Circle Back

In this compelling episode, we explore the diverse entrepreneurial journey of Michael Shmerling , a seasoned businessman who navigated a wide range of industries, from background checks to real estate and healthcare. Michael shares his business instincts, strategies for mitigating risk, and his drive to create impactful projects. Notably, he discusses the creation of Abe's Garden, a memory care fa...

Amy Kurland is the founder of the Bluebird Cafe, one of Nashville's most iconic music venues and birthplace of "in the round" performances, complete with food and drink services. In this episode, Amy shares how this beloved spot came to be with the help of her family's support and a marketing class that changed the way she approached business. By focusing on marketing to musicians and listening to...

Different childhoods, yet a serendipitous career path, Rob McCabe and Terry Turner brought a people-first approach to banking and founded Pinnacle Financial Partners in Nashville, Tennessee.

Three generations of hard work and family dedication put the state of Tennessee on the map for making sausages. The Odom family saw a bigger vision for Odom Sausages and wanted residents to have pride in what they put on their plate. Fast-forward 70+ years, Tennessee Pride sausages remain a staple for many.

With a natural knack for entrepreneurship and a persistent interest in video, Marty Renkis found a way to merge two passions into a successful business when creating the first cloud surveillance footage company that would make an impact across America.

Teetering back and forth between the projects and the suburbs, Dr. Turner Nashe had a series of experiences that shaped his entrepreneurial efforts that started with learning about entrepreneurship and business to a faith-driven voice showing him he can focus on making a difference. Prison reform, education, tech, insurance, real estate and more - follow along on this episode of Circle Back to lea...

Born into a successful family, John Ingram had entrepreneurship in his blood. However, it was with his unique ingenuity and thought leadership that he prepared a supply chain framework that would support the shift to online shopping for books, growing the family company to a record breaking $2.5B in revenue.

For more than 30 years, Lucious Burch flourished in the venture capital business where he helped take 17 businesses to the New York Stock exchange. As a self-proclaimed people investor, Burch learned his skills on the job in New York, but made his way back to his roots in Nashville to continue to invest in great people and businesses.

Sherry Deutschmann was raised in North Carolina with a strict upbringing, but chose Nashville as home to develop her career. Now she's a serial entrepreneur, the founder of LetterLogic and BrainTrust. Learn how her drive and empathetic character led her to become one of the strongest women in entrepreneurship in Nashville.  

Brian Fox was far ahead of his time when he founded his company to minimize financial fraud and bring efficient results to the confirmation process. President and founder of Confirmation.com, Fox shares his 20 year story to success in the newest episode of Circle Back season 2. 

From The Chase Studio at the Nashville Entrepreneur Center, Circle Back Season 2 is here! We're returning with even more of Nashville's most exceptional entrepreneurs revisiting the moments that defined their path. Hosted by Clark Buckner, these founders offer inspiration and practical insights to those navigating their own entrepreneurial journeys.

We are honored to have shared the stories of some of Nashville's most influential entrepreneurs on this season of Circle Back. In this"bridge" episode, our CEO Jane Allen is looking back on the highlights of each entrepreneur's story, how they're giving back to the entrepreneurial community, and their plans for the future!

Clint Smith may have come to Nashville for the songwriting, but he stayed for the community. By placing value on people first, he not only gave his all in founding a successful tech company, Emma, but also gave back to his community, his employees and his clients. In this episode of Circle Back, we hear about how Clint Smith found ways to build up his company and build up his community all at once...

Shannon Terry's gift is knowing what works. By following his gut instinct and strategic vision, Terry has founded 247 Sports, AllianceSports and more -- paving the way for digital sports news. Where others saw failure, Terry saw potential -- with an eye always to the future. In this episode of Circle Back, we hear Terry's journey to finding the place where he belonged -- and the many not-so-right...

Dan Crockett grew up playing baseball with his family of five brothers. So, when he set his sights on running a mortgage bank, he knew he had to keep his eye on the ball. Through the discipline, grit and focus of an athlete, Crockett built up Franklin American Mortgage, a company he sold for $511 million.

Beth Chase, savvy businesswoman and founder of c3/consulting has always pushed herself up to greater and greater heights. When her job at IBM became tedious, she used her computer skills to automate it. When she had perfected her sales techniques, she became a consultant. When she wanted to create more time for her twins, she started a business in her living room. But, Chase doesn't stop at buildi...

No challenge has ever been unconquerable for CEO and founder of The Bakery Companies, Cordia Harrington. With a little bit of sass, some built-in charisma, and a lot of hard work, Harrington rose from the owner and operator of a McDonald's in Effingham, Illinois to creating a company that oversees baking for international brands like McDonald's, KFC, Trader Joes, and more.

Learn how Zycron founder Darrell Freeman turned his hunger for new opportunities into a wildly successful IT solutions business, and how he's been giving back to his community since selling the company.

Governor Phil Bredesen has always been a problem-solver, from his time as a physics student to his leadership at Health America, to his term in office and now as the leader of two sustainable energy companies. But it hasn't always been an easy road. Listen to the first episode of Circle Back to hear his story.

The  Circle Back  podcast, the premiere production of The Chase Studio at the Nashville Entrepreneur Center, features an array of the city's most exceptional entrepreneurs as they revisit the moments that defined their paths. In candid conversation with host Clark Buckner, founders in this first season offer inspiration and practical insights to those navigating their own entrepreneurial journeys....