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.
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
