I originally met Anthony (the owner of Cuts n’ Blessings) in 2005. At that time he was working as a barber at Quina’s on 9^th in Franklin. A few years later Quina’s was forced to close due to the city of Franklin deciding to build the new police station on that property. I remember how sad and worried we were to hear about him loosing his job. I can also remember that Anthony was never sad nor worried. He simply stated that “God would provide”. God had blessed him with his current job and would bless him with another. Anthony’s faith in God was truly on display.

Well it’s 2010 and Anthony is now the owner of Cuts n’ Blessings barbershop. I recently caught up with Anthony long enough to ask him a few questions.

MM:What is your vision for Cuts n’ Blessings?

Anthony McLemore: My vision for Cuts n’ Blessings is to continue to promote the atmosphere of the old style barbershops that are family oriented. Modern day shops tend to have  strict business minded agendas and at times de- humanize their environment. My goals are to increase revenue by building clientele through the promotion of positive attitudes, great customer service and seeking perfection on the performance of services to our clients.

MM:Where do you see Cuts n’ Blessings in the next 5 – 10 yrs?

Anthony McLemore: In the next 5-10 years I would like to have multiple locations of Cuts n’ Blessings. An additional shop in Franklin and one in the Spring Hill area. Maybe by 10 years, my goal may be centered around a hair school, teaching the next generation the requirements of becoming a successful business owner. I will let the Lord guide my steps!

MM: What makes Cuts n’ Blessings unique from other barbershops?

Anthony McLemore: Cuts n’ Blessings is unique because it was founded on the goodness of God! He has blessed me with the qualities that it takes to adequately achieve my goals. He blessed me with artistic ability, a people loving personality, and a strong desire to put my heart fully into everything I do. I truly thank him for that. I translate this same attitude in a business manner and have seen the business prosper greatly since we opened in July 2007. Customers really appreciate great service with a good attitude and a smile. We constantly promote a positive environment, never to be biased or negligent to any patron we serve. We have two licensed master barbers on staff. We are fully equipped with skills necessary to meet our customers needs and fully confident with our services. We welcome everyone to the Cuts n’ Blessings barbershop!!!

Go see Anthony and tell him that MochaMarket sent you!

Cuts n’ Blessings

225 Franklin Rd
Franklin, TN 37064
615.595.2550
View the Website

His industry – wide accomplishments are numerous and include John Hancock Financial Network’s President’s Conference, Cabinet and Chairman’s Council. Most recently he was inducted into John Hancock’s Hall of Fame in 2006, a prestigious distinction in which only 183 members have been inducted since 1964. Mr. Henderson is only the Third (3rd) African American, internationally, to achieve this pinnacle of achievement in the company’s 152-year history.

Marcus has been featured in Advisor Today, NAIFA’s national publication. This special issue, “Forty Under Forty” in June of 2005, portrayed four top advisors and community leaders in the United States under the age of 40.
Locally, Marcus is a Past President of the Nashville Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors 1999/2000 and is a Past President of the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors – Tennessee 2004/2005. Nationally, Mr. Henderson serves as a Captain of MDRT’s 2008-2009 Program Development Committee.

His practice objective, “To treat and help guard the financial health of his clients on an on-going individual basis”. His professional philosophy, “Plan your life as though you were going to live forever. Plan your demise as though it were tomorrow “.

Marcus and his wife, Yolanda, are happily married and are the proud parents of five children. They reside in Franklin, TN.

Ms. Garrett represents several institutions of higher education. She also serves numerous clients in various corporate transactions. Her immigration practice is concentrated on employment, business, investment, entertainment, physician and employer education-related immigration issues. In the area of health care, Ms. Garrett represents physicians, medical practice groups and other health care entities, and counsels clients in matters concerning contracts and fraud and abuse and compliance issues relating to carriers and intermediaries.

In 2003, Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen appointed Ms. Garrett to serve as a Commissioner on the Tennessee Human Rights Commission through 2009. In 2009, Governor Bredesen reappointed Ms. Garrett to serve on the Tennessee Human Rights Commission through 2015. Governor Bredesen also designated Ms. Garrett to serve on a Judicial Redistricting Study Committee and the Committee to Study the Administration of the Death Penalty. In 2003, Ms. Garrett was named to The Tennessean’s “Top 40 Under 40.” In 2003, 2004 and 2006, her peers in the Nashville legal community named Ms. Garrett to the Nashville Business Journal’s “Best of the Bar” in the area of immigration law.

In 2007, Ms. Garrett was honored to be named as one of the Nashville Business Journal’s Women of Influence in the Entrepreneur category. She is also a graduate of the Partnership Institute’s 2003-2004 Nashville Leadership Program. Ms. Garrett was formerly Deputy Chief of Staff for Congressman Harold Ford, Jr. of Memphis. She has also served as Associate General Counsel for Background America, Inc., and AMICUS Staffing, Inc., and as Director of Legal Affairs for Corrections Partners, Inc.

Ms. Garrett has spoken at various seminars on immigration law, national origin discrimination and with regard to the information technology industry in relation to privacy concerns. She is president of the board of NextStep, Inc., and also serves on the board of directors of Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Middle Tennessee. She is a member of the Tennessee Bar Association, the Nashville Bar Association and the American Immigration Lawyers Association. Ms. Garrett is also serving a three year term on the Board of Directors for the Nashville Bar Association, through 2010.

Ms. Garrett earned her Bachelor of Arts from Duke University in 1990, and her Juris Doctor from Tulane University School of Law in 1993. While attending Tulane, she also earned an Environmental Law Certificate.

“Providing quality Healthcare to everyBody”

Cynthia E. Collins, MD

Board Certified in Family Medicine

Kevin Whalum has been a presence in the music industry since 1993 when he sang background on his brother Kirk Whalum’s CD entitled, Caché. He’s been a staple on his brother’s CDs and live performances since then, but has also branched out to work with dozens of other stellar performers. Whalum has either performed, recorded, or written with the following artists: George Duke, Michael McDonald, Rex Rideout, James Ingram, Brian McKnight, Take 6, Lalah Hathaway, Maysa, Patti Austin, Bob James, Sara Evans, Wayman Tisdale, Dave Koz, Lynne Fiddmont, Paul Jackson, Jr., Jonathan Butler, Angie Winans, Wynonna Judd, Barbara Weathers, Kim Burrell, Tommy Sims, and Earl Klugh.

Now, you get to hear for yourself on his new CD, One Life To Love, produced by George Duke and Rex Rideout. His music is adult without being vulgar, and provocative without being explicit. This is “good” Adult Contemporary R&B with jazzy sensibilities. Luther Vandross would be proud to leave his legacy in the hands of an artist with this level of ability.

You may not be able to tell it from the local evening news, but there are a lot of AA business owners and professionals working hard and providing value to Middle Tennessee residents every day. With over 10,000 AA owned businesses, and over 600,000 AA residents in middle Tennessee it is our mission to build a virtual Mocha Market community to allow for mutual support, communication of ideas and valuable information exchange.

With your support (via telling your family and friends about us, listing your business, or becoming a featured member), Mocha Market will provide exposure for the thousands of hard working everyday individuals that have been essentially invisible in other media outlets. By providing this exposure, we can help you grow your business and get to know others living in our community. With an initial viewership of over 5,000 people, it won’t be long before you notice the benefit of exposure!

Each week on the homepage, I will address an issue with relevance to our community and request your opinion regarding a solution. In this way, we (meaning you and I) will facilitate the growth of our virtual community and learn from the opinions of others.

The first issue I would like to address was brought up multiple times during my conversations with our charter businesses. This issue is the complaint of many new AA professionals that there is lack of support (and sometimes outright negativity) from older successful AA business owners. Do you think that the problem is due to the “crabs in a bucket” phenomenon? the division of classes? division within the classes? or something else entirely?

Now it’s your turn to become a part of this community! Leave a comment below!

‘Ala Gala

Event Design and Event Planning

Founders: Allison Smith ( Principle Event Designer)

Date of Opening: February 2007

Services and Products Offered: Event Design, Floral Design, Event Planning, and Event Decor for Weddings, Birthday Parties, and Other Special Events.

Vision: Our mission and vision is to bring our clients the finest and freshest ideas in wedding and event design. Our specialty is creating strong design concepts and details that tell a story and reveal our client’s personal style. Our philosophy is to create events that are both alluring to the eye and superbly well-orchestrated. We believe that life and the bond that ties each of us together is the inspiration for celebration.

What makes us unique? We are highly skilled floral designers with decades of experience planning and coordinating wedding and events. This creative combination makes us a remarkable resource for the most aesthetically beautiful and well orchestrated events.

Location: Based in Franklin, Tennessee ; Available for Travel

Phone Number: 615-300-0466

Hours of Operation: Monday through Thursday 10 a.m. to 5p.m. and by appointment

Website: www.alagala.com

The Cupcake Collection was founded by Mignon Francois on November 9, 2008.  Everything is baked from scratch daily. No lard or shortening is used any any of their tasty products.  The Cupcake Collection is family owned and operated.

Location:  1213 6^th Ave N; (Historic Germantown); Nashville, TN

Phone:  615-244-2900

Hours:  M-F 10-5:30; closed S; Su 12-5 (may have extended holiday hrs) open on Christmas eve; open until 1 on New Year’s eve

http://www.thecupcakecollection.com/

Photograph by Mark Denman

In Vu hair salon was established in April of 2001 by Kim White and Phyllis Pickett. This salon specializes in keeping hair “healthy”. In Vu is also known for providing a relaxing and professional environment. (No random “knock off” salesmen here!). Appointments are timely, and one can expect to spend no more than one and a half to two hours in this salon for a routine appointment.

Services include hair color, relaxers, weaving, cut and style and much more!  The salon services both children and adults. In Vu uses the Design Essentials product line, as well as other great products.  Kim shares her salon with 3 other talented stylists, Vicky, Rasheda, and Amy.

Hours:  9:30am to 5:00pm  Tues – Saturday

Phone:  615.377.5090

Address:  1585 Mallory Ln, #202, Brentwood, TN 37027

Website:  www.invuhairstudio.com