From a small food truck on Main Street to one of Chattanooga’s most beloved restaurants, Jorge Parra’s journey is rooted in family, resilience, and showing up wherever help was needed. Raised in a legacy of cooking that began in Mexico, Jorge never planned to run restaurants — but when the family business called, he answered.
In this episode, we talk about growing Taqueria Jalisco from a neighborhood favorite into ANIA, what it really takes to open a second restaurant while still running the first, and the bold leap behind CAMILA — a modern European bistro unlike anything he’d built before. Jorge shares the pressure, the pride, and the responsibility of expanding a vision that now supports not just two brands, but the family and teams behind them.
In this episode, we sit down with award-winning stylist, educator, and global artist Genia Church to explore how she’s redefining what happens behind—and beyond—the chair. From breaking old stereotypes in the beauty world to teaching the next generation of stylists, Genia shares how she balances Fashion Week hustle with the intimacy of her Chattanooga salon. We talk leadership, authenticity, trends, emotional labor, and the legacy she hopes to leave behind. It’s an honest, energizing look at the woman shaping the industry in her own way.
Pull up a chair At the Table with Josh Carter, where one of Chattanooga’s most seasoned restaurateurs talks candidly about the grind, the gratitude, and the grit it takes to stay in this industry. Josh reflects on the recent move to West Village, the culture that keeps his team loyal, and the moments that remind him why he still loves this work.
Warm, real, and filled with the stories behind St. John’s, this episode is a look at the heart of a man who built a career on showing up.
In this special Thanksgiving-week episode, Amy sits down with Executive Producer, Sallie, and Director, Cameron, for a candid conversation about what it’s really been like to create and grow Heart of the City. Together, they reflect on the unexpected lessons, behind-the-scenes moments, and stories that have moved them the most.
A Grateful Heart is a short, heartfelt pause in the season — and a warm behind-the-curtain look at the team bringing these small business stories to life.
This week on Heart of the City, we sit down with Jennifer Edge — owner of Main Line Tattoo, founder of Literary Ink, community champion, and a creative force shaping Chattanooga in more ways than one. Jennifer opens up about breaking into the tattoo industry in a small Southern city, how her identity has informed the inclusive space she’s built, and the evolving artistry that’s made her a mentor to so many.
We explore the way she wants people to feel in her presence, the impact she hopes to leave simply by being herself, and the thoughtful approach she brings to her work, her team, and her community. Jennifer also shares how competing in Dare to Dance — and the injury that came with it — has challenged her physically and professionally while deepening her sense of purpose.
It’s honest, raw, inspiring — and a look at the artistry and humanity that shape Chattanooga’s creative scene.
In this episode, Amy sits down with Kacie Trexler, owner of Sweet E’s Children’s Boutique, whose story is a testament to perseverance, creativity, and love for what she does. Over the years, Kacie has weathered more than a few storms (literally) and continued to show up, adapt, and build something beautiful through it all. She shares how Sweet E’s has evolved through every season, the lessons she’s learned along the way, and what it really means to create a business that’s a true labor of love — for her family, her customers, and her community.
In this episode of Heart of the City, we sit down with Mitch Patel — founder and CEO of Vision Hospitality Group — whose leadership and foresight have helped shape both Chattanooga’s skyline and its sense of place. From national hotel brands to beloved local landmarks like The Edwin and Kinley, Mitch has built more than beautiful spaces — he’s built a culture grounded in vision, values, and virtue. We talk about the heart behind hospitality, the weight of influence, and the lessons that keep him grounded while inspiring a city.
Christine Waldrop has always been known for creating beauty — through blooms, thoughtful gifts, and the quiet strength behind Blluum. In this episode, she shares how she stepped into entrepreneurship later in life, what it’s taken to grow two sides of a business, and how her faith continues to guide every decision she makes.
During this conversation, she also opens up about something even more personal — a hard, raw season she’s walking through right now. It’s brave, emotional, and a reminder that some of the most beautiful things are built in the midst of battle.
This is a story about resilience, strength, and the fierce hope that comes from choosing to fight — to advocate for yourself, to protect your peace, and to believe in healing even when life feels out of control.
This week on Heart of the City, Amy sits down with Sarah Hart — brilliant chef, savvy business owner, incredible hostess, and the creative force behind Hart & Hive Provisions and Queen’s Kitchen.
From catering NASCAR events to opening restaurants and now running two thriving storefronts, Sarah’s journey is one of passion, provisions, and purpose. She shares the pivotal moments that shaped her path, the wild stories from her early career, and the gut instincts that guided her through big business pivots. Along the way, we explore what sets Hart & Hive apart, the culture she’s built with her beloved “Queen Team,” and the role of community through seasons of loss and resilience.
It’s equal parts heart and hustle — and a conversation that shows the real woman behind the storefronts and suppers Chattanooga has come to love.
https://www.hartandhiveprovisions.com/
In this episode of Heart of the City, Amy sits down with Robbie and Jessie, the young, creative couple behind Oak & Twine, an embroidery and screen-printing business making its mark in Chattanooga. From building a brand from scratch in a new city to navigating the highs and lows of entrepreneurship together, Robbie and Jessie share what it really takes to grow a small business while also growing as a couple. We dive into the business mindset that keeps them moving forward, the challenges no one sees, and the joy they’ve found in building something side by side.
https://www.oakandtwine.com/
In this episode, we sit down with Shayna Webb of @webbchatts — a Chattanooga-based content creator whose rapid rise is rooted in authenticity, local love, and a whole lot of hustle. Shayna shares how she made the leap from her 9–5 into full-time creating, how she handles the comparison trap, and what it’s really like working with local businesses and brands. From wedding content to local gems, Shayna lets us in on the business behind the feed — and what it takes to stay true to yourself while growing online.
One of our most gripping and powerful conversations yet. At 19 years old, Laith Al-Tamimi found himself being held in Iraq—caught in a situation that would force him to risk everything to escape. In this episode, he shares the raw, unfiltered story of that journey, the twists that brought him to America, and how he built a life and business in Chattanooga.
Today, as a master barber, Laith uses his chair to do more than shape appearances—he shares tools, perspective, and encouragement to help men turn challenges into opportunities. He doesn’t just want clients; he wants family, going deep to create genuine connection with every person who sits in his chair. This is a story of resilience, perspective, and the lasting impact one person can have on the lives they touch.
https://www.instagram.com/laithquotes/reels/
Heidi Hefferlin moved to Chattanooga decades ago with a vision—and ended up helping shape the city itself. As co-founder of HK Architects, she’s been a driving force in the revitalization of the Southside, a trailblazer in a male-dominated industry, and a builder of both spaces and community.In this episode, Heidi shares what it means to lead with conviction, the cost and reward of building something that lasts, and why great design is always about more than just buildings. We talk about her thoughts on city planning (and what she’d fix if she could), how she’s navigated gender bias in architecture, and how HK became more than a workplace—it became a home.If you love stories of grit, growth, and grounded leadership, this one’s for you.https://www.hkarchitects.net/
Matt and Monica Smith, the husband-and-wife team behind REV Optimal Living, are redefining what chiropractic care looks like in the South. Their work focuses on nervous system regulation, energetic alignment, and whole-body healing—and in this conversation, they open up about how they’ve built a community around that mission. We talk about the challenges of bringing a nontraditional approach to wellness into a small Southern city, the beauty (and chaos) of working with your spouse and family, and what it really takes to lead people into deeper healing. Vulnerability, intuition, and a whole lot of hustle—it’s all here.
www.revoptimalliving.com
In this episode, we sit down with Olivia Reckert, a local muralist and artist whose bold, colorful work is transforming blank walls into vibrant landmarks all over the city. Olivia shares how she went from knocking on doors to get her first projects to walking away from a full-time job and betting on herself as a creative entrepreneur.
From navigating feedback and finding her style to reminding other artists that there’s room at the table for everyone, Olivia’s story is one of color, courage, and confident creativity.
https://www.oliviareckert.com/
Adam Lozano didn’t set out to own a gym — but over the years, he became the heartbeat of Forte Fitness. In this episode, we sit down with Adam several months into owning the business he’s helped build from the inside out.
From his time in the military to the emotional one-on-one consults that define his approach, Adam shares what strength really looks like, what it means to serve others well, and how fitness can be a deeply personal — even transformational — experience.
This conversation is about leadership, vulnerability, and finding your people — and it just might be the reminder you didn’t know you needed.
Brandon and Christian, co-owners of Sleepyhead Coffee, are former partners turned business partners who’ve built a brand rooted in bold coffee and radical inclusivity. In this episode, they open up about the journey from coffee cart to two thriving locations, what it’s like running a business with your ex, and how they’ve created a space where everyone — no matter who you are — feels welcome. From breakup dynamics to branding wins, this conversation is as real and heartfelt as it gets.
In this episode, we sit down with Zach McDonald, co-owner of Ramblewood, a full-scope event business known for designing unforgettable weekends and meaningful moments.
Zach opens up about what it’s really like to build a business with your spouse, lead with love in a high-pressure industry, and navigate the growing expectations of today’s event world. From the emotional weight of comparison culture to the behind-the-scenes chaos no one sees, Zach brings honesty, humor, and heart to the table.
Whether you’re in the business of events or simply love a good story about creativity, resilience, and staying grounded—this one’s for you.
In this episode, we sit down with Cole Webster, owner of The Barn Nursery and the next generation of a beloved Chattanooga business. Cole opens up about the weight and privilege of taking over a family legacy, what it means to serve the community that raised him, and how personal loss has shaped his purpose far beyond the garden gate.
From cultivating deep roots in both business and philanthropy to showing up when it matters most, Cole’s story is one of growth, purpose, and giving back.
What do you get when two best friends, a shared dream, and a bridal boutique meet an unexpected disaster? For Allie Holland and Stephanie Palmer, co-owners of Monica’s Bridal, it meant facing one of the hardest seasons of their lives — and choosing to rebuild, stronger and more intentional than ever.
In this episode, Allie and Stephanie share what it’s really like to run a business with your best friend, how they led their team through the aftermath of a devastating fire, and why inclusivity — from plus-size gowns to LGBTQ+ representation — is at the heart of everything they do.
This is a story about resilience, radical friendship, and what happens when you say “yes” to starting over.