Where the Fortune Is

Driven to serve others and do the best he can for the community as the Tennessee General Assembly Representative for the 95th House district.

Kevin has an impeccable track record of being there for the community and being proactive to improve the community in which he lives.

Speaking on and standing up for healthcare and education, are just a couple of the various topics Kevin is involved in his daily operations. Kevin explains how tenacity and willingness to not take no for an answer has led to several projects being passed through legislation.

Kevin Vaughan is a 32-year resident of Collierville, Tennessee. He moved to Collierville prior to marrying his wife Johnna and has remained in the community to raise his family, which includes his daughter Alexandra, age 27 and his son Grayson, age 25.

Kevin is a graduate of Bolivar Central High School in Bolivar, Tennessee and Memphis State University, where he received his Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering.

Active in the community affairs of his adopted hometown, Kevin has served as:

President of the Collierville Rotary Club and Foundation board member and Paul Harris Fellow

· Former trustee and graduate of the inaugural 1995 Class of Leadership Collierville

· Member of the board of directors of the Collierville Chamber of Commerce

· Former founding board member of the Collierville Education Foundation

· Trustee and former Sunday School teacher at First Baptist Church

Chairman of Collierville’s long-range planning committee that produced the Collierville 2040 Land Use Plan

In the past, he has been recognized as the West TN Homebuilders “Associate of the Year”, he was named by the Memphis Business Journal in its inaugural “Top 40 under 40”. He has been recognized twice by the University of Memphis as a “Distinguished Alum”; the latest was in 2019, when the Herff College of Engineering honored him. Previously, he had been selected as the University’s “Outstanding Young Alumni” in 1997.

He presently is a member of Lambda Alpha, the international land economics society, as well as Mensa International. Kevin is a registered professional engineer in Tennessee and a licensed real estate broker in the States of Mississippi and Tennessee.

In 2004, Kevin began Township Development Services, and soon afterward he founded Township Realty Services.

In 2012, he was elected to public office the first time, when he was elected as a founding member to the Collierville Schools Board of Education, a position that he held until December of 2019.

In 2017, Kevin was elected to the Tennessee General Assembly, as the Representative for the 95th House district. He presently chairs the subcommittee for Health Facilities, Licensure, and Regulations and also serves on the education committee.

In his inaugural year of 2108, he was honored as the “Legislator of the Year” by the Memphis Area Association of Governments. The Tennessee Journal, a publication dedicated to its coverage of Tennessee State Government also tabbed him as the “Top Freshman Lawmaker” of the 110th General Assembly.

Following that initial session, GOPAC, a national conservative educational and advocacy organization, named him as one of their 26 “Emerging Leaders” from across the country. He is still an active advisory member of that organization.

In the General Assembly, Kevin has made a name for himself as a good-natured straight shooter, and passionate defender of public education. He views one of his most important role to be an advocate for all of Shelby County with members from other regions of the state

https://www.facebook.com/Vaughan4TNHouse 

[email protected]

http://www.vote4vaughan.com/Home

Matt takes us on a deep dive into the showbiz industry. What it's like to go on an audition, to win the room, be kind, and being prepare for, not only the moment, but for the role you are auditioning. If you are thinking about going into theater, then Matt is here to shed light on what you will have to endure and overcome to make it in the business. 

Also, Matt hones in how preparation has led into bigger roles throughout his career. Another key component is treating everyone with kindness. You never know who and when you will run into the person that can take your career to the next level. 

Originally from Boston Massachusetts, Matt grew up on show-tunes and Boston sports.  Matt studied theater at both University of Southern Maine and The Boston Conservatory before heading down Rte 95 to NYC in 2004.  In June of 2009 Matt got the call to make his Broadway debut in the TONY winning production of HAIR with TONY winner Diane Paulus at the helm.  

Matt continued with that production “Across the Atlantic Sea” to The West End in the role of “Woof” and then launched the 1st National US Tour of HAIR and was seen back on Broadway in the “Summer of Love” revival of HAIR.  Following his time with the hippies, Matt launched the 1st National tour of Green Day’s AMERICAN IDIOT as the “Representative from Jingletown”.  Matt’s cross country adventures continued in 2014 with the 1st National Tour of ONCE, where he played “Svec” and 5 instruments.  

Collectively over the last 5 years Matt is a veteran of almost 2000 performances. Thankfully Matt returned home to Broadway (again with Diane Paulus) in the hit musical WAITRESS, where he has starred opposite TONY winner Jessie Mueller, 2 time Grammy winner Jason Mraz, and 7 time Grammy nominee, and the shows composer, Sara Bareilles. He then toured the country with the WAITRESS National Tour as Earl opposite his real life wife, Christine Dwyer, as Jenna. Upon returning from the road Matt was a part of developing the World Premiere of The Secret Life of Bees at The Atlantic Theater Company, directed by TONY winner Sam Gold.  Most recent regional credits include: playing Guy in ONCE at Bucks County Playhouse and the upcoming World Premiere of Pure Country at TUTS, starring opposite TONY winner Levi Kreis.  

On television Matt has made many performance appearances with these multiple shows, including the Macys Thanksgiving Parade.  Matt can also be seen on Person of Interest, Madam Secretary, Marvel’s Daredevil, EVIL, For Life, and Chicago PD. 

Matt lives with his beautiful wife and fellow performer (and Bostonian) Christine Dwyer, and their Boston Terrier “Chowdah".  Matt and Christine also co-own THE WORKING STUDIO, a music theatre and acting studio dedicated to unlocking peoples potential and embracing individuality in the audition process.

Contact info: 

https://www.theworkingstudio.net/

[email protected]

https://www.upgradeyouraudition.com/

Over 19 years in the healthcare industry, Dr. Sonia is an author, dental surgeon, and executive business coach. One of her goals is to leave the world healthier than before she found it. While working in India a patient was talking with Dr. Sonia about opportunity in Australia, and said why not do it and do not give up. That's all she needed to hear. So, after obtaining a visa a year and 2 months later Dr. Sonia moved to Australia. 

Upon moving to another country, and leaving her husband temporarily in India Dr. Sonia worked for a corporation. Dr. Sonia notice the patient care and empathy wasn't what she had envisioned, so while on maternity leave with a 3 month old Dr. Sonia decided to start her on practice. 

We all have to start somewhere, and that's exactly what Dr. Sonia did by first flipping burgers to cleaning toilets to earn money to support her newborn. Through that instilled a no fear, don't give up, mentality to persevere through any hardship or setback within business and life. 

If you ask Dr. Sonia there is no plan B was only Plan A. Her first week goal upon opening her clinic was to pay the employees and not pay herself. A tribute to a solid leader, and since that point she has never looked back.

Also, taking customer service above and beyond is one her company's top priorities, which has led to multiple awards within the healthcare industry.

Having a strong mindset is the biggest hurdle before scaling up her company, and making sure her business is running 80% without her before acquiring another clinic. 

Through failure Dr. Sonia learned to delegate task so she can focus more on her business instead of working in her business. 

Shawn King is President and Owner of a recently launched employee benefits support network, Benefits Enriched.  She started her career many years ago after being a stay at home, homeschooling mother of 4.  She was newly divorced and struggling to make ends meet.  However, she was determined to figure out what a successful career looked and felt like.  With hard work and dedication Shawn was able to find the success she was looking for.  She challenged herself even further and has now been able to start a new chapter in her life as an entrepreneur.  Shawn believes that success is possible for ALL - no matter your circumstances, background, or age.

Prior to starting her own company, Shawn held a position as Vice President of Enrollment Services at HRO Partners.  She has accomplished a host of accolades in her industry including Annual Sales Plan Achievement for 4 consecutive years and TN Territory Agency Development Manager for 3 years.

Her new company, Benefits Enriched is focused on providing employee benefits support to employee benefits agencies, enrollment services firms, and companies.  Her goal is to meet her clients where they are at and become an extension of their team.  As Benefits Enriched grows she wants to provide opportunities for her team to not only dream but to reach their idea of success.

https://www.benefitsenriched.com/

Nicky Verd holds a record for shaking crowded tables and blowing stuff up. She is Africa's most sought-after Speaker on the impact of Emerging Technologies, Disruption, Innovation, Future of Work and Digital Transformation. She is the Author of the hit book, Disrupt Yourself Or Be Disrupted. Nicky Verd is a leading thinker on driving innovation through personal disruption, a show-stopping source of inspiration and a voice for those who yearn to recreate themselves in a world of disruptive technologies. A Digital Strategy Consultant, Content Strategist and an Africa Enthusiast.

After being retrenched from a job she held unto for dear life, Nicky Verd hit rock bottom, literally. But rose back up, upskilled/reinvented herself and is now empowering others to do the same. From living on food parcels and contemplating suicide just over four years ago to being recognized by Thinkers360 as one of the Top 50 Global Thought Leaders and Influencers on Digital Disruption and the Future of Work 2019 and 2020 respectively.

According to Nicky, many people think of disruption only in terms of new business models but disruption also work at a personal level, where people who want to pivot change and move ahead in life can disrupt and reinvent themselves, Personal disruption at its core is the ability to adopt forward thinking, evolve and reinvent yourself supplemented by a cycle of learning, unlearning, relearning and repeat. Nicky Verd strongly believes that personal development is the vehicle through which success and economic growth travel and that you cannot fully develop yourself if you don't understand the world around you.

Understanding what Industry 4.0 aka 4IR is all about will help put into perspective how some of the world's most cutting-edge technologies like Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, Blockchain, IoT, AR, 3D Printing and many others will impact your own life.

Contact info

https://nickyverd.africa/

Britney Christie and Lacey Stluka met on a mission trip to Kenya in 2011 where they saw kids that were starving, unable to learn and experiencing unfathomable abuse. They were stuck in a vicious cycle of poverty, destruction and brokenness. Britney and Lacey saw this as a problem not only for these kids, but the future of Kenya and for the world.

They were forever changed and determined to do something about it. They started the non-profit, Be Free Revolution, to serve those they met in the slums of Kenya and so began their journey of helping others help themselves full circle. Now all these years later they have over 100 children that they care for, mission trips they lead as well as facilitate a jewelry line to help provide jobs and fund the work that they do.

How to support and follow their mission 

https://www.befreerevolution.com/

https://www.facebook.com/befreerevolution

https://www.instagram.com/BEFREEREVOLUTION/

https://vimeo.com/80844338

Imagine the story of your life defined by government statistics like these: Drug addict, Five children you're unable to care for/foster care, Government assistance, Jail time, An early grave

When her guidance counselor told Dawnna these stats would define herlife, she believed them. As a result Dawnna became depressed, fell into homelessness, and lost everything.

It wasn't until she decided to step into a brave new chapter that things began to change. Over the years, Dawnna discovered that there were four principles of achievement which extremely success people consistently strived for to reach bigger goals.

These four principles gave her the ability to pull myself from the depths of depression, crawl out of homelessness, and build a $250M tech biz.

Today, Dawnna is a conference headlining keynote speaker on the Discipline of Achievement. She has transformed audiences around the world with the four principles that changed her life.

Dawnna also runs a successful coaching, mentoring, and mastermind company that helps clients define a plan of attack to annihilate roadblocks and achieve more than they thought possible.

Her client list includes well-known executives, high-potential employees, a consortium of investors and venture capitalists, motivational speakers, and entrepreneurs.

Contact info

https://dawnna.com/

As a prior Navy Labor and Delivery nurse, Carrie found herself assisting families during one of the most significant days of their lives. It was a true honor never taken for granted. While she is no longer caring for patients in a nursing capacity, Carrier finds that her new job, as a professional organizer, allows her to serve her clients in a similar and personal way; by helping them find joy and rest in their spaces while respecting their history and memories.

Carrie breaks down the transition from being a stay-at-home mom raising 3 children under the age of 8 to launching her own business. One key aspect to help with the launch is the love and support from her husband, family, and friends. Having that strong of a community backing her gave Carrie the confidence to springboard her into being an entrepreneur.   

Contact info

[email protected]

https://www.thespacedefined.com/

Living a life what most only dream of, Spencer Banks has had an incredible journey throughout life; one for the story books. Spencer has competed against Carl Lewis, is the barber to many of the NBA elite, and even has past clients of celebrities outside of the NBA. If that was not enough Spencer created a radio show which lead him down the road to advertising.

Throughout his journey, all roads and faith has led Spencer to this point within his adventure. He is the Manager of Advertising for the U of Memphis, all while still cutting hair for the NBA. The list of celebrity encounters are endless, but Spencer speaks of his past and current clients with humility and respect.

Spencer also created a radio show, from that endeavor Spencer was forced into advertising to gain sponsorship for his show. This journey has brought freedom and drawing from past experiencing to help build up the program within the U of Memphis.

Through an idea that spark further curiosity Aireka’s vision came to fruition. It was a long arduous road, but after 3 years Aireka startup Nodatplace.com is going strong. Aireka’s prayer was answered to leave her career to build a startup, but was apprehensive to leave her career. She knew that in order to succeed in her new role she would have to leave AT&T and focus all of her energy into Nodatplace.com. An investor backed out of their initially $40,000, but it did not slow Aireka down and she keep forging on build her startup.

Success is pushing through during the most challenging of times, keeping your head game tight, and keep the negative thoughts out. Aireka’s company, they provide a platform for small business to tell their story. Small businesses create our community and help to build and stimulate the economy. Also, Nodat focuses on getting customers to a business site, online sales, hot offers (timer for when offer expires), and helping with ROI and repeat revenue.

Another great piece of advice from Aireka is to not get married to the original idea. Evolve with your customers’ needs so that you stay top-of-mind, and continuously grow your company.

Be coach-able to stay ahead of the game, so you can be open and willing to adapt to help grow your business.

Contact info

https://nodatplace.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/aireka-harvell-125584aa/

https://www.instagram.com/nodat_nashville/

https://www.facebook.com/nodatnashville

https://twitter.com/nodatplace