David Darnell is a serial entrepreneur who is wearing a new hat these days. Now the Director of Investor Relations for the Highlands Economic Partnership, Darnell brings his hands on experience in the business world to the ecosystem of economic development. In this episode, Darnell discusses the importance of the HEP: a nonprofit that partners with our surrounding counties to promote and strengthen economic development, workforce support, and education. We also chat about the vital nature of a Young Professionals group, what recruiting in 2020 looks like, and how culture impacts retention of local talent. This is a must listen!
In this week's episode of Connecting Cookeville, Amber and Zach sit down to recap 2019 and look forward to 2020. From the variety of guests that have been on the show, to goal-setting (and BHAGS), to leadership and what's going on in their own lives, this week's podcast offers a fun and insightful peek into what makes our hosts tick.
Growing up as the child a missionary parents, Jake Hoot grew up playing music in church. After high school, he moved to Cookeville to attend and play football at Tennessee Tech and decided to make the Upper Cumberland home for his young daughter and himself. From playing music at local venues and a myriad of small town shows, Hoot decided to get serious about his music career. On this weeks podcast, we sit down with Jake to talk about the support he has received from this community, the importance he places on a strong support team, and his journey thus far on NBC's singing competition, The Voice.
The homeless, the transient, the down and out, or even just someone needing a little extra help, Cookeville police officer Marc de Claire comes across a variety of people with extenuating circumstances on a daily basis. Through simple conversation, Officer de Claire would get to know these individuals and find out that often times there was an immediate need that could be solved by a small financial investment - a hotel room, a tank of gas, a refill on medication. This prompted de Claire to begin the Cookeville Human Fund, a nonprofit fueled by the community to meet a specific need in a short amount of time. In this week's episode, de Claire discusses where the idea came from, how he vets the recipients, and how we can help further the cause!
Born and raised right here in Putnam County, Assessor of Property, Steve Pierce, has a homegrown passion for our community. Whether watching his grandfather serve in the public arena, or just the support and mentorship he received from area athletic coaches,
Steve learned from an early age that the best way to get ahead is to give back. In this episode of Connecting Cookeville, Steve explains what the Assessor of Property actually does for our community, how public service is a lot like entrepreneurship, and why he feels compelled to serve his community in this capacity.
The son of immigrant parents, Dr. Michael Casal moved to the Upper Cumberland to practice medicine as an OB-GYN. Knowing little of the "business of medicine", Dr. Casal did what so many business owners have to do - learn as they go, and he know runs one of the most respected solo practices in our region, Women's Health Services. In this podcast, Dr. Casal shares his advice about balancing his two passions in life: family and work. Full of wisdom and lots of laughs, this episode gives our audience a glimpse behind the curtain of one of our local social celebrities and the causes that are close to his heart. Between their YouTube channel and appearances on Family Fued, the Casal's know how to work hard AND play hard! You don't want to miss this one!
Jaden Flynn moved to Cookeville when he was two years old and has been here ever since, save one short stint in Hawaii. Entrepreneur and business owner, Jaden has been operating the Iron Kitchen, Cookeville's only meal prep service for the last two and half years. Having recently purchased Personal Training Studio, Jaden now has a one stop shop for Upper Cumberland residents who are serious about getting fit. In this podcast, we talk a lot about mindset, the DNA of an entrepreneur, "finding yourself", and why young people might say "I hate Cookeville". This is a must listen for anyone raised in Cookeville or anyone struggling with their identity.
Mention this podcast and get one free personal training session! 💪🏼💪🏼
Patti Purdy hails from just down the road in Granville, TN. With a background in early childhood development, marketing, and event planning, Patti decided to pursue a job where her experience and her creativity could intersect. A year ago, she became the director of the Cookeville Children's Museum, a creative learning center that specializes in hands on play through their programs and community based exhibits. In this podcast, we discuss the cool happenings going on at the Children's Museum, the story behind it, fun facts about it, and it's role in our community with it's corporate partners. Whether serving special needs families or those in the foster care system or traditional families, the museum is there to be a place parents can engage and play alongside their kids. Check it out!!
Machelle Staggs was working in the medical field when a horrible injury nearly rendered her disabled. When she moved to Cookeville, she was still battling a lot of pain but had a vision of working for herself by converting her baking hobby into a business, and that's how P Dillys Cupcakes was born. In this podcast, Machelle talks candidly about the struggles of entrepreneurship, highlights the creative guerrilla marketing techniques that launched her business, and shares about how this community embraced her and her shop. This is a must listen for any budding entrepreneur or someone starting over in a second career!
This week Amber sat down with her business partners Mitch Copeland and Craig Hughes with MAC Management and Consulting to talk about real estate investing, AirBnb, property management, and maximizing one's portfolio. Check it out!!
On this episode of Connecting Cookeville, Our very own Zach and Amber sit down to discuss the up and coming young professionals group: YP Highlands.
Elijah Thomen has always had a bit of an entrepreneurial spirit. Elijah met Jim Helton and Mark van der Bleek at his day job where they would come to purchase their home brew supplies. Over time the idea was birthed to launch Cookeville's first microbrewery. Now a hub for downtown fun, Red Silo has become a staple on Cookeville's Westside. In this podcast, Elijah talks about the genesis of Red Silo, their intentional partnership with and support of local businesses and musicians, and the future expansion plans coming soon. Cheers!!
After travelling the US singing Country Music, Susie Dobbs-Anderson moved to Cookeville to work at CRMC and raise a family. From touring with the likes of Montgomery Gentry and hosting the TV show "Beyond Rodeo" to owning her own retail store, there's not much Susie hasn't done!! A passion for people and a constant desire to be challenged drives Susie to chase her dreams, regardless of the obstacles. In this episode, Susie talks about the importance of being versatile, the philanthropic mission of her Suzi Q's Scrubs& More, and the key to knowing who you are. So much fun!
Jami Thornsberry moved to Cookeville after falling in love with the area, while here visiting family. A long history with family services and a passion for adoption, Jami began to feel a stirring to explore the possibility of bringing an adoption agency to the Upper Cumberland. That dream became a reality last year. Hope Center: Adoption & Family Services is a private placement agency and exists to walk through the adoption journey with both the birth and adoptive parents. In this episode, Jami shares about the work of the Hope Center, the practical ways that we can help, and how the movement to change the culture is making a sweeping impact on how adoption is viewed by our community. Informative and encouraging!
Dave and Diane Roland are long time Cookeville residents and business owners. Diane has always felt a connection to teenagers and young adults that feel orphaned in one way or another. It was this passion and her own personal experiences, that inspired her to open Next Step for Life, a transitional living facility, where program members can grow personally, professionally, and spiritually. Whether teaching life skills like cooking and budgeting, or helping residents further their education and find work, Diane says that Next Step's vision is to offer a hand up, not a hand out. In this episode, Diane shares her heart for broken families, gets vulnerable about her own story, and explains why she believes success is not always what we think it is. Learn about this amazing nonprofit and the lady behind it!
Jasen Knight is the golden child for the saying “It takes a village to raise a child”. After what many would call a difficult childhood, against the odds, Jasen moved to Cookeville to attend Tennessee Tech where he began to meet people who spent time with him, encouraged him, and greatly influenced his formative years. Now employed by one of Cookeville’s largest employers, he works alongside others who continue to shape the man he is today. Surrounded by many other great men of the community, now Jasen is paying that forward in his role with IMPACT Cookeville, YP Leadership, and as a husband and father. A wonderful ambassador for Cookeville, Jasen is working on the frontlines of IMPACT Cookeville’s newest initiative, Community Building Community, where they take a focused and intentional interest in mentoring the next generation of community leaders. This episode is full of quips of wisdom and practical encouragement from one of Cookeville’s valuable influencers. Check it out!
Cindy Taylor came to Cookeville to attend Tennessee Tech, where she met the man who would make her a permanent Cookevillian. As a life long educator, Cindy has spent her entire career shaping the lives of the next generation. In her present 9-5 (what she calls her "dream job"), Cindy works with our local Tennessee Reconnect chapter, UC Reconnect, helping non-traditional students further their education. In this episode, Cindy shares why she feels that education is the foundation of economic development, about the variety of services that UC Reconnect provides, and about the financial assistance that is available to the people they serve. Full of info and encouragement, this podcast is a must listen for anyone thinking about getting a degree!
Hometown boy turned real estate investor and developer, Eric Walker was born and raised in Cookeville. After college and a wide array of adventures, Eric came back home to help with the family business revitalizing the commercial sector of the Upper Cumberland. It was this day to day operations, interactions with the city, and desire to see Cookeville continue to prosper that led Walker to throw his hat in the ring for City Council. In this episode, Eric shares business advice, his favorite ecotourism spots, and about the things that he hopes the council will achieve in the near future. A rare insight into the character of one of our elected officials, this podcast is a must listen for every Cookevillian!
Patty Seagrave moved to Cookeville to attend Tennessee Tech, and like so many before (and after) her, she stayed and made the Upper Cumberland her home. Patty began her career in finance by working for a decade in credit counselling before transitioning into mortgage lending. In this episode, Patty shares her story of being a female business owner, clears up some confusion about credit scores, and dispels multiple mortgage myths. Informative and entertaining!!
A native Michigander, Tiffany Anton is finding a way to make the Upper Cumberland home. From volunteering for numerous charities to her now full time gig at The Biz Foundry, Tiffany has a knack for helping others reach their highest potential. In this podcast, we talk about Tiffany's latest work venture - Ladies Lunch & Learn, a month meetup for women entrepreneurs, her passion for non-profits (especially the Cookeville Children's Museum), and the importance of plugging in and using your gifts in a new town. Take a listen!
This is a bonus episode where our host, Amber Flynn-Jared, shares some highlights of the things that she has learned over the last year. Short, sweet, and to the point, Amber takes us along for her journey through lessons learned in 2018.
Raised by her father, Shawn Simono moved to Cookeville as a young girl. With a passion for health and wellness, Shawn pursued a career in that industry. Like many new businesses are born, she saw a gap in the medical spa niche that needed to be filled. Partnering with Dr Michael Casal, Shawn open Fire & Ice Med Spa earlier this year, and it has exploded! In this episode, Shawn discusses the power of positive thinking, the intentional pursuit to do what scares her, and the health scare that empowered her to chase her dreams.
Marlene Massa’s adventure into the world of retail began when her daughter started school. Unbeknownst to her at the time, working a variety of jobs and climbing the retail ladder was on-the-job training to eventually establish what is now The Market on the Square. Marlene’s contagious energy, larger than life personality, and creative genius make her one of Cookeville’s most fun entrepreneurs! In this podcast, Marlene takes us along her personal journey, sharing reminders about playing the long game, the importance of a good team, and working social media in your 60s. Full of laughs and intensity, this episode is chock full of wisdom nuggets for business owners old and young alike.
Tennessee Tech University brought Bob and Gloria Bell to Cookeville in the 1970's, and Tennessee Tech is what has kept them here. Bob Bell began his tenure as a professor, climbing the ranks of higher education, becoming Tech's 8th president in July of 2000. While accumulating many accolades and setting numerous records at the helm of the university, Bell shares that his best memories of his time at Tech involve the relationships he's made along the way. In this episode, Bob talks to us about his time at Tech, he and Gloria's role in our community, and the tragedy they experienced when their home burned to the ground this summer. An integral part of the growth of our community, Bob Bell continues to serve in many capacities from the Boy Scouts to the chairman of Cookeville's Industrial Development board, and as a mentor to many.