CPAs and Financial Advisors

It used to be that, as consumers, we would go to one place to have our income taxes prepared, another place to get investment advice, and yet another place to get legal advice. At the end of the day, it was our responsibility to keep up with all of the decisions being made that impacted our financial world and hope nothing was overlooked – but not anymore. At Everything Knoxville, we found a group of Certified Public Accountants that have created a unique financial planning experience – every financial, estate, and legal service you need is offered under one roof.

EK: Yvonne, tell our readers a little bit about Marsh Professional Group, and describe for them the services you provide.

Yvonne: We are a team of CPA’s and independent financial advisors who partner with an experienced estate attorney to provide our clients with a fully-integrated financial planning service. We provide income tax preparation and tax minimization reviews, we help clients make sound financial decisions to protect their family’s future, and we give them the knowledge and tools to make smart, informed investment decisions. Also, by partnering with an estate attorney, we can make sure that their legacy plans are well thought out and documented. We’re a “one-stop-shop” of financial professionals, I guess you could say.

EK: How unusual is it for a full-service CPA firm to offer this complete range of financial planning services?

Yvonne: To my knowledge, we are the only CPA firm in Knoxville providing this entire suite of services in one location.

EK: How did you become interested in financial planning?

Yvonne: I started my career as an auditor in public accounting, which taught me how to listen and pay attention to detail. I was always drawn to helping friends and family with their tax and investment questions, so when I had an opportunity to transition into the financial advisory practice, I jumped at the opportunity. After we moved to Knoxville and my daughter was born, I wanted more work/life flexibility, so I started an online business, which I ran successfully before selling it a few years ago to rejoin the financial planning industry. My experiences as a CPA, small business owner, and a working parent help me view things from my clients’ perspective. I find it rewarding to help people make those hard financial decisions and give them the peace of mind they deserve.

EK: What is the biggest obstacle people face when they’re trying to make financial decisions?

Yvonne: I think it’s lack of time actually. We are all so busy managing our daily lives that it can be almost impossible to find the time to manage our financial life as well. It’s easy to push the decisions to another day, but the needs remain – to plan for our children’s college education and our own retirement, to make informed investment decisions, and even to help our aging parents manage their finances. So I developed a solution for myself and for my clients – I call it the Financial Foundation organizer.

EK: What is the Financial Foundation organizer?

Yvonne: We create a unique custom organizer that is our clients to keep. It reflects their entire financial world, from bank accounts, investments, debts, insurance policies, retirement plans, wills, and estate planning documents, just to name a few. Not only does it allow you to keep track of how you are doing, but it is an invaluable tool to your spouse and adult children to have all of this information gathered in one spot. We even include a Survivor’s Checklist to help with the financial decisions that must be made at the loss of a loved one. Also, importantly, it provides me the basis I need as a financial advisor to see where my clients are on their financial journey so I can get them to where they want to be.

EK: So along with providing tax services, help our readers understand the scope of financial planning services you provide.

Yvonne: How much space do I have? Just kidding… First and foremost, we get to know our clients – what financial goals and dreams are important to them. While we definitely help people answer their most pressing financial questions about “how much is enough?” for college savings and retirement income planning, we also dig deeper into the next layer of questions regarding such things as long-term care, social security maximization, income tax minimization, and proper investment diversification. Perhaps most importantly, we make sure that our clients’ investment holdings match their risk personalities so they aren’t riding the stock market roller coaster without a seat belt. We even provide a 401(k) review to ensure they have the proper mix of mutual funds and their investments in their employer’s retirement plan.


EK: So once you’ve created a plan for someone, you can also help them with investment decisions if they need it?

Yvonne: Yes, sometimes just building the plan isn’t enough and clients seek advice on their investment holdings. The most pressing question is definitely how to create income while protecting their principal. Safety and security is the name of the game, and if I’m going to recommend a certain type of investment to a client, I want to be able to follow the process to the end and be sure they get the best options available for them. Since I’m an independent advisor, I don’t have an agenda to promote any particular product or investment. I’m actually an Investment Advisor Representative, which means I am held to a higher “fiduciary” standard than what is generally found in the broker dealer world.

EK: The question I’m sure is on everyone’s mind… is this an expensive process?

Yvonne: It’s really not. Our advisory fees are very reasonably priced, and after our first complimentary meeting, I provide the client an exact quote of what their planning fee would be based on their goals and the level of assistance I can provide them.

EK: What types of clients do you work with?

Yvonne: A wide variety, actually. One reason I love my job is that I get to work with people in all phases of their financial life, though I most frequently work with individuals and couples over age 50 who are managing not only their own financial life, but perhaps helping their aging parents also. They definitely call it “the sandwich generation” for a reason! I also work with young couples and parents just starting out, women in transition due to divorce or widowhood, as well as small business owners.

EK: What is the best way for our readers to learn if you can help them achieve their individual financial goals?

Yvonne: Just give our office a call and set up a complimentary meeting with me. It gives us a chance to get to know each other and see how I might be of service. There’s no cost or obligation – just an opportunity to have your questions answered.

EK: In closing, is there anything else you would like to add?

Yvonne: Just that I hope people can be encouraged about their financial future, even if they have had some setbacks these last few years. Maybe their dreams are different now than they used to be, but they can still be attainable. I’d love an opportunity to give your readers some peace of mind that comes with having a comprehensive plan.

Marsh Professional Group, LLC
404 Ebenezer Road
Knoxville, TN 37923
865.622.2162
www.marshpros.com

Financial Planning & Investment Advisory Services are offered through Prosperity Capital Advisors, an independent, SEC Registered Investment Advisor located in the State of Ohio. Yvonne Marsh is an Investment Advisor Representative of Prosperity Capital Advisors in the state of Tennessee. Marsh Professional Group, LLC and Prosperity Capital Advisors are separate entities.

Synergy Auto Wash

Simply East Tennessee’s Best Car Wash

Walking into a room full of friends, Brian Davis voiced his dissatisfaction with the car wash he had just visited.


“Half the dirt was still on my vehicle, and, worse yet, the people who hand dried my truck did nothing about it,” he said.

Brian’s friends, having heard him complain about the poor service levels at area auto washes before, offered him a challenge. If he didn’t like the service he was receiving, then start his own car wash. Sort of, put up or shut up.

Brian accepted their challenge and launched Synergy Auto Wash in mid 2012.

EK: So Synergy Auto Wash was in fact launched in response to a challenge from a group of friends?

Brian: That and the simple idea that I like to keep my car clean, and there is no place in town that meets my expectations no matter what package I purchase, and I don’t have time to clean it myself.

EK: So you put your skills as a general contractor to use in converting a former conventional auto wash into Synergy Auto Wash’s all-new wash system?

Brian: Yes, due to having a construction background, I had an initial vision as to what I thought was not only the perfect car wash, but also a beautiful place where people can come and be comfortable.

EK: Synergy Auto Wash still uses the typical “tunnel” that most automobile owners are familiar with. What’s different?

Brian: Although we use a conveyor system like most car washes in the country, initial looks may be deceiving. First off, our conveyor is a state-of-the-art, low profile conveyor that allows us to wash many vehicles that other washes can’t get on their conveyor. Secondly, once you enter our conveyor, you’ll discover what makes Synergy Auto Wash unique. You won’t find all those mitters, side brushes, and wraps spinning down and around the car in front of you. We have replaced all of this equipment with individuals that literally hand wash your vehicle as it makes its way down the conveyor. No equipment comes in contact with your vehicle.

EK: Why is it important that no automated equipment touch your car?


Brian: Since we have no equipment that comes in contact with your vehicle, we can proudly say that we have virtually no damage in our tunnel. Secondly, I can’t imagine anyone feeling comfortable watching mitters, side brushes, and wraps spinning down the vehicle in front of you, removing all their dirt and then immediately coming down the sides of your vehicle as it continues down the tunnel. Or what about that truck bed a few cars in front of you that the mitters reach into and then run up your hood and the top of your vehicle? The dirt and grime from the vehicle ahead of you, which adheres to all of this equipment, can damage your car’s finish. Honestly, when you have the choice to have your car hand washed or machine washed, it’s a no brainer.

EK: Synergy Auto Wash is also a family affair. Explain your mother’s role.

Brian: This has proven to be the best reward after making the decision to open this facility. In this economy, it was a huge risk to open a small business, but who gets to work with their mother day in and day out? Life can be busy sometimes, and we often don’t get the opportunity to spend as much time as we would like with our loved ones. I get the luxury of waking up every day knowing I get to spend most of the day around my mother.

On another note, my mom has become the glue of this business. It is amazing how many people come in just to see her. No matter what day or how busy we are, you will never walk in the lobby and not see a smile on her face. She loves this place so much that even though she loves to travel to Charlotte to see her grandchildren, I generally get a phone call every time: “I miss the car wash… you better not replace me while I’m gone.”

EK: What other services do you offer at Synergy Auto Wash?

Brian: To make things easy for our customers, we’ve initially put together a simple menu. We have four basic washes that range from $8–$24. If you find yourself in need of additional services or you’re in the mood to pamper yourself, we have an A La Carte menu that consists of things such as buff wax, carpet shampoo, clean and condition leather, dash, door panels, and console protectant, and other things to keep your vehicle looking good and protected.

EK: What else would you like our readers to know about Synergy Auto Wash?



Brian: We are building this business on three principles:
1. We offer a full-service wash facility concept that nobody else in the southeast offers, nor can compete with, and we offer it at a price unavailable elsewhere.
2. With the help of our manager, Jimmy Stewart, my mom, Jolene Davis, and myself, we take so much pride in our customer service and guarantee it to be the best in town.
3. We are committed to delivering the best quality wash available. If you aren’t satisfied, then your wash is free.

EK: You said that once someone tried Synergy Auto Wash, you had a customer for life. Why?

Brian: It is amazing to hear all the positive comments day in and day out. We have people that drive from Halls, Maryville, Rockwood, Kingston, Oak Ridge, and Fountain City to take advantage of what we offer. Once we see someone for the first time, it is only a matter of days or weeks before we see them again. We are hand washing vehicles, our customer service is amazing, and I am an owner/operator working as hard and side-by-side by our amazing associates. For these reasons and many more, it is all about people being aware that we are here and their willingness to give us an opportunity to demonstrate just why we believe we are East Tennessee’s best car wash.



EK: Are there any new services you plan on offering in the future?

Brian: Due to the fact that I spent two years researching the car wash industry while traveling to hundreds of car washes across the country, our menu will likely remain unchanged for the present, but we are receptive to adding new services should our customers ask for them.

EK: In closing, is there anything else you would like to add?

Brian: If someone asked me “Why should I try Synergy Auto Wash?” I would say this: We are a family-run, small business that excels in customer service and quality. We hand wash every vehicle in the safest possible environment, and all at a price competitive to our competition. Won’t you give us a try? Protect your investment and your car’s finish.

Synergy Auto Wash
10500 Kingston Pike
Knoxville, TN 37922
865.297.3403
www.synergyautowash.com

The Shrimp Dock

The area’s only fresh seafood market provides unsurpassed customer service, customer loyalty program, senior discounts, and – coming soon – daily live lobsters and New England’s legendary lobster rolls

Many home cooks mistakenly assume that fish is difficult to prepare, when, in fact, there’s nothing more simple than delicious, fresh fish with a bit of olive oil and salt and pepper. When you visit The Shrimp Dock, the experienced staff can not only teach you how to prepare fish, but they are experienced professionals who can recommend a menu complete with recipes. At each Shrimp Dock location (Bearden, Farragut, and Alcoa), the managers and sales crew are very knowledgeable in all aspects of the seafood business. They order specifically for their individual store; they each have developed a relationship with the neighborhood in which the store is located and know many of their customers by name. Just let them know what your favorites are, and they’ll call you when that item is in stock, even if it’s something as specific as fish heads that you want to use for homemade fish stock.

Know Your Seafood Source. Unlike big box stores, The Shrimp Dock still does business locally and has a personal relationship with customers and – most importantly – provides the best product, almost always fresh, never frozen, responsibly fished, and domestically sourced from Alaska, the Gulf, Florida, and New England. They order seafood daily and receive shipments six days a week, including a full selection of clams, oysters, crabs, and lobsters, and if they don’t have an item, they will gladly special order it for you.

Special Dietary Needs. Whether you have a special dietary need, such as recovering heart patients who need a lean and healthy diet or people who are committed to a low calorie regime, The Shrimp Dock can help you prepare a varied and interesting diet plan.

Frequent Buyer Reward Card. The Shrimp Dock offers a Frequent Buyer Reward card in all three stores. As an appreciation to regular customers, they offer a free pound of 31-35 shrimp after ten $10 purchases of seafood from the market. With so many choices of fresh fin fish, shellfish, soups, dips, salads, quiche, and specialty items from which to choose, it is really easy to accumulate enough punches on the card to reach the bonus pound of shrimp.

Senior Discount Days. For those over 60, The Shrimp Dock offers Senior Discount Day every Wednesday – a 10% discount on everything in the store, including lunch! Make a big shopping trip of your visit and stock up for a few days, or fill the freezer with an assortment of their homemade soups. In fact, bring in your cooler and they will gladly pack your purchases in ice for the drive home.

Exclusive Live Crawfish and Eva’s Cakes. In addition to daily deliveries of fresh fish, The Shrimp Dock is the only local source for live crawfish every Thursday, from now until July 4th, and the exclusive provider of Eva’s Cakes, seasonally available or by special order.

Shrimp Boil Season. Plan now for the upcoming Shrimp Boil season. Let The Shrimp Dock cater your larger events (graduation parties, church outings, tailgating, etc.), or you can get a shrimp boil “to go”: they will pack the entire supply list for you and even loan you the 60 quart pot and burner. The “how-to” instructions will tell you by the minute how to prepare and cook all of the ingredients: shrimp, corn, new potatoes, Andouille sausage, garlic, lemons, and their special spice. All you have to supply is the water and propane… and the beverage of your choice. This meal is a natural for any gathering, especially parties and graduations.

Sunday Hours in Alcoa. Of note to the customers in the Alcoa and Maryville markets, The Shrimp Dock in Alcoa has added Sunday hours for your convenience, after listening to customer requests. The market is open from 11 am to 4 pm, and lunch is served from 11:30 am until 3 pm each Sunday, making them a great resource for Sunday night dinner on the grill. Also, keep an eye out for upcoming cooking classes in all three locations soon.

The Shrimp Dock
www.shrimpdock.com

Bearden
5210 Kingston Pike
865.558.1237

Farragut
11124 Kingston Pike
865.777.3625

Alcoa
321 S. Calderwood Street
865.233.7447

Susan Dodd, MD PLLC

Focused on providing the best in women’s healthcare

There is perhaps no healthcare relationship that is as important to a woman as the one she has with her gynecologist. This is the doctor she will visit, well or sick, at least once a year. This is the doctor who will play a key role in her health throughout her life, ranging from annual exams, to treatment of a variety of disorders, to menopausal counseling. This is the doctor with whom she may discuss her most intimate concerns.

This month we’re pleased to feature Dr. Susan Dodd, a native of Sevier County who has practiced obstetrics and gynecology since 1987 and who now focuses exclusively on gynecology. Dr. Dodd is a highly accomplished physician, professor, and community volunteer ith a true passion for her profession: providing quality and personalized women’s care in a welcoming environment. It’s no surprise she’s been recognized as a “Top Doc” in Cityview magazine annually since 2002, as a YWCA Tribute to Women human services honoree, and as a Girl Scout Woman of Achievement, among other honors.

The power of listening
One of the things for which Susan Dodd is most known – and appreciated – is her gracious bedside manner. She’s a natural listener who puts her patients at ease as they share their concerns. Dr. Dodd is incredibly thorough while being very easy to talk to and is known by patients and colleagues alike for her down-to-earth approach.

It’s not a job – it’s a passion
“Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life” is a quote that has been attributed to Confucius and perfectly describes Dr. Susan Dodd. For her, gynecology is not a job – it’s a passion. She truly enjoys practicing medicine and helping her patients lead healthy lives, and it shows.

The latest in medical knowledge and treatments
Along with her noteworthy patient focus and bedside manner, Dr. Dodd stays abreast of all current recommendations on the full range of women’s health testing, and she explains potentially intimidating medical information in terms her patients can understand. In addition to board certifications from the National Board of Medical Examiners, the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Dr. Dodd is a published author of papers on numerous women’s health topics in medical journals.

Teaching and mentoring young physicians
As an assistant professor at the University of Tennessee Medical Center since 1987 and also as a clinical assistant professor at the James H. Quillen College of Medicine at East Tennessee State University, Dr. Dodd stays on the leading edge of medical knowledge and treatments. Among her many recognitions, one of which she is most proud is being honored with the chief Residents Award for Excellence in Teaching at the University of Tennessee Research Memorial Hospital.

Convenient surgical privileges at multiple hospitals
Dr. Dodd’s new office is located on Parkwest Boulevard in West Knoxville, but she enjoys surgical privileges at UT Medical Center, Parkwest Hospital, and Tennova. This gives her patients a full range of options regarding hospital care should they need surgical treatment.

Accepting new patients
When practicing obstetrics in addition to gynecology, Dr. Dodd had a full patient list and was not accepting new patients. With her current focus exclusively on gynecology, Dr. Dodd is now accepting new patients for the first time in years and welcomes your transfer to her practice. Most insurance providers, including Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, Humana, and United Healthcare, are accepted. More information, including a records transfer form, is available at www.susandoddmd.com or by calling 865-690-7677.

Susan Dodd, MD PLLC
Women’s Health
9314 Parkwest Boulevard, Suite 100
Knoxville, TN 37923
865.690.7677
www.susandoddmd.com

Denton Financial Group

This issue of Everything Knoxville is pleased to feature Tennessee native and 20-year investment advisor representative, Clark Denton.

In these tumultuous financial times, as investors seek investment strategies to preserve and grow their personal wealth, secure their future retirement objectives, help save for their children’s college educations, and a myriad of other financial goals, a well thought-out and carefully implemented investment strategy makes perfect sense. Clark offers each of his clients a high level of investment diversification and personalized planning based on a thorough evaluation of each client’s individual needs and designed to achieve agreed upon portfolio objectives within each person’s risk threshold. Clark offers two decades of financial investment expertise to a variety of clients with diverse objectives, from those clients just starting out, to seasoned clients, to employer retirement plans.

EK: As a MetLife Investment Advisor Representative, many of our readers might be surprised to learn that MetLife offers the same services as a full-service brokerage service.

Clark: There really is no difference in what companies offer today. The barriers between banks, insurance companies, and brokerage houses have been eliminated. Everyone plays in the same sandbox. What matters are the relationship and the service you get from that firm or individual. I’m a big believer in face-to-face relationships.

EK: Can you share with our readers a little bit about your formal education and investment experience and how the two combined help you assist others in developing individual short- and long-term investment strategies?

Clark: My undergraduate degree is in Accounting from Carson-Newman. I also have an MBA from the Stetson School of Business and Economics at Mercer University in GA. The barriers to entry in my marketplace are relatively small, so just about anyone can get a license and call themselves an “advisor.” Clients should only deal with an advisor who has been in the business at least 15 years. This way you know they are doing something right. Every time the market corrects I learn something. Success follows a predictable course.

EK: When you meet with clients, what emphasis do you place on education?

Clark: It’s ALL about education. If clients understand the financial instruments out there today, then they understand what they’re saying yes to. People will make the right decisions for themselves if they have all the information. Having access to many different options is important.

EK: How do you address the issues of safety when consulting with individual clients?

Clark: Most of my clients are concerned about 3 things: 1) Regardless of their assets, most are worried about running out of money. 2) Most are wary of the potential of losing everything in a nursing home situation. 3) No one likes paying more taxes than they should. There are many ways to mitigate and transfer risk today, and education plays a big role.

EK: How important is it for a good investment advisor to also be a good listener?

Clark: Being a good listener and asking the right questions are hugely important. One question I always ask clients is “What is the intent of this money?” It may be income, legacy planning, or simply accumulation. The client knows exactly what they want to do. I provide the education and products to do it the right way.

EK: How important is it for clients to periodically review their investments and strategies?

Clark: An annual review is a must, but a quarterly review is preferred. We send out approximately 600 letters every quarter requesting clients to come in for review. Quarter break is a very busy time for us. The reviews allow us to go over the sometime dramatic changes that have occurred in our equity markets during the past several years. No surprises with money are always a good thing.

EK: Is it still possible for an investor to safely navigate today’s uncertain financial marketplace?

Clark: Risk is inherent in everything an investor does. Even CD holders are subjected to risk. If CD holders are living off their principle and interest, then purchasing power risk and longevity risk are the two main ones. Understanding and managing risk is paramount in our conversations. Again, understanding what the client wants to accomplish and educating them to that end is a very important goal in our meetings. Safety means different things to different people. We have to dig down and find out what that means to that individual.

EK: Do you have any other thoughts that you’d like to share with our readers?

Clark: My work is very meaningful, because we help clients manage risk (not just money), and we help them make the most of what they have. I really enjoy what I do.

Denton Financial Group
An office of MetLife

412 Ebenezer Road in Knoxville
683-A Emory Valley Road in Oak Ridge
1780 N. Broad Street in Tazewell
865.483.7909
www.clarkdenton.metlife.com

Clark Denton is a Financial Services Representative and Investment Advisor Representative at MetLife Metropolitan Life Insurance Company (MLIC), New York, NY 10166. Securities products and investment advisory services offered by MetLife Securities, Inc. (MSI) (member FINRA/SIPC) and a registered investment adviser. MLIC and MSI are MetLife companies.

Rediscover the All-New Sweetwater Flower Shop and The Mansion Restaurant

This month Everything Knoxville magazine is delighted to be bringing you a special interview with Jack Wilson, owner of the iconic Sweetwater Flower Shop located on W. North Street in historic downtown Sweetwater.  The oldest flower store in Sweetwater and the second oldest flower shop in Monroe County, Sweetwater Flower Shop has been serving the needs of area friends and families since the 1920s.

EK: How did you become involved in this nearly century-old business here in Sweetwater?

Jack: Having been raised in Sweetwater, I was familiar with most businesses and their owners.  The two women (the late Gladys Lawson and Wilma Thompson) who owned the shop in 1964 befriended me then at the age of eleven and hired me on a part-time basis.  I’m not even certain if there were any work age restrictions back in those days.  We’re a small southern town, and I helped out doing small chores, including taking out the trash, sweeping, cleaning, and a host of other odd jobs… sort of a “Jack” of all trades.

EK: When did you first recognize that you had a creative talent for both floral design and entrepreneurship?

Jack: Well, having worked here from such an early age, I gradually became familiar with the floral and gift industry over time.  The shop owners, recognizing that I might have a talent for creative design, slowly introduced me to the floral industry where my skills were nurtured over time by these two wonderful and caring women.

EK: Aside from discovering your creative and artistic skills here, what else attracted you to the floral industry?

Jack: That’s easy, the people… the wonderful customers and the creative staff that has been my privilege to serve and work with.  Sweetwater is unique.  It is, by definition, a “city” I guess, but it is really a charming, small, southern town.  Everyone knows everybody else.  In this business, you watch generations of friends, families, and neighbors transition through their lives.  You can celebrate births, birthdays, graduations, engagements, weddings, anniversaries, and, sadly, the loss of loved ones.  I don’t know of any other career that offers a person the opportunity to serve their community in such a personal way that I have been blessed to do.

EK: You explained that you purchased Sweetwater Flower Shop from your two mentors in 1985 and operated it uninterrupted for 26 years when tragedy struck.  Explain what happened.

Jack: It was my worst nightmare when I learned that the flower shop where I had spent nearly 47 years of my life had tragically burned.  The structure itself had survived, but the entire interior, including fixtures and equipment, and all of our merchandise were destroyed.

EK: What happened next?

Jack: Well, I was devastated.  It was as if my life had come to an abrupt halt, but then a miracle happened. My loss was quickly replaced with an outpouring of support and encouragement from the same community that had been my privilege to serve for most of my adolescent and adult life.  It was then that I discovered just how rich and blessed a man I was.

EK: How did you recover from this misfortune?

Jack: In large part and thanks to the generosity of fellow entrepreneur, Debbie Oden, owner of The Paris Apartment & Tea Room, we were able to relocate our shop into an unused portion of her store until our building was restored.  I can never thank Debbie enough.

EK: Tell us about the all-new Sweetwater Flower Shop and The Mansion Restaurant.

Jack: Very simply, it’s incredible.  There is not enough space in your magazine to describe what we have been able to accomplish.  Our new shop, located in the same building and location as the original store, is simply gorgeous.  Bright, cheery, warm, and inviting are just a few of the words used by visitors to describe the shop.  You just have to see it for yourself.  Mostly it’s just a look of surprise and amazement, followed by “wow!”

EK: Tell our readers about the new merchandise you’ve added.

Jack: First and foremost, we’re a flower shop, which continues to feature its signature designs, but our gift and home décor area has been greatly expanded and will change with the “seasons” as they say.  We now carry ladies scarves, jewelry, handbags, and other women’s accessories in addition to our large selection of gifts, art, and home décor items. I think your readers will be truly amazed.

EK: What about the restaurant?

Jack: It’s our work in progress.  The Mansion Restaurant, located on the second floor of the flower shop, is scheduled to open this month.  By their very nature, restaurants are a major undertaking.  We’re completing the working kitchen and securing our final inspections.  Chef Lea Watson, who completed her internship at the Cordon Bleu in Paris, is scheduled to have a “soft” opening this month.  We encourage you to call for dates and times.

EK: Tell us a little more.  What type of food will you feature?


Jack: As its name implies, The Mansion Restaurant will feature southern fare in a truly upscale southern-style ambiance.  We will begin serving lunch and expand both our menu selections and hours as we progress through the inevitable learning curve associated with any new business, and we indulge your patience in advance.  I assure it will be worth the wait.

EK: Anything else you would like to add as we conclude our interview?

Jack: Just thank you to all of you who have supported and encouraged us, particularly during the past year.  I hope that you will personally enjoy what we have created for you at the Sweetwater Flower Shop and The Mansion Restaurant.  Words cannot express our heartfelt gratitude.  Please accept my personal invitation to visit us and all the other fine merchants here in historic downtown Sweetwater.

Sweetwater Flower Shop
118 W. North Street
Sweetwater, TN 37874
423.337.6623

Keeping Small Businesses Ahead of the Marketing Trends

By Cindy Sanders

It takes one to know one… a small business, that is. In the case of Trendsetters Media Group, this local business understands just how to help other small businesses make a big impression. Everything Knoxville sat down this month with owners Ron and Sandy Morton to find out how they help other local companies navigate a market flooded with new technology. According to Ron, business owners can’t let themselves drown in a tidal wave of buzzwords like tweet, blog, blast, widget, tumblr, and streaming. Some… or all… of those things might ultimately become part of the plan, but the real trick is to get back to basics.

EK: What are the most common marketing mistakes you see companies make?

RM: I think the new digital marketing world can be so confusing and overwhelming for some business owners that they almost get paralyzed, but ‘doing nothing’ to market your products and services really isn’t an option. Everyone is on sensory overload these days. On the other side, we also see small businesses that are all over the map with their marketing without really having a plan. That’s probably one of the ways we best help our clients – by looking at their unique business and how the various options apply. We’re great at sorting through all the noise to help companies find the most effective ways to retain current customers and build their brand.

EK: How has the recession changed the way companies should do business?

RM: We’re back to preaching the basics more than ever. Today’s businesses are so caught up in all the new media options and social platforms that they have completely forgotten how they got where they are. Marketing is like football… if you stop practicing the fundamentals, you quit moving the chains. That doesn’t mean those new outlets aren’t useful, but first you have to know who you are, who your customers are, and what your message is… and that has to be consistent. More often than not, businesses two years and older could survive on their current customer base if they would simply put programs in place to touch those customers four to six times a year. We can help them do that. Businesses that don’t keep up with attrition rates get stuck in neutral. They will advertise and bring in new customers, but their attrition rate is as high or higher than their customer acquisition rate, so they spin their wheels but get nowhere.


EK: If you were going to put Trendsetters Media in a particular category, what would that be? Are you an advertising agency, a marketing firm, a digital boutique, consultant?

RM: I’d say we’re a digital hybrid, meaning we’re still doing some of the analog-type marketing such as media buying and graphic design, but we’re also building and designing websites, working in social media, and are a Google Adwords Accredited Partner.


EK: Ron, what differentiates Trendsetters Media?

RM: My vision for Trendsetters Media is different than my previous marketing firms. Trendsetters is an ad firm with a product… not an ad firm brokering everyone else’s products.

EK: What kinds of products do you have?


RM: We actually call them our brands. They are tangible products that have evolved from providing business solutions to meet clients’ specific challenges. One example is our proprietary direct mail brand. Upscale Mail is the only direct mail product in the market that mails by neighborhood and only to the area’s most affluent neighborhoods. We also have a web-based, multi-line inventory content management system called Edit, a really great online customer engagement platform called Slingshot, and Swat Mob, which is our online business model that handles Google/Bing/Yahoo ad words campaigns and website optimization. Doodads is our ‘swag’ line that offers the ability to get your brand on more than 850,000 items. For the last 15 years, we’ve also produced the Food City Lead Lap NASCAR Magazine Show airing Saturdays at 10 am on WNML The Sports Animal.

EK: Sandy, can most small businesses afford this kind of expertise?

SM: Absolutely. Too many people think only big companies can afford a media firm, but the whole idea of our business is that you get a return on your investment by building awareness, engaging new customers, and retaining current ones. Our mission statement is to provide the same tools and expertise to small-to-medium size businesses as the larger firms do… but at a better value proposition.

EK: Ron, tell us a little about your marketing and media background.

RM: I was fortunate to have grown up in a marketing family, so I had lots of good examples around me. My uncle, Bobby Denton, ran WIVK for years. When he and Jim Dick launched the first AM talk station in Knoxville, they needed more warm bodies to sell ads. I was young and pretty green, but I was a warm body. Working on commission, I’d say that was my first small business experience. I wound up spending 13 years in radio sales before launching my first marketing company in 2001. I put all my experiences from my past firms to work when we founded Trendsetters in 2006.

EK: What business accomplishments are you most proud of?


RM: I’d say the American Advertising Federation Awards that we have won recently for our clients. It’s always nice to win for your clients; however, I must say I was pretty stoked when we won a Gold Addy for our website – not because it was ours, but just because I’ve always found doing projects for yourself to be the most challenging.

EK: Sandy, who are some of the company’s clients?

SM: Bill Cox Furniture, Bobcat of Knoxville and Chattanooga, The American Red Cross, Campbell’s Pool and Spa, Tennessee Dairy Farmers, Renewal by Andersen, Cornerstone Blinds, Blount County Partnership, Faith Promise Church, IFS Freight, Food City, Bristol Motor Speedway, to name some. Between all of the brands, we touch a very diverse group of industries. One business basic is not to have all of your eggs in one basket, and we practice what we preach.

Trendsetters Media Group
865.909.0313
www.thetsmgroup.com

“Renewing Homes… Enhancing Lives”

This month Everything Knoxville is featuring local area business owner and entrepreneur Bill Stone.

As the owner of Renewal by Andersen of Knoxville, Bill has combined his many years of experience in the home construction and renovation industries with the more than 100 years of innovation, quality, and craftsmanship of Andersen Corporation, the most respected name in the window and door industry. This century-old commitment to innovation resulted in Andersen Corporation being recognized as the first replacement window manufacturer to be honored with the Green Seal Certification for not only energy efficient windows, but also because of their innovative and environmentally friendly manufacturing practices.

Another important characteristic that further differentiates Renewal by Andersen is the totally turn-key experience they offer homeowners. They sell and install only what they manufacture, never using subcontractors for installation.

EK: You’ve stated that Renewal by Andersen produces the very best replacement window available in the industry. Why?

Bill: Two reasons. First of all, we offer an innovative and proprietary wood composite called Fibrex® that provides the high strength, superior insulation, low maintenance, beauty, and superior warranty that homeowners demand and deserve. Renewal by Andersen replacement windows, all of which are manufactured from Fibrex®, offer homeowners the highest quality replacement window available anywhere. Period.

Secondly, but equally as important, is our people. We employ our own craftsmen – trained, skilled, and dedicated. Customers will rediscover a level of professionalism, experience, and expertise they often feel no longer exists. Our team goes out of its way to provide superior service and respect to you and your home.

EK: Is it common for window replacement companies to use subcontractors?

Bill: Subcontractors, particularly during the installation phase, are commonly used. We don’t employ subcontractors. We rely entirely on our experienced, factory-trained craftsmen.

EK: Why is that so important?

Bill: The best replacement window in the world, improperly installed, is worthless. The only sure way is to maintain the control and accountability required to ensure that each and every project is done right the first time. Also, because our craftsmen only install Renewal by Andersen replacement windows, they achieve an uncommon level of technical proficiency unavailable to a subcontractor who installs roofs, decks, windows, etc.

EK: Describe your turn-key approach.

Bill: Simply put, we design, manufacture, install, and service the replacement windows and doors we sell, which provides security and peace of mind for every homeowner. Oftentimes, homeowners purchase replacement windows and doors from a distributor who purchases from a variety of manufacturers, and then the windows and doors are installed by subcontractors.

Imagine the possible challenges that could result from a future warranty claim. Was the window or door manufactured improperly? Did the distributor sell you the right product for the application? Did the installation subcontractor install the window or door correctly?

What homeowners need to avoid is the future possibility of the manufacturer, distributor, and subcontractor each pointing the finger at the other guy, leaving you “holding the bag.” And considering that more than 50 percent of all remodeling contractors have been in business for fewer than four years, you’ve got to question the value of the lifetime warranties offered by many companies selling replacement windows and doors.

EK: Anything else you’d like to say to our readers?

Bill: I would like to thank everyone who has supported us in the past and let them know that their support and encouragement has allowed us to support charitable organizations in our community, including Mission of Hope and the Optimist Club of Knoxville. Both of these organizations are designed to benefit underprivileged children – the same children that represent the future of our country.

EK: How can homeowners learn more about Renewal by Andersen replacement windows and doors?

Bill: To learn more about how Renewal by Andersen can renew your home, you can visit our website at www.hateyouroldwindows.com, call us at 865-622-3434, or stop by our showroom at 111 Northview Street. You can also check us out on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+. My staff and I will be happy to discuss how we can renew your home with quality windows and doors from Renewal by Andersen.

Renewal by Andersen
111 Northview Street
Knoxville, TN 37919
865.622.3434
www.hateyouroldwindows.com

Helping You Organize Your Life
Closet • Pantry • Garage • Mud Room • Home Office • Murphy Bed

A group of friends who had known each other for years, all with different professional skills and strengths, identified a U.S. housing trend that was being underserviced in the East Tennessee area. With the economic downturn a few years ago, instead of moving into new homes, homeowners were choosing to stay in their current homes, but were looking for opportunities to maximize existing living space, renovate garages into more usable space, and get more organized throughout the home, essentially creating more with less.

Dan Morgan, Scott Blazer, Dennis Falls, and Kathryn Norton combined resources to take ownership of Tailored Living and PremierGarage of East Tennessee. While locally owned and operated, the company is part of a national franchise network specializing in the design and installation of closet, garage, home office, and utility spaces. It is also the country’s leading company in garage enhancements, including garage flooring, cabinets, and organizational systems. While the company has the strong support of a national brand, their clear focus is about serving the local community.

EK: What has been your experience as you mix business with friendship? Most often you hear the advice that friends shouldn’t go into business together.

Dan: I guess we’re the exception to the rule. Being friends has really been an asset to the business. We all share the same strong moral values that have helped guide our business, family lives and have provided great support for each other. And with our unique experiences and backgrounds, we challenge each other to think differently as we grow the business.

EK: What makes Tailored Living featuring PremierGarage different from your competitors?

Dan: It’s a combination of several important factors. First, working within any budget, we provide high-quality products that are professionally installed by our own factory-trained employees, not subcontractors, for a full range of in-home organization. Most importantly, we have a sharp focus on customer-centered service. It’s very important to us that our customers receive exactly what they need for their specific situation. When we started Tailored Living, we wanted the foundation of our business to be one that put the customer first.

EK: You recently bought SpaceMakers, a Knoxville-owned supplier of custom-designed cabinetry. Why?

Dan: We brought together two companies that shared a commitment of providing quality, organizational cabinetry. The acquisition helps us provide even greater value to our customers by offering them a wider range of products to choose from, all from a single source. It underscores our ongoing commitment to providing affordable, custom-designed closets and storage areas throughout the home.

EK: Why has there been such a demand for in-home organization?

Kathryn: Homeowners’ need for storage is based on their limited availability of space and the demand for time-saving solutions. For most of us, there are so many more things to organize in our homes than ever before, allowing us to make maximum use of all available space within our homes. Many of the rooms of a house that were once synonymous with “secret” – closets, garages, laundry rooms – are now valuable space as we find solutions for more organization.

EK: When it comes to closets, pantries, or home offices, do you have a design philosophy?

Dennis: Our philosophy is pretty simple: listen to the customer to make sure we design a solution for their specific needs and budget.

EK: It sounds like a collaboration between you and the homeowner?

Dennis: From the very first meeting, our customers are completely engaged. We bring our showroom to a customer’s home and begin laying out a home office, garage storage, or closet with the homeowner sitting right beside us. Our 3D graphic software allows the customer to see their new area before a single item is ordered. In fact, we work with the homeowner to make changes until the design is exactly what they want at a price that fits their budget. This can all be done in the first short consultation.

EK: Moving from inside the house to the garage, what trends are you seeing in the garage?

Dan: People are designing their garages to complement their home. More often than not, the garage is the first room people see before they enter and the last one they see as they leave their homes, so more homeowners are extending the inside of their house to the garage in a seamless transition to serve a dual purpose. Alongside their car, they’re creating hobby/work areas, a man cave, or maybe even a play zone for the kids.  

EK: Most homeowners select inexpensive epoxy coatings to protect their garage floors. What makes your coatings better?

Scott: The do-it-yourself epoxy coatings look great – for about a year. Then you have to refinish the floor to eliminate unsightly marks, blistering, and peeling from tires and abrasions. Our flexible polyurea coating, which comes with a 10-year warranty, cures two times harder than traditional materials, eliminating those unsightly marks. We don’t believe our concrete coating can be matched for its beauty, durability, elegance, and easy-to-clean features. And with 100% UV protection, our garage floor will keep its showroom appearance for many years to come.

EK: What do you enjoy the most about your business?

Dan: We absolutely love working with homeowners and seeing a customer’s face when they see the finished product. Recently we put in a closet for a 100-year-old woman, and when she saw her new closet for the first time, her smile and laughter expressed sheer joy! That’s what our business is all about!

Tailored Living featuring PremierGarage
865.947.8686
www.TailoredLiving.com/knoxville

Transforming Your Vision for Your New Home or Remodeling Project into Reality

By Shawn Van Dyke, Founder of Redbud Construction Services

My passion for building, as well as my deep respect for traditional craftsmanship as an art form, began at an early age, led to a Master’s degree in Structural Engineering from the University of Tennessee, and later the creation of Redbud Construction Services.

Our clients are delighted to discover that companies like Redbud still exist. Companies that are committed to unrivaled quality, attention to detail, and an appreciation of traditional craftsmanship, which is not so common today. Redbud is committed to a level of workmanship many others in our profession overlook, and we have integrated 21st century technology and management techniques into each and every project we undertake. Quality craftsmanship combined with technological advances and clear communication provide our clients with not only a totally unique experience, but also provide Redbud with the pride that comes from exceeding our clients’ expectations. This joy enables our clients to become our best sales force. Redbud specializes in creating new spaces for our clients, but we excel at building relationships.

We have developed a 4-step process that we walk our clients through to ensure our clients understand exactly what their projects will entail.

1. The first step is an initial site visit to review and discuss the scope of the project.
2. Next we produce an Estimate and Design Proposal that details the work that REDBUD will perform to complete the project.
3. Following the Estimate and Design Proposal we produce the Design documents which provide our clients with the final scope of work and cost for their projects.
4. Finally we execute the construction contract, and then the real fun begins.

To view more of our work, visit www.redbudcs.com .

Redbud Construction Services, LLC
320 Troy Circle, Suite D
Knoxville, TN 37919
865.309.5258
www.redbudcs.com
info@redbudconstructionservices.com