Downtown Knoxville hasn’t always looked the way it does today.

In this episode of the Big Orange Business Podcast, Haley Jones sits down with Natalea Cummings of Mast General Store in downtown Knoxville to talk about how the store helped shape Gay Street’s growth, why Knoxville has changed so dramatically over the past 10–20 years, and what it really takes to run a retail business that serves everyone “from cradle to casket.”

We talk about:

• The transformation of downtown Knoxville
 • How Mast General Store chose Knoxville before it was booming
 • The Nimville scavenger hunt (12 hidden bronze “nims” downtown)
 • UT game days and Knoxville tourism
 • Running a successful local retail business
 • Why community partnerships matter for small business growth

If you're interested in Knoxville business, relocating to East Tennessee, supporting local shops, or learning how iconic brands grow in changing downtown markets — this episode is for you.

📍 Mast General Store
 402 South Gay Street
 Downtown Knoxville, Tennessee
 Website: mastgeneralstore.com

The Big Orange Business Podcast highlights local Knoxville businesses, entrepreneurs, and the people helping shape East Tennessee’s future.

Moonshine Mountain Cookies has become one of Knoxville’s favorite sweet spots — but the story behind it is just as good as the cookies.

In this episode of Big Orange Business Podcast, we sit down with Mike Maddox, co-founder of Moonshine Mountain Cookies, to talk about how the business started, where the name came from, what makes their brand stand out, and the flavors customers keep coming back for.

We also dig into what it really takes to build a local business that feels special — not just another storefront.

If you love Knoxville small businesses, entrepreneurship stories, or just really good cookies, this episode is for you.

Knoxville is thriving — and that story keeps showing up in recent conversations with local business owners and community leaders.

In this special compilation episode of the Big Orange Business Podcast, we share standout moments from recent interviews across healthcare, hospitality, retail, nonprofits, and service-based businesses.

These conversations offer a snapshot of what’s working, what’s changing, and why Knoxville continues to be a place where small businesses grow and communities thrive.

If you’re a business owner, creative, or someone who cares about local impact and community, this episode brings together voices and stories shaping Knoxville right now.

What do you do when your first attempt at cooking turns into a total disaster?

In this episode of the Big Orange Business Podcast, host Haley Jones sits down with Heidi Davidson, founder of Heidi’s Bakery & Home Cooking, to talk about how a failed home-cooked meal as a newlywed eventually led to building a thriving bakery business in Knoxville.

Heidi shares her journey from taking her first cooking lessons, to starting a food blog, to opening a brick-and-mortar bakery offering pastries, custom cakes, take-and-bake meals, macro-friendly options, and a community gathering space.

This conversation covers:
 • Turning early failures into confidence
 • Why baking is more science than creativity
 • Building a business while raising a family
 • Lessons learned from opening a physical storefront
 • Advice for aspiring food and small business owners

An honest, encouraging episode for anyone navigating entrepreneurship, career changes, or creative growth.

What happens when parents realize there’s nowhere to go where their kids can play safely and they can actually relax?

In this episode of the Big Orange Business Podcast, Haley Jones sits down with Hannah and Cody, the founders of Wild Child Cafe in Knoxville, Tennessee. They share how a simple parenting frustration turned into a thriving, family-focused business built around community, screen-free play, and great coffee.

We talk about why Wild Child Cafe was created, what makes it different from traditional play spaces, and how launching a local business has been received by the Knoxville community. This episode is perfect for parents, entrepreneurs, and anyone interested in how thoughtful local ideas turn into successful businesses.

What does it take to buy a local institution — and bring it back without losing what made people love it?

On this episode of Big Orange Business, we sit down with Jake Lrander, the owner of Pete's Restaurant and Coffee Shop, a longtime Knoxville diner with deep roots in the community.

Jake purchased Pete’s from the original owner in 2024 and took on a challenge many entrepreneurs face: how do you modernize a legacy business while respecting its history?

In this conversation, we talk about:

• Why Jake decided to buy Pete’s instead of starting from scratch
• How he preserved the classic diner vibe locals love
• Bringing back weekend breakfast and lunch
• Adding new life with a beer garden
• What’s gone right since reopening — and what surprised him most

This episode is a must-listen for small business owners, entrepreneurs, and anyone who loves Knoxville’s local food scene.

🎙️ Subscribe to Big Orange Business for real stories from East Tennessee business owners.

Most people don’t realize how many mistakes they make when buying a bed — until they’ve already spent the money.

In this episode of the Big Orange Business Podcast, Haley Jones sits down with John and Linda Luther, owners of Blue Ridge Beds and My New Bedroom, a locally owned East Tennessee business specializing in custom upholstered beds and high-quality bedroom furniture.

John and Linda share what really matters when shopping for a bed, the differences between big-box furniture and custom craftsmanship, and why so many people end up buying furniture that doesn’t last. From fabric choices and custom sizing to customer service and honest pricing, this conversation pulls back the curtain on how bedroom furniture should be made and sold.

You’ll hear:

• Why most people buy the wrong bed
• What to look for in quality bedroom furniture
• How custom upholstered beds are built
• Why local craftsmanship still matters
• The story behind Blue Ridge Beds and My New Bedroom

If you’re in Knoxville, East Tennessee, or planning to buy bedroom furniture soon, this episode is worth a listen.

Learn more about the business here:
 👉 https://www.mynewbedroom.com

In this episode of the Big Orange Business Podcast, Haley Jones sits down with Morgan Honeycutt, PharmD, CEO of Mac’s Hometown Pharmacies, to talk about what patients often misunderstand about prescriptions, pharmacies, and their own healthcare decisions.

Morgan explains the difference between independent community pharmacies and big box chains, why pharmacists are among the most accessible healthcare professionals, and what questions people should actually be asking when they pick up medications. They also discuss medication adherence, side effects, risk versus benefit, and how pharmacists work behind the scenes with physicians to protect patients.

The conversation also touches on ChooseHoney.com, a new wellness platform offering personalized wellness, anti-aging, and weight loss therapies. Choose Honey connects patients with licensed medical professionals and provides custom compounded therapies, delivered directly to your door and compounded by licensed pharmacies in the United States.

Use code BIGORANGE for 10% off your first order.

The episode wraps with a thoughtful discussion on GLP-1 medications, peptides, vaccines, and how to evaluate medical information in a world full of conflicting online advice.

Step inside Fable Hollow Coffee & Bookshoppe in Fountain City (Knoxville, TN) with co-founder Alyssa Stewart for a behind-the-scenes look at how a whimsical, fantasy-inspired bookshop + coffee bar came to life—and what it really takes to grow it.

We talk about the long road from idea to opening (including a 9–10 month buildout), why “Germanic fairy tale vibes” became the brand foundation, and how Alyssa and her co-owner Casey combined book expertise + coffee shop experience to create a space that feels like an escape. Plus: rapid-fire book + drink pairings (hello Faerie’s Kiss strawberry-rose white mocha), underrated fantasy series picks, how they source new books as a frontlist indie bookstore, and what authors should know about getting onto bookstore shelves (including why Amazon publishing can be tricky for indie shops).

You’ll also hear about the community at Fable Hollow—book clubs, author events, Dungeons & Dragons nights, and why shopping small keeps Knoxville’s neighborhoods thriving.

🎧 Listen in, then go visit this magical spot in Fountain City—and support local.

What does it really take to leave healthcare and build a thriving food business from scratch?

In this episode of The Big Orange Business Podcast, Haley Jones sits down with Staci Meyer, owner of The Sugar Queen Creamery and The Sugar Queen Doughnutry, to share the full story behind one of Knoxville’s most beloved dessert brands.

Staci walks through:

• Leaving nursing and healthcare to start a family business
• Growing from a food truck into two brick-and-mortar locations
• Why everything they make is truly scratch-made
• Bringing donuts back after customers waited years
• Staffing, systems, and surviving explosive demand
• Choosing South Knoxville and building a destination business

From donuts and pretzels to ice cream, cheesecake, and ice cream cakes, this episode is packed with real-world lessons on entrepreneurship, community, and building something people truly love.

If you’re interested in small business growth, food entrepreneurship, or local Knoxville success stories, this episode is for you.