Making Every Moment Magical
Lance Asti Owner & Lead
Lighting Designer
The Men Who Shape Us
For many of us, the month of June brings a shift in pace. Summer settles in, calendars loosen and we begin spending more time gathered together. This season gives us the chance to slow down just enough to notice the people who have shaped us along the way.
As we worked on this year’s Gentlemen’s Issue, I found myself reflecting on the complicated and deeply meaningful role men play in our lives and communities. For some, those relationships come easily. For others, they are more layered. I fall somewhere in the middle.
While my relationship with my own biological father was difficult, I have been incredibly fortunate to experience the influence of many other men who stepped into the gaps when they did not have to. Uncles, camp directors, mentors, pastors, friends and eventually my father-in-law all helped shape my understanding of steady presence, kindness, protection, humility, and leadership. None of them were perfect, but each left an imprint on me in big and small ways.
Perhaps one of the greatest privileges of my life has been watching my own husband redefine manhood. In a world often confused about strength and leadership, I have had the privilege of watching him show up in ordinary moments that ultimately become the ones that matter most.
This month, we introduce several local men making meaningful contributions throughout Chattanooga. We learn more about Robert Lee Barber and his passion for leadership development and helping others grow through faith and business coaching. We visit Brothers Bagel, where the Pratt family is building a business centered on family, community, and entrepreneurship. We also spotlight Men Who Chatt, a growing organization creating intentional spaces for connection, vulnerability, and support among men. We bring you our annual “Local Men You Should Know” feature highlighting five men whose stories reflect a deep commitment to investing in others. We also highlight Blackwell Automotive and Brandino Brass, where family values, craftsmanship, and community remain at the center of everything they do.
At their core, these stories are reminders that influence often happens in quiet, steady ways—in showing up, investing in others, offering encouragement, creating opportunity, and choosing to lead with character.
No matter what your own experiences with fatherhood, mentorship, or manhood may look like, my hope is that this issue encourages all of us to recognize and appreciate the people who help shape our lives for the better.
Cheers!
BELINDA MARTIN, EDITORIAL COORDINATOR @CHATTANOOGACITYLIFESTYLE
June 2026
PUBLISHER
Lisa Yockey | lisa.yockey@citylifestyle.com
EDITORIAL COORDINATOR
Belinda Martin | belinda.martin@citylifestyle.com
PUBLICATION DIRECTOR
Katie Bode | katie.bode@citylifestyle.com
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Eve Crabtree, Demi Guillory, Kate Robertson Parrish, Kristi Sellers
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER
Golden Hour Images
Corporate Team
CEO Steven Schowengerdt
President Matthew Perry
COO David Stetler
CRO Jamie Pentz
CoS Janeane Thompson
AD DESIGNER Josh Govero
LAYOUT DESIGNER Kelsey Ragain
QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Brandy Thomas Learn
3:5-6
business monthly
A ROUNDUP OF NEWS FROM LOCAL BUSINESSES
The Pottery Place Chattanooga Expands
The Pottery Place Chattanooga is expanding with a brand-new location on Lee Highway. Known for its welcoming, hands-on creative studio, the new space offers even more room for classes, walk-in projects, and group events. With hundreds of tools and design options, guests of all ages can create personalized pieces in a fun, supportive environment. The expansion brings even more opportunities for the community to gather and get creative.
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Orderly Chattanooga Launches New Family Assistant Service
Orderly Chattanooga - Home Organization is expanding its services with the launch of The Family Assistant, a new offering designed to help busy families manage the day-today details of home life. From laundry and grocery shopping to errands and household support, the personalized service aims to simplify routines and lighten the load for families on the go. Learn more and follow along at Orderly Chattanooga Instagram.
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Lavender Medi Spa Welcomes New Team Member
Lavender Medi Spa is pleased to welcome Ardith Bates Stanford as the newest member of its team. Bringing more than 30 years of leadership in education along with experience in skincare consulting and patient education, Ardith offers clients a warm, knowledgeable approach to care. The spa is also continuing to introduce its new Nouvaderm resurfacing laser, expanding advanced aesthetic treatment options for the Chattanooga community.
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Photography by Lavender Medi Spa
his Father’s Day, give Dad a seamless car buying experience. Dealinked manages everything, from sourcing the right vehicle to negotiation and delivery, so he can enjoy the ride without the hassle.
LOCAL MEN MAKING A MEANINGFUL IMPACT THROUGH LEADERSHIP, SERVICE, BUSINESS, AND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
ARTICLE BY DEMI GUILLORY
Bryan Bunch
Dealinked
If Bryan Bunch could turn back time, he says he would have started helping Chattanooga drivers navigate the car-buying process much sooner.
“I spent over 20 years in the auto industry,” Bunch shared. “A lot of that was within a dealership, but the last seven years was selling products and services to dealers and training [them] across the country.”
While the opportunity allowed him to gain valuable experience and industry insight, the extensive travel eventually became difficult to sustain. In 2024, Bunch returned to working inside a dealership, hoping it might offer a better balance and renewed sense of purpose. But after about ten months, he realized the frustrations that had pushed him away from dealership life in the first place still remained.
It was ultimately his wife, Jamie, who encouraged him to take a leap of faith and build something of his own. Together, they founded Dealinked, an auto concierge service designed to simplify the car-buying experience and advocate directly for customers.
“She basically said I needed to do this for people, that way I’m not handcuffed to inventory, and I can do the process my way,” Bunch said.
That freedom has become one of the biggest differences for both Bunch and his clients. Through Dealinked, he is able to help individuals and families find vehicles that truly fit their needs without the pressure often associated with traditional dealership experiences.
“It’s really enjoyable when you have somebody who’s in a tough spot, or having to buy a vehicle within a short amount of time but not knowing exactly what they want,” he explained. “Using my skill set to be able to locate and negotiate it within a [reasonable] time.”
Bunch prides himself on making the process easier and less stressful for the people he serves, and he credits Chattanooga’s collaborative business community for helping make that possible.
“The people within the community and the business owners that I’ve met through networking, it’s just really neat how Chattanooga is growing, but there’s still a core group of people that are willing to help, offer advice, or point you in the right direction,” he said.
That same sense of connection has inspired Bunch to give back through donations, silent auctions, and supporting local organizations throughout the area. He sees investing in the community as an important part of helping Chattanooga continue to flourish.
For anyone considering taking a leap into something new, Bunch’s advice is simple but meaningful: “Just do it.”
And when reflecting on his own journey into entrepreneurship, he admits there’s only one thing he would change.
“I wish I would have done it sooner.”
Malcolm Harris
Podcast Host
Chattanooga hasn’t always been home for Malcom Harris, but it’s where he believes he was always meant to be. Today, as the host of the popular podcast What the Truck?!, Harris uses his platform to spotlight the people, stories, and innovation driving the transportation and logistics industry. In the process, he has become one of the city’s biggest champions.
“I don’t think you’ll find a bigger advocate for the city than me,” said Harris, who is originally from Conyers, Georgia, and attended the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. “I love what we’re doing here.”
Through What the Truck?!, Harris creates space for industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and professionals to share their experiences and expertise with a broader audience. While topics like trucking and supply chain logistics may initially sound technical or niche, Harris embraces the challenge of making them engaging, relatable, and entertaining.
Before stepping into the podcasting world full-time, Harris served as head of recruiting for Axle Logistics and hosted a local radio show with Brewer Media Group. By the time he was approached to host What the Truck?! last fall, he had already built a reputation as a strong
communicator and connector within the Chattanooga community. Even so, he admits he was both surprised and honored by the opportunity and the confidence others placed in him.
Harris affectionately describes himself as “a guy with a do-rag and a nose ring and gold chain, talking about something so quirky but making it cool.” But beyond the personality and energy he brings to the microphone, what matters most to him is the opportunity to elevate others.
Some of the stories shared on the podcast have deeply impacted him as well. One recent guest, Harris shared, “was homeless at 16 and is now managing a $100 million portfolio at the age of 26. It’s surreal. The little things, like being able to truly tell people’s stories and give them a platform to educate and inform, are super important.”
Though he may not have become the ESPN sportscaster he once dreamed of being, Harris says he can’t imagine doing anything else. Outside of What the Truck?!, he also co-founded the sports podcast Chatted Up Sports, with hopes of growing it into a larger media company in the future.
Metaphorically speaking, Harris is standing on top of Lookout Mountain, using his voice to elevate others while continuing to grow himself. And to him, it all comes back to one simple belief:
“Being able to shine light on others makes you shine just as bright, if not brighter.”
Daniel DeVries
Stylist & Owner, 1255 On Market - A Studio for Hair
For as many years and places as he’s spent working as a hair stylist, Daniel Devries has more than his fair share of stories he loves to recount. Much of that, he says, comes down to the people he has met along the way. “I have a really great list of clientele,” he shared gratefully.
DeVries built the early years of his career in Atlanta and Los Angeles after graduating from beauty school, training as an assistant under stylists from around the world before eventually settling full-time in Chattanooga. Here, he quickly built a loyal following. “I came [here] looking to escape,” he said. “I just had so much of a clientele that I was able to go spend time in these other cities and still come back and have a full book here.”
Today, he owns 1255 On Market – A Studio for Hair, though prior to that he owned and operated three salons in the Chattanooga area. Throughout his career, he has worked with a wide range of clients, including many of the area’s judges and news anchors, as well as fashion designer Cristian Serrano. DeVries
and his team have worked with Serrano for the past two years on the TITANIUM II fashion gala. These opportunities are not something he takes lightly. “Trust me,” DeVries said, “I’m so honored to do this.”
Among the many stories he could share, the most personal is the one that explains why he is still able to do the work he loves after dedicating nearly half a century to his craft. DeVries is open about his past struggles with addiction and substance abuse, as well as his commitment to the recovery journey he has now been on for four years.
When reflecting on what it took to survive the lowest points in his life, DeVries does not hesitate. “The people in this community—my clients—are the people who got me sober.” With the support of those around him, he now uses this renewed sense of purpose to give back and encourage others navigating similar struggles.
“I rally and stand by CADAS (Council for Alcohol and Drug Abuse Services) and have committed myself to giving them everything I’ve got,” he said. DeVries has helped organize fundraisers for the organization and regularly volunteers his time and talents whenever needed, all while remaining deeply committed to the clients who have continued to support him throughout his journey.
“Nothing stops my ability.”
Opera Singer & Parkinson’s Ambassador
With a professional opera career spanning 37 years, Jeffrey Wells is no stranger to the spotlight or to the discipline required to perform at the highest level. “I sang all over the world—literally all over the world,” Wells recalled fondly. “From Australia to Japan and all over Europe.”
Twenty-five of those years were spent performing with the Metropolitan Opera in New York City, fulfilling what many singers only dream of achieving. “I had a great career,” he said, reflecting on decades spent on one of the world’s most prestigious stages.
Throughout his career, Wells also developed a deep passion for arts education and sharing music with others. “I’m a big believer in arts education,” he said. In his final professional role before retirement, Wells served as Artistic Director for a performing arts organization in a resort community outside Atlanta. There, he not only continued performing himself, but also brought internationally recognized singers and dancers to audiences in the region.
His career provided extraordinary opportunities and unforgettable experiences, but more than anything, music gave Wells a sense of purpose. That purpose became even more meaningful after he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2017. Rather than allowing the diagnosis to define or limit him, Wells chose to continue doing what he loved, even if it looked different than before.
With the support of his wife of 51 years, Jo Ellen, he has continued performing and sharing his gift with others. “In fact, I’m singing more now than I ever have,” Wells said. “My voice, for some reason, is kind of still there.”
His perseverance recently earned him the title of Morning Pointe’s Seniors Got Talent winner, an accomplishment he describes as “a big deal.” Yet for Wells, the recognition itself is secondary to the deeper appreciation he has gained for both music and life throughout his Parkinson’s journey.
Now living in Chattanooga following his retirement in 2020, Wells has become a passionate advocate for Parkinson’s research and awareness. Using his award-winning bass-baritone voice, he performs at events and fundraisers supporting several organizations throughout the area. Earlier this year, Wells helped raise $10,000 for Parkinson’s advocacy through the Ooltewah Tulip Festival.
“We just traveled to Knoxville [to the Cole Center for Parkinson’s & Movement Disorders], where I participated in presenting this check and had a nice photoshoot,” he shared.
Though the stages may look different these days, Wells continues to find joy and purpose in performing, advocating, and connecting with others through music. As he simply puts it, “I’m doing good.”
Jeffrey Wells
Hal Bowling
LAUNCH, Co-Founder & Co-CEO
Long before LAUNCH, its co-founder and CEO, Hal Bowling, understood the importance of entrepreneurship on a deeply personal level. Much of that inspiration came from watching his father persevere through extraordinary circumstances.
“My dad was an entrepreneur out of necessity,” Bowling shared. “He had a rare eye disease and was legally blind most of his life, which prevented him from being hired most places.”
In the 1950s, Bowling’s father underwent one of the first successful cornea transplants in the United States, a life-changing surgery that restored his vision and expanded what was possible for both his life and career. Before and after the surgery, he built a livelihood through small construction jobs and remodeling projects that eventually grew into developing neighborhoods in Asheville, North Carolina.
Watching his father’s resilience and determination left a lasting impact on Bowling. “I ultimately followed in his footsteps and started several businesses,” he said.
Over the years, Bowling’s career has spanned nonprofits, startup ventures, and healthcare leadership, with each experience shaping the work
he does today. Those paths ultimately converged in Chattanooga through LAUNCH, the entrepreneurial support organization he co-founded to provide underrepresented entrepreneurs with coaching, capital, and training needed to succeed.
“It feels like all of those roads sort of converged and led me to what I’m doing now,” Bowling said.
Through LAUNCH, Bowling and his team work to demystify entrepreneurship for people who may not have had examples of business ownership in their families or communities. Many participants, he explained, are first-generation entrepreneurs navigating unfamiliar territory.
“They haven’t seen it or haven’t had anyone in their family who has [started a business],” Bowling said. “They are the first ones to try it, and we’re able to share a journey and insights with them that can really help make the process a lot less daunting.”
Bowling also values the opportunity to share his passion for entrepreneurship with his own family. His three children are all business owners, continuing a legacy that began generations earlier with his father’s determination to create opportunities where few existed.
Outside of work, Bowling and his wife of 38 years, Susanne, enjoy spending time with their children and six grandchildren. Recently celebrating a milestone birthday has also prompted him to think more intentionally about legacy and the impact he hopes to leave on both his family and the Chattanooga community.
With no plans of slowing down, Bowling says LAUNCH is expected to train its 1,000th entrepreneur this year, a milestone that reflects both the organization’s growth and the increasing need for meaningful entrepreneurial support.
“The longer I work, the more I see the importance of our work at LAUNCH to help people achieve their dreams and support their families,” Bowling said. “I’m hopeful and encouraged about the future.”
Brothers Bagel
For the Pratt Family, Business Goes Beyond Bagels
When Josh and Sara Pratt began dreaming up a business, they had one priority: build something their family could grow into together. They wanted their young sons to see what it looks like to show up, work hard, and invest in their community. After exploring their options, they came back to something simple and nostalgic. Josh’s family is originally from New York, and a proper bagel had been missing from Chattanooga’s breakfast scene. “We realized we could be the ones to open the bagel shop we wanted,” he says.
So they did, and they named it Brothers, after the boys who inspired it. That dream quickly became one of Chattanooga’s favorite morning rituals.
The Pratts started making bagels at home when the idea first took shape, learning the craft from others before bringing in someone from New York City who could help them scale. That mentor taught them the commercial side of things: recipe templates, techniques, and how to translate a kitchen experiment into hundreds of bagels a day. But the recipe itself was always their own. Central to that recipe is an ingredient most people have never thought about: barley malt extract. Made from sprouted barley and live enzymes, it’s the driver behind the deep, rich, malty flavor that defines a true New York-style bagel.
ARTICLE BY KATE ROBERTSON PARRISH
That foundation gives them a base dough they use across the majority of their menu, but what happens from there is anything but rigid. The team leans heavily on customer feedback and their own creative instincts to develop new flavors. No idea is too weird to try. Case in point: Dirt Cake schmear, a nod to the nostalgic dessert, made with from-scratch chocolate cookies and homemade ganache. “We try to do things as naturally and from scratch as we can,” Josh says. That intentionality—going above and beyond when they don’t have to—shows up in everything Brothers makes.
Not long after opening in October 2024, the case for a second location became abundantly clear. Just three months later, the right piece of real estate came available, and Josh moved on it. “We didn’t know it was going to happen that fast,” he recalls.
The demand was hard to ignore. North Chattanooga has a charm all its own, sometimes feeling like its own little world—but it isn’t always the easiest corner of the city to get to. If Chattanooga was going to embrace what they were building, Brothers was going to meet them where they were. The second Brothers Bagel shop opened on Brainerd Road in January 2026.
At the end of the day, Brothers is exactly what the Pratts set out to build: a true family business. Josh and Sara make every decision together, alongside his in-laws. That spirit extends to their staff. “We want our team to feel like they’re cared for like family,” Josh says. “We put that into everything.”
It shows in the space, too. The dining room is designed to welcome kids and families, where Chattanoogans can come as they are. Josh believes deeply that a city as family-centered as Chattanooga deserves businesses that reflect those same values: rooted in community and built to last. As for his sons, they’ll grow up inside a business their parents built from scratch, watching, learning, getting their hands dirty.
For Josh, that’s the whole point. Entrepreneurship, he believes, is one of the most powerful forms of independence a person can have.
“More children should be given the confidence to go out and pursue something for themselves,” he says. Brothers Bagel is his family’s version of that lesson, served fresh every morning.
Robert Lee Barber
THE JOURNEY SHAPING AN ENTREPRENEUR, AUTHOR, AND LEADERSHIP COACH
ARTICLE BY EVE CRABTREE
Robert Lee Barber originally began his career as an engineer in West Palm Beach, FL. After three years, he moved to the job that would set the course for the following years of his career. “I was good at project management and working with people,” Robert says. “I got a job in human resources and built my career in HR and labor relations.” During that time, the company he was with grew exponentially. “It was the right time and place,” Robert explains. “I was young and willing to take risks and roles no one else wanted.”
After ten years, Robert started his own business in commercial real estate in 2006. “Then, in the crash of 2008, my business went belly up,” he says. “During that time, God worked on me.” In this period of growth, Robert’s priorities were reset. His family got involved in church again and Robert and a business partner started a distressed asset company in real estate.
In 2019, the Barber family was led to move to Chattanooga. “God has blessed us the entire time we’ve been here,” Robert shares. “We’ve built a life here and it’s been amazing.” That leap of faith to move to Chattanooga has been a huge blessing to Robert and his family. Robert encourages others to take bold steps as well. “Take the time to have a plan and seek wise counsel,” he says, “but you have to move forward.”
Robert started doing executive and general business coaching through his company, ROYI Academy, in late 2019. ROYI later evolved into Paratus Consulting as Robert focused more on working with corporations. “I’ve been called to help transform the workplace,” Robert explains. “So many workplaces are just surviving and they don’t spend time developing leaders. I help organizations develop one consistent model of leadership within their organization to create a culture of leadership.”
In 2021, Robert published his book CEO for Life—an Amazon bestseller—and shared what business has taught him about everyday life. “I wrote this book about all of the practices we learn in successful corporations that we can adapt into our own life,” Robert explains. “Being the CEO of yourself is a concept I leaned into when I first started doing coaching.” Since then, Robert has written two more books: The Leadership Secret No One Tells You and The Most Dangerous Team in the Room.
Out of all the things Robert has done over the years, one thing stood out. “What I loved the most was pouring into people and their businesses,” Robert shares. “It’s very fulfilling to see someone else succeed and I love celebrating that.” Through the perspective he’s gained from his faith, he also sees the eternal impact on people through what he’s doing. “Knowing that we are loved by our Creator has changed how I see people,” he shares.
This year, Robert started working with AlloHire in talent development, where he’s enjoyed having a team to work with again after years of working on his own.
To connect with or learn more about Robert and his work, email: Rob@ RobertLeeBarber.com or visit his author website: www.RobertLeeBarber.com.
“What I loved the most was pouring into people and their businesses. It’s very fulfilling to see someone else succeed and I love celebrating that.”
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ROBOTIC SURGERY
MEN WHO CHATT
A native of Australia, Brandon Clift came to America as a young man—a full circle moment in his family. “My dad was born in Chattanooga but hasn’t lived here since the 80s,” Brandon shares.
“So, we essentially traded places.” When Brandon met his wife, Christine, in Chattanooga, that’s where he decided to stay. Before coming to America, Brandon helped establish and facilitate men’s groups and while he initially wasn’t looking for a group in Chattanooga, Brandon soon sought one when he found out he was becoming a father. Brandon desired a men’s group with diverse faiths, ethnicities, socioeconomic statuses, and orientations. After being unable to find such a group in Chattanooga, he decided to create Men Who Chatt through the ManKind Project—the organization of his former men’s group in Australia. “It was my calling to put a group together,” Brandon says. “I knew that I needed to surround myself with other men also navigating life through fatherhood.”
The ManKind Project has over 1,000 groups worldwide and the Chattanooga chapter is their fastest-growing in America.
Now going strong for four years, Men Who Chatt meets once a week for two hours and goes on multi-day outdoor rites of passage twice a year. Key values of Men Who Chatt include brotherhood, authenticity, respect, and confidentiality. One of the goals of the group is to provide a judgment-free space for men to share their challenges and support each other through them. “Men are raised that they’re not allowed to talk about the tough things,” Brandon explains. “It’s important for us to be in spaces where we can talk about our challenges without having to pretend we have it all figured out. That’s what’s so liberating—knowing that we’re not alone in our challenges.”
As someone who recently moved countries and began the road of fatherhood, Brandon was greatly impacted by the strong community surrounding him. “I learned that I could only go so far alone,” Brandon shares. “I can go so much further when I have men that care, respect, love, and are there for me and I’m there for them.” Brandon encourages men to step out of their comfort zone to open themselves up for that support as well. “Join a men’s circle,” he says. “Do it for your son, your daughter. Do it for your wife, your partner, and your community.”
Visit MenWhoChatt.com to find a men’s circle, learn more, and contact Brandon.
Behind each of our 200+ City Lifestyle magazines is someone who cares deeply about their community. Someone who connects people, celebrates businesses, and shares the stories that matter most. What if that someone was you?
Or maybe it’s someone you know. If this isn’t the right time for you, but you know someone who could be the perfect fit, we’d love an introduction.
Brandino Brass Co.
Hardware & Lighting Bringing Lasting Elegance to Every Corner
ARTICLE AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY BRANDINO BRASS CO.
Brandino Brass has set the standard for excellence in supplying high-quality architectural hardware and lighting for homes and workplaces since 1948. Collaborating with homeowners, architects, contractors, and interior designers, the company
Brass & Copper Lanterns
Elevate your home’s exterior with handcrafted brass or copper lanterns from Brandino Brass. Whether you prefer the warm glow of gas lighting or the clean shine of electric fixtures, each piece blends timeless design with modern performance. Expertly crafted to age beautifully, the lanterns develop a rich patina over time, adding depth and character to your home’s exterior. With a wide variety of styles and finishes available, Brandino Brass helps homeowners create welcoming, lasting first impressions that feel both timeless and distinctive. These thoughtfully designed fixtures not only provide beautiful illumination, but also add architectural interest and curb appeal that enhances the overall character of a home. Explore the full collection at Brandino Brass Co.
Decorative Door Hardware
Make every entrance unforgettable with beautifully crafted door hardware from Brandino Brass. From timeless classic sets to sleek modern handles, each collection is thoughtfully curated to complement your home’s unique style and architectural character. Whether you’re updating a single room, remodeling a historic property, or designing an entire home from the ground up, Brandino Brass helps refine the finishing touches that elevate every space. Blending quality craftsmanship with timeless design, their hardware transforms everyday function into a lasting statement of style and sophistication. With a wide range of finishes, textures, and silhouettes available, homeowners can create spaces that feel cohesive, polished, and intentionally designed down to the smallest detail.
specializes in refining the details that make a space truly exceptional. From cabinet and door hardware to decorative lighting, exterior lanterns, bath accessories, and gate hardware, Brandino Brass offers thoughtfully curated products paired with extensive industry
knowledge and attention to detail. Their experienced sales team is dedicated to helping clients find the perfect look for every project, blending timeless craftsmanship with modern style. Explore their work at Brandino Brass Co. and follow along on Instagram at: @BrandinoBrass.
Gate Hardware
Set the tone for your property with distinctive gate hardware from Brandino Brass. From expertly crafted latches to decorative pulls and rings, each piece is designed to make a statement with both style and function. Offering options that complement architectural styles ranging from classic and traditional to sleek contemporary designs, Brandino Brass helps transform gates into striking focal points that enhance curb appeal while delivering lasting durability and timeless beauty. Thoughtful gate hardware can create a welcoming first impression while also adding personality and character to outdoor spaces. With high-quality materials and attention to craftsmanship, these pieces are designed to withstand the elements while maintaining their beauty for years to come.
Cabinet Hardware
Transform your space with cabinet hardware that blends elegance and function. Brandino Brass offers a curated selection of knobs and pulls in finishes ranging from classic unlacquered brass to sleek matte black and refined polished nickel. Whether you’re updating a kitchen, bath, laundry room, or custom built-ins, their team helps clients find the perfect details to complement their style and elevate the overall design. Thoughtfully selected hardware can add warmth, character, and sophistication while creating a polished, cohesive look throughout the home. From subtle modern accents to timeless statement pieces, cabinet hardware plays an important role in tying a room together and bringing beauty to the everyday spaces used most often.
FLORAL & GIFT
AN EXCERPT FROM EPISODE 6 OF SHARE THE LIFESTYLE, A CITY LIFESTYLE PODCAST
Photographer: Brittany Dawn Short
Creative Director: Jen Birn
Stylist: Stephanie Coultress O’Neill
Location: Hotel Saint Cecilia, Austin, TX
MIKE JOHNSON HAS BUILT HIS LIFE AROUND ONE QUIETLY RADICAL IDEA: THE STANDARD YOU SET PRIVATELY IS THE ONLY ONE THAT MATTERS.
After eight years in the Air Force, a celebrated run on national television, and a health crisis abroad that sent him deep into supply chains and ingredient certifications most founders never touch, the result is Oshun — a luxury ritual brand built on provenance you can trace and integrity you can verify. In an exclusive conversation for the Share the Lifestyle podcast, Mike shares what it actually takes to build something worth putting your name on. Read the highlights below, then scan the QR code for the full episode.
Q: YOU BECAME A FAN FAVORITE ON THE BACHELORETTE AND THEN LEFT THE SPOTLIGHT. YOU MOVED TO MEXICO, LEARNED SPANISH, THEN COSTA RICA, AND BUILT A COMPANY. WHAT DID THAT EXPERIENCE TEACH YOU ABOUT HUMAN BEHAVIOR?
A: “If you’re a good person going in, that shows. If you’re not, that shows too. I also learned that people form this parasocial relationship with you — they assume things about you. When in all actuality, different circumstances bring out different parts of who you are. I was on TV trying to find love. The kindness people were showing after felt a bit fake, because they wanted to be a part of something that isn’t who I am individually, but a part of what they saw on TV. And so I had to get away from everybody and everything and the noise.”
THE QUIET STANDARD:
MIKE JOHNSON
“Too many people have prayed for me. So I’ve got to get up and do the walking.”
— Mike Johnson
Q: YOU JOINED THE AIR FORCE RIGHT OUT OF COMMUNITY COLLEGE. WHAT WERE YOU ACTUALLY RUNNING TOWARD?
A: “There was something in me that was saying: I’m not living up to my full potential. I was being a follower. My uncle said, ‘What’s going to make you become an adult the fastest?’ I said, obviously, the military. The Air Force broadened my thought process more than anything. We’re so caught up in our own perception — when you learn to understand different people’s perspectives, it adds to you in so many ways.”
Q: WITH OSHUN, YOU OWN YOUR MANUFACTURING, YOU EMPLOY A CHEMIST, EVERY PRODUCT HAS A BATCH NUMBER TRACEABLE TO ITS ORIGIN DATE. WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO GO THAT DEEP WITH THE BRAND?
A: “The EU bans 1,100 ingredients in personal care products. The U.S. bans nine. That’s my starting point. Oftentimes, it might be the same ingredient, but it comes from a place where it doesn’t have the highest purity. And 60% of what we put on our skin is absorbed. Every product Oshun makes carries a batch number that goes back to the exact day it was created — I can show you every single supplier, the date, the origin. I own more than one part of the supply chain because that’s the only way I can stand behind what’s in the bottle.”
This conversation is just the beginning. Mike goes deeper into why he’s buying land up north, the family in the Philippines who prayed over his factory floor, and what he’d tell every person ready to stop performing and start building. Scan the QR code for the full, exclusive City Lifestyle interview on the Share the Lifestyle podcast.
MIKE JOHNSON
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BLACKWELL Automotive
ARTICLE BY KRISTI SELLERS
PHOTOGRAPHY BY GOLDEN HOUR IMAGES
Built on Trust, Family Values, and Service to Chattanooga
For more than two decades, Chattanooga drivers have trusted Blackwell Automotive not simply for repairing cars, but for the family behind the business that has built a reputation rooted in honesty, hard work, and community.
Founded in 2004 by father-and-son duo Richard and Richmond Blackwell, the Eastgate-area automotive shop has grown from a small local operation into one of Chattanooga’s largest independent repair facilities.
One of the best parts? They’ve done it all while maintaining the family-centered values that shaped it from the beginning.
In an industry where trust means everything, Blackwell Automotive has spent years proving that quality service and genuine relationships still matter. The business specializes in Toyota, Lexus, Honda, Acura, Nissan, Infiniti, and Subaru vehicles, offering everything from diagnostics and maintenance to major repairs. But customers quickly discover the shop is about far more than engines and oil changes.
The Blackwell story is one deeply connected to experience and family legacy. Richard Blackwell brought decades of automotive knowledge to the company after owning an automobile parts store and working for years in the service department at Lexus of Chattanooga. The Blackwell’s started the business together after Richmond received his MBA, after 5 years of preparations.
Today, that blend of old-school integrity and forward-thinking service remains at the heart of the business. Customers are greeted with transparency, straightforward communication, and a team that values relationships as much as repairs. The company’s motto, “If you want it to run well, take it to Blackwell”, reflects the confidence they have built through years of dependable work and word-of-mouth recommendations throughout the area.
According to Richmond, “Honesty and transparency is the key to long relationships and long time customers. Over the last 20 plus years we have grown from a small 3-lift shop into where we are today. It’s all because we do our best to take care of our customers and the word has spread. Now we have over 1,000 5-star Google reviews and this is all because of the level of trust our customers have in us. In a few months, we will have surpassed over 100,000 repair and service jobs and counting.”
That reputation has helped the business grow significantly over the years. What began with only a handful of service bays has expanded into a large operation with dozens of bays and a growing staff, allowing the shop to serve hundreds of customers each week. Even with that growth, Blackwell Automotive continues to operate with the feel of a family business where customers are known by name and employees genuinely care about the people walking through the door.
Richmond says the company’s philosophy has always centered on treating customers the way family should be treated.
“We do our best to treat our customers the way we would want our daughter treated if she was having her car worked on. Our guiding principles are the teachings of Christ and we strive to honor him with the work that we do,” says Richmond.
That commitment to customer care is evident in the shop’s loyal following and consistent reviews from Chattanooga drivers.
Perhaps the most meaningful part of the Blackwell Automotive story is how deeply the business invests in the Chattanooga community. Beyond repairing vehicles, the Blackwell family has made giving back a cornerstone of the company culture. The business supports a variety of charitable organizations and local causes, including veterans groups, schools, children’s organizations,
We believe when God gives you the resources and/or the talent, you should use those to help others and share about his grace.
disaster relief efforts, and first responders. You can even find Richmond’s wife Lindsay working to keep the company connected to the community.
The company’s outreach includes partnerships with organizations such as Friends of Special Children, Chattanooga Firefighters, Chattanooga Girls Leadership Academy, Tennessee Baptist Disaster Relief and others. Their involvement reflects a belief that local businesses should play an active role in strengthening the communities they serve.
According to Richmond, “After the 2011 tornado, I began responding to natural disasters to minister to those hit by storms. About 4 to 6 times a year we go in after a flood or tornado and help clean up and share the love of Christ. We believe when God gives you the resources and/or the talent, you should use those to help others and share about his grace.”
Inside the shop, that same spirit of care extends to employees and customers alike. Comfortable waiting areas, complimentary refreshments, and a welcoming environment help create a customer experience that feels different from the typical repair shop. It’s part of the reason so many Chattanooga families continue returning year after year, often recommending Blackwell Automotive to friends and neighbors.
“Our next goal is to grow into our new building. In 2024 we added another facility to our operation and now we just need to start utilizing it. On the other side of Eastgate we acquired the old Goodyear building. We have been working out of it a little, but over the next few years we hope to have it going full time. It will not have a store front but will just give us extra work-space when we need it,” says Richmond.
For the Blackwell family, success has never been measured solely by the number of cars serviced. Instead, it’s about relationships built over time, trust earned through consistency, and a commitment to serving Chattanooga with excellence.
When they are away from the business, you can catch the Blackwell family spending quality time together. Richard loves his time at church and with family. Richmond, his wife and children enjoy their time with each other, participating in activities and projects within the community.
Contact Blackwell Automotive at (423) 648-8001 or online at: blackwellautoinc.com
The company’s outreach includes partnerships with organizations such as Friends of Special Children, Chattanooga Firefighters, Chattanooga Girls Leadership Academy, Tennessee Baptist Disaster Relief and others.
