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tsgnashvilletennessee · 6 years

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American Woman

Women-owned businesses in the United States are growing at a rate quicker than any other demographic; generating more revenue, hiring more employees, and contributing more to our national economy. Locally, Nashville has one of the highest percentage of female-owned businesses, so it’s no surprise that our Scout Guide Nashville is filled with these leading women, with a wide range of backgrounds and passions.

What better way to cheers the red, white, and blue, than to celebrate the American dream! We caught up with a few of the female business owners included in our guide to learn more of their story, what it’s like to run a Nashville small business, and what it means to live the American dream; each an inspiring American Woman.

Photo by Leslee Mitchell.

Kimberly Lewis, owner of Emerson Grace

TSG Nashville: There is nothing more American than creating your own business. As a female entrepreneur, what was it that inspired you to take that first leap in starting your own business?

Lewis: The opportunity to use my years of experience in the fashion retail and wholesale arena for my own freedom and flexibility.

TSG Nashville: During your entrepreneurial journey was there anyone who helped you along the way, or a particular source of inspiration?

Lewis: My husband, Jim. He has always pushed me to follow my passion. He has a great business background and mindset, so together we are fortunate to have a great balance that shines through with the store.

TSG Nashville: What does a typical work day look like for you?

Lewis: I am fortunate to have a great team working in the store. That allows me freedom and flexibility. I now spend most of my time on the buying, merchandising, and big picture goals for Emerson Grace.

TSG Nashville: As young girls, we have so many ideas of what we dream of doing when we grow up. When you were younger, what did you want to be? Did you ever imagine you’d be where you are today?

Lewis: Ironically, I thought I was going to be an interior designer! Once I started working in the retail world, I truly enjoyed it, and I was really good at it...and that’s when I started to focus on making it my career!

TSG Nashville: Success is measured in so many ways. For you, what defines success?

Lewis: It’s personal and professional. Building the business to a place that affords me certain luxuries, is definitely a highlight. Albeit “just clothes,” women want to look and feel good. Our consistent repeat clientele and words of encouragement and pride from them, reinforce that we’re on the right path. Having a great team allows me the freedom and flexibility to do my job well, travel, and spend time with my family.

TSG Nashville: Is there a motto you live by that also reflects how you like your business to run?

Lewis: #stayfocused. Know the goal and keep striving for it. Do good work, it makes all the difference!

TSG Nashville: What does being an American business owner in Nashville mean to you?

Lewis: It means I am a part of a community of talented individuals in this thriving city, that share a common interest or goal. I enjoy working with, socializing with, and seeing other female entrepreneurs in my field, or other fields, and having mutual respect and support for the journey that we have all decided to embark upon.

For more information on Emerson Grace, visit www.emersongracenashville.com

Photo by Leslee Mitchell.

Kristen Winston, owner of Kristen Winston Catering

TSG Nashville: There is nothing more American than creating your own business. As a female entrepreneur, what was it that inspired you to take that first leap in starting your own business?

Winston: I have always had a passion for cooking and entertaining. The suggestion of a friend helped me realize that I could turn my hobby into a profession.

TSG Nashville: During your entrepreneurial journey was there anyone who helped you along the way, or a particular source of inspiration?

Winston: My husband, John, who gave me the support and encouragement to start the business, and the knowledge and expertise to take Kristen Winston Catering from a home based business to a company.

TSG Nashville: What does a typical work day look like for you?

Winston: I wake up at the crack of dawn in order to have some alone time and a walk before my kids get up, and we head out for school. Then it is to the office or meetings, and many times, going by an event setup at the end of the day.

TSG Nashville: As young girls, we have so many ideas of what we dream of doing when we grow up. When you were younger, what did you want to be? Did you ever imagine you’d be where you are today?

Winston: I wanted to be a nurse. I took a completely different path midway through college, but I have always had a passion for serving others and foodservice ended up being my calling.

TSG Nashville: Success is measured in so many ways. For you, what defines success?

Winston: I measure success by client satisfaction. We strive to make our clients happy by delivering the highest level of professionalism in service, consistently great food, and memorable experiences. Building lasting relationships means repeat business which is essential for sustainable growth.

TSG Nashville: Is there a motto you live by that also reflects how you like your business to run?

Winston: My dad has Thomas Jefferson’s 10 Rules of Life framed in his study. Rule #1 is, “Never put off till tomorrow what you can do today.” I have always remembered that.

TSG Nashville: What does being an American business owner in Nashville mean to you?

Winston: I feel very fortunate to live in a city with such explosive growth and popularity, especially the culinary scene. We have a very strong community of women entrepreneurs.

For more information on Kristen Winston Catering, visit www.kristenwinston.com

Photo by Leslee Mitchell.

Elizabeth Allen, owner of e.Allen

TSG Nashville: There is nothing more American than creating your own business. As a female entrepreneur, what was it that inspired you to take that first leap in starting your own business?

Allen: Women! I started e.Allen when my youngest was only 2 months old. I noticed how I had more confidence when I would pull together a look for myself, even if that meant simply throwing on a basic staple from my closet and adding some interesting accessories along with it. I just knew other women HAD to feel the same way, and I had the inner confidence and drive to pursue a vision in a store that wasn’t already out there!

TSG Nashville: During your entrepreneurial journey was there anyone who helped you along the way, or a particular source of inspiration?

Allen: My main source of inspiration is branding. From the beginning, I always wanted to have brand recognition that stood the test of time. I wanted e.Allen to be a brand people could relate to and ultimately love! I have a passion for reading about brands and their creators, be it through magazine articles or other means of communication. Most recently, a friend of mine has turned me onto podcasts!

TSG Nashville: What does a typical work day look like for you?

Allen: No two days are the same. We were lucky enough to invest in an e.Allen headquarters office space where a large portion of my time is spent. I utilize that location to review lines, purchase store product, conduct photoshoots and meetings, review reports, and so much more. Then, all of the fun is to be had at one of our locations: Nashville, Murfreesboro, or Franklin.

TSG Nashville: As young girls, we have so many ideas of what we dream of doing when we grow up. When you were younger, what did you want to be? Did you ever imagine you’d be where you are today?

Allen: I studied Biology and Chemistry in college; therefore, the answer to your question is I never imagined creating my own brand and owning three successful stores. While doing so certainly isn’t brain surgery, (even though at times it feels that way) it truly is a dream come true. I am exhausted by the end of each and every single day. However, the reward I receive in dressing women and helping them realize their original beauty is priceless.

TSG Nashville: Success is measured in so many ways. For you, what defines success?

Allen: Being able to do what you love for as long as you’d wish, while coincidentally helping others recognize their inner confidence and outer beauty, is what defines success. I hope to help shape others in a positive light and repay the feeling I have had when others have done the same for me.

TSG Nashville: Is there a motto you live by that also reflects how you like your business to run?

Allen: Treat others the way you want to be treated. With three stores, I entrust my girls with a superior level of expectation! e.Allen has my name on the store front, and at the end of the day, our team is a reflection of that, which I certainly do not take lightly. In order for customers to have a positive experience, and for e.Allen to have continued growing success, my stores must start with an extraordinary high level of respect that permeates from its leader to the individual customer.

TSG Nashville: What does being an American family business owner in Nashville mean to you?

Allen: Though Nashville is an extremely welcoming and supportive community, the growth of our town makes the business world highly competitive. To achieve and maintain a growing success rate in Nashville, along with our other two locations, is incredibly empowering. Female leaders are imperative in any area’s business world; therefore, owning and operating a brand for close to 10 years is an incredible personal and professional accomplishment that I hope encourages women to go after their initial dreams...or cultivate a new one!

For more information on e.Allen, visit www.eallenboutique.com

Photo by Leslee Mitchell.

Maggie Tucker, owner of Magpies and The Girls Shoppe

TSG Nashville: There is nothing more American than creating your own business. As a female entrepreneur, what was it that inspired you to take that first leap in starting your own business?

Tucker: My husband! My sweet, wonderful, always encouraging husband. He told me every day for years that I needed to start my own business! He held me accountable to my potential, and he made me believe I could do something I truly doubted was possible. He continues to make me think bigger and bolder, and always offers constant support to see my dreams and ideas through fruition. He is a true partner in every sense of the word.

TSG Nashville: During your entrepreneurial journey was there anyone who helped you along the way, or a particular source of inspiration?

Tucker: I have the most incredible mentor. Magpies would not have been possible without her guidance and support. My ultimate goal is to pay it all forward, and champion another woman towards her entrepreneurial dreams the way Beth has done for me. She is my real life angel.

TSG Nashville: What does a typical work day look like for you?

Tucker: I usually go to SHED fitness at 5 a.m. I pop into Starbucks, then head home to check emails, do our morning social media posts, reply to messages, make breakfast, and play with my dogs. I head back to Starbucks for a refill, and onto our baby and kids store to start the day with Catherine, she’s been the head of operations there for several years. I love getting a daily plan together with her. I head to our Girls Shoppe for a quick check in and start gathering inventory for transfers to our Franklin store, we send inventory back and forth multiple times a week to maximize sales and serve our customers. I run out to Franklin and spend the afternoon with Wesley, our Southside manager, the bright and beautiful face behind our newest location! We plan upcoming events, work on product reorders, and gather up the inventory that needs to go back to Nashville. I head back, run by the post office to ship online orders, and wrap up the day with our Nashville Girls Shoppe team. The afternoon is usually our busiest time in that location, and I LOVE to be there for the madness!!

TSG Nashville: As young girls, we have so many ideas of what we dream of doing when we grow up. When you were younger, what did you want to be? Did you ever imagine you’d be where you are today?

Tucker: One summer I took the lemonade stand game to a new level and set up shop near construction sites, offering both donuts AND lemonade. My mom made me reimburse her for supplies, so at an early age I understood the importance of a good margin! Based on my success, I immediately envisioned being the first female president! I was extremely confident, and when school started back that Fall, I demanded to play the role of president in my 2nd grade play. Did I imagine being HERE one day? No! I imagined I’d be in the White House! But I think I’ll take my happy neon pink palaces and leave politics up to someone else.

TSG Nashville: Success is measured in so many ways. For you, what defines success?

Tucker: For me, success in my industry is: paying myself. So many people I meet with do not pay themselves. For me this is a huge WIN, and something my mentor encouraged me to do from day one. Having growth opportunities for employees within our company. Cultivating a work environment I genuinely want to be in and miss when I’m not there. Keeping our stores relevant in the community and in the industry. Consistently and authentically using our stores to elevate the lives of others. Building a brand that has the potential for sale one day. This all defines success.

TSG Nashville: Is there a motto you live by that also reflects how you like your business to run?

Tucker: Leave it better than you found it. Be it a person, a place, or a thing. Make sure it’s always better than before you got there!

TSG Nashville: What does being an American business owner in Nashville mean to you?

Tucker: It’s definitely a blessing that I don’t ever take for granted. I hold it as a constant reminder and motivation to elevate rising female business owners. The trail was blazed long before me, and I feel accountable to the previous women to do the same for others.

For more information on Magpies and the Girls Shoppe, visit www.magpiesnashville.com

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