonymously. It was an amazing feeling that I’ll never forget! Since then, my true passion has been found in fighting childhood hunger in my community.

Soon after, I began volunteering with the Lunch Box Program which is sponsored by Of One Accord Ministries. This program seeks to resolve childhood hunger throughout the summer when students lose access to the school’s free and reduced lunch program. Using retired school buses that have been converted into rolling diners, we are able to reach children that otherwise may not have the means to help themselves by providing hot, nutritious lunches free of charge to children under the age of 18 regardless of race, religion, or financial status.

Since 2010, I have served in all capacities as a volunteer with the Lunch Box Program. In 2014, I was appointed Site Coordinator at which time I became responsible for every aspect of operation including enlisting other volunteers to serve, following strict USDA guidelines for food preparation, serving, storage, and clean-up, as well as keeping detailed paperwork as required by the federal government. I have helped make many positive changes such as expanding the program from three days a week to five, broadening our service area to include additional sites within Hawkins County, adding STEM activities to feed the mind and reduce summer

learning loss, but most importantly, continuing to educate the community about the needs of children in our area who are suffering from food insecurities.

I also initiated a Bag Hunger weekend campaign to aid children who need extra love during the school year on weekends, extended snow breaks, and holidays.

Hunger doesn’t take a vacation. It is a daily battle and an invisible disease plaguing our own backyards. I have witnessed many situations, including that of an eighth grade boy who stood at the trash cans during school lunch collecting food that others were discarding to take home to feed his family.

I’ve seen the relief on the face of a twelve year old girl on a Monday afternoon Lunch Box bus stop as she scarfed down her meal and everything else that the three others sitting with her didn’t want; including the last shred of lettuce because she hadn’t eaten since the last time the bus rolled through on Friday afternoon. Sadly, I’ve watched a young mom stare hungrily at her two year old’s chicken nuggets patiently waiting to see if there is anything left that she might eat herself. It isn’t unusual for school guidance counselors to call me to request emergency food assistance for students as they know I keep an emergency food pantry in my home.

The greatest good you can do is to share yourself with others and help them to achieve their own greatness. Can you imagine what the world would be like if everyone took a moment to lend a hand?

The Lunch Box Program is a great example of how people from all walks of life can come together to accomplish a goal. Local high school students, retired senior citizens, teachers on summer break, and mission teams from across the country visiting the area join forces to help end child hunger. It’s a beautiful picture of all these people of different ages and backgrounds coming together to meet one purpose: bettering the community as a whole.

As I look around at the world, I see a great disconnect between groups of people, whether that be due to age, race, gender, or socioeconomic status. The fact is, we are all one! We share one planet. We share one common desire to experience peace and happiness. But more importantly, we each have the same ability to make an impact on each other’s lives through kindness. If we could just get a hold of that…the world would be turned upside down.

If you’d like to donate to the Lunch Box Program or volunteer your time, please contact me at churchhilllunchbox@yahoo.com.

Together we can “be the change you want to see in the world through serving others with the love of Jesus!” www.vipseenmag.com | march 2018

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VIPSEEN

SPECIAL FEATURE

2018

T

he Queen of Hearts is the longest fundraising campaign within The American Heart Association. In 1964, Mr. and Mrs. Buddy Crump, along with their insurance colleagues, designed this unique fundraising campaign.

Queen of Hearts candidates learn how to plan, manage and operate their campaigns with objectives and goals in mind.

Running a Queen of Hearts Campaign is similar to starting and running a small business (on a very short term basis).

This campaign is vital to the success and future of heart research projects in our region and has raised more than 2.3 million dollars since its inception in 1964.

The title, Queen of Hearts, is awarded to the candidate who has raises the most money in her campaign. The Queen of Hearts will be announced and crowned at the Gala on Saturday, March 31st.

Jenna Mariah Francisco JOHN S. BATTLE HIGH SCHOOL Jenna Francisco is the daughter of David and Denise Francisco and the granddaughter of Nancy Tanner and Barbara Leonard. Miss Francisco is a sophomore at John S. Battle High School. Jenna’s many school activities include membership in the FBLA and FCA Clubs, the high school cheerleading squad and the Battle Buddies program in the elementary schools. She is a GATE student and maintains a 4.0 GPA. She is actively involved in the youth program at Highlands Fellowship Church. Jenna chose to participate in the Queen of Hearts Campaign because she herself experiences a health issue that has made her aware of the American Heart Association’s mission to educate the community on the risks of cardiovascular diseases.

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Sadie Grace King SULLIVAN CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL The daughter of Kristi and Chad King and granddaughter of Helen and John Fleenor, Miss King is a junior at Sullivan Central High School. Sadie is currently serving as Vice President of her junior class; after holding the same office for her freshman and sophomore classes. She is the Vice President for the HOSA Club and a member of the Key Club, Anchor Club, Beta Club, National Honor Society, Leadership Team and the Yearbook Committee. Sadie is an honor roll student carrying a 4.0 GPA and has reached academic achievement with honors in Chemistry I, Spanish II and Geometry. She is involved with the LoveShare Organization and works at the Little Panda Restaurant. Miss King feels that participating in the Queen of Hearts Campaign will help her grow as and individual and feels honored to support the American Heart Association.

Gwendolyn Elizabeth McLaughlin ABINGDON HIGH SCHOOL A junior at Abingdon High School, Elizabeth is the daughter of Tina McLaughlin and Craig McLaughlin. She is the granddaughter of Retha Smith and Sande McLaughlin.

Miss Mclaughlin is a member of Community Scholars, Future Business Leaders of America, the Varsity Cheerleading Team, and the Varsity Tennis Team. In 2017 she was a part of the State Tennis Championship Team and received the girls Most Improved Player Award.

Elizabeth is active in the Youth Alive and Young Life programs. She is participating in the Queen of Hearts Campaign in honor of her late Paternal Grandmother and Grandfather, both of whom she lost to cardiovascular disease.

Gabriella Page Mitchell VIRGINIA HIGH SCHOOL Miss Mitchell is a senior at Virginia High School and the daughter of Valerie and Jeffrey Mitchell.

She is the granddaughter of Sandra and Bane Mitchell and Ruby and Vance Bise. Miss Mitchell is a member of the Bristol Youth Council, the History Club and Skills, U.S.A. She is the treasurer of the World Language Club and the National Honor Society as well as the Vice President of the BETA Club. Miss Mitchell has been a part of Bristol Youth Leadership for the past two years and currently serves as an Alum. She has been a participant of Citizens in Action each of her four years of high school. She received the Golden V Award in her freshman, sophomore and junior years. During her four years at Virginia High School she has been consistently on the school Honor Roll. Gabby is participating in the Queen of Hearts Campaign because she has lost multiple family members to cardiovascular disease.

Collin Elizabeth White JOHN S. BATTLE HIGH SCHOOL A sophomore at John S. Battle High School, Miss White is the daughter of Lisa and Chris White and granddaughter of Sue and Bobby White, Joyce and David Crockett and the late Carole King Crockett. Miss White is a member of the Key Club, Battle Buddies Club, Fellowship of Christian Athletes Club, Student Council Association, Scholastic Bowl Team, and the Track Team. As a freshman, Collin received the award for the English 9 Honors Class and was voted in as Treasurer of the Student Council for her sophomore year. She was inducted into the National Junior Honor Society when she was in seventh and eighth grades. She is also a member of the Bristol Ballet’s Senior Company and the First Baptist Church Bristol Youth Group. Collin has chosen to dedicate her campaign in honor of Michele Plescia, Bristol Ballet’s Artistic Director. www.vipseenmag.com | march 2018

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SEEN IN

KINGSPORT ANDREW JACKSON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

DOMTAR EMPLOYEES AND UNITED WE READ AT CHECK PRESENTATION.

BONNIE DEPEW, TREYANNA HUGHES

READING WITH THE CHILDREN

United WE Read Celebration PHOTOGRAPHY AND STORY BY CRYSTAL DAWN CARTER

Several first graders got a wonderful surprise and some great new tools to help on their journey to a better life through reading. United Way of Greater Kingsport and Domtar paper company have joined together for United WE Read.

At Andrew Jackson Elementary School in Kingsport, teachers included, were clad in their most comfy and colorful pj’s. It was the perfect day to snuggle in the corner with a book and first grade students were able to do just that.

Domtar presented UWGK a check for a $15,000 grant that will be used to partner with various community and education organizations to provide enhanced education to those students with the greatest academic needs. They provide summer instruction from local teachers to build up their literacy skills.

CHILDREN SELECTING THEIR PENCILS, NOTEPADS, AND HIGHLIGHTERS

EMILY MERRITT, ELYSE BATISTA

United WE Read has plans to expand and said, of those students that attended instruction regularly, they had a 100% rate of improvement and maintained reading level.

After a brief assembly for the first graders, United WE Read and Domtar invited the children to fill goodie bags with books, coloring sheets, notepads, pencils, and more. The students were then paired with employees from Domtar to read one of the great books the children could chose to take home.

For more information on United Way of Greater Kingsport visit their website at www.uwaykpt.org.

CHILDREN WERE ABLE TO TAKE HOME ONE OF THE MANY BOOKS

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THE KIDS HAD A WONDERFUL TIME LOOKING AT ALL THEIR GOODIES

FIRST GRADERS ARE EAGER TO LEARN ABOUT THE GOODIES FROM UNITED WE READ AND DOMTAR

JACLYN CLENDENEN, FAMILY LIAISON ANDREW JACKSON ELEMENTARY HOLDS THE UNITED WE READ SHIRTS GIVEN TO EVERY FIRST-GRADE STUDENT

MICHAEL MORRIS, JOE FLEMING, BONNIE DEPEW

SEEN IN

KINGSPORT KINGSPORT ALZHEIMER’S ASSOCIATION OFFICE

The Longest Day Kickoff Party PHOTOGRAPHY AND STORY BY LINDA COFFEY

A kick-off party for “The Longest Day” was held at the Kingsport office of Alzheimer’s Association on February 8th. The event was an opportunity for community members to learn more about this DIY initiative and to register to coordinate their own activity. The Longest Day is June 21, 2018. It falls on the Summer Solstice, the longest day of the year, to honor caregivers and those living with Alzheimer’s, for whom every day feels like the longest day. This movement is all about love – doing what you love in honor of those you love who have been impacted by Alzheimer’s disease.

TABITHA EBBERT AND MEREDITH SIEBER

The Association is asking people to start a team, register as an individual, or host an event. Fundraising can begin prior to June 21st and the event can be held on an alternate day, if that is a better fit with your schedule. Sample events include: Bake Sale, Car Show, Lemonade Stand, Sport Tournament, and BBQ Competition. It is an opportunity to use your imagination to create an event to raise awareness and funds.

Alzheimer’s disease is the sixth-leading cause of death in the United States. Currently, it cannot be prevented, cured, or even slowed.

Donations are needed, and every dollar raised will be used to advance the care, support and research efforts of the Alzheimer’s Association.

SHERRI AND BOBBY CONNELL

LEAH, THEO AND RUSSELL WHITE

To find out how you can participate, visit www.alz.org/thelongestday or call 1-800-272-3900. www.vipseenmag.com | march 2018

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VIPBEAUTY

Five Dreamy Looks

BY SHERRI JESSEE

To purchase products and to view the makeup tutorial video for this look visit: wwwsherrijessee.com Hair & Makeup: Sherri Jessee Photo: Nathan Mays Model: Destani Noel

Create gorgeous waves with the Sultra Bombshell 1.5�

Curling Rod.

Look 1

STYLIST HINT: Tip your head upside down and spray to create extra volume.

Create shiny, sleek hair by passing it through a Sultra Seductress Flat Iron.

STYLIST HINT: Follow your comb to create perfectly smooth ends.

Look 3 Part the front of the hair down the middle. Tease the crown section and smooth it back.

STYLIST HINT: Add jewelry to the hair to create an exotic look.

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Look 2

Look 4

Brush the hair high on the head to create a playful pony.

STYLIST HINT: Take a wide section of hair and wrap it around the base to conceal your elastic.

Look 5

Continue on from Look 4 and create a high bun.

Tease the hair and then lightly smooth it out for more substance.

STYLIST HINT: Mist with Sherri Jessee Stay Hairspray for long lasting hold.

SEEN IN

BRISTOL HOLIDAY INN

JERRY CALDWELL, RITA MCCLENNY

CHRIS LEE IS THE WINNER OF THE 2017 LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

CHAMBER BOARD CHAIRMAN JANICE JONES, 2017 LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD WINNER CHRIS LEE, CHAMBER PRESIDENT BETH RHINEHART

Bristol Chamber Annual Awards PHOTOGRAPHY AND STORY BY CRYSTAL DAWN CARTER AND BRISTOL CHAMBER STAFF

The Bristol TN/VA Chamber of Commerce held their annual awards at the Holiday Inn in Bristol, Virginia on Friday, January 19, 2018.

The chamber went with a tailgating theme once again and guests could make their way across the hall from the ceremony room to a multitude of Bristol’s finest foods waiting there to be tasted. Once plates were stacked sky-high, guests sat in the main room for lunch.

Dr. Jerry Punch, aka Doc Punch, mediated a talk with Kevin Triplett, Tourism Development Commissioner from Tennessee, and Rita McClenny, President of Virginia Tourism, to talk about the challenges and blessings involved in marketing tourism to the two cities.

DOC PUNCH MEDIATES A ROUND TABLE ON TOURISM FEATURING TENNESSEE COMMISSIONER OF TOURIST DEVELOPMENT AND RITA MCCLENNY, VIRGINIA TOURISM PRESIDENT

The Chamber was also given a look at the past year, including the success of the Battle at Bristol, a growing downtown State Street, economic growth, and the success of a Geiko commercial touting the twin cities and State Street. The chamber leaders predict that 2018 will bring even more growth to make tourism and business in Bristol event better.

Automotive businessman Chris Lee was given the 2017 Lifetime Achievement Award, and the gavel was passed from outgoing Board Chairwoman Janice Jones to Bristol Motor Speedway’s Jerry Caldwell.

For more information on tourism, business, or the Chamber of Commerce in Bristol visit www.bristolchamber.com.

DAVID CROCKETT, MONA SALYER

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CLAYTON DOWELL, MICHAEL PARKER

AN AWARDS ICE SCULPTURE

JOHN KING, MICHAEL WEBB

GIFT BAGS FOR THIS YEAR INCLUDED MOUSEPADS, PHONE BEANIES, AND LOTS MORE BRISTOL SWAG

JOE WATERS, COURTNEY CACATIAN

CHAMBER GOODIES

KEVIN TRIPLETT, DEDE HASH MERIBETH GARLAND

DENISE ASBURY, KIM SPROLES

SUSAN THOMPSON, KATY FIELDS, BROOKE TITTLE

BRISTOL CHAMBER STAFF POSE FOR A QUICK PIC

GARY MABRY, ANDY DIETRICH

TN TOURISM COMMISSIONER KEVIN TRIPLETT, DISCOVER BRISTOL DIRECTOR COURTNEY CACATIAN, AND VIRGINIA TOURISM PRESIDENT RITA MCCLENNY

JACK DEMPSEY (GM WCYB), LEAD ANCHOR WCYB PAUL JOHNSON

KATHI GREGORY, THERESA REDMOND

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KINGSPORT MEADOWVIEW MARRIOTT CONFERENCE RESORT & CONVENTION CENTER

VIRGINIA AND RICKY BOYD

MIKE HAGEY, WES COWARD, AND KELLY CUBBEDGE

East Tennessee RV Show

RICK KEESEE

PHOTOGRAPHY BY LOGAN BAILEY | STORY SUBMITTED

The East Tennessee RV Show, held January 19-21 at MeadowView Marriott Conference Resort & Convention Center in Kingsport, drew nearly 4,000 patrons in its initial outing, the first time this event had taken place in the Tri-Cities.

The three-day event featured RVs, Fifth Wheel Campers and Travel Trailers. The majority of big brand names were represented at the show, which resulted in more than 25 RVs being sold throughout the weekend. Dealers that took part in the show were A&L RV Sales (Johnson City, Sevierville) and Tennessee RV Supercenter (Knoxville).

The show, which featured millions of dollars in inventory, also highlighted more than 30 vendors who showcased their products throughout the event. The event returns to Meadowview Convention Center January 18-20, 2019.

East tennessee

Show

East tennessee

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RICK SHELTON

JEANENE THOMAS AND TRACY MATTHEWS

HIRE AUNDREA

TO SPEAK AT YOUR NEXT EVENT

Published Author and Independent Certified Speaker, Trainer & Coach

SUPERWOMANSMARTS.COM

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JOHNSON CITY VENUE AT THE KING CENTRE

SHANNON ROBSHAW AND TONY KECK

BO MAGIC, JEFF STRATTON, JULES CORRIERE, AND LINDA POLAND

Mountain States Foundation

Spirit Gala 2018 PHOTOGRAPHY AND STORY BY LINDA COFFEY

The 28th annual Mountain States Foundation Spirit Gala was held on Saturday, January 27th at VENUE at the King Centre in Johnson City. This was the final Spirit Gala for the Mountain States Foundation, which merged with the Laughlin Health Care Foundation and the Wellmont Foundation to create the Ballad Health Foundation.

The theme of this year’s gala was “Club Moxie.” Guests arrived on a red carpet walk to the music of “Good Shot Judy.” They were escorted to decorated elevators, and taken up to the 2nd floor ballroom that was transported back to the roaring ‘20s. Flapper styles were sported by men and women, and there were a few “heisters” working the crowd.

LISA AND TUCKER CARTER

KELLI ANDREWS AND MOLLY LUTON

During the gala, Don Raines was recognized as being the 2018 Spirit Award Winner by the Mountain States Foundation. The award is presented to someone who has passion for his or her community, is recognized as a leader in the region, is highly respected among peers and has demonstrated support for Mountain States Health Alliance’s mission while giving unselfishly of his or her time and talents. Raines is the co-creator of the Niswonger Children’s Hospital Radiothon, which has raised more than $1,000,000 over its five-year history.

All the proceeds from the Spirit Gala will go to the renovation of Johnson City Medical Center’s intensive care unit healing garden. For more information on the Ballad Health Foundation, visit www.BalladHealth.org/foundation.

DR. ERIC AND TREVA SELLERS

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ASHLEY AND STEVE GRINDSTAFF

REBECCA SIMERLY, MEAGHAN SMITH, AND KATIE FERGUSON

DEBBIE ENGLAND

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3/1/18 3:15 PM

“ON THE ROCKS” BARTENDING

JEFF STRATTON

DIANNA AND BOB CANTLER

“All real estate is personal.”

- Rhonda Krenzer

ROBERT RAINES, DON RAINES, AND PETRA BECKER RAINES

Rhonda Krenzer knows that nothing is more personal than where you choose to live or work. That’s why East Tennesseans have relied on Rhonda Krenzer to buy and sell more than 4,000 homes and commercial properties.

For a personal real estate experience, call (423) 312-4488 or email rhondakrenzer@aol.com KEITH WILSON AND PAM COX

VIPSEEN-Mar18.indd 71

PHIL SCHARFSTEIN, JOHN MARSHALL, AND LEWIS WEXLER, JR.

RhondaKrenzer.com ReMax Real Estate Ten | 2320 W. Morris Blvd., Morristown, TN 37813 | (423) 581-8881 Each office independently owned and operated.

3/1/18 3:16 PM

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KINGSPORT MEADOWVIEW MARRIOTT CONFERENCE RESORT & CONVENTION CENTER

REP. BUD HULSEY AND ALDERWOMAN COLETTE GEORGE

ERIC DEATON, ERNIE RUMSBY (TC-MAC), AND KINGSPORT CHAMBER PRESIDENT MILES BURDINE

SULLIVAN COUNTY MAYOR RICHARD VENABLE

2018 Regional Legislative Breakfast PHOTOGRAPHY AND STORY BY LINDA COFFEY

The Area Chamber of Commerce’s (Kingsport, Bristol, and Johnson City), joined with the Tennessee Chamber of Commerce & Industry to host the 2018 Regional Legislative Breakfast on Friday, January 28th at the MeadowView Marriott Conference Resort and Convention Center.

KINGSPORT MAYOR JOHN CLARK

BRIDGET BAIRD, JILL SALYERS, AND JAMES KING

Senator Jon Lundberg started the meeting by focusing on issues for the 102th General Assembly. He stated that more people are moving to Tennessee and unemployment is down significantly. Following Senator Lundberg, several Representatives took the podium to provide updates for the audience. All stressed an “Open Door” policy and the need to hear from businesses and individuals in the region.

One issue that received a lot of attention was the Opioid crisis in Tennessee. It was stressed that it will take all of us to deal with the situation and break the cycle.

Tony Keck, Government Relations Chair of the Kingsport Chamber, led a Questions and Answer Session after the remarks. Several issues were addressed; including the Tennessee Connect Program, Tobacco’s Pre-emption Bill, and the Aerospace Park.

DENNIS WAGNER, REP. JOHN CRAWFORD, SULLIVAN COUNTY COMMISSIONER PATRICK SHULL, AND LARRY CRAWFORD

BOB FEATHERS, MONTY MCCLAURIN, TONY KECK, AND ALLAN LEVINE

The event was well attended and it was evident that the State Legislators are working with the business community to enhance our state and address significate issues.

JULIE BENNETT AND SEN. JON LUNDBERG

CONGRESSMAN PHIL ROE AND SAM JONES

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KINGSPORT BROAD STREET

RICK DOLLAR IS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE MOUNTAIN MUSIC MUSEUM

MELISSA SANDERS (DIR. DKA) AND RADIO PERSONALITY AND MUSICIAN TIM WHITE POSE WITH MEMBERS OF THE DOWNTOWN KINGSPORT ASSOCIATION

ROBERT WHITE, SHIRLEY GRANT, AND PEGGY MARTIN

Mountain Music Museum Reopening PHOTOGRAPHY AND STORY BY CRYSTAL DAWN CARTER

EDNA AND JAMES RIDDICK

CHARLOTTE MULLINS

Patrons peeked in even before the 10am opening to study the exhibits and to get good seats for a day filled with music.

It was a packed house by the “reopening” of the doors of the Mountain Music Museum that opened in downtown Kingsport on Saturday, January 27. The museum held their celebration at their new location after relocating the museum from Bristol to Downtown Kingsport.

“Now every part of the Tri-Cities has something to offer. Bristol has the birthplace, Johnson City has the music program (referencing ETSU’s Old Time and Bluegrass Music program), and now Kingsport has the Mountain Music Museum,” says Executive Director Rick Dollar.

Dollar hopes to use the museum for both tourism and educational purposes. The Appalachian Cultural Music Association (ACMA) is working toward building those programs. The Association operates the museum and its programs on donations.

The day featured music from Big Like the Ocean, Tim White, and Kaitlyn Baker. Ralph Stanley II headlined the show. Stanley also helped to unveil an exhibit featuring items that belonged to his father, famed Bluegrass musician Dr. Ralph Stanley. Stanley was a musical pioneer along with his brother Carter.

ANDY GRIFFITH EXHIBIT

The ACMA plans to hold several musical events at The Renaissance Arts Center, as well as smaller events at Pickin Porch Stage II at their location at 316 Broad Street.

For more information on the Mountain Music Museum follow them on Facebook @Appalachian Cultural Music Association.

TAMMY AND KAITLYN BAKER

MILLIE AND ABBY FREEBURN

VIEW FROM THE STAGE

ART DISPLAYS

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KINGSPORT MEADOWVIEW MARRIOTT CONFERENCE RESORT & CONVENTION CENTER

RENEE WOODRUFF

PATRON BISHOP JAMES B. WALKER, PRESIDENT DR. PRINCESS A. PEGUES, AND HOST BISHOP HENRY M. WILLIAMSON, SR.

Women’s Missionary Council

Presents Gifts to HOPE, Inc to Celebrate 100 year Anniversary PHOTOGRAPHY AND STORY BY HALEY WHITE

The Women’s Missionary Council of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church celebrated its’ 100-year anniversary at the MeadowView Marriott Conference Resort & Convention Center.

The Council began in Nashville in 1918 and their goals then and now are to provide service and outreach to those abroad and within the United States. They also encouraged members to “Embrace the Future.” As part of their ministry and outreach, The Women’s Missionary Council is committed to leaving a city better than they found it and making a lasting impression on the community. On February 19, The Women’s Missionary Council led by President Dr. Princess A. Pegues (Bastrop, LA), presented a donation of $2,897 to the H.O.P.E. organization of Kingsport.

H.O.P.E. was founded by Stella Robinette in 2008 with the mission to help our potential evolve. H.O.P.E. teaches young people ages 11-19 valuable life skills, inspires future business and community leaders, and advocates multi-cultural understanding within the Tri-Cities. H.O.P.E. is active within the community and gives back to organizations such as Susan G. Komen, Keep Kingsport Beautiful, and United Way. They also provide teens with a chance to earn scholarships for higher education and give back to their community through donations and mission trips.

To learn more about H.O.P.E. visit www.hopetricities.com and to learn more about The Women’s Missionary Council visit www.womensmissionarycouncilcme.org.

STELLA ROBINETTE FOUNDER AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF HOPE

WOMEN’ MISSIONARY COUNCIL PRESENTS GIFT TO HOPE ORGANIZATION

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GREENEVILLE GENERAL MORGAN INN

DESSI FOSTER, LISA TORBETT, AND TREVA SELLERS

KIM AND DR. MIKE ADLER, STEPPENSTONE FOUNDERS

STEFANIE ROBERTS, ELVIS (DANNY BLACKBURN), AND ANDY CARRIER

SteppenStone Cards, Craps, and Cocktails

Casino Night PHOTOGRAPHY AND STORY BY CRYSTAL DAWN CARTER

MAILIEN AND MIKE ROGERS

CHRIS AND JULIE COLOTTI

The 2 nd Annual Cards, Craps, and Cocktails Casino Night was held January 20, 2018 at the Historic General Morgan Inn in Greeneville. The Saturday night event featured a night of gambling, an Elvis photo booth, heavy hors d’oeuvres, and lots of dancing.

SteppenStone Youth Treatment Center is a center for young men that have suffered from severe physical, sexual, or emotional abuse. It provides a safe environment for them to receive the treatment needed to help these young boys grow into great men.

The facility is run by Dr. Mike Adler. He and his wife, Kim, are also the dance partners for those participating in the center’s largest yearly fundraiser–Dancing with the Tri-Cities Stars.

ERIN OAKLEY, PATIENCE MCKEEVER, AND BECKY RIDEOUT

Along with the many casino games available for gambling with “fun” money, one could also bet on the horse races, or take a safer gamble by taking a chance on one of the many silent auction items, including a pearl jewelry set, photo sessions, and many more items.

For more information about SteppenStone Youth Treatment Center, please go to their website at www.steppenstoneyouth.org or like them on Facebook.

LAS VEGAS MEETS EAST TENNESSEE

WINNING “BIG” MONEY AT THE CASINO

Pet Personals VIPSEEN TRI-CITIES CLASSIFIEDS

Proudly Sponsored by Isaacs Pools and Spas | March2018 COLA is catahoula pit mix is 2.5-3 years old, spayed, and dog friendly (with dogs her size or bigger). She knows how to sit and she is very sweet. She has since shared her kennel with multiple dogs and has been fantastic. She would make a great running buddy. She is around 40-45 lbs.

ROXY is a 2 year old Pit mix that is spayed.

She originally came to the shelter as a stray and was adopted out. She was returned when she did not get along well enough with another dog in the household. However, do not let that discourage you as she is doing fine with most dogs at the shelter. Roxy is housebroken and loves to play. She has a lot of energy. She is very sweet and playful.

DOBIE is a 1 year old, Rottweiler, Hound, Lab mix. Dobie loves to play. He wants lots of affection. He knows how to sit and possibly more commands. As you can see, he can ham it up for the camera. He has a very happy personality.

petworkstn.com 2141 Idle Hour Road | Kingsport, TN 37660 | (423) 247-1671 MEET LUCY. She is a Border Collie mix and around 6 years old. She has been at the shelter for almost 2 months and she is one of the best dogs in the shelter! She is good with kids, other animals, is housebroken and leash trained, is spayed, and has lived indoors her whole life.

Watch the videos and you will see how sweet this girl is and how much she wants to be loved.

Please consider fostering or adopting Lucy.

MEET ROXY. She is around 2 years old and is a Heeler mix. She is housebroken, good with kids, other dogs, and is very sweet.

She knows some commands too. She loves to play and give affection. She loves to play with other dogs. Please consider adopting or fostering this sweet girl.

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KINGSPORT KINGSPORT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

AMY MARGARET MCCALL AND ERNIE RUMSBY

LINDY WILLIAMS AND EMILY FRANKLIN

BRIAN BISHOP, SAM JONES, AND ALLEN JACKSON

Tri-Cities Military Affairs Council January Meeting PHOTOGRAPHY AND STORY BY LINDA COFFEY

Tri-Cities Military Affairs Council held their January Meeting on the 23rd at the Kingsport Chamber. The chamber board room was packed for the breakfast meeting and guests enjoyed catching up with friends while sipping on coffee and eating biscuits from Bojangles’ prior to the start of the agenda.

The meeting began with an invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance. After the approval of minutes and the budget, several special presentations were made to guests/members in attendance.

ANGELA BAKER BEING RECOGNIZED BY ERNIE RUMSBY FOR THE ONGOING SUPPORT OF TC-MAC

JIM HUNTER AND DON GRINDSTAFF

Lindy Williams accepted a certificate of appreciation to the Sullivan South Air Force JROTC for their support of “Wreaths Across America”.

A certificate of appreciation was presented to the Leadership Kingsport Class of 2017 for their inclusion of the Kingsport Veteran’s Memorial in the Kingsport Selfie Trail.

Amy Margaret McCall received a certificate of appreciation for her work to raise public awareness of the Kingsport Veteran’s Memorial and the Gold Star Families Monument.

Angela Baker, Founder/Publisher of VIPSEEN Magazine, was recognized with a plaque for her continued support of the Military and Veteran community in the Tri-Cities Region.

After the presentation, regional military and veteran organizations provided updates about their work in the region.

TC-MAC is organized to recognize, encourage, support, and be an advocate for military and veteran affairs in North East Tennessee as they relate to national defense and economic vitality of the area. For more information, visit their website at www.tc-mac.org

EDIE LOWRY, HANNAH SICK, AND MELINDA HITE

ERNIE RUMSBY AND ERIN WEEMS

LINDY WILLIAMS AND ERNIE RUMSBY

AMY MARGARET MCCALL, VANESSA BENNETT, JENNY KONTOS, ERNIE RUMSBY, AND BRIAN PHILIPS

APRIL 21, 2018 REGISTER NOW KomenEastTN.org

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KINGSPORT KINGSPORT FARMERS MARKET

KRISTEN ARWOOD, MARK KILGORE, AND EMILY SPENCER

TAYLOR COOPER AND CRAIG FORRESTER

ROBIN ENIX-GOINS AND CHEROKEE CHAVIS

Kingsport Idol 2018

Allstar Concert PHOTOGRAPHY AND STORY BY LOGAN BAILEY

BABY MELODY AND KRISTEN ARWOOD

JAMES WAGNER, KATIE ROBERTS, LAUREN SANDERS, AND GRANT WILMOTH

For the first time ever, Knoxville TVA Credit Union and Bays Mountain Park presented the “Kingsport Idol Allstar Concert”, which featured finalists from former “Kingsport Idol” singing competitions. Local singers from the past 11 years of the competition participated in this event on Saturday, February 10th in the Kingsport Farmers Market. Dozens of individuals and families came out to support their favorite performers and to witness the outstanding talent displayed on stage.

The event hosted live performances from the finalists including the following song selections: Demi Lovato’s “Stone Cold” performed by Taylor Cooper, Sam Cooke’s “Change is Gonna Come” performed by Patience Gardner, and Elvis Presley ’s “Can’t Help Falling in Love” performed by Emily Spencer. In total, 16 unique singers provided a spectacular night of talent to the Kingsport community.

PATIENCE GARDNER, CHICO GARDNER, AND BABY ROMAN DUNN

FERN STAPLETON AND KARLEY DOB

Are you interested in joining the 2018 “Kingsport Idol” singing competition? Registration begins March 1st and continues through April 30th. There is no charge to audition! Find all the details at www.kingsportidols.com. For more information, contact Mark Kilgore at MarkSKilgore@yahoo.com.

VIPSEEN

MUSIC by Anthony Wayne

The Power of Beauty

I CHOSE NASHVILLE. OR NASHVILLE CHOSE ME. Landing mid nineties, bright eyed and king of some figurative hill I had built. The band I was in, eight or nine strong, chose Nashville as our next level attempt at musical domination. We assumed to be big fish in a small pond and needed growth. A story not uncommon to millions of amazingly talented bright eyed men and women each day.

Kings and Queens of their own hills. The night we landed, I tossed my one grocery bag of clothes and my father’s guitar, a right-handed Alvarez I strung left handed for my playing purposes (a thought I cringe about every day), down on my new bed. In bed in my new castle, we were off to build our new hill.

As luck would have it, I landed a stage and work crew position for all of the major venues in and around Nashville. Immediately thrown to the wolves and flailing as I learned a completely new environment behind and beyond the stage. Was I the best at it? Certainly not.

However, somehow I landed a tech position which allowed me to handle all of the drum kits that toured through Nashville in the late 90’s and early 00’s. As a drummer first, this was unbelievable. To work closely with touring drum techs and every now and then meet some heroes was not a bad gig. I kept my head down, worked hard and did what I knew best.

A particular moment of powerful beauty came in the form of a massively popular festival celebrating the strength and voice of My first two memories of Nashville happened that night. These women in music. Run and operated solely by women for women. memories would ultimately alter my journey and perception It was truly a tremendous thing. At this point, I not only believed drastically. Watching Tracy Chapman play “Fast Car” and watching music had power and beauty but I got to watch it work for the day. three young men play buckets on 2nd Ave. Efficient. Professional. Exciting. Then watch it unfold in front of a capacity crowd. It represented everything I cherish about music.

The boys were quite younger than me. Well rehearsed with timed Connection, Community, Beauty, Strength, Courage, Emotion and rudiments, tight changes and structure, all the while raising one side Love. That festival led me to discover many artists I wasn’t aware to get that low bottom end, exemplary of a kick of and rediscover some I already knew and THE WILLOW TREE, JOHNSON CITY drum. It was quite impressive, to say the least. continue to love to this day.

Much better than bands I had seen up to that point. They were one machine, working in fluid Digging into the business of music, I asked motions, with a call and response interaction.

Teri Dosher, owner and operator of The They were strong. Powerful.

Willow Tree Coffeehouse and Music Room in Johnson City, what music means to her.

The other side of that powerful sound was a female, just as strong, if not more so.

“Music is medicine for me. It soothes me, makes me happy when I’m sad, (it) adds Standing alone with a guitar under a solitary color to my world.” ray of white light. Soft and delicate with her fingers as they traced every string and After years of learning more and more fret. Caressing each note and deliberately about the beauty within music and not being punctuating it as if her next note depended on it. Just as fluid. Just certain if power was what made it beautiful or if the beauty is what as tight and structured. Yet, it contained a beauty and emotion that made it powerful. I could certainly understand the soothing nature cradled it’s delivery. Each breath floating in the air only to be carried and the emotions created. away by its corresponding note. It was beautiful.

Jonya Kennedy, co-owner of In this scenario, some might jokingly argue, that this is just the Breathe Bristol, a yoga studio difference between men and women. The buckets were noisy and in Bristol, TN uses music in her all boy and the beautiful guitar and soft delivery are all girl. In that studio and as a tool in her class. moment, on that night, on my personal hill, I realized music could be both powerful and beautiful and gender didn’t matter. They were “My days are filled with music. miles away from each other, probably having no clue the other Whether I’m working at home or existed, yet, music forever connected them. at the studio or teaching a yoga class, music is on to set the tempo I have no doubt I was aware that beauty existed in powerful musical of my work or my class.” moments. However, as we mature, all of our senses are set afire and reborn with each new experience. A beautiful example of the Julia Barker, owner of Voice By Julia, a studio for voice lessons and journey of Life. And music. If we are open to it, our experiences are coaching in Bristol, VA describes music a “current that connects us constantly teaching. all” and continues further to express her personal connection to it through teaching.

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“Taking a voice in the raw and building it in to a powerful, flexible instrument capable of expressing all the colors that artist feels.”

Alternately, from the artist perspective, Trisha Gene Brady, a hard working independent singer songwriter says “Music is my world and it means everything to me. I want to share it and I want to see others creating and succeeding”. Share it she shall, with her debut “I Have You” releasing this Spring.

TRISHA GENE BRADY

Asheville, NC based singer songwriter, Hope Griffin, grew up with music in the family and says “music for me is all about learning how to capture what I’m feeling and communicate it in a way that best connects with my audience.”

HOPE GRIFFIN, ASHEVILLE

The audience. The fans. As lovers of music, this is where we all connect on the surface.

Cassidy Jane Hutchinson, an instructor at Breathe Bristol, says music is a “form of self expression and whether you’re listening to it or making it, music has the ability to alter your mood and your environment.” As fans, we can all give commentary on how powerful and beautiful music is. How it affects our senses.

Cassidy goes on to say she admires the artists that stay working in the scene. “I admire this so much from artists, this is how it stays real because it is not an easy gig. So much goes into keeping it all together and letting it all out.”

Some fans are in the business. These businesses give artists a home and stage, thus giving us all room to be fans. Cyclical by design.

From a hill in Nashville, I learned that all music is powerful. That power was truly rooted in beauty. Even though there can be many perspectives, from the artist to the business and then to the fan, we are all closely connected. Bound by a true passion called music. A passion that we all consume, interpret and then use in various different ways.

Never caring what gender was creating, we are all using the same tools. Expressing the same emotions while having the same feelings.

Singers, songwriters, teachers, instructors, venue owners, booking agents, listeners and lovers all joined through sound and our collective love of it. It’s beautiful and fantastic. Loud and delicate. Boy and Girl.

From the bucket to the stage. All under the same light.

It’s Music.

IT’S US. IT’S OUR STORY. WHAT’S YOURS?

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KINGSPORT MARRIOTT MEADOWVIEW CONFERENCE RESORT & CONVENTION CENTER

AMY DORAN AND DON CAMPBELL

JENNY AND RANDALL FALCONER

DEBBIE WAGGONER AND MICHAEL QUINN

The 9th Annual CASA

Red Shoe Gala PHOTOGRAPHY AND STORY BY LINDA COFFEY

The 9th Annual CASA Red Shoe Gala was held on February 10th at Marriott Meadowview Resort. The event began with a cocktail hour and silent auction. Over 155 items were included in the silent auction and the bidding was active. Entertainment was provided by Joseph Falconer (Cello) and Baoxu Shen (Piano).

When the doors to the ballroom opened, guests were ushered into a beautifully decorated room for dinner and dancing. Mary Kilpatrick, Director of CASA and Adam Tate, President of the Board, welcomed attendees. After dining, The Extraordinaires came on stage and the crowd enjoyed dancing to the music!

EMILY BARNES AND ADAM TATE (BOARD PRESIDENT)

MARY AND PAT SHULL

Jeff Bowlin, auctioneer, led a live auction and bidding was very competitive.

The highlight of the evening was the Red Shoe Contest, emceed

by Larry Crawford. Separate competitions were held for men and women. The contestants paraded their red shoes in unique and fun ways. The winner for the women was Ginny Ervin and Michael Maughon won first place for the men.

The professionally trained community volunteers of CASA advocate for dependent, abused, and neglected children.

The goal of CASA is that each CASA child’s best interest is served, and they are placed in safe and secure homes.

For more information on CASA, visit their website at www.casa4kidsinc.org

RICHARD AND PHYLLIS VENABLE WITH MARY MARGARET AND HOYT DENTON

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TODD FAMILY

JUDY AND WAYNE DEERE

ANN MARIE AND CHRIS TORRENCE

ANDREW PERKINS AND JACQUELYN CRAWFORD

1ST PLACE WINNER – GINNY ERVIN

HITTING THE DANCE FLOOR!

1ST PLACE WINNER – MEN MICHAEL MAUGHON

PHOTO BOMB!

TIM LARSON AND BECKY SUMMERS

MICHELLE BROWN AND FRANK HARRINGTON

WOW is a group of female entrepreneurs and business owners that gets together regularly, to connect with mentors and mentees, share resources and best practices, continue to learn, be creative and have fun.

We welcome members from across the Tri-Cities (including Kingsport, Johnson City, and Bristol and the surrounding communities in Northeast TN and Southwest VA). kosbe.org/wow

MICKEY SMITH AND JO ZIMMERMAN

MISSY STURGILL AND JO GREGG

WAYNE AND KETA HAWLEY

Join Us.

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JOHNSON CITY MILLENNIUM CENTRE

JOY MCCRAY AND SHERRI FEATHERS

LAURA BAILEY AND DAKOTA REYNOLDS

Johnson City Chamber Annual

Membership Meeting PHOTOGRAPHY AND STORY BY CRYSTAL DAWN CARTER

Johnson City/Washington County Chamber of Commerce kicked off the new year with their annual membership meeting. The event was held at the Millennium Centre in Johnson City.

The tables were filled with a variety of area business representatives.

Those in attendance were given a look at the great accomplishments the chamber members have shared this past year, and a look at new projects to look toward in the coming year.

BRYAN BREEDING, HALL OF FAME AWARD WINNER BILL BREEDING, AND BRAD BREEDING

Bill Breeding, Board President in 1998, was honored as the newest Hall of Fame recipient.

Along with the presentation of the award, the annual passing of the gavel from the current President, Kelly Price, to Andy Dietrich took place.

Another highlight of the day was the chance to meet and speak with ETSU’s new Head Coach Randy Sanders, who will take over the football program at the University.

For more information on the work of the Johnson City/Washington County Chamber of Commerce visit their Facebook page or go to www.johnsoncitychamber.com.

AL SPITZER AND BRENDA WHITSON

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TEMBRA ALDRIDGE

ROSE FULTON AND CINDY ANDERSON

LARRY SHAVER AND JOHN KING

TRAVIS CUNNINGHAM AND CARRAH RINER

THE DIETRICH FAMILY

ERICK AND ELLEN HERRINS WITH LOTTIE RYANS

JENNA MOORE AND MAYOR DAVID TOMITA

ANDY DIETRICH, KELLY PRICE, AND MILES BURDINE

ETSU FOOTBALL COACH RANDY SANDERS, PHIL CARRIGER, AND PAUL MONTGOMERY

DR. BRIAN NOLAND, GARY MABRY, AND DR. BILL GREER

MARK KINSER, ANDY HALL, SCOTT LEDFORD, AND DR. BRIAN NOLAND

RICK HENSLEY AND BOB HAYWOOD

AMELIA NESSETH AND KRISTAN GINNING

PENNY PAVITT, TRAVIS MERRELL, CREE HYDER, AND SHERRY BOSWELL

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RANDY BOYD, ETTA CLARK, JENNY BOYD AND KINGSPORT MAYOR JOHN CLARK

Kingsport Chamber

71st Annual Dinner PHOTOGRAPHY BY ERIC DONAHUE, NATHAN MAYS, CHRIS KUDERA, AND RACHEL BURRUS | STORY SUBMITTED

The Kingsport Spirit, as it was so eloquently defined by J. Fred Johnson, one of Kingsport’s founding fathers, was celebrated February 2nd at the Kingsport Chamber 71st Annual Dinner!

BOB FEATHERS CONGRATULATES STEPHEN LAHAIR

OLIVIA LAHAIR SAYS THE PRAYER

Hosted at the MeadowView Marriott Conference Resort & Convention Center, “the Nation’s Number One Party Band” – Party on the Moon – entertained another record and sold-out crowd of more than 1,700 at “Kingsport’s Social Event of the Year!” The event remains the largest Chamber annual dinner in the nation.

“It was another great night for Kingsport and the Kingsport Chamber,” said Kenny Lawrence, Kingsport Chamber 71st Annual Dinner chair and WJHL News Channel 11/ABC Tri-Cities president and general manager. “The team at WJHL News Channel 11 and ABC Tri-Cities was once again excited to host this magnificent event…now for our nineteenth consecutive time.”

Celebrating the Kingsport Spirit was the theme for the evening’s affair as community and business leaders highlighted another solid year of growth and development for the city.

GARY MABREY, JERRY CALDWELL, ANDY DIETRICH, BETH RHINEHART, BOB FEATHERS, AND MILES BURDINE

“We have so much to be thankful for in this community,” said 2017 Kingsport Chamber chair Stephen LaHair, co-owner of Chef ’s Pizzeria and KAOS Investments. “We are so blessed to call Kingsport our home…a great place with great people who care deeply about their neighbors and this community. And what a remarkable year this city enjoyed. The list of highlights is staggering.”

“Excellence and execution…Kingsport continues to excel to new levels every year,” said 2018 Kingsport Chamber chair Bob Feathers, president of WorkSpace Interiors and owner of East Coast Wings & Grill. “And 2018 looks even more promising as we continue to build on the many accomplishments we enjoyed last year.”

DOBYNS-BENNETT DRUMLINE MAKES AN ENTRANCE

Eastman served as title sponsor and WJHL News Channel 11/ ABC Tri-Cities was the host sponsor. Holston Valley Medical Center presented the entertainment, Eastman Credit Union served as concert hall and stage sponsor, Appalachian Power, Chef’s Pizzeria, East Coast Wings & Grill and WorkSpace Interiors were the associate sponsors, and Food City was the printing sponsor. More than 120 Kingsport Chamber members sponsored the popular affair. www.vipseenmag.com | march 2018

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SEEN IN

KINGSPORT MEADOWVIEW MARRIOTT CONFERENCE RESORT & CONVENTION CENTER

BEVERLY BOLING, MELANIE BUCHANAN, AND ELAINE BOONE

KATIE PRENDERGAST AND AUSTIN WILLIS

PARTY ON THE MOON LEAD SINGER, JEFFREY THIMAS

FORMER KINGSPORT MAYOR DENNIS PHILLIPS

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LEANN AND STATE REP. JOHN CRAWFORD

JOHN AND ANGELA VACHON WITH DESSI AND JOSH FOSTER

LINDA BOWMAN O’DELL AND SHAWN O’DELL

ALDERMAN TOMMY OLTERMAN AND PAT BREEDING

BILL AND CAROLINE DARDEN WITH CLARINDA ROE, CONGRESSMAN PHIL ROE, AND BILL LEE

JEFF CASSIDY AND TABATHA MITCHELL

WADE AND SUSIE HORTON

ROB BUNCH

ERNIE RUMSBY AND STATE COMPTROLLER JASON MUMPOWER

SEEN IN

KINGSPORT MEADOWVIEW MARRIOTT CONFERENCE RESORT & CONVENTION CENTER

CHERYL RUSSELL, STATE REP. BUD HULSEY, AND DOUG GINN

SHERRI JESSE AND ANTHONY WAYNE

GENERAL KURT WINSTEAD, MARY WINSTEAD, AND ROBERT SCOTT BLEEKS

MARY AND PAT SHULL

PARTY ON THE MOON ALWAYS DELIVERS

JEREMY HARR AND KATIE DOUTHAT

ANGELA AND BARRY BRAAN

JOHN AND HEATHER KUNYSZ WITH KETA AND WAYNE HAWLEY

1ST SARGEANT ANDREW STITT AND MAJOR KYLE MAY

SHELBY AND ANDY SKIDMORE

ASHLEY AND STEVE GRINDSTAFF

JOE WARD BOOTH AND PAMELA BOOTH

BECKY AND ERIC DONAHUE

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SEEN IN

BRISTOL FOUNDATION EVENT FACILITY

2nd Annual Wine &

Chocolate Festival PHOTOGRAPHY BY APPLE RIDGE PHOTOGRAPHY | STORY SUBMITTED

Chocolate and wine for a good cause – who could ask for more? Folks from across the region enjoyed an evening of chocolate tastings from local vendors, wine tasting courtesy of Parkway Wine & Liquor, a donation bar featuring Bristol Station beers, live music and dancing with Mick Glasgow and The House Hoppers, silent auction and cork pull. All proceeds from the evening benefit the Children’s Advocacy Center and all Children’s Programs at Highlands Community Services.

“We are so excited to be in our second year of this fun event. I couldn’t be happier with our sponsors, donors, community partners, and the crowd that came out to support all our Children’s Services. Plans are already underway for next year, so mark your calendar for the first Friday in February,” Alexandra Veatch, HCS Director of Communications.

For more information on the work of Highlands Community Services and the Wine & Chocolate Festival visit WineAndChocolateFestival.com.

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SEEN IN

KINGSPORT MEADOWVIEW MARRIOTT CONFERENCE RESORT & CONVENTION CENTER

CURRENT MAYOR OF KINGSPORT JOHN CLARK WITH DANNY O. AND FORMER MAYOR OF SULLIVAN COUNTY AND THE TENNESSEE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVE RICHARD VENABLE.

The Blake at Kingsport

CAROLINE BARRY, MARKETING DIRECTOR OF THE BLAKE, WITH JADA AND GAVIN BRIGGS WELCOMING THEIR GUESTS.

KELSEY DYKES AND JOSHUA EVANS

Open House PHOTOGRAPHY AND STORY BY KATIE DAY

On Thursday, January 18th, The Blake hosted a celebration to introduce their new resort-style assisted living home in Kingsport, Tennessee. Many were in attendance that night including the co-owners, executive director, developers, the Mayor of Kingsport and many future residents!

“I’m very excited. The people of Kingsport have been great!” One of the co-owners, and co-founder of The Blake, Glenn Barclay said.

JIM HASELSTEINER AND PATTI JO WILLIAMS WITH CAO PHARMACY NETWORK SERVICES ENJOYING THE RECEPTION.

RUSTY LITTLE AND MORGAN KING

The Blake provides a sense of independence while offering customized wellness plans with a 24-hour nursing staff for its residents. The Blake is being built on 915 Holston Hills Drive, off of Fort Henry Drive in Kingsport. The new assisted living home is expected to open later this year. For more information on The Blake at Kingsport, visit www.blakeliving.com/kingsport/home/.

DURING THE RECEPTION, GLENN BARCLAY SPOKE TO ALL THE GUESTS PRESENT OF HOW THE BLAKE WAS FOUNDED.

THE TIDES BEACH BAND PLAYING AT THE RECEPTION.

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RESIDENTS OF THE BLAKE, DOROTHY AND RON, WITH EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR NICOLE BRIGGS.

GLENN BARCLAY, CO-FOUNDER AND CO-OWNER OF THE BLAKE, POSING WITH FORMER MAYOR OF KINGSPORT DENNIS PHILLIPS AND DEVELOPER DAN ELCAN OF ELCAN AND ASSOCIATES.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR NICOLE BRIGGS AND CO-OWNER JUDY BELK ENJOYING THE RECEPTION.

SEEN IN

BRISTOL HOLIDAY INN

ABRAHAM AND LEAH NAKHOUL

ROBERT AND PHOEBE MITCHELL

MY DAD HAS THE MOVES!

10th Annual Bows & Bow Ties Father Daughter Ball PHOTOGRAPHY AND STORY BY LINDA COFFEY

TODD AND MCKINLEIGH DEWAR

TIM AND CALLALISA BAKER

The Bristol Ballet held their 10th Annual Bows & Bow Ties Father Daughter Ball on Sunday, February 11th. The event was held at the Holiday Inn – Bristol, Virginia. As the beautiful girls arrived, all dressed up in their finest attire, they had the opportunity to have a keepsake photo made with their father or male caregiver. After the photo, they entered one of the ballrooms that was set up with decorated tables for refreshments. Across the hall, in another ballroom, the dance floor was crowded with all dancing to the music presented by DJ Express.

Several of the girls were wearing their first corsages or carrying single rose buds presented to them by their fathers or male caregivers. There was a lot of hugging and smiles throughout the afternoon.

The event was presented by Blue-Emu and Highland Union Bank.

Make sure and mark your calendars for the 2019 event, it is a wonderful opportunity to create lasting memories.

LEILA AND CLINT KENDRICK

COREY AND KENZLEE YOUNG

KEITH AND ANNIE TOLES

SPECIAL TIME TOGETHER!

Bristol Ballet has been inspiring young people with the art of dance since 1948. They were recently selected as a “50 for 50 Arts Inspiration” by the Virginia Commission for the Arts. For more information about the Bristol Ballet, visit their website at www.bristolballet.org

SWEENEY FAMILY

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(Sad, but) TRUE CONFESSIONS

hey say confession is good for the soul. At least that’s what I’ve T always heard. I don’t know who “they” are, or why “they” think confession is good for a person. I suspect it’s because “they” are nosey and want to make themselves feel better by judging the rest of us.

Recently, I was diagnosed with both Flu A and Flu B at the same time… because I’m an overachiever. If I can’t have all the flus, I don’t want any of them. Ugh. Anyway, while I was sick, I had a lot of time to think. As I lay on my couch looking at the undecorated, but still standing Christmas trees (“judge not, lest ye be also judged”), ready with an explanation for surprise guests – it’s a winter tree – I decided I’d feel better just to come clean about several things. So, here goes:

v My great grandfather always had a hidden stash of circus peanuts and Hershey’s kisses that no one knew about (well, no one was supposed to know about). Ever since I was in 8th grade, I have always had a stash of candy in my house and sometimes in my car: always hidden from plain view (i.e. not for public consumption). v It’s no secret that I want to injure people who chew with their mouths open, but what might surprise you is that when I’m sleeping in the same room with anyone who snores, I smother them just a little. Not enough to kill them, but just enough to make them wake up and turn over.

v I am in competition with everyone at all times. I’m not competing with you in important things like sales or promotions, but if you and I pull up to the pharmacy or bank window at the same time, whether you know it or not, you and I are in competition. I will gain the attention of the teller or pharmacist, and my car will pull away from there before yours.

v I always leave two or three bites of food on my plate, because I feel like those last two bites keep people from finding out that I’m a compulsive eater.

v I am terrified of snakes. I can’t even say the word out loud.

I call them “S’s”. I never sit on the toilet without looking to make sure there isn’t one in the bowl. I never make my bed without looking under it to make sure there isn’t one waiting to bite my feet. I never check the temperature of a faucet without wondering if one could actually come through. Forget monsters, it’s the reptiles I fear most.

v I’m freakishly strong. Obviously, I never go to the gym, so it’s apparently a God-given gift. Some people get brains, some get beauty…I got flabby arms that can actually lift a lot of stuff.

v I have the strangest dreams. Dream analysts could study me for years and never crack the code of my brain. I often dream I’m falling, and by often, I mean every night of my life. I dream I’m swimming in a fancy resort pool that I shouldn’t be in or that I have gone to college without my pants on or that it’s the first day of a new semester and I can’t find my classes. I am a psychoanalyst’s dream.

THE

WIT

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v I never ever tuck in my shirt, because it makes me look like the Michelin Man.

v When my kids were little, I always forgot about the tooth fairy, so I would throw a dollar in the floor beside their bed and tell them that the tooth fairy missed. When their friends would tell my kids that the tooth fairy gave them $20, I told them that the tooth fairy in our district was old and cheap. v One time, when I was little, my older sister made me eat dog food and dared me to tell our parents. She swears she didn’t do it, but she and I both know she did. Also, if you’re going to eat dog food, do not eat Tony’s brand (if that brand still exists). v I have been known to accidentally, on purpose step on the toes of or ‘fall into’ someone who gets on my nerves or says something ugly to me. I’m grown up like that. v I can’t have a serious conversation with someone who has a unibrow, too much makeup on, or mispronounces words because I can’t concentrate on what they are saying. It’s hard being a child in a grown up body. v I’ve traveled the world. I’ve been to the Louvre and to Broadway shows, but I’m not very cultured. I hate art museums and the theater. I’d rather chew my own arm off and beat myself to death with it than walk slowly through a quiet hall looking at paintings. v If I feel bad, have an ache, or pain, I Google my symptoms and diagnose myself. I’m currently pretty sure that I have an aneurysm and I might be pregnant. v When my kids were small, I used to turn up the radio in the car so I could unwrap candy without them hearing. v When I was pregnant with my youngest child, I made a batch of no-bake oatmeal cookies every day and ate all the batter straight out of the pan.

So there you have it, friends. These are just a few of my deepest, darkest, strangest confessions. Before you judge me to harshly, take a moment and think of your own weird confessions. I bet you won’t think me so odd after all.

Love, Beth Beth is a wife to Stephen, mother of 2 boys, and business owner who is passionate about Jesus. She likes the color orange, good grammar, and junk food; she detests misspelled words, laziness, and mouth noises of all kinds. She is also passionate about helping people create residual income by working part time from home. www.bethstreet.myrandf.com 96

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