The Remarkable Career of Fleurette Fitch: A Story of Women Leading in Manufacturing 

On April 18, Fleurette Fitch – a 21-year employee of Shaw Industries – was honored at a Washington DC gala for her outstanding manufacturing career. That evening, the Manufacturing Institute recognized Fitch as a Women MAKE Award honoree for her outstanding contributions within manufacturing.   Fitch is the Senior Quality Director of Soft Services at Shaw

The Future of Women and Girls: Talking with Melody Shekari of Women’s Fund of Greater Chattanooga 

When people hear the news – Melody Shekari was named the new head of the Women’s Fund of Greater Chattanooga – they often say the same thing:  She’s a perfect fit.  “A lot of people say it fits who I am as a person,” Shekari said. “I’m really happy and fortunate to work in this

Chattanooga Chamber of Commerce Announces The Winners for the 2024 Small Business Awards

The Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce’s annual Small Business Awards sheds a light on local companies that serve as examples of excellence within our community and help us build a thriving Chattanooga. This week, we announced our winners at the Chattanooga Convention Center presented by Chambliss, Bahner & Stophel, P.C. and 6 Strong Media. Photos

Remembering a Beloved, Gifted and Invaluable Friend to Chattanooga

For more than a decade, Sybil McLain-Topel contributed in immeasurable ways to the creative and economic landscape of Chattanooga. As a gifted writer, she was hugely supportive of our artistic community. As a devoted Chamber of Commerce executive, she spent her days and nights consistently uplifting our regional business community. For those of us who

After announcing her retirement, Enterprise Center CEO Deb Socia reflects on career, community and advancement of digital equity

When I was a child, there was no internet. We all had access to the same information which came from the same place: our libraries. These precious community resources were available, accessible and inclusive for all.   Today, accessibility to knowledge is limited. We have so many brilliant children who don’t get recognized because they don’t

The Strategic Blueprint: Unveiling the Significance of a Well-Crafted Business Plan

In the dynamic landscape of entrepreneurship, navigating the path to success requires more than just a visionary idea and entrepreneurial spirit. The one key element often overlooked?   A well-crafted business plan.   Integral to sustained growth and prosperity, a strategic business plan serves as a blueprint and roadmap, providing direction, focus and foundational clarity for decision-making,

Happy 160th Birthday, First Horizon. And Thanks for All the Acts of Kindness.  

Happy 160th Birthday, First Horizon Bank. You’ve got lots to celebrate.   “March 25, 1864,” said Richard Shaffer, regional president. “Our documents go back to 1864.”  It was Memphis, 1864. The US government approved bank charters for First National Bank of Memphis. As the bank’s footprint grew, it became First Tennessee. In 1976, the former Hamilton

Xtelligent: Shaping the Future of Traffic Control 

In the bustling landscape of many cities throughout the United States, innovative solutions are vital to keep traffic flowing safely, yet efficiently. At the forefront of this innovation is Xtelligent, an L.A.-based startup reshaping the way we approach traffic control.   Founded by the visionary entrepreneur Michael Lim, Xtelligent has pioneered the Adaptive Traffic Control System

MarsCharge: An EV story of resiliency in the heart of the Battery Belt 

As a New York University student enrolled in a course on entrepreneurism, Michael Marczi was studying the energy industry when he realized, quite acutely, the very big problem we are all facing.   To provide clean power to electric vehicles, the American energy grid needs to double in size.   “Holy crap,” he remembers thinking. “Then, it

Reaching Great Heights: Chattanooga Airport’s $28 Million Expansion

On March 2, 2024, the Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport marked a significant milestone to celebrate the completion of its $28 million expansion.   For those acquainted with the Chattanooga airport, many remember its compact and intimate layout. Waving off your loved ones also came with watching them from the top of the escalator as they went through