From an Entrepreneurial Perspective, What are the Greatest Companies in Nashville (any industry)?
This year at NSW2010 we are focused on the spirit of mentoring in entrepreneurship and leadership. As such, we are seeking out leaders from iconic Nashville companies that make you say.... THAT is what a company should be like!
Some of my local business icons are Dave Ramsey's group, Emma, Cafe Margo, CentreSource, Ron Blue Co., BigWebApps, and Capitol Financial.
What are yours? (Your feedback will help guide the companies we approach.)
Tags: companies, entrepreneurship, leadership, mentoring, mentors, nashville
Views: 21
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by David Hooper on -
Agree with you about Dave Ramsey. Amazed that he's built such an empire off of a very simple concept. Has done a good job of monetizing just about everything, too.
Was thinking Emma myself. Came late to very competitive game and seems to have done very well with it.
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Permalink Reply by Darrin Dickey on -
I heartily second The Lampo Group (Dave Ramsey's company) and CentreSource!! I'm very familiar with both companies and continually amazed at their leadership and their incredible teams!!
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Permalink Reply by Avery Fisher on -
Bernard Health (Alex Tolbert) has been having a lot of success lately and is beginning to spread the Nashville work ethic to other cities.
PharmMD (Bo Bartholomew) just did a successful Series B fundraise with The Riverside Group and has quietly grown into a very attractive acquisition target.
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Permalink Reply by Nicholas Holland on -
I like Emma for their style. Also really like the work ethic of our local telecom companies like XO, Paetec, Level3, etc - all of them hustle!
From a consumer company standpoint, I'm glad we have EDO Interactive & CMT.
Last, I know Heathcare isn't the sexiest genre - but Healthways & Healthstream are both effective (aka:profitable) and interesting in the ways they impact the world.
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Permalink Reply by Nate Baker on -
A few first reactions:
-Griffin Technology seems well positioned, is seeing steady growth, and is always innovating their line of products.
-Burger Up: I don't have any numbers or anything, but by how crowded it is when I've visited, it looks like they've carved out a great niche.
"The Williamson County cattle farm owned by three generations of the Lee family was the catalyst for Burger Up. After opening Frothy Monkey coffeehouse on 12th Avenue South in 2004, Whitcomb Pontes started thinking about a restaurant featuring grass-fed beef, lamb and chicken sourced from around Nashville. In November 2008, she signed a lease in the 12th & Paris building, which was under development, and she got a small loan to start on the burger business."
http://www.nashvillescene.com/nashville/burger-up-12souths-new-burg...
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Permalink Reply by Dave Delaney on -
I agree with all of the above. It's a great selection guys.
I would add Bob Bernstein and his team at Bongo Java and Fido. He has built an essential empire for our caffeine additions. Who hasn't had a meeting or used a one of their locations as a temporary office for a few hours. :)
I'm very proud of what Linus and his team are doing at Yazoo Brewery too. I love their beer and approach to business.
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