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.

Ariel Marengo and Brittany Robbins from AARF (All About Rescue and Fixin), stop by to talk to us about the important role that animal fostering plays in our community. While they don't have a dedicated facility, they oversee the care of over 150 dogs and cats in our area. In this episode, they share about the need to spay and neuter, the unique need that fostering fills, and the specific ways that individuals can help advance AARF's mission in the Upper Cumberland. 

Born and raised in Cookeville, Brad Sells credits his life in the Upper Cumberland for making him the artist he is today. Through shop class at Cookeville High School and making wood toys for children as a part of community service as a teenager, Sells quickly discovered a love for working with his hands. Nationally recognized and highly acclaimed, Brad still lives and works here in his hometown. In this episode, Sells shares about the struggles of a "starving artist", the work ethic necessary to fuel your passion, and the process of creating his stunning works of art. One of the more poignant interviews we've had, Brad shares openly about his journey to "the red path" and the secret to how we all can achieve our dreams.

Tracy Lee Swack, a Cookeville native, shares her story of how her passion for philanthropy is met through her career with Soles4Souls. With an entrepreneurial spirit and a big heart, Tracy is responsible for 33 bins in our area that collect clothes and shoes for the less fortunate. Whether partnering with local non-profits in our town or helping strengthen the local economy of third world countries, Tracy finds a way to daily make a difference. In this episode, she shares a moving story of pushing through tragedy to find your purpose, overcoming obstacles, and giving back to the community that made you.

An entrepreneurial drive brought Dr. Keith and Angie Nichols to the Cookeville area and their passion for preventative medicine led them to open Tier 1 Heath and Wellness. Dr. Nichols is quickly gaining national attention as an expert in bioidentical hormone replacement therapy. In this podcast, Keith and Angie discuss their personal struggles that led them to discover HRT, the lack of preventative medicine available, and our broken medical system. Although quite controversial, Keith and Angie believe that their form of treatment is restoring the art of medicine and restoring health and vitality for their patients. A very thought provoking and educational episode!

An Overton County native, Matt Swallows moved to Cookeville to help expand the family business, Swallows Insurance. A third generation company leader, Matt understands the insurance business, but even more so, the people business. Swallows watched his father and grandfather build their company's foundation on integrity and relationships. Now at the helm, Matt talks to us about the intricacies of working in a family business, the important role that his family has in his life, and reason he came back here to live and work. Swallows shares about the healthy growth of our community, a few of the things he sees on the horizon, and about his "selfish" reasons for wanting to see our city prosper.