This month, Everything Knoxville interviews mother, wife, pharmacist, small business owner and Knoxville native Amy Tate.

Discover how Amy, along with husband and business partner, Swanson, successfully balance the demands of family, careers and self-employment. Together this husband and wife team are raising two children, managing two careers, operating three Sports Clips franchise stores, and now Amy has just recently launched a highly successful Gigi’s Cupcakes bakery in Turkey Creek.

Certainly not without its challenges, Amy is an inspiration to other area women that may be considering a future self-employment opportunity and that are trying to discover their own recipe for success.

Everything Knoxville: We know there is a Mrs. Fields behind Mrs. Field’s Cookies, so is there a Gigi behind Gigi’s Cupcakes?

Amy Tate: Destined to become an entrepreneur, Gina Butler, nicknamed Gigi, owner and founder of Gigi’s Cupcakes, started her first business at age 15 before launching her already famous cupcakery franchise in 2007 at the urging of her brother, Steve. Gigi, although very unassuming, is also a perfectionist. She pays close attention to the smallest details and insists on personally training and certifying all preopening store employees, particularly the bakers and decorators. I’m excited about her passion for the Gigi’s brand and our success as franchise owners.

EK: How has Gigi’s Cupcakes, as a franchise, performed so far?

Amy: Well, on her personal goal of opening 100 stores nationally, Gigi’s currently has 33 locations in 16 states and anticipates a total of 50 stores by the end of 2011. What people may not be aware of is that Gigi’s mother and father each own their own Gigi’s Cupcakes store. Her dad is over new store development, her brother, Randall, is COO, and her mom helps develop and test new recipes. I love the franchise because it is a family based company and also a faith based company. It could be hard to imagine that this success story will not greatly exceed 100 locations, and very quickly.

EK: What has been your experience so far?

Amy: Overwhelming and exciting! We completed training and opened just one month before Valentine’s Day, one of our busiest days of the year. Some anxious moments and some late nights, but our team pulled it together. The public response quite frankly has far exceeded our most optimistic expectations. Thank you Knoxville!

EK: These are not your mother’s cupcakes. How are they different from the typical cupcake you might find at the food store?

Amy: We bake our cupcakes fresh every morning from recipes created by Gigi and her mom. We use only the freshest ingredients, from the freshly baked sweet potatoes we use to make our Candied Sweet Potato cupcake to the fresh strawberry juice we use in our strawberry frosting. But it doesn’t end there. We place a great deal of emphasis on presentation. That includes the cupcakes themselves, how they’re displayed in-store and how they’re packaged before they leave the store. Cupcakes are placed in beautiful decorator boxes that heighten our customers’ appreciation for our cupcakes. I think our cupcakes in these gift boxes are a great alternative for husbands to give their wives in place of roses.

EK: You and your husband, Swan, currently own three Knoxville area Sport Clips locations. Has this helped prepare you as you’ve launched the very first Gigi’s Cupcakes in the Knoxville area in Turkey Creek?

Amy: Owning another franchise has definitely helped with opening Gigi’s. We were better prepared and more knowledgeable of the ins and outs of running your own business. Our experience with financing, lease negotiations, store build-out, signage, insurance and hiring certainly helped us get Gigi’s Cupcakes up and running. All of our experience comes from the mistakes and road blocks we have had to overcome.

EK: You’re a pharmacist, which is your primary career. Describe your transition from the corporate world to self-employment.

Amy: Being a pharmacist in a retail setting to owning your own business is a huge difference. Someone else does the payroll, the marketing, pays the bills, etc. in the corporate world. You can also leave your work at work. It doesn’t always happen that way when you own your own business. Basically, as an employee most of the responsibilities of operating a successful small business are handled by management. As a small business owner all of those responsibilities are yours.

EK: You’re also a mother of two. How have you been able to balance family and business?

Amy: I would say this is probably the hardest thing to do. My children come first, so I do not ever want to miss anything or take anything away from them by me owning my own business. I stay extremely busy trying to do both. But fortunately, after several months, I have been able to free myself up to drop my children off at school and pick them up at the end of the day. I’m also now able to attend most of their school activities. It can be done, but it requires planning.

EK: What recommendations do you have for other moms considering self-employment?

Amy: I would say to make sure to have plenty of support from family and friends when you first launch your business as it is very time consuming. Also, try to include your children in your business in some way so they do not perceive it as a negative and something that is taking “mom” away from them. My 9-year-old daughter loves to come to work with me on Saturdays and help out running the register, sweeping, and trying to learn how to “swirl” (Gigi’s terminology for frosting cupcakes).

EK: Would you like to offer our readers a special invitation to experience the world’s greatest cupcakes?

Amy: Of course. Mention this article in the month of April when you make your next purchase of three cupcakes, and we’ll give you the fourth cupcake free. I also encourage you to use your imagination when planning your next event. Cupcakes can turn an ordinary event into an extraordinary event. Weddings, birthday parties, tailgating, showers, business, anniversaries or any occasion can be made even more special with Gigi’s Cupcakes.

EK: Thank you Amy and best of luck for your continued success.

Amy: Thank you, and thank you Knoxville. Be sure to check out our new spring/summer menu.

In this exclusive Everything Knoxville interview, we speak with husband and wife business team, Jeff and Cindi Alpert, owners and founders of one of Knoxville’s newest and most popular radio stations. Featuring the very best from three decades of music, 106.1 The River promises to become a local listener favorite as well as offer an exciting new advertising platform for area businesses.

Everything Knoxville: What sets you aside from other radio broadcasting companies in the Knoxville area?

Jeff Alpert: As local owners we are active in every aspect of the business.  Both of us wear a lot of hats from on-air, sales, marketing, engineering, hosting events and networking to taking out the trash… whatever needs to be done.  By running our company lean we are able to pass that savings on to our advertisers and offer a great product that competes with the corporate giants at a fraction of the price.  Advertisers get a lot more frequency with our stations, 106.1 WJRV and 104.9 WTNQ, which ultimately gets the client better results.  The whole point of radio advertising is to hit that listener with the advertiser’s message multiple times.  If an advertiser cannot afford the proper frequency to obtain an optimum efficiency schedule, which is at least 25 commercials per week, they may not get the results they were hoping for.  We have made our product so affordable that virtually anyone can advertise from home-based businesses to huge corporations.  We have dozens of testimonials from small business owners that our station has brought them new customers.

EK: How do you maintain balance as two working parents?

Cindi Alpert: Radio has become our life.  Fortunately, we are in a business that is still a lot of fun.  Our 7-year-old daughter loves festivals, events, concerts, sporting events and all the perks that come with the business.  We work all the time, but most of the time it does not feel like work.  This business gives us the opportunity to constantly network, get involved in the community, support the music scene and have an absolute blast doing it.

EK: Speaking of local music, 106.1 The River has become known as “the station that supports local music.”  How did that come about in such a short time?

Jeff:  It was just a natural progression of our broadcasting philosophy.  As a locally owned station, Cindi and I make all the decisions.  We don’t have to go the corporate office in some other state and get permission.  We have been showcasing local talent on our stations for over 20 years.  Why? Because we can.  An artist does not have to be famous, charted or labeled to have a shot on our airwaves.  The local musicians liked the format from the beginning and started talking about the station and calling us for interviews and airplay.  Our Program Director, Bruce Patrick, has an ear for talent and gives everyone a listen.  When he hears something special he gets that musician or band in the studio and actually plays them during the morning show, something that almost never happens in traditional corporate radio.  The listeners have embraced this unique philosophy and the musicians have become our greatest ambassadors.

EK: What’s the most rewarding part of your business?

Cindi: Wow, I don’t know if I have enough room to answer that.  In a nutshell, I love the fact that we can use our business to give back to the community, to get involved in charity events, raise money for causes, support local talent and provide jobs locally.  Most of all I like the fact that my advertisers and my listeners know that advertising dollars spent on stations stay local.  We support the local businesses as well with our dollars.  I think it is so important to keep our local economy humming.  What a boring world it would be if everyone had a cookie cutter product and everything looked, sounded and tasted the same wherever you go.  Local businesses supporting local businesses is so important to us.  Knoxville is our home now.  We want to do our part to make it a better place.

Is an Energy Efficient Home in Your Future?

While there is no question that the popularity of building greener and more energy efficient homes is gaining momentum in our country, perhaps the greatest catalyst to this movement is skyrocketing energy costs that threaten to eclipse mortgage payments as the homeowner’s largest monthly cash outlay. Technological advances in building materials and processes now make it possible to construct an attractive and desirable, green, energy efficient homes that are affordable and which meet the lifestyles of individual homeowners.


“There have been giant strides over the last decade in home energy-saving technologies,” says Luxe Homes & Design President Jenny Blalock, “but their introduction into the new home construction marketplace has been piecemeal. Fortunately, over time, national programs such as ENERGY STAR have evolved, combining the very best in newly emerging technologies into a comprehensive system that has established guidelines which, when systematically applied, result in homes that reduce energy consumption by an average of 20-30%.”

And with the nation’s attention focused on these rapidly escalating energy costs and with the home consultation industry’s commitment to building more energy efficient homes, would-be new homeowners are investigating these new energy saving technologies with the goal of dramatically reducing the monthly costs of home ownership.

“By combining the very latest in energy saving technologies from America’s leaders in energy conservation, including Owens-Corning, we are committed to providing would-be homebuyers with an affordable and energy efficient home that meets their family’s individual needs as well as greatly reduced energy requirements,” says Blalock.

Luxe Homes & Design broke ground in early January on their new ENERGY STAR rated home, The Avondale Park, located in Serenity River, a private, gated, waterfront community about 15 minutes from downtown Knoxville. This showcase home will reduce energy consumption by up to 30%.


“The Avondale Park represents the future of new home construction,” says Blalock. “It combines the very best features of single level living including a great room with fireplace and 14-foot ceiling, three bedrooms and a study. Other features include a spacious two-and-a-half car garage, tray ceiling in the master bedroom, formal dining room and much more.”


The Avondale Park also features an 800 square foot space on a second level where a bonus room can be added.

The Avondale Park earns its ENERGY STAR rating by adhering to stringent guidelines established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, making it up to 30% more energy efficient than a similar home employing conventional construction standards.

The centerpiece of this ENERGY STAR rated home is its proprietary total insulation envelope from Owens-Corning. In addition, The Avondale Park features high-performance windows, high-efficiency ENERGY STAR rated HVAC system, and ENERGY STAR rated lighting and appliances. And to ensure full compliance, third-party on-site verification from a certified home energy rating company monitors key phases of construction.

“If an energy efficient home is in your future, I’d like to invite you to discover the possibilities which exist to experience the affordable lifestyle you desire with the energy efficiency and savings that you deserve,” says Blalock.

To learn more, contact Jenny Blalock at Luxe Homes & Design at (865) 755-4680 or visit www.luxehomesdesign.com.

Luxe Homes & Design
865.755.4680
www.luxehomesdesign.com

Unique Company, Unique Product

With offices and showrooms around the world, Granite Transformations offers new and exciting alternatives to traditional countertops. Their core product, Trend Stone, is formulated from 95% natural stone from the finest quarries throughout the world creating an engineered surface that is heat, stain and scratch resistant. Essentially maintenance free, that provides greater strength and durability than ordinary granite. And all backed with Granite Transformations’ Limited Lifetime Warranty.

Husband and wife team, Buddy and Patti Baker, combine years of retail experience and Granite Transformations’ cutting-edge technology to offer East Tennessee and Knoxville area homeowners a far superior alternative to ordinary slab granite. Overwhelming homeowner response has resulted in annual growth of over 30% since 2007 and the launching of Granite Transformations’ new, state-of-the-art, 3,500 square foot Design Center in Knoxville.

Everything Knoxville: Provide our readers with some insights into Granite Transformations.

Buddy: Our core product line, Trend Stone (Engineered Granite), was developed in Italy in the mid 70′s. It was originally used as a flooring material to cover cracked, sagging, and chipped granite floors.

EK: Are there other Granite Transformations locations?

Buddy: Yes. We are part of an international franchise system. There are about 80 locations in the U.S. and Canada, and more around the world. Granite Transformations has become the largest factory direct countertop company in the world.

EK: Both you and business partner and wife, Patti, left your retail careers to pursue your dream of being self employed

Buddy: After conducting a thorough investigation of available business opportunities, and possible locations, we opened Granite Transformations of Knoxville in January 2006. Both the product and community provided a perfect opportunity for success. Granite Transformations was clearly an innovation driven company that produced both unique and superior products that are preferred by most homeowners.

EK: How are Granite Transformations’ products used in the home?

Patti: Our products have so many more applications than just countertops. They can be used on fireplaces, bars, showers, baths, floors, furniture and backsplashes. That’s why we opened our new Design Center. We can now showcase the versatility and beauty of our products.

EK: Consumer reports rates engineered stone their top choice for countertops. Why is that significant to homeowners?

Buddy: It’s simple. It outperforms all other countertop options in key categories. It is heat, stain and scratch resistant. It is the cleanest and safest option.

EK: Granite Transformations’ engineered granite, unlike ordinary slab granite, is the only granite countertop approved by the National Sanitation Foundation. Explain.

Patti: The National Sanitation Foundation has put its name on our product because it exceeds all standards for safe food preparation. Unlike natural stone, our product is non-porous and won’t absorb bacteria.

EK: In addition to being the innovation leader in engineered granite countertops, Granite Transformations is also an innovative leader in installation as well.

Buddy: That’s correct. Granite Transformations, in addition to offering superior countertops, also offers a totally innovative approach to fabrication and installation. Most countertop installations are completed in a single day.

EK: Granite Transformations is also a recognized leader today in Green Technology. Explain.

Patti: Granite Transformations is approved by the U.S. Green Building Council and is a recognized leader in both Green and renewable resource technologies.

EK: With the wide variety of surfaces available from Granite Transformations, do you offer homeowners design consultation?

Buddy: Yes. We have fully certified Design Consultants. This service is a very important component of our fully turn-key approach and is offered in your home or at our “new” Design Center absolutely free.

EK: How has Granite Transformations’ innovative approach to the marketplace impacted you?

Patti: That’s easy. We have experienced a 133% increase in sales volume for the last four years. In fact, due to the overwhelming response of East Tennessee area homeowners, we’ve just completed a new 3,500 square foot Design Center to replace our original center which we outgrew in less than five years. We believe that showcasing our products helps our customers to visualize their own unique project that will create a showcase quality room in their home.

EK: Anything else you would like to tell our readers?

Buddy: Most important is a very sincere thank you to homeowners in East Tennessee and Knoxville for their support. To them, and our future customers, we owe our success.

We’d also like to extend a special invitation to all of your readers to visit our new Design Center. They too can create their own dream kitchen or bath without the demolition and the inconvenience of weeks or even months of construction.

Jordan Ritchie

It was the middle of Jordan Ritchie’s sophomore year of high school when the CAK athlete realized something was wrong. “I was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma early in the spring of 2010,” Ritchie said. “The doctors at Children’s Hospital told me that the chemotherapy wouldn’t be a big deal. Unfortunately, a mistake was made and they put the chemo into an artery rather than a vein. Because this happened, the chemo was sent to my arm causing severe neuropathy in my left arm.”

Because of the neuropathy, Ritchie suffered a stroke and saw not his athletic career, but his life, flash before his eyes. “Going into the chemo the doctors told me that I would be back for spring football. But, after everything happened to me I lost about 30 pounds and was bed-ridden in the hospital. At some point in the process I realized that there was a lot more to life than football. We essentially moved to New York for about six weeks so that I could receive treatment at Sloan-Kettering Hospital. My mom has a book, Jesus Calling, that she would read to me every day. She found some very encouraging verses and she analyzed the word for me. It changed my perspective of life from “why is this happening to me?” to “why not me?”

Jordan moved back to Knoxville right before the 2010 football season began. Although he wasn’t able to be a part of the team on the field during his junior year, he was a major part of it off the field. CAK Head Football Coach, Rusty Bradley, remembers well the day Jordan hit the field for the first time. “He wasn’t able to practice in full pads, but he put on the shorts and ran routes during our off week,” Bradley said. “It was one of the most memorable days of the season for me. I’ll never forget when Jordan ran a route and caught his first pass. He came over to me and we broke down because of the emotion of just him being on the field for the first time since everything had happened to him. He is probably the strongest kid spiritually at CAK that has come through our program. There’s no question that he will be the leader of our team next year.”

Jordan is now a part of the basketball team for the Warriors, and even though he’s not 100%, he is contributing. “I have started a few games and am in the seven man rotation, but I’m not completely back,” Ritchie said. “I would say I’m about 85%. I lost a lot of coordination thanks to the chemo and the stroke. I had to re-teach myself how to dribble a basketball. Considering that I was a point guard as a sophomore, that’s kind of tough to go through.”

Jordan is enjoying basketball, but football is what he can’t wait to start again. “You have no idea how ready I am to put on the pads again,” Ritchie said. “There’s no question in my mind that God has blessed me with a second chance. I’m not 100% now, but come the fall I expect to be back to the old me.”

The Color Purple will play at the Tennessee Theatre Feb. 18-20

The Tennessee Theatre is proud to announce that The Color Purple, The Musical about Love, will play as part of the Broadway at the Tennessee series, February 18th through 20th, for five performances only.

This production of The Color Purple is the next phase in the life of the ground-breaking Broadway hit musical produced by Scott Sanders. The original Broadway musical opened on December 1, 2005, and was nominated for 11 Tony Awards, including Best Musical. The Color Purple ran for over two years on Broadway followed by a three year First National Tour.

The Color Purple is based on the classic Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Alice Walker and the moving film by Steven Spielberg. It is the unforgettable and inspiring story of a woman named Celie, who finds the strength to triumph over adversity and discover her unique voice in the world. With a joyous, GRAMMY-nominated score featuring gospel, jazz, pop and the blues, The Color Purple is about hope and the healing power of love.

Tickets are on sale at the Tennessee Theatre box office, all Tickets Unlimited locations, by calling 684-1200, or online at tennesseetheatre.com.

Photos by Scott Suchman

Greenback. A sleepy little town? A return to a lifestyle of years ago? It’s depot a symbol of a once thriving town? Or a diamond in the rough?

More than anything, Greenback symbolizes the effect that transportation has on the country. Prior to the establishment of Greenback, the city of Morganton flourished on the banks of the Little Tennessee River. Morganton, formerly known as Portsville, was a bustling town where the ships and flatboats of the country loaded and unloaded goods for the settlers. Ferries provided access across the Little Tennessee.

Then the railroad came! In 1870, Loudon County was established and Greenback became a town. The first trains came through in the 1870s. Then, in 1899, the word came that the L&N railroad would open a second line to be laid somewhere in the area between Morganton or Trigonia toward Maryville. Lorenzo Thompson of Thompson’s Stand and the Swaney Brothers of Trigonia plotted the area where they believed the railroad would go and purchased property. At the time Thompson had been approved for a Post Office at Thompson’s Stand. The Swaneys built a store and Thompson moved his Post Office there. Land for the town was given by the Thompsons and the Halls. Construction started and the first train ran in July 1890.

In 1914, the L&N built a large new depot there and it still stands today. Greenback grew up around that depot and flourished for several years. The frame buildings burned in 1917, 1923, and 1927, but businesses rebuilt. The main part of town included a drug store and diner, three grocery stores, a garage, a blacksmith shop, a hardware store, a bank, and others.

The last train in Greenback ran in 1978.

With the closure of Tellico Dam, water traffic again became popular. Boat companies became numerous. L&N sold the old Depot to Supra Boat Company. The Depot went through several uses including an antique shop and is now used for storage by the current owner.

The City of Greenback began to decline and the Depot stands as a proud sentinel to its more prosperous days. The Greenback Drug and Diner across the street is still the local hangout and next door to it is the Greenback Heritage Museum. The Greenback Historical Society has placed a replica of the Quilt Pattern Boxcar on the outside wall of the Diner and this is included on the Appalachian Quilt Trail. The pattern was chosen to represent the railroad that was the impetus for the founding of the town.

The town is surrounded by a farming community and many of the owners are descendents of its founders. The inhabitants are an independent and close-knit group, but they have long been known for their warmth and hospitality. Many have opened their arms and their hearts to those who have moved to the lakeside communities that have developed near Tellico Lake.

The newcomers in turn have joined local churches, volunteered to work in the museum which is run completely by volunteers, and help with the work of the Historical Society and the local Food Pantry. A Greenback Heritage Scrapbook Committee is working to collect, assemble, and publish photos and articles regarding the history of Greenback. The Greenback Historical Society is a non-profit group that works toward preserving the history of the community. The group sponsored an Open House in early December at the circa 1850s McCollum House, recently restored by Tim Grindstaff.

H & R Block recently chose Greenback for a new ad campaign. The company stayed in the community for a number of days, filming and interviewing residents. They filmed the depot, drug store and museum as well as the locals. One may see the commercials coined “Greenbacks for Greenback.” The company was so impressed with the town and its people that it gave $25,000 to the school and rode in the Christmas Parade before they left town.

The depot is now in private hands. It sits silently in the midst of the town it helped create and is a historic treasure. Often times the residents say, “I wish something could be done about the depot,” but no one has yet come forward to preserve and restore the building. We hope this year will be the year the depot is put to use once again.

Carolyn M. Peck is a native of Greenback, President of the Greenback Historical Society and a board member of the East Tennessee Preservation Alliance.

Each month contributors from the East Tennessee Preservation Alliance (ETPA) write an article for Everything Knoxville celebrating the rich heritage of our region. ETPA is a regional historic preservation membership-based organization that serves Anderson, Blount, Campbell, Claiborne, Cocke, Grainger, Hamblen, Jefferson, Knox, Loudon, Monroe, Morgan, Roane, Scott, Sevier, and Union counties. Preservation field services in this region are provided by Knox Heritage and are assisted by a Partners in the Field grant from the National Trust for Historic Preservation. For more information, please visit www.knoxheritage.org or contact Ethiel Garlington at egarlington@knoxheritage.org.

Schakolad Chocolate Factory at Turkey Creek, known for its handmade European-style chocolates, is offering unique items that capture the Valentine spirit with an array of edible chocolate heart truffle boxes, decadent and personalized chocolate gifts and the lowest priced Chocolate Dipped Strawberries in the area. That’s in addition to its assortment of chocolates available in nearly 80 varieties that can be crafted into almost any shape using one of more than 4,000 molds.

“Chocolate is a universal gift that is always the right size, the right color and will always put a smile on the lucky recipient,” explains owner Gus Paredes.

“When customers visit we begin by offering them a sample of chocolate from one of the shop’s mixing machines,” says Gus. “With several options to choose from, our associates can offer suggestions and ask questions to help customers make a selection.”

Almost every product is made on site and does not contain preservatives, and is wax and paraffin free.

“We sell happiness in the form of chocolate,” says Gus. And that happiness at Schakolad comes in all sorts of shapes and sizes. They have chocolate for just about any occasion ranging from corporate logos, sugar free/low carb chocolates, wedding favors, gift baskets, private chocolate events, birthday parties and much more. Most chocolate items can also be customized and personalized to meet the customers’ needs. Colors can be added to the chocolate or a unique message can be applied.

Chocolate gifts celebrating weddings, anniversaries, a new home and a newborn baby are also available on site. Gift wrapping is also available. Holiday sales items are available online at www.schakolad.com.

Schakolad is open from 10 am to 9 pm Monday through Saturday and 11 am to 6 pm on Sundays. During Valentine’s week, they will open for extended hours to accommodate all of their customers’ needs. For more information, visit www.schakolad.com, call (865) 675-2626, or email turkeycreek@schakolad.com.

Schakolad Chocolate Factory
10944 Parkside Drive
Knoxville, TN 37934
865.675.2626
www.schakolad.com

A Different Atmosphere That Produces Superior Results

By Wendy Jackson

Have you visited Nourish Skin Studio? If not, you should! The owners, Amanda Burnett and Sydney Ferrigno, have created a very unique skincare spa. Not only can they help make you look and feel great, the products and services they offer are affordable.

“We wanted to be able to offer professional services at a price so clients could come in on a regular basis,” said Burnett. “We want our clients to see a difference in their skin. We make it so facials are not just a luxury, but affordable, so they can enjoy the relaxing skin treatment regularly and benefit from the results.”

Ferrigno echoed her partner’s statements and said, “Both Amanda and I have many years in the aesthetics business. We know if you are able to take care of your skin consistently, it responds. In addition, we want to have a results-driven result. This means we offer more than the basics. Every facial is customized because each person has individual needs.”

In addition to custom facials, that can include a chemical or enzyme peel or diamond resurfacing, the Nourish Skin Studio also offers facial and body waxing with both hard and soft wax, spray tanning, airbrush makeup application, and massage via massage therapist Julie Harris.

Nourish Skin Studio is located on the second level of the The Orangery on Homberg Drive. The studio’s atmosphere is quiet and relaxing and more intimate than what you would find at larger spas. “Amanda and I share the same views on how to connect with our clients,” said Ferrigno. “We want to teach them how to take care of their skin at home so that they see even greater improvements. We also want to connect to our clients on a very personal level. That is why we have created a very intimate setting that is different than what’s available at larger spas.” On top of that, we aren’t tied to one skincare line, like most spas, which means we can treat every client as an individual.”

Do you have a special event on the horizon and you want to look your best? If so, both Burnett and Ferrigno have reputations at being expert make-up artists and they are a favorite choice among brides. The studio’s airbrush foundation gives a natural look, yet it is water resistant, which means it will stand up to not only happy tears, but the heat of summer. They often will go on site and work magic on an entire bridal party.

Call Nourish Skin Studio today to learn more about their products, services and monthly specials at (865) 454-3035. You can also find them on Facebook.

Nourish Skin Studio
5412 Homberg Drive
Knoxville, TN 37919
865.454.3035

Welcome to the fastest growing membership-based professional women’s networking organization in North America covering the United States and Canada. This organization is recognized as the #1 resource for connecting and promoting women and their businesses and it has become a loyal, dedicated community of women-owned businesses, corporate professionals and entrepreneurs who want to support and network with other dynamic women. The members of the organization share information, leads, contacts and business. It is an organization that is committed to helping women and their businesses achieve, succeed and thrive in this new economy.

Everything Knoxville: For several years now, you have been a small business owner in Knoxville. Can you tell us a little about your business, Elegant Essentials?

Linda: Actually, it has been a little over three years now and I am still overwhelmed with the response from Knoxville. Three years have flown by and I have met and learned so much in such a short time. Elegant Essentials Home Décor and Gifts is a gift shop with a twist. I am a master florist and a certified interior designer, so my shop is not just shelves and product. It has an ambiance all its own, with a personality. We have jewelry, handbags, candles, diffusers, home décor and custom floral arrangements. I also am the first and largest Chamilia dealer in Knoxville.

EK: As a big advocate of small business networking, can you tell us how this has fit into your business plan and how successful it has been for you?

Linda: It was really hard initially to get started. It took a lot of prompting from fellow business owners to get me out there. I found that with networking with the right organization I was actually bringing clients to my store. It has been very successful. Customers recognize me through advertising and then meet me in person; they now have a connection to me. It has paid off several times over. I have built an army of networkers that network Elegant Essentials for me all over Knoxville and the surrounding areas.

EK: You’ve participated in a variety of networking organizations. How have they differed?

Linda: All networking is good. I think you have to find the right fit, and once you do stick to it. You can’t be part time; it takes time to build relationships. You didn’t build your business overnight and you can’t build your networking relationships overnight either. People have to trust you, like you and then they will do business with you. Build the relationship first and the business will come.

EK: Recently you have become the Executive Director of eWomenNetwork. Can you tell us a little bit about eWomen?

Linda: eWomenNetwork is the #1 Networking Resource for Women in Business in all of North America. They support women in small business with Accelerated Networking Events all across the country. We have over 113 chapters and over 30,000 members. Their motto is to give first share always, and to raise as we climb. There are resources available to our members, including publishing network, premiere coaching sessions, events, posting your business profile on the website, which are only a few advantages to membership. The eWomenNetwork Foundation supports local non-profits in each chapter to help women and children. Eighty-five non-profits have been awarded cash grants and 110 conference scholarships have been awarded to emerging leaders. This year Knoxville had the 2010 Emerging Leader Young Entrepreneurial award, which went to Julie Fincher with Babysitter Express.

EK: Why do you feel it is important for women-owned small businesses to join eWomenNetwork?

Linda: I feel it is an absolute must. I am connected with more women business owners and resources than I ever would have been able in one organization. I believe it is the only game in town and no other comes close to having all the resources that are now available to me. Through my contacts at eWomenNetwork I am a contributing author in a book that will be available in February, “Networking for Novices,” along with Sandra Yancey, the CEO of eWomenNetwork, and 12 other authors across the country.