OUR FLAGSHIP PROGRAM

CURRENT CLASS

Knoxville has a community and scruffiness that is second to none. This community is going through changes with the recent influx of transplants to our beautiful city. What I would love to see is a new stasis that still embodies that southern kindness, buoyant quirkiness, and sense of loving community. Moving to Knoxville 11 years ago, I fell in love with the weird little community in the Old City. That you knew everyone on the block. It was literally like an adult Sesame Street. Our baker lived over here, the butcher there, our coffee shop, our glass maker. I wish everyone could experience that feeling in their own way, in each neighborhood.

Chefs, Music Scene, Smoky Mountains?!? Our chefs are finally getting the recognition they deserve, and the Smoky Mountains are the most visited National Park in the US. So I guess that leaves our music scene. Mill & Mine, Pilot Light, and Big Ears bring so much amazing music to downtown. And running the whole gamut of genres. I've just recently started attending Big Ears as a patron in the last few years. While I always enjoyed the diverse cultures that Big Ears brought to our lil city, I hadn't understood why they came to that specific festival....until I went. WOW! Such a powerful weekend of interesting music and growth as a listener.

I love to support the Arts and Craft culture of Knoxville. Since moving to Knoxville, I have advocated for maker support and have used my own businesses as means for supporting and helping other artists gain experience. I frequently find myself in the unusual position (for an artist) of being able to meet with community and business leaders in Knoxville. Haha, just like this Leadership Knoxville group! So I love to bring the mindset and viewpoint of local creatives to these conversations.

When I grew up, visiting a zoo was a rare treat. Living in Knoxville, my kids have basically grown up at the Knoxville Zoo! We started getting annual passes when the first one was in a stroller and continue to this day. I can't tell you how stinking cute it is to watch your toddler try to run towards their favorite animal while you walk behind them. Hahah, most of our photos of our kids at the zoo are of their backs as they "quickly" waddle or run to the next exhibit!My family is completely in agreement with our love of the Market Square Farmers Market. Stephanie and myself are huge foodies, and have always loved the farmers market. When our children were born, they never dragged their feet to visit market square on a summer Saturday. At first, it was the water fountains. Then it became all out Paysan's focaccia bread. We get TWO first thing. One to eat while we shop, one to take home. And these lil kiddos will 100% eat a whole focaccia loaf right off the bat. Then it was Old Baileys Farms. Ohhhh, how many samples and lil bear bottles have these kids eaten. For the last couple seasons, my favorite has been the goat cheese guy. Well, my son finally tried it and now he eats all my goat cheese that I bring home. Awww - kids!

Patrick Rothfuss - Kingkiller Chronicles. We have a book club at the shop, and have 6 people reading this series - some for the first time, one for the eighth time. I am right in the middle. It is a delightfully written series with so much left unsaid. Lots of room for theories. Unfortunately, the series isn't complete yet, but luckily, it is still rewarding after several re-reads.

The best way that you can gain respect is to show people that you respect yourself. In the Craft world, I show the I respect myself by all the little details of my glassware that most people won't notice. They won't notice consciously, but all of those details make an impression, and that's what makes my work world class. In business, I ask that my staff show that they respect themselves by going the extra mile in ways that aren't directly seen. Treating our vendors with respect, our mailmen, everyone behind the scenes. That level of care translates over to the customers as well.

Learning is the point. It's not the knowing, the degrees, the accomplishments. It's about falling in love with learning.