Business Highlight:
Woody's Bicycles - Robert McKee
Ride into the future with top-notch bikes and service from your local experts!
Brief Description of Business and Service Provided:
Woody's Bicycles is a full-service bicycle shop offering sales, service, and rentals of bicycles and electric bicycles as well as parts and accessories.
How long have you been in business?: 30 Years, Since 1995. Woody's Bicycles Sewanee est. 1995
Tell us about your business:
Woody's Bicycles is a full-service bicycle shop offering sales, service, and rentals of bicycles and electric bicycles, as well as parts and accessories. We are authorized dealers of Trek and Electra Bicycles and serve all bike riders—casual to professional—across every discipline on two (and sometimes three) wheels.
What inspired you to start (or join) this business? (Your why):
The plateau is a bicycle-friendly place and needs a bike shop. The bicycle has long been part of my life for enjoyment, exercise, and transportation, and I believe they’re integral to our community’s future for these reasons.
What is something unique about your business that most people don't know? (A fun fact, specialty product, or behind the scenes detail):
We offer rentals of electric, adult, and kids’ bikes, plus accessories like kid trailers and car racks, and will be adding mountain bikes to our rental fleet in spring of 2026.
What so you love most about being part of this community?
Helping our customers navigate the seasonal nature of the bicycle business is challenging, but the community’s support makes it worthwhile.
What's one challenge you've overcome in your business journey?
Every off-season and busy season is a challenge, but the hardest part—getting started—has been the biggest hurdle I’ve overcome.
What's the best advice you've received as a business owner?
"To improve is to change; to perfect is to change often." This has guided me to adapt and grow continuously.
How can the community best support you right now?
Support local businesses instead of shopping online or traveling to surrounding cities. Always share the road with cyclists, and visit us for your biking needs!
Contact Name:
Robert McKee
Contact Email:
Business Address:
90 Reeds Lane, Sewanee, TN 37375
Hours of Operation:
Tuesday - Friday: 9 AM to 5 PM;
Saturday: 10 AM - 2 PM
Business website address:
Business Highlight:
Uplift Wellness and Aesthetics PLLC | Lindsay Hayler
Elevate your skin and wellness with expert, compassionate care on the mountain!
Brief Description of Business and Service Provided:
Full-service general/cosmetic/aesthetic dermatology clinic, integrative health + functional nutrition counseling and lab testing, IV hydration, and Biote bioidentical hormone clinic.
How long have you been in business?: 4.5 months
Tell us about your business:
Uplift Wellness and Aesthetics PLLC is a full-service dermatology clinic serving all ages, offering cutting-edge medical, cosmetic, and aesthetic treatments including skin checks, biopsies, Botox, IPL, Skin Pen Microneedling, resurfacing laser treatments, peels, liquid nitrogen treatments, and the Lumenis TriLift device. We also provide integrative health consults, functional health lab testing, functional nutrition counseling, IV hydration, and will be a certified Biote clinic in October for bioidentical hormone services.
What inspired you to start (or join) this business? (Your why):
I suffered with horrendous acne as a teenager, and a dermatologist changed my life by clearing my skin. That experience, combined with my 17 years as a dermatology PA and a mid-life quest to heal my own hormonal issues, inspired me to bring empathetic, comprehensive care to the mountain community.
What is something unique about your business that most people don't know? (A fun fact, specialty product, or behind the scenes detail):
When I first purchased this building, it was a sad, sterile space with monotone off-white walls and garish red formica countertops. We gutted it and transformed it into a glamorous mountain cabin aesthetic, complete with a fireplace in the waiting room, designed to uplift and calm patients.
What so you love most about being part of this community?
I have found this mountain to be very healing, and the community is so kind. It’s a bucket list dream to bring medical dermatology here, and I can’t imagine living anywhere else—it’s one of the prettiest places I’ve ever been.
What's one challenge you've overcome in your business journey?
I’ve always been a provider, not a businesswoman, so the learning curve of owning a business has been steep. I’ve had to embrace excellence while letting go of perfectionism and learning to enjoy the journey, especially as something breaks every day!
What's the best advice you've received as a business owner?
"Give your absolute best to each customer and do it every single day. The customer will then tell their neighbor, family member, or friend about you. This is better advertising than any fancy marketing company out of Nashville could ever do for your business."
How can the community best support you right now?
Please support local businesses! Call for an appointment and consider us for your yearly skin check and dermatology concerns. Our provider, Lindsay Hayler, with 17 years as a dermatology PA, uses a dermatoscope for thorough skin checks and works under board-certified dermatologist Dr. Hardy.
Contact Name:
Lindsay Hayler
Contact Email:
Business Address:
15 South Central Ave, Monteagle, TN 37356
Hours of Operation:
M-F
9-5
Business website address:
Thank you to all our precious customers on the mountain—we appreciate you, and it is an honor to serve you!
Business Highlight:
Peggy Richmond | Mary Kay Cosmetics
Transform your skin with personalized care and confidence-boosting products!
Brief Description of Business and Service Provided:
provide a service for beauty and skin care products through Mary Kay Cosmetics.
How long have you been in business?: I have been a consultant with Mary Kay for 30 years
Tell us about your business:
I’m a personal skin care consultant providing beauty and skin care products through Mary Kay Cosmetics, serving individuals looking to enhance their skin health and appearance with high-quality solutions.
What inspired you to start (or join) this business? (Your why):
To be able to earn extra income and own my own business, giving me the flexibility and fulfillment of being my own boss while helping others look and feel their best.
What is something unique about your business that most people don't know? (A fun fact, specialty product, or behind the scenes detail):
You get to try products before you buy, and the company stands behind each product with a 100% satisfaction guarantee—I will replace or buy back the product if you’re not completely satisfied. I also offer a gift service, helping you choose gifts, wrapping them, and delivering at no extra charge.
What so you love most about being part of this community?
The people I meet and the friends I make along the way—it’s the heart of what keeps me motivated.
What's one challenge you've overcome in your business journey?
Procrastination—it’s a dream killer, but I’ve learned to push past it to keep growing my business.
What's the best advice you've received as a business owner?
Love what you do and you will never work another day in your life; go the extra mile to be of service to your clients.
How can the community best support you right now?
Let me offer you a complimentary facial or makeover appointment to try the product and give me your opinion. I have an in-home studio, so you don’t have to host anything in your home unless you want to!
Contact Name:
Peggy Richmond
Contact Email:
Business Address:
949 Bells Mill Road, Pelham, TN 37366
Hours of Operation:
Varies; however, I am available most Mondays and Tuesdays by appointment and evenings from 7-9
Business website address:
Thank you for any consideration you can give to me.
Business Highlight: Edward Jones®
Duane Conklin, AAMS®, CRPC™, AFFP®
Financial Advisor
Brief Description of Business and Service Provided:
Financial planning for individuals and small businesses, offering comprehensive guidance beyond just investments.
Tell us about your business:
We provide financial services for individuals and small businesses, offering full financial planning to help clients make sound financial decisions. Our services go beyond just investment advice, ensuring comprehensive support tailored to each client's unique needs.
What inspired you to start (or join) this business? (Your why):
There is a tremendous need for honest financial guidance, and I was inspired to join Edward Jones to help people navigate their financial futures with confidence and clarity, making a positive impact on their lives.
What is something unique about your business that most people don't know? (A fun fact, specialty product, or behind the scenes detail):
We can provide full financial planning, not just investment advice, offering a holistic approach that includes retirement, insurance, and long-term strategies—something many don’t realize we specialize in.
What so you love most about being part of this community?
The people are kind and proud of their community, creating a welcoming environment that makes building relationships and serving clients even more rewarding.
What's one challenge you've overcome in your business journey?
Being new to town and not knowing one person was a hurdle, but I’ve worked to connect with the community and build trust over time.
What's the best advice you've received as a business owner?
Focus on listening to clients' needs, and the business will come—putting their goals first has been key to my success.
How can the community best support you right now?
By hosting safe and informative events for youth, young adults and families to bring conversatoins about drug and alcohol dangers to the table. For example game nights for families, town hall events with speakers who work in the field, community events for youth and families at Littel-Partin Center.
Contact Name:
Duane Conklin
Contact Email:
Business Address:
1416 McArthur Street, Manchester, TN 37355
Hours of Operation:
M-Th 8-4:30 and Friday 8-3
Business website address:
Business Highlight: Grundy Safe Communities Coalition
Drug and Alcohol prevention for you and families in Grundy County.
Brief Description of Business and Service Provided:
Drug and Alcohol prevention for you and families in Grundy County. We provide education, speaking opportunities, events, drug take back support, and after school activities for youth. SPARK (students preventing addiction and raising knowledge) is our Youth Coalition at GCHS. We attend youth leadership and prevention training camps and events to support students in assisting their peers, community members, and families in leading drug and alcohol free lifestyles.
Tell us about your business:
I am the Coalition Coordinator for Grundy Safe Communities Coalition. This is our 15th anniversary year and our mission is to be united in establishing a safe, caring and drug-free community for youth and families. We are funded under grant contract with the State of Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services.
What inspired you to start (or join) this business? (Your why):
I am a nurse and have served Veterans in recovery at Alvin C. York, worked with students and staff as the school nurse at Palmer and Swiss Memorials Schools, and worked with students at Baylor School Chattanooga. I "came home" to serve my local community after travel nursing and working on Federal USDA/CDC research at the onset of Covid-19. I am passionate about serving Grundy County in substance prevention efforts.
What is something unique about your business that most people don't know? (A fun fact, specialty product, or behind the scenes detail):
I catch and release flyfish and have chased and caught bonefish in the saltwater flats in Belize! I also trout fish in E. Tennessee and in Colorado.
What so you love most about being part of this community?
The kindness and community spirit of my neighbors.
What's one challenge you've overcome in your business journey?
Bringing awareness about GSCC to our community and the opportunites we provide to the 12 sectors we serve. We are greatly challenged with evolving drug trends and availability and it is crucial that we all serve our youth and families in prevention and awareness efforts.
What's the best advice you've received as a business owner?
"You've already got this, you just don't know it yet".
How can the community best support you right now?
By hosting safe and informative events for youth, young adults and families to bring conversatoins about drug and alcohol dangers to the table. For example game nights for families, town hall events with speakers who work in the field, community events for youth and families at Littel-Partin Center.
Contact Name:
Belinda Morgan
Contact Email:
belinda.gscc@gmail.com
Hours of Operation:
8-4:30 Mon-Fri----we are out of the office for events, trainings and community support. Call first
How long have you been in business?
With GSCC 2.5 years, nursing and youth support 25+years.
Business Facebook Account:
https://www.facebook.com/grundysafe/
Business website address:
Additional Comments?
Thank you to everyone who supports us!
Business Highlight: Easy's Dog Shelter
Saving Dogs, One Paw at a Time in Grundy County
Brief Description of Business and Service Provided:
Our purpose is to relieve the discomfort, pain, and hunger of these animals and to find them homes where their care will always be a priority. We provide adoptable dogs, along with vaccines and microchips, to give them the best start in their new lives.
Tell us about your business:
We are Easy's Dog Shelter. We are a nonprofit, non-funded, no-kill dog shelter that serves Grundy County and the surrounding areas. We take in dogs who are unwanted, abused, neglected, or lost. We provide them with the care they need and treat every one of them as our own beloved pets. We get roughly 300 adoptions a year and are always trying to help every dog we have room for. Every dog who gets adopted is already spayed or neutered and up to date on all vaccines.
What inspired you to start (or join) this business? (Your why):
What inspired us to start this shelter is the overwhelming number of dogs in need in our area. We see far too many strays, abused or neglected dogs, and even more people trying to give their dogs away for various reasons. Dogs cannot help themselves, and we have made it our responsibility to do the best we can for every one we possibly can. Dogs are emotional creatures and deserve to be treated with kindness and love.
What is something unique about your business that most people don't know? (A fun fact, specialty product, or behind the scenes detail):
Something unique about our shelter is that we rarely have dogs in individual kennels to live alone. Most of our dogs have 24/7 access to a large yard where they can play with the other dogs and stay socialized while having fun all day long. Every one of our dogs also has access to food and water at all times, which means they get along well with other dogs and usually have no food aggression.
What so you love most about being part of this community?
We love being part of this community because we get to make a huge difference. Grundy County has a stray dog problem, and we enjoy helping with that and finding these wonderful dogs good homes.
What's one challenge you've overcome in your business journey?
We face numerous challenges every day, but overcoming them is possible because we have a dedicated team behind us.
What's the best advice you've received as a business owner?
Advertising is important, as well as keeping a close eye on our finances.
How can the community best support you right now?
The best support we could receive from the community would be more volunteers and donations. We run this shelter with just two to three people full time, and we truly need more helping hands.
Contact Name:
Andy Wostal
Contact Email:
Hours of Operation:
Everyday 9am-4pm
How long have you been in business?
4 years
Business Facebook Account:
https://www.facebook.com/EasysDogShelter/
Business website address:
Thank you to everyone who supports us!
Business Highlight: St. Andrew's of Suwannee
St. Andrew’s-Sewanee: An Independent School Experience Like No Other
Brief Description of Business and Service Provided:
The focus on strong academics, combined with outdoor learning experiences, makes SAS a unique and unparalleled opportunity.
Tell us about your business:
An Independent Day and Boarding School for Grades 6–12.
What inspired you to start (or join) this business? (Your why):
The focus on strong academics, combined with outdoor learning experiences, makes SAS a unique and unparalleled opportunity.
What is something unique about your business that most people don't know? (A fun fact, specialty product, or behind the scenes detail):
We meet students where they are and customize their academic, artistic, spiritual, and athletic experiences to bring out the best in each individual.
What so you love most about being part of this community?
I love being part of a mission that gives back.
What's one challenge you've overcome in your business journey?
Learning to compromise for the greater good.
What's the best advice you've received as a business owner?
As a CFO, I believe in treating others the way I would want to be treated.
How can the community best support you right now?
If you know a student who could benefit from a supportive and encouraging school community, send them our way!
Contact Name:
Elizabeth Jane Brown
Hours of Operation:
M-F 8-4:30
How long have you been in business?
I have been at SAS for 2 years
Business website address:
sasweb.org
Additional Comments?
Thank you to the Chamber for all they do for our community!
Business Highlight: Sequatchie Valley Head
Give Your Child the Best Start with Sequatchie Valley Head Start
Every child deserves a strong foundation for the future, and Sequatchie Valley Head Start is here to provide just that. With safe, nurturing classrooms and programs tailored to early childhood learning, we help little ones grow, explore, and thrive—all at no cost to families.
At Head Start, children learn through play, routines, and discovery in an environment designed to spark curiosity. We also provide nutritious meals daily, ensuring children are fueled and ready to learn. And don’t worry—potty training isn’t required. We meet children right where they are.
Families can choose from two convenient locations:
Tracy City Center – Serving children ages 6 weeks to 5 years (13764 Hwy 41, Tracy City, TN | (423) 403-7580)
North Grundy Center – Serving children ages 2 to 5 years (67 Community Center Rd, Coalmont, TN | (423) 403-7583)
Ready to give your child the best start? Learn more at www.svheadstart.info.