NFIB in Your Community

NFIB in Your Community

NFIB/Tennessee members are involved in many ways across the state.

  • A Tennessee Talent: Tommy Strussion Mixes Special Spices and Public Policy
    When you are Italian, family, food and traditions are sacred. It's no different for Tommy Boy Sausage Company and Eatery's Tommy Strussion when he blends his secret recipe of special spices to make the mighty porker so delicious.
  • A Tennessee Talent: David Swett Serves up Good Food, Family Legacy
    From a beer tavern/jukebox to a soul-food meat-and-three café, Swett's Restaurant has been a family-owned and operated business since the early 1950s. David Swett Sr. and his brothers were raised in the family business by their parents, Walter and Susie. Today, that entrepreneurial spirit is growing strong as David's sons, David Jr. and Patrick, continue the family legacy by maintaining their grandparents' same original recipes.
  • A Tennessee Talent: NFIB Member 'Answers the Call'
    James Gordon began his career as an in-house communications hotel developer. As the hospitality industry changed, he and two partners created Ridgeway Communications Enterprises LLC to distribute guestroom telephones to independent properties and national franchises in the hospitality field. In 1989, he bought out his two partners, survived some lean years and grew steadily.
  • A Tennessee Talent: Rachel Blair Caters to Her Clients and Employees
    In business since 2003, The Catering Company is one of NFIB/Tennessee's newest member businesses. Although Rachel Blair and her employees are not currently focusing on any one piece of small-business legislation, they are always concentrating on following the laws that affect their small business and learning more about the legislation that impacts them.
  • A Tennessee Talent: New Member Danny Worley Wants a Stronger Voice
    After many years of dedicated service to his employer, Danny Worley found himself being downsized. Not sure of his next move, he received a call from a large client who encouraged him to start his own enterprise. At the time, Danny's wife, Gina, who had worked in the same industry, was a full-time mother. Together, they knew they had the collective knowledge to run a successful company, but they needed equipment. With their own confidence and their large client's commitment to do business with them, Gina and Danny took a giant leap of faith and embarked on a venture that has been growing steadily ever since.
  • Don't Go It Alone: Join an NFIB/Tennessee Area Action Council
    Owning a small business can feel very lonely sometimes. Your employees may know your business inside and out, but you're the one at the end of the line. Meeting other small-business owners who share your concerns makes a difference.
  • Nashville's Bill Merry Jr.: 'More Information Can Only Be a Good Thing'
    New-age blogs and podcasts are no longer a new phenomenon, but they've found an unusual friend in Bill Merry Jr., president of Herndon & Merry, a traditional ironworks manufacturer in Nashville.
  • Stella Sees Role for Character in Business, Government
    Patrick Stella has been in the business of installing commercial and industrial fire protection systems for more than 30 years.
  • Party Politics Takes on New Meaning in Memphis
    For Mark White, a good party is serious business.
  • Share Your Personal Story With Your Tennessee Lawmakers
    For the next two years, your lawmakers will make hundreds of decisions that will affect your business.
  • Joslin Lights Up Small Business
    Although the business took off so quickly that Joslin was unable to return to college his senior year, it has suffered the setbacks most small businesses inevitably face.
  • Leadership Council Chair Sells Antiques, Stays Current on Issues
    NFIB/Tennessee Leadership Council Chair Bill Merry, Jr. grew up in a small business family.
  • Letters to the Editor a Powerful Grassroots Tool in Tennessee
    One of the best ways to reach communities is through letters to the editors of local newspapers.
  • Tennessee Small Business Activism Happens at the Grassroots
    It's easy to think that what happens in Nashville is far removed from your daily business activities. However, lawmakers and regulators make changes every day that affect your ability to run your business!