Feb-Mar 2003

The talents and interests that these individuals share reflect the varied opportunities and vibrant business growth in Chattanooga. People of all ages and all walks of life are cultivating personal and professional successes in their business careers. With their combined strengths and talents, they are capturing the full potential of our unique city.

Wade Hinton
founding partner, Snipes, Roberson, and Hinton, LLP


 
Before Wade Hinton went into business for himself, he spent years as a county employee helping others realize their small business dreams. Now, at 29, he is a founding partner of Snipes, Roberson, and Hinton, LLP, the Scenic City’s newest minority-owned law firm.

Hinton says business ownership has come with innate challenges, but hard work and plenty of planning have helped his law firm succeed since opening its doors in July of 2002.

"I encourage those who are considering going into business on their own to plan, plan, plan," he says. "In addition, talk to people who have been successful in the industry that you want to enter. Let them share their secrets to success, and try to learn from their mistakes."

Early in his career, Hinton’s law school mentor shared a great piece of wisdom. He said, "Without one there can never be two." Hinton says that this statement is part of what prompted him to return to Chattanooga after graduating from Emory University in Atlanta and the University of Memphis Law School.

"My partners and I want other young professionals to step out and see all that this city has to offer," he says. "Chattanooga offers numerous opportunities to young professionals, minorities, and businesses of all sizes. The potential here is hard to beat."

Sharon Dent
Athens Distributing
 


Five years ago, when Sharon Dent joined the Chattanooga branch of Athens Distributing, a third generation-owned company, it seemed like a great opportunity for a single mother looking for a satisfying job in her hometown. At the time, neither she nor the company knew the exciting future that lay ahead of them.

"When I started with Athens Distributing, I was involved in sales, and I loved it. The management is flexible, which was helpful for me at the time as a single parent," Dent explains. "Then a couple of years ago, my position expanded to include a new component-education."

The company has long supplied many local restaurants and retailers with wine and spirits, and now Dent is educating her clients’ wait staffs to help customers drink responsibly. Through Dent’s classes, servers learn about their legal responsibilities as well as myths about alcohol. Armed with this knowledge, servers protect themselves and their employers.

"By expanding my position, we’re able to provide our clients with a service that our competition doesn’t offer, while working to the greater good of Chattanooga," says Dent. "Through education, we’re making our city a safer place to live. It’s a great opportunity for both Athens Distributing and the restaurants we serve."

Ruth Brinkley
Chief Executive Officer, Memorial Health Care Systems



Moving to Chattanooga from Denver a year ago wasn’t a difficult decision for self-described southern girl Ruth Brinkley. Accepting the position of CEO of Memorial Health Care Systems was the next logical step in her career path.

Brinkley was born in South Georgia and began her healthcare career while in nursing school. She started out as a nurse and slowly climbed her way up the healthcare ladder, encountering opportunity and challenges on each rung along the way.

"I find the ability to help others so gratifying, and I was blessed with the gift of developing good relationships with people," she says. "My position as CEO is not about me. It’s about what’s best for the community and the organization, and how we can all serve Memorial’s mission of hope and healing. I’m impressed by the cooperation between elected officials and local business leaders, whose vision and actions demonstrate dedication and commitment to the city they love."

Working in every healthcare position imaginable has helped Brinkley become a strong, empathetic leader at Memorial, and she never forgets the words of encouragement that spurred her on every step of the way: Give it your all.

"It doesn’t matter if you’re sweeping floors or leading nations, if your job is a labor of love, you will succeed," she says. "Surround yourself with a strong support group of friends, employees, and partners, and follow your passion and the people who inspire you."

For Brinkley, inspiration comes from the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth-the courageous women who came to the New World guided by faith. And by joining the growing number of female CEOs in Chattanooga, she is following in their footsteps.

Mike Warnock
President, Aviation Specialists, Inc.



Mike Warnock had always dreamed of a career in aviation. In 1995, with the support of his wife and two daughters, he turned that dream into a reality-leaving his construction job and creating Aviation Specialists, Inc., the largest provider of air charter in the Chattanooga area.

In addition to providing the city’s only Federal Aviation Administration-certified charter services for area businesses, Warnock’s company offers flight instruction and aviation rental. It also assists the Forest Service in detecting forest fires and taking aerial photographs.

When forming his company, Warnock learned a lot from other business leaders in the area. "We’ve gained a lot of information and advice from other business operators," he says. "It’s very helpful to talk to other people who are running similar operations."

What advice does Warnock have for others looking at starting a small business? Form relationships with other businesses that are essential to the operation. For Warnock, this includes insurance companies and banks. "It’s important to make personal visits to these people, rather than forming relationships over the phone," he says. "We share our goals and objectives with them, how they would benefit from working with us, and how we view them as being essential to our success."

Billy T. Marshall
Proprietor, Billy T and Tom Signs



After spending 25 years at Eckerd Drugs and some time in the arts and crafts business, Billy T. Marshall, owner of Billy T and Tom Signs, found his niche in the sign business.

Marshall got his start as a sign-maker while promoting his first business. He created a custom license plate to advertise "Billy T’s Arts and Crafts." A friend liked the plate so much he asked Marshall to make one for him. A short time later, Marshall’s uncle-in-law suggested he try out the router in his basement. "I started working with it, and it felt good," says Marshall, "so we started making hand-routed custom signs."

Over the years, Marshall has developed his formula for small business success-changing with the times and the needs of his customers.

"As we progressed, people would ask if we could do something new and innovative for them, and since we had the imagination, we’d always take on the challenge," says Marshall. "That’s what’s always set us apart-a willingness to do new things."

But it isn’t just imagination that got Marshall and his son, Tom, where they are today. "We’ve been fortunate to have our whole family involved in the business," says Marshall. "They have truly been my strength-especially my wife. It’s like the old saying, ‘Behind every good man is a great woman,’ and that’s the truth."

Bobby Stone
Partner, Atomic Films

 

Though they knew that building a video production company in Chattanooga was ambitious, Bobby Stone and his partner David Lang were up to the challenge. While the logical place for a film company might be New York, Los Angeles, or even Atlanta, in 1993 the two defied the odds and brought Atomic Films to life in the Scenic City.

"The birth of our company coincided with the beginning of Chattanooga’s renaissance," says Stone. "At the time, there was no high-end production company here. We formed our business with the goal of becoming the best company of its kind in Chattanooga and beyond."

A key ingredient in Atomic Films’ success is flexibility. The company’s repertoire includes a range of projects from commercials for local businesses to regional sportscasting to nationally acclaimed documentaries. Adapting to meet the needs of different clients-and their budgets-has played an important role in the company’s growth.

"It’s a constant struggle to remain successful, but with the support of the local business community, we’re continually striving to exceed our own goals," says Stone. "We appreciate the fact that our local clients have had faith in our abilities to do well."