Why Tennessee is the New Hub for Women-Led Innovation

In the Spotlight: Some inspiring women entrepreneurs from Tennessee

#TennesseeWomenInBusiness #InspiringEntrepreneurs #WomenLedInnovation

Tennessee is quickly making a name for itself as one of the top destinations for women entrepreneurs in the US. With its low cost of living, zero state income tax, and welcoming ecosystem for diverse founders, the “Volunteer State” offers a wealth of opportunities for women eager to launch and grow their businesses. Notably, Nashville, Chattanooga & Knoxville have earned spots among the top ten cities in the nation for women business owners, underlining the state’s commitment to supporting women-led enterprises.

The entrepreneurial environment in Tennessee is driven by a robust support system. Programs like the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Women’s Business Center in Nashville provide women with invaluable resources – offering everything from business consulting and mentorship to peer-to-peer learning. Meanwhile, Nashville has become a market-leading tech-innovation hub, attracting women in fields ranging from technology and healthcare to the arts and education.

Empowered in Tennessee: Celebrating the Rise of Women Entrepreneurs

These enterprising women entrepreneurs are redefining success and creating meaningful impacts in their communities, establishing Tennessee as a powerhouse for women-led innovation. With an eye on the future, Tennessee is set to remain a vibrant, supportive home for bold and passionate women entrepreneurs.

Now, here’s presenting some enterprising women entrepreneurs from Tennessee.

> 400 Degrees, Founder, Aqui Hines

400 Degrees is a hot chicken joint that is located on Clarksville Pike. The background is that it was born from the Founder Aqui Hines’ love for Prince’s Hot Chicken – the Nashville original.

Being a woman entrepreneur has a different meaning for her. It means breaking down barriers and stereotypes in the business world, where women, especially Black women, have historically been marginalized and underrepresented.

A glaring distinction between 400 degrees and most other restaurants is that her hot chicken recipe calls for deep-fried rather than skillet-fried chicken, and incidentally, this is consistently considered among the best in Nashville.

She firmly believes that it is about “resilience, determination, and inspiring future generations of Black women to pursue their entrepreneurial dreams!”

> A Shop of Things, Owner, Mia Calotta

Mia Calotta is the owner and Founder of A Shop of Things and it is a brand based in Nashville, Tennessee and was established in 2015. Business owner Mia Calotta manages everything – she makes, packages, emails and literally does everything else for ASOT, from a little room in her home.

What A Shop of Things aims to do is – not just provide a place where people can purchase Y2K accessories or sparkly stickers, but to actually raise awareness regarding issues impacting Nashville and beyond. She believes if people come to her little pink store to see what’s cool or trending – then they also have a responsibility to uplift and empower organizations working to make a difference in the community.

One organization the business partners with is Abortion Care Tennessee. A Shop of Things sells the organization’s merchandise all the year round and was able to raise almost $10,000 in 2023.

> TNT Goods, Co-founders, Jessica and Simone

TNT Goods is a jewellery store which is run by best friends and Co-founders – Jessica and Simone. Their entire jewellery business exists to empower and uplift women, as they want women to always be cantered, considered and celebrated. The team call themselves professional hype women, so they may remind women how beautiful, special, brave, and amazing they are.

For them, the key to existing in a male dominated industry is to focus on building community.

They met in college while they were both involved in a club for creatives. Both artists and lovers of art, the best friends set out to create functional artwork — something people can wear. And in just a year later, these two young women experienced a massive amount of success – offering handmade home decor, keychains, hand-pressed buttons, and their jewelry line.

> Prince’s Hot Chicken, Owner, André Prince Jeffries

Prince’s Hot Chicken Shack is a restaurant in Nashville, Tennessee, known for its hot chicken, and is credited with popularizing the dish and inspiring restaurants with similar offerings. The business was started in 1945 by James Thornton Prince, and in 1980 ownership was passed to his great-niece André Prince Jeffries.

So, André Jeffries has served as the matriarch of Prince’s Hot Chicken since the 1980s. Her family’s original hot chicken dish is responsible for earning Nashville global culinary recognition. Accolades came her way too – for in 2022, she was inducted into the Nashville Entrepreneur Centre’s Entrepreneurs’ Hall of Fame.

> Maneet Chauhan, Co-Owner, Chauhan Ale & Masala House

As co-owner and Executive Chef of Nashville’s Chauhan Ale & Masala House, Maneet Chauhan’s Indian roots and affection for Southern cuisine have collided. Best known for her extensive work on the Food Network, she, along with her team, has created Chauhan Ale & Masala House to be a unique dining experience amidst the bustling Nashville food scene. The menu is globally influenced Indian cuisine that highlights a number of aspects of the culinary scene not only in Mumbai or New Delhi, but Nashville as well!!

The goal of Chauhan Ale & Masala House is – to provide guests with a unique dining experience coupled with a unique beverage program with globally influenced spirits, Indian spice-infused microbrews, a wine list that covers all regions of the world and cocktails that excite the palate and pair seamlessly with the food.

So, Chauhan Ale & Masala House is devoted to creating a unique dining experience in Nashville, Tennessee’s bustling food scene. Chauhan Ale & Masala House also boasts an exceptional beverage program – with a worldwide selection of wine and spirits, cocktails that excite the palate, and an array of beers including Mantra Artisan Ales, carefully crafted to pair seamlessly with the food offerings created by Chef Maneet.

Awards have been conferred too.  In 2012, Chauhan received the James Beard Foundation Broadcast Media Award for her role as a permanent judge on Food Network’s “Chopped.” The restaurant also collected some accolades, including Best New Restaurant, Best Lunch Spot, Where to Eat Brunch, Best Cocktails, and more from reputable outlets such as USA Today, The Huffington Post, Food Network, Travel + Leisure, Delta Sky, Playboy, Garden & Gun, The Tennessean, Nashville Scene, Eater Nashville, Zagat and Open Table, amongst many others.

> Shugga Hi Bakery & Café, Co-founders, Sandra Austin and Kathy Leslie

Co-founders Sandra Austin and Kathy Leslie – these native Nashvillian sisters opened Shugga Hi Chicken and Waffles, basically to share their love for food, which was instilled in them by their mother, Catherine, at a young age. In fact, they are endearingly known as Shugga San and Shugga Kat.

Shugga Hi Bakery & Café is indeed, a delightful destination. They have brought a ‘sweet and charming’ atmosphere to the bakery and café. Famous for their creative and mouthwatering pastries, sandwiches, and baked goods, Shugga Hi is a popular spot – for breakfast, lunch & afternoon treats. Their commitment to using high-quality, locally sourced ingredients ensures that every bite is a delight!!