Smyrna Spotlights: Journey Through Local Smyrna

By Brittany Stevens

Smyrna Spotlights: Journey Through Local Smyrna is a celebration of small businesses in Smyrna, Tennessee. More than forty-five business owners graciously share stories from the early days of starting their businesses, including their biggest challenges, proudest milestones, lessons learned, what it means to support local and why supporting local is so important, all in their own words. Their stories are powerful. Many have never been shared publicly… until now. Support local. Support Smyrna.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Brittany Stevens
• Release date: Sep 10, 2021
• ISBN: 9798201973629

Book preview

Smyrna Spotlights

Smyrna Spotlights

Journey Through Local Smyrna

Brittany Scarlett Stevens

Copyright © 2021 by Brittany Scarlett Stevens

All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

Edited by Zach Bohannon and Jennifer Collins

Author photo by Barbara Potter Photography

Contents

Foreword

Introduction

Raborn Insurance

Jo’s Custom Cakes And Catering

Biscuit Media Group

Bella Vista Coffee Shop

Red Wagon Nursery

Vanessa Haley, Makeup Artist/Aesthetician

The Casual Pint

Dow Smith Company, Inc.

Breaking Bread

Buckle And Hide Leather

Bob’s Barbecue

Nesting Project

Tom’s Florist

Walden Pumpkin Farm

Racquel Peebles, Attorney At Law

Custom Cup Sleeves

The Salt Barn

Game Galaxy Arcade

Sarah’s Clean Team

The Remington Room

Front Street Sign Company

Courtnie R. Dunn, Author

Dr. Automotive

Affi Pest & Wildlife

Wilson’s Photography | Bridal Country

Legacy Wine & Spirits

Cloud 9 Mobile Grooming

Janarty’s Homemade Ice Cream

Stevens Law, PLLC

Smyrna Ready Mix

The Social Nutrition

Faded University

Marty Luffman, State Farm Insurance

Barbara Potter Photography

Designs By Sylvanye

Carpe Cafe & Carpe Artista

Glam House | Glam House Skin

Gil’s Ace Hardware

Azteca Bakery And Eatery

Ginger Farms

Tony’s Shoe Repair

Steve John’s Appliance & Parts

Crimson Security Service

Family And Cosmetic Dentistry Of Smyrna

Smyrna Printing & Design

Zach Bohannon, Author

How To Support Local

Acknowledgments

About the Author

For Smyrna, and my beloved family.

Foreword

By Mary Esther Reed, Smyrna Mayor

The Learning Circle, Owner

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Welcome to the Town of Smyrna. I’m Mary Esther Reed and it is my privilege to serve as the Mayor of this great community. I have lived here my entire life and have watched our community grow from 4,500 residents to over 50,000. Being Mayor is a part-time position in Smyrna; my full-time job is as a small business owner.

I believe every business is a key contributor to a healthy local economy, but small businesses are the backbone of communities across this country. Smyrna is a vibrant, growing community, but remains a small Town at heart. As Mayor, it is important to me that our Town leadership promotes and supports local businesses to foster connectivity and strengthen relationships here in Smyrna.

Small, locally owned businesses are unique and bring character to our community. But they are so much more. I believe that the foundation of a strong community is neighbor helping neighbor, and small businesses are an essential component of this foundation. These entrepreneurs are the ones who support local events, local schools, local non-profits and foster new and old traditions that create and maintain our small-Town charm.  Small business owners have planted roots in Smyrna, weaving themselves into the fabric of our community, making residents and visitors feel welcome. My hope is that our current residents and those moving to our Town choose to plant their roots here because they feel connected and want to be a part of our wonderful community. I invite each of you to the Town of Smyrna so you can see what a vibrant community we have planted and continue to grow.

Introduction

I am what you would call a born and bred local, having had the incredible fortune of living my entire life in Smyrna, Tennessee. I grew up here, eventually co-founding a law practice with my brother, Robert, and have been very involved in my church and the community, as well as in the nonprofit space, for as long as I can remember. To put it simply, Smyrna is my home. This community has been so wonderful to myself and my family. I’ve also enjoyed having a front row seat to the innovation driving the exponential growth taking place in our town, thanks in large part to many of the individuals featured throughout this book. 

My intention and overall purpose for this book is to educate and inspire each of us to be more intentional with our spending habits and to support our local businesses as much as possible, all in order to preserve our small (but growing!) town’s uniqueness.

As of this publication, I am Court Clerk for the Town of Smyrna. I was first elected in 2016 and have proudly held the seat ever since. That said, I never set out to run for public office. Prior to my current role, I enjoyed my (very) private citizen status as a practicing attorney. However, when there came an immediate need for someone to fill the seat due to a sudden vacancy, I said a prayer, took a leap of faith, and stepped up to serve my community. Serving in this capacity has been the highest honor of my professional career to date, and I will always be grateful to my constituents for giving me this amazing opportunity. My elected position has provided me a platform I may not have otherwise had, and I strive to use my platform in a positive manner that inspires, uplifts, and empowers others. Also, I hope to encourage others to give back and support our local community as much as possible: to shop local, buy local, eat local, play local… you get the idea. There are many social benefits to supporting small and local businesses—and I promise you’ll learn about them throughout this book. Namely, our small businesses give back to the community and fuel our local economy. They flavor our community and serve as the fabric of our small town’s story. These are the businesses that step up to sponsor our Little League teams and show up to support our local nonprofits. In fact, through the Clerks for Coats coat drive, several of the small businesses spotlighted throughout this book have helped the Smyrna Court Clerk’s Office collect nearly 1,000 winter clothing donations over the last four years, all for children in our very own community. 

I could go on and on about the value of these businesses and their stories, but that’s what this book is about: I’ll let these inspiring business owners share their unique stories all in their own words. 

Why publish this book to showcase some of our small businesses, and why now? As much as these businesses have helped our community, we all know they’ve recently needed our support more than ever. The COVID-19 pandemic tragically shattered many small and local businesses, and it did so on a global scale. Smyrna’s economy was no exception. So although I’ve done my best to use my platform to promote the importance of supporting local businesses over the years, I knew I had to do more when our businesses took a hit. I genuinely wanted to do more. When thinking about how to accomplish something for our town, I came back to the fact that I identify as a lifelong learner and voracious reader, reading between 50-100 books each year—primarily nonfiction books on law, business development, and personal development. The concept of writing a book to spotlight some of our amazing local business leaders came from marrying my immense love for reading and my dream of someday publishing my own book. Hence, Smyrna Spotlights: Journey Through Local Smyrna was born.

There are so many fabulous small businesses right here in Smyrna. I proudly call many of the individuals featured throughout this book my dear friends. They are entrepreneurs, innovators, path-breaking pioneers, and idealists who’ve been bold enough to manifest the American Dream of launching an independent business and executing their vision to make their community, and indeed the world, a better place. Their stories are powerful, and will transform your beliefs on what it takes to own and operate a small business in the post-COVID-19 world.

Smyrna Spotlights is a celebration of our small businesses in Smyrna: a celebration of community cultivation, the resiliency to persist when times get tough, an unwavering dedication to our neighbors’ life work and overall missions. It is a celebration of the journey inspiring millions in local communities all around the world via the movement to #SupportLocal, and so much more.

I hope you are just as inspired by our neighbors’ incredible entrepreneurial journeys as I am. So, sit back, relax, grab a cup of coffee from one of our superb local cafes, and join me in this captivating journey through local Smyrna, spotlighting some of our town’s locally owned small businesses. And when you’re done reading, please be sure to support our local businesses and share their stories with your friends, families, and networks. We must all do our part to support our small businesses in order for them to survive. 

Lastly, in wrapping up this introduction, I should mention that the net proceeds from this book will be donated to local nonprofits. Now, let’s begin our journey….

-Brittany Scarlett Stevens

Raborn Insurance

As told by Baker Raborn

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Website: www.Raborn.net

Email: [e-mail]

Phone: [phone]

Tell me about your (small) business. 

Derek, Greg, and I all shared a room so that dad could start our agency in our third bedroom in 1973. At that time, dad worked for Travelers Insurance. The only other agent in town had just closed, so he decided to start his own agency.

We sell around 75% commercial, and the rest personal and life insurance. Dad retired about twenty years ago, and Derek, Wayne, and I have owned and operated the agency since then.

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What is your favorite part about having a small business in Smyrna?

The community. When you have a business, it gives you the opportunity to get involved in helping your community in ways that might otherwise be complicated. All three of us are involved on many levels with different groups. Small business is very important to local organizations, and Smyrna still has that small town feel even with all the growth, which makes it extra special.

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How did growing up in Smyrna shape you?

Back then, we were a small town. Everyone knew who you were and who your parents were. I remember saving my money and riding my bike to the Five and Dime for a toy and candy, or calling Mr. Mingle to ask permission to camp at the dam on his property when floating the creek. You always felt safe. My father used to volunteer us for stuff because he wanted to teach us to be volunteers, which is why I did the same with my kids. But for me, I feel like I grew up with Smyrna. The older I get, it seems the town has grown with me. Overall, the officials have managed it in a positive way.

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What's the first thing you do every morning to start your day on the right foot?

Always coffee with Rhonda and the news, so we can talk about our day. We then will have a glass with a fresh lemon squeezed into water, have for many years and seems to work well.

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What are you most excited about for your small business?

Right now, we are finally remodeling the inside. But as far as business goes, many people do not realize our capabilities. We are actually licensed in multiple states for commercial, and can do very large contractor bonds and liability all over. We have the companies, the name, the location, and everything they need to continue to build it. Derek, Wayne, and I took it beyond what my father ever expected, and I would love to see what the next generation could do.

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What does a typical day look like for you?

There is no typical day, some are slow and easy, many are busy and stressful. Some days I sell policies, while other days I fight adjusters over claims. I think that is one thing that makes us different; we will actually get into the trenches with our clients and fight for them. We have, on many occasions, made adjusters change their minds, but even we cannot win them all. My biggest stress is knowing I am responsible for protecting someone’s financial investments in their car, home, business, or life, and being afraid I missed something.

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What element of your business do you take the most pride in?

Service. I tell people I am not in sales, I am in service. Anyone who knows me knows I don’t sell, but if you have a problem, I enjoy helping. I believe if I were more of a salesman that I might make more money. But in a society of pushy sales, cold calls, and mass mailing, I think word-of-mouth based off good service really makes us different.

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What has been your biggest business milestone to date that you are most proud of?

We will celebrate our fiftieth anniversary in 2023. I have been here thirty-three years so far, and thinking of us as still being a locally owned family business after fifty years is exciting.

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What advice would you give to someone wanting to pursue a career in insurance?

Learn the products. I have had to tell some agents about the policy forms they sell. I cannot imagine how anyone could sell something they do not know in depth. Also take Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC). You will learn insurance in depth, how to read contracts, and how to help your clients with proper protection and claims. The industry always changes, educate yourself to keep up.

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What has been the best piece of business advice you have ever received?

See people. If you are stuck away in an office you are not being seen. Volunteering is a great way to see people too, that way you get to help out, and others get to meet you in a positive way. Dad always said, even if you are just going out to dinner you are still doing business.

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Who has been the most influential person or mentor to you during your entrepreneurial journey and why?

My father, not only in business, but in life. I was blessed to be raised by a wonderful set of parents and Dad had a special insight not only into business, but people and life. He would give us his opinion and advice, and always had our backs. He gave us the freedom to try, and if we messed up, he would help. He was always our biggest cheerleader and pushed us to be better.

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What have been some of your biggest business challenges you have faced and how have you overcome them?

I was at a corporate meeting fifteen years ago when the CEO of a major company said that since people now look at insurance as a commodity that the company would start treating it like one.

That is how our industry went away from service to pressure sales. We lost many clients who were just price shopping, to realizing insurance is a protective blanket over your properties, and not a commodity. We stayed the course. Many people who left eventually came back when they realized there really is something to having local customer service.

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What does success mean to you?

Being able to sleep at night with a clear conscious, and pay my bills with enough to enjoy life and travel with Rhonda, and hopefully retire one day. We have a tight family we love spending time with, great friends, and our health, not much else in life I could wish for.

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What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

I am happiest when all my family is over, and we are having a big cookout on our patio. Rhonda’s mother is one of eighteen, so she has a lot of family.

I am on the board for the Senior Activity Center, Shirley’s Way TN, and the Smyrna Rotary Club board. My favorite event by far is the Wings of Freedom Rotary Fish Fry. I remember years ago my father saying, I love a good party. I think of this every year when we fire up the fryers. It is really special not just for the fellowship, but the spirit of what it brings, and the support it gives the community. I work harder that day than any day of the year, and I love every second of it and the people I do it with.

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How big of an impact has social media had on your small business?

We have always based our business on word-of-mouth. I have seen other businesses have great success with it, and one was hurt with a vicious targeted case that had people from around the country piling on falsely, so it can be a minefield.

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What does supporting local mean to you?

Everything. I buy local first, and if something is not here, I look for US-owned businesses. We have to support our local businesses if we want them to support us.

Local matters. When I get new tires, I go to a locally owned place. When I need supplies, I try to go local. I will pay a little more to get something from Gil’s Ace Hardware rather than a big box store, because Ace supports local charities. We often have people come by for sponsorships, but when we ask them who their insurance is with, they usually have someone online.

People need to understand that if you spend your money with a locally owned business, you will help support local organizations. Also, in our case, if you buy local, you will have a local agent who can explain policies and help you fight, if needed. A 1-800 number will not provide that level of customer service, nor sponsor much at the local level. So, when you go to a local business and ask for support for your kids, ask yourself: do you support local?

Ask any Little League team, or high school program if major online retailers support them. Did a big box build the playground? Did the out of state online insurance agency help with their fundraiser, or even care where Smyrna is? If people do not support local businesses, they will not have the community they want because big business does not care too much about how clean our streets are, or how good our ball fields look, or anything except more sales in a region.

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Where do you see yourself and your small business 5-10 years from now?

In the next five years, I hope to have the next generation in training them. It will take at least another five years to get them up to speed, and probably ten years to take over. If we can get the right people we trust to protect our reputation and business, then I see the agency being stronger, and bigger than ever, and I hope to slow down some and enjoy more family time, and fish fries.

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We’ve loved being a part of your journey. What’s coming next that we can be a part of to support you?

Our fiftieth anniversary is in 2023. We look forward to it and hope to be stronger than ever then.

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Is there anything else you would like people to know about you or your small business?

There is a huge difference in coverage. If all you do is look at price, you are missing the majority of the product, especially in property like homes. Everyone thinks the limits on the front tell everything, but in actuality, that is just one small part. The exclusions and endorsements are the real coverage and people who just look at price are missing the purpose of why they are buying insurance in the first place. Read the quotes, read the coverages, and ask questions.

A good agent will have a good general knowledge of all markets, not just the one they are selling. Never ever get it from a 1-800 number, because you will not be able to fight them on your own, that’s when clients usually return.

Even if I do not have your insurance, if you have an insurance question I will discuss it and not pressure you for a quote. I believe the more everyone knows about insurance, the better it is for me, so I like to educate people. Insurance will affect you the rest of your life no matter what you do, so educate yourself.

Jo’s Custom Cakes And Catering

As told by Jo West

Website: www.JosCakesandCatering.com

Facebook: Jos Custom Cakes and Catering

Instagram: @Joscustomcakesandcatering

Phone: [phone]

Tell me about your (small) business. 

Jo’s Custom Cakes and Catering opened June 13, 2003. We are a family-owned business located at 117 Spring Circle.

We provide all types of food services, including off-premises catering for any occasion. Our specialties are wedding and corporate events like Christmas parties, grand openings, customer appreciations, and milestone events. We can assist with all your food and beverage needs, as well as staffing, DJs, bartenders, rentals, and a complete line of desserts. We are known for our 3D sculpted cakes that look real dogs, characters from movies- you name it, we have probably made one! We are also known for our wedding cakes that taste as good as they look. 

The most important thing you will receive from us is our service. We always try to go the extra mile for all our customers. There is no event too small for us. If it is important to you, it is important to us.

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What inspired you start a custom cake and catering business?

I have always loved cooking and baking. I taught myself to bake when I was blessed with a brother at the age of fourteen. I just wanted to make birthday cakes for him. People would see my cakes and ask me to make one for them. At that time, I was an auto mechanic, working on cars in our family business. When it closed, I started working at Crosslin Supply, mixing paint (which is a lot like icing-you start with something white and make it a color). I started catering from my home, and in 1998, I decided to go to Culinary School to make sure I was doing everything right. I was accepted at the Opryland Hotel Culinary Institute and spent two years and nine months there, working in every restaurant and food division.

I earned an Associate’s Degree in Applied Science with a concentration in Food Science from Vol State. Once I graduated, I assumed I could rent a kitchen, which turned out to be non-existent. My parents had a pole barn in their backyard, and after begging (pestering) the Town for months, they allowed me to build my commercial kitchen where the pole barn was. I am truly fortunate. I walk to work every day! We opened our doors in 2003, with my nephew’s wedding the first job we did the first week we were open.

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What is your favorite part about having a small business in Smyrna?

The people we meet. Smyrna is getting bigger, but it has not lost its small-town feel (yet!). Southern hospitality is what we base our business on! We treat people the way we want to be treated. We welcome any and everyone. Once you have done business with us, you are family. We love our customers!

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What are you most excited about for your small business?

I am most excited with some changes that are coming soon. The business is growing, and we are always watching for new things to make it better!

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What does a typical day look like for you?

A typical day usually starts at 7:00 a.m. I check emails, start the coffee, and check on what needs to be done for the day. We decorate, design, and build until 12:30 p.m. At 12:30 p.m., we watch (are addicted to) The Bold and the Beautiful. We watch while we eat lunch (sometimes). After lunch, back to work, answering phones, answering emails, making buttercream, baking cakes. My day usually ends around 9-10 p.m. I walk home and feed my cat, Blackie, and head to bed.

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What is the biggest lesson you've learned in owning and operating a small business?

How much time you actually put into your business. It becomes your life.

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Are there any favorite mantras you live your life by?

One of my favorite quotes is in a little book we received in Culinary School. You will have plenty of time to sleep when you die.

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What has been your biggest business milestone to date that you are most proud of?

Making a birthday cake for Tony Stewart (NASCAR driver) and seeing someone Tweet about eating it from the Charlotte Speedway! They liked it!

We have been commissioned to build and bake gingerbread houses for the MTSU president’s mansion, often replicas of campus buildings since 2013. Also, in 2019, I created a gingerbread house replica of one of the most recognized iconic landmarks, the historic Rutherford County Courthouse. That went viral!

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What have been some of your biggest business challenges you have faced and how have you overcome them?

Of course, 2020 has been our biggest challenge so far. Everything cancelled in March, April, and May, but thanks to some awesome customers, we pivoted to meals-to-go, and they ordered those- some every week! Thank you! Before that, the recession of 2008 was a real blow to our business. Before that, we mostly did corporate catering. We pivoted big time and tried to diversify to not have all our eggs in one basket!

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What advice would you give to someone wanting to pursue a career similar to yours?

I always tell people wanting to get into either cake/bakery or catering to go work for someone else first. Learn as