GROWCO 3 BEACHAVEN VINEYARDS & WINERY

By Tony Centonze

Melinda Shepard, Executive Director of the Clarksville Area Chamber of Commerce, recently announced Beachaven Vineyards & Winery as the recipient of the 3rd annual Entrepreneurship of the Year Award, GrowCo3, which recognizes contribution to the community and commitment to the Chamber.

“GrowCo started because we wanted to establish a type of entrepreneurialfocused program to bridge the gap for potential and current business owners,” Shepard said.

“The business can be a locally-owned franchise or start-up. We started highlighting some of our local entrepreneurs, in hopes it would garner some interest in the community, and it has. Our goal is to use this platform to recognize entrepreneurs who have found success in our Clarksville and Montgomery County."

“We share their stories, and the lessons they've learned while growing their companies. That, somewhat inspired the name GrowCo.” of Miss Lucille's in 2018. In 2019 the award was presented to Jerry and Carolyn Ellis, and Cindy Kerns, owner/ operators of The Catfish House."

“These businesses are so familycentric,” Shepard said. “That's typically what happens with entrepreneur-owned businesses. The whole family gets involved, and you often end up with multiple generations working together.”

The Chamber's Business Development Committee, consisting of volunteers and board members, meets monthly. That committee is responsible for selecting the annual GrowCo recipient.

“Wes Cunningham chaired the Committee in 2020, and this year's decision to nominate Beachaven Winery was unanimous,” Shephard said. “The folks at Beachaven have been great community partners for many years. They hold so many events for the Chamber, and for the community. They've hosted welcome-home celebrations, as well as our industryappreciation luncheons. They're just great community partners.” of Beachaven's summer music festival, Jazz on the Lawn. People drive from near and far to attend the event which takes place every other Saturday from May thru October. They also come out for DJ on the Dock, a more relaxed Thursday-night event, and of course, just to buy bottles or sometimes cases of the award-winning wines.

Louisa Cooke says the winery has been operating for 34 years. “Our business license is #10,” Cooke said. “My father, Judge William O. Beach, has been called the father of the Tennessee wine industry by many people. He did lead the way as far as legislation, and was instrumental in many ways, like learning what grapes would do well in Tennessee.”

“We were really pleased to get this award. I think it's nice, and I'm glad people haven't forgotten about us. In my mind, I think of an entrepreneur as someone with a new start-up. We've been doing this a long time, so it's nice to be recognized for endurance and longevity.”

Cooke has always been modest about Beachaven's success. After more than 30 years, and countless medal-wins in

wine competitions all over the country, she can still be seen sitting at a picnic table, enjoying the music, and sharing a bottle of wine with friends, old and new.

“I hired a band last year, and one of the band members said something that touched me,” Cooke said.

“He said, 'I am pleased to be invited to play at the longest-running live music event in our community'. I thought, wow. I never even thought about it like that. That's pretty cool.”

“COVID-19 has affected us, but hasn't it affected everyone? We're open now. People can come inside. But, we are social-distancing, and we ask our guests to wear masks. We love it when our customers call ahead and make an appointment, but many are not aware of that option. While we were not allowed to let anyone inside, we were allowed to be open. People could call, pull up out back and get curbside service.”

“Business is holding up. An entrepreneur always has to do plenty of that 'knocking on wood' or anything else that might bring them good luck. We have been lucky, and we're doing okay. But, I hate to have a whole season without Jazz on the Lawn. We rely on it. The community relies on it too, I think.”

Cooke speaks highly of Clarksville's Chamber. “Being involved in the Chamber of Commerce is a boost to your business,” Cooke said. “Everyone should do it, for the public relations and marketing value alone that you get from it. Not to mention the opportunities you're given to meet and greet with other people. It helps you know what’s going on in the community, and informs them about who to shop with locally.”

In the time of COVID-19, the Chamber is following CDC, state, and local guidelines. They haven't been able to hold large gatherings.

“We haven't done much in person, but we've done lots of web-x and Zoom webinars,” Shepard said. “We're reaching out to our members virtually, and doing a lot more on social media. We're just trying to figure out how to add value to our members while navigating these uncertain times”

“Clarksville-Montgomery County is a very resilient community. Our business owners are adapting to the changes, and like us, I think we'll all come out of this fine. They're changing hours, doing curbside, constantly adapting and changing in an effort to stay viable.”

Shepard says she welcomes feedback from the community, and would love for people to submit their thoughts about local Chamber businesses that are doing a great job. Those businesses can be highlighted on the Chamber's website. On the site, there is also a place to nominate local favorites, and different members are spotlighted each month.

“We definitely want to add value to, and be a trusted resource for, our small businesses,” Shepard said. “During this time of COVID-19, we have kept up-todate information regarding our member businesses. We've had lots of people call to say that our information is easy to read, and easy to follow. We definitely want to provide that information. We are trying our best to help them navigate these uncertain times, and the Chamber lends credibility to small businesses. We educate, inspire, and inform on relevant topics, like humanresource matters. We just try to keep them informed. Networking has been hard lately, but having and fostering relationships is key for any business that wants to be successful.”