Portraits of Nashville

It’s more important to understand someone than to judge them. We think the first step to understanding someone is asking them the fundamental questions about who they are and how they became the person they are today. Understanding and empathy are essential building blocks for a better, more compassionate world. We’re incredibly fortunate to be able to ask these questions each week through our interview series. Below you’ll find inspiring interviews from in and around Nashville.

Amber Rossi

When I graduated, I moved to Dallas, TX to earn my BFA in Acting from Southern Methodist University. I had the incredible opportunity to work in professional theaters across DFW both during and after my years at school, including the Dallas Theater Center, Undermain, and Stage West. It wasn’t until after I graduated that I really started exploring film and commercial work, alongside theatre. I worked for brands like Tostitos, Penske, and Everlywell. I also got the chance to work on voiceover projects with Crunchyroll, the Writer Wrong podcast, and the Trevor Project. But much like singing Wicked as a kid or performing on stages across DFW, nothing compared to the energy of creating independent shorts and passion projects. Read more>>

Dave Nooe

At that time my wife Jenny Anne and I began Charleyville which continues to this day. Charleyville is a registered 501(c) that provides lessons, instruments and scholarships to those who could not otherwise afford these resources. Charley was Charlotte’s nick name and over our 13 year existence we have provided countless services. Currently we offer assistance to Guns Not Guitars, Boys Brigade and provide 2 scholarships at the university level. Over the past year I have been organizing shows with the Rockin’ Bones that feature many Nashvillians in a. community of performers who honor such artists as Bob Dylan and Chuck Berry. I believe in cooperation as opposed to competition. Read more>>

Jacob Tomlinson

Three years ago, I was working in a small local clinic as a physical therapist in a small town in Arkansas. Having worked in hospitals and in pediatrics, the outpatient setting was a nice change of pace. For many, it would be considered a dream job. But after only 18 months, I left the best gig a physical therapist could land, moved to Tennessee, and started my own clinic. After 30 months in business, I can say that it’s been an eventful journey. Read more>>

Christian Walker

I didn’t have a choice whether to sing or not; and years later I’m so grateful for the choice I didn’t have. Both playing drums and singing have shaped the career I’m able to work in today. After losing my full time job in May 2022, I took a leap of faith and went full time music. Luckily for me, relationships were established prior. It has not been an easy journey to say the least. Everyday is still a walk of faith, but I have no regrets. It’s been the scariest yet most fulfilling career path I could make. And I believe I’m just only getting started… Read more>>

Gaylon Cude

I grew up in the small town of Centerville, just an hour west of Nashville. I began playing golf at 9 and quickly developed a passion for the game. Fortunately, through junior golf successes, gained the opportunity to play collegiately and Belmont University. I initially thought I would follow in the footsteps of my parents and return home to become a school teacher, however I couldn’t imagine golf still not being at the forefront of my life. I decided to pivot in college and direct my efforts to a job within the golf industry and a professional. As soon as I graduated from Belmont, I started working as a golf professional at Golf House Tennessee and within months knew that my passion was in the instruction side of the industry. That has continued to evolve over the past 15 years. Read more>>

Jo Gibson And Jen Comparette

When families tour, they are often surprised to see many of our three-year-old students are reading words, and many of our four and five-year olds are working in decodable reading books. We focus on the whole child, so students learn academic and spiritual skills along with social development. They learn to play together collaboratively, and speak in complete sentences. We focus on problem-solving and faith-based practices that include daily prayer and learning Bible stories. Some have said that what we do is like magic, but it’s really as simple as using the right teaching strategies consistently. Read more>>

Herron Westbrooks

My love for home décor began long before l ever considered it a business. While I was building my career in healthcare, decorating and home design was my creative outlet — a way to unwind, recharge, and bring beauty into everyday life. I spent years studying magazines, paying attention to details, and finding joy in styling my home, especially during the holidays. It became a personal tradition, a way of creating warmth not just for myself, but for everyone who stepped into my space. Not only my space but decorating other homes. Read more>>

Malaki Smart

Recently, I visited the Christian County Animal Shelter and was blown away by the amazing staff and all the animals without homes. This experience inspired me to start the Eddy’s K9 Retreat and the Veteran K9 Program. Our goal is to connect struggling veterans with shelter dogs who are looking for a loving home. I believe that animals can be incredible sources of comfort and healing for people who are going through tough times, and I’m excited to make this company something bigger and better for myself and for the local community. Read more>>

Melanie Thornton

My sister, Abby Lenard, and I bought the bakery in Nov 2020, right in the middle of Covid. The previous owner had been there 33 years. The bakery was started in 1947, in Jackson, and we are the third owners. Shirley Wernimont, the previous owner, stayed on with us for 5 months teaching us recipes and techniques. We had no prior baking experience! We didn’t even know how to ice a cake! We prayed about it and went out on faith. Read more>>

Joshua Fuchcar

I was born in Romania, adopted at the ripe old age of two, and brought to Middle Tennessee in 1996. Some say I’ve always enjoyed being the center of attention. I like to think it was less about attention and more about curiosity. Even as a kid, I couldn’t help but look at things from unusual angles, twist them around in my head, and try to figure out how they worked or why they mattered. I was drawn to novelty, to moments and details that felt different from the everyday. Read more>>

Kara Dellinger

Dellinger Digital is a marketing and branding consulting business dedicated to partnering with women-owned businesses and organizations committed to empowering others to feel their absolute best – physically, mentally, and emotionally. I offer strategic, brand-specific guidance and ongoing support to help my clients manage their workloads, market their businesses with confidence, and grow beyond their wildest dreams. Read more>>

Hadlie Jo Pritchard

The day I received my service dog, Lucy, I ended up having a dance career stopping injury. I had broken my arm, and tore muscles in my knee. It was the year 2020 and everything shut down, so I made my orthopedic doctors a deal. “If you let me take my cast off everyday for 15 minutes, I will learn how to play an instrument instead of going to physical therapy”. He agreed. A few months later, I performed at my very first open mic night and fell in LOVE with music and performing. I also learned how to play 5 instruments- guitar, banjo, mandolin, piano & fiddle. Now, 5 years later, I’ve been performing all over the United States, including the Grand Ole Opry, the legendary Bluebird Cafe, and written with hall of fame songwriters. Read more>>

Meghan Woods

Honestly, I don’t think anything that’s worth having is ever going to be easy. As far as for me personally, it has definitely been a change going from an artist to artist development. Although this has been a bit of an uncomfortable change it has also been the biggest blessing to know this job from every angle. This allows me to not only know the business side of things but also the emotional side that comes with being an artist. Read more>>

Mitchell Scott

Another challenge has been the business side of things. I’ll be the first to admit I’d rather create than manage spreadsheets or marketing plans. That’s why having my partner in We Dream Media, April Nicole Scipio, has been such a blessing. She’s a strategist, a marketer, and a connector, and she brings so much value to what we do. Read more>>

Jacob Jones

2023 of March Aim High was shutdown due to a fire that destroyed majority of the property. Six months later I was able to move back into my unit on Woodland Street. Honestly, everything happens for a reason because after that my business tripled in new client and everything has been incredible and I’ve now owned my own business for 5 years. Read more>>

Lexie LaPlante

When I’m not playing covers on Broadway, I am writing new music, attending writers rounds, and getting in the studio to record new music. It is so fun to have complete control over the creative aspect of my job and I am so thankful that I am able to support the creation of my original music by playing music for an audience that wants to hear it! Read more>>

Catherine May

I love educating my clients so they can apply their body knowledge to long-term healing. I have a very hands-on approach to open the window for change and keep movement programs simple to help reset the foundation for movement. I believe in team work and community building, it takes a village and I am not afraid to refer out, ultimately I want people to get better. Personally, I love Pilates, strength training, yoga, and walking outside with my dog. Spending time in nature is where my heart sings, I love to camp and hike. I have a young daughter, a loving husband, and a mutt dog, Pekka. It’s a full life full of love. I enjoy spreading that good energy and I love what I do. Read more>>

Eliza Cheng

And outside of my work? I’m basically fueled by matcha and curiosity. I’m always up for trying a new cafe or restaurant with friends, plotting my next board game win, or spoiling my two cats like the royalty they clearly think they are. Two foods I absolutely can’t live without are salmon nigiri and pasta. My favorite meal of the day is dinner—especially when it’s shared over a deep, soul-filling conversation with friends, new or old, that goes far beyond the polite “I’m fine, thank you.” I’m a proud Swiftie, and my favorite adventures are the ones I take with my loved ones—whether we’re exploring a new country or just finding the best restaurant in town. Read more>>

Devin Tolentino

The foundation of REDLINE is “Lift, Bike, Run”.. similar to the triathlon approach of Swim, Bike, Run. Lifting took place of the swimming in the gym, as I wanted our clients to have the strength and power of a weightlifter with the endurance of a triathlete. I have always wanted REDLINE to be a place where performance and effort always comes before fluff and fake “good job” all you have to do is show up. All though showing up is a huge part of improving your fitness, we believe that the ability to fail and try again harder is what REDLINE is all about. Anyone can do REDLINE, but REDLINE is not for everyone. If you are someone who enjoys being held accountable and willing to work hard mentally and physically, REDLINE is for you. Read more>>

Lizzie Holt

Also, imposter syndrome is so easy to fall victim to, especially being surrounded by the most talented peers you could have, but I find that being unabashedly confident in your ability and vision is the key. My professors at Belmont University would always say that you shouldn’t have a plan B if you “really want to make it”, and while I don’t disagree, it is hard not to want to give yourself a safety net in the economy that we live in right now. That being said, I am truly so stubborn, even on my good days, so music is the only route for me. Read more>>

Cali Dwan

It definitely hasn’t been a completely smooth road. When I first moved to Nashville, I had to put my nursing school plans on hold because I couldn’t afford to continue and I was essentially starting over, both professionally and personally. Launching my design business in 2022 was exciting, but it came with the usual entrepreneur challenges: figuring out processes on the fly, juggling multiple projects at once, and learning how to manage everything from client expectations to contractor schedules. Read more>>

Hope Moquin

That belief led me to start Nash Girl Club, a women’s community in Nashville that brings women together through curated events, small groups, and shared experiences. It’s inclusive to all women, no matter their background or beliefs. While faith is a big part of who I am and there’s always space for those who want to grow in theirs, it’s never forced. It’s simply a safe, uplifting space where women can show up as they are and leave better than they came. Read more>>

Maria Dumas

But I’ve learned that the key is connection. Networking, showing up, and genuinely getting to know people has opened so many doors for me. What I’ve found is that the creative community here is incredibly supportive—other photographers and artists have been so open and encouraging. So while it hasn’t always been smooth in terms of visibility, the relationships I’ve built have made the journey really rewarding, and I think that’s what’s helping me carve out my place. Read more>>

Kacie Bryant

My current focus is on building a nationwide community of support for LOCAL and small businesses. As one of the founders of LOCAL Clarksville in Tennessee, I’ve spent the past eight years growing a “support local” movement that connects people with the businesses that make their communities unique. Along the way, I’ve had the privilege of meeting thousands of small business owners across several states—celebrating with hundreds at their grand openings, and standing beside those who have had to make the difficult decision to close their doors. Through those experiences, I’ve witnessed firsthand the challenges business owners face, from financial pressures to the delicate balance of work and family to the complexities of leading a team. Read more>>

Kyle Moore

Through years of ER work, I witnessed a recurring frustration: we’re excellent at treating disease, but not at preventing it. I saw patients return time and again with preventable conditions — not due to lack of motivation, but due to limited access, overwhelming information, and the high cost of navigating the health system. Primary care can be hard to access. Preventive services are fragmented, and for most, interpreting lab tests, supplements, or workout plans off the internet feels like navigating a maze. Read more>>

Lil Timme

In collaboration with legendary DJ Lil Less, Lil Timme produced “Hanging with the Hustlers”, a powerful, gritty record that sold over 20,000 units and solidified his future success in the music world. His first solo album, Timme’s Touch What’s Next, dropped 25 years ago, marking a pivotal moment in his career. Since then, he has written over 75 songs, with more than 60 commercially released, becoming a true gem of the Southern rap scene. Read more>>

Codi Dillon

There was moments I almost walked away from music, but every time I came close to doing so, my creativity pulled me back in. I’ve gotten to work and collaborate with some amazing producers, to performing at queer events, and building my visual world to shape who I am as an artist today. Now, I am in such an exciting chapter – as I am working on a new EP called “Chrome Heart,” which feels like the purest expression of my voice so far. To also just have wrapped up a project I collaborated with fellow creative and fashion designer Heidel Dube – in which we created a unique and inspired fashion collection to support the debut of my new single “Stunnah,” out August 29th. This project was in closing of the 16-week mentorship program we both were so lucky to be apart of with Creative Futures Collective x Soho House Nashville. Read more>>

Staci Sutton

I wanted to offer something better. That’s when I found Mold Pups. Gus is a mini Australian Shepherd with over 1,000 hours of specialized training at the world-renowned Florida Canine Academy under Bill Whitstine — the same trainer who prepares dogs for bomb, drug, and arson detection. Gus is trained to detect 16 different types of toxic mold with extraordinary accuracy, locating sources that even advanced lab tests miss. Read more>>

Owen Coffman

I started my music journey in high-school by DJ’ing and throwing events around town. I’ve always had a passion for events/music and love bringing people together and curating a space. I graduated from Belmont University with a Music Business degree and since then have worked with various promoters and events companies before finally switching over to the agency/management side of things with New Motion Music! Read more>>

Cooper Ledford

I grew up in a house full of music. My mom sang, my uncle played guitar, and my dad always had something playing; so singing was always part of me, even if I never saw it as a real career. I tried everything growing up— sports, clubs—but nothing compared to getting my first guitar for my sophomore year of high school. I fell in love with playing and writing songs, and it eventually led me to move Nashville over college to chase my dream. Read more>>

Michael Gilmore

One space I’ve really grown to love is the cosplay community. A big part of my inspiration comes from anime and film, so working with people who are already embodying characters from those worlds makes it feel like there are no limits to what we can create. It gives me the freedom to push boundaries, explore more imaginative concepts, and really let that creative energy flow both ways. Read more>>

Carla Hicks

I am a content creator who specializes in lifestyle, food and travel. I am known for letting the city of Nashville know what’s going on in the city for upcoming events and places to visit. I am most proud of the opportunities I’ve been presented in such a small amount of time and being able to put smiles and motivate girls who look like me. I get DM’s everyday of people thanking me for helping them get out their homes or even make content. What sets me apart from others is that I’m authentically myself and I am one of few people in Nashville with a niche of “upcoming events” when people search for things to do in Nashville I am on the first people who pops up. I find that I am relatable to my audience and I give them a form of comfortability. Read more>>

Kasey Brown

Since then, my photography business and studio have continued to thrive. I specialize in a wide range of sessions, including newborn, maternity, family, and even pet photography. Over the years, I’ve been honored to have my work featured in several photography magazines, serve as the sports photographer for multiple local little league and travel ball teams, and contribute donations to local schools and athletic programs. Read more>>

David Ashley Trent

After college, I took a sales job in Nashville, but the open mic nights kept calling me back. The encouragement of friends eventually pushed me to take the leap into music full-time. For the next decade, I found myself on church stages, at festivals, in youth retreats—anywhere God opened a door. Along the way, I recorded a handful of albums and met my wife, Colene, at a festival. We got married in 2010 and settled down in Jackson, Tennessee. Read more>>

Shen AKA ShenShen210

A detour to New York turned into a divine redirection when we unexpectedly landed in Nashville, Tennessee—closing on our dream home on Easter morning. Since then, I’ve painted live at the Franklin Theatre, exhibited in Paris, Fort Worth, Jackson Hole, Telluride, and Nashville, and collaborating on Art in Motion—an international fashion-meets-art project founded by Ofelia Cuevas and inspired by her husband, legendary designer Manuel Cuevas, “The Rhinestone Rembrandt” Read more>>

Maggie Hawn

When I had my own kids and stepped away from the corporate world, I felt a shift in my heart and in my work. My craft grew right alongside my family, and I realized what I loved most was capturing the raw, beautiful moments of family life, the tiny toes, the belly laughs, the quiet snuggles you wish you could bottle up forever. Read more>>