Circle Back

Dive into the compelling journey of Saurabh Sinha, from his initial dreams of a sports career to establishing eMids, a groundbreaking technology company transforming the healthcare industry. This episode explores how Sinha's athletic pursuits instilled in him a resilience and strategic thinking that became the cornerstone of his entrepreneurial venture. Listen to Sinha recount the shift from sports to engineering, leading to the inception of eMids amidst the digital healthcare revolution. Sinha's narrative is filled with moments of adversity, learning, and ultimately, triumph, showcasing how a focused vision and adaptability can catalyze significant success. His story is not just about the ascent of eMids but also reflects the profound impact of aligning passion with purpose, offering listeners a deep dive into the essence of true entrepreneurship.

Dive into the inspiring journey of Shirley Zeitlin, a name synonymous with resilience, innovation, and success in Nashville's real estate landscape. In this episode, Shirley shares her incredible story of lifelong learning, overcoming societal barriers, and building a legacy in an industry once dominated by men. From her early days of high academic achievement without a college degree to becoming one of Nashville's most successful entrepreneurs, Shirley's narrative is a testament to the power of perseverance, family support, and ethical business practices. Discover how she navigated challenges, the importance of mentorship, and her impactful contributions to the Nashville community and beyond. This episode is a compelling glimpse into the life of a woman who not only sold houses but built a new landscape for Nashville.

Jim Ayers shares his inspiring entrepreneurial journey from a young boy in a small Tennessee town with a desire to find success like his father to building a profitable nursing home business and becoming a prominent figure in the banking industry. In 1984, Ayers acquired Farmers State Bank which marked the inception of what would eventually become FirstBank. Through strategic acquisitions and a steadfast commitment to personalized service, FirstBank’s assets skyrocketed from a modest $14 million to a staggering $13 billion, becoming Tennessee’s third-largest bank. Despite facing challenges and doubters along the way, Ayers shares how he persevered and achieved his goals, eventually expanding his business ventures to include car dealerships, shoe manufacturing, and insurance. The Ayers’ commitment to community involvement and social responsibility remains evident through the establishment of The Ayers Foundation, providing scholarships and educational support for students in high schools and two community colleges in rural West, Middle, and East Tennessee.

Step into the world of Jane Allen, a pivotal figure in reshaping the landscape of the legal profession. From her early days navigating law school to her groundbreaking venture in legal services, Jane's life offers a rich tapestry of challenges, pivotal moments, and courageous choices. This podcast delves into Jane's formative years within a divorced family, her journey to carve her niche in the legal realm, and her innovative approach that reimagines the practice of law. Tune in to explore how Jane Allen's distinct vision and resolute determination have left a lasting imprint on legal service delivery, igniting empowerment and motivation for aspiring entrepreneurs. Get ready for a story that proves that even in the most traditional of fields, a trailblazer can emerge and pave the way for change.

Join us for the latest episode of Circle Back, where we explore the captivating journey of entrepreneurial visionary Jimmy Spradley. Discover how he transformed a renowned candy company into a thriving powerhouse in the realm of functional foods. From audacious acquisitions to strategic pivots, delve into the world of innovation, adaptation, and family legacy that paved the way for this remarkable success story. Tune in as we unravel the essence of entrepreneurial resilience and ingenuity on the road from candy to functional foods. Welcome to Circle Back, your gateway to the exhilarating path from startup inception to triumphant achievement.

André Prince is the longtime matriarch behind the legendary Nashville staple, Prince Hot Chicken Shack. From the fiery origins of her family's spicy chicken recipe to the heights of becoming a culinary icon in Nashville, Andre's entrepreneurial journey is a testament to resilience, family heritage, and the influential force of word-of-mouth marketing. Discover how André overcame challenges, refined her culinary skills, and built a legacy that continues to tantalize taste buds. This episode is a celebration of André's pursuit of excellence and her unwavering commitment to providing quality cuisine that has made Prince Hot Chicken Shack a beloved institution in Nashville's vibrant food scene.

Mark Deutschmann is no stranger to Nashville's real estate scene, standing out for his unique approach to realty and a knack for juggling challenges. His journey from being voted Nashville's best realtor for nearly a decade to pioneering urban redevelopment tells a compelling story of grit, vision, and creativity. In this episode, Mark shares the role entrepreneurship has played in his real estate and community development endeavors, a passion he continues to pursue as he transforms Nashville's landscape, embodying balance, adaptability, and thriving amidst the chaos, lessons we can all take away from his story.

In this compelling episode, we explore the diverse entrepreneurial journey of Michael Shmerling, a seasoned businessman who navigated a wide range of industries, from background checks to real estate and healthcare. Michael shares his business instincts, strategies for mitigating risk, and his drive to create impactful projects. Notably, he discusses the creation of Abe's Garden, a memory care facility born from his father's Alzheimer's diagnosis. Throughout the conversation, Michael emphasizes the importance of balancing success with purpose, giving back to the community, and nurturing strong family ties. Join us as we delve into the life and accomplishments of this remarkable entrepreneur.

Amy Kurland is the founder of the Bluebird Cafe, one of Nashville’s most iconic music venues and birthplace of “in the round” performances, complete with food and drink services. In this episode, Amy shares how this beloved spot came to be with the help of her family's support and a marketing class that changed the way she approached business. By focusing on marketing to musicians and listening to audience feedback, Kurland was able to create a space that helped catapult songwriters into the spotlight. While the Bluebird Cafe has evolved over the years, it has stayed true to its purpose of capturing the power of music in and from the community.

Different childhoods, yet a serendipitous career path, Rob McCabe and Terry Turner brought a people-first approach to banking and founded Pinnacle Financial Partners in Nashville, Tennessee.

Three generations of hard work and family dedication put the state of Tennessee on the map for making sausages. The Odom family saw a bigger vision for Odom Sausages and wanted residents to have pride in what they put on their plate. Fast-forward 70+ years, Tennessee Pride sausages remain a staple for many.

With a natural knack for entrepreneurship and a persistent interest in video, Marty Renkis found a way to merge two passions into a successful business when creating the first cloud surveillance footage company that would make an impact across America.

Teetering back and forth between the projects and the suburbs, Dr. Turner Nashe had a series of experiences that shaped his entrepreneurial efforts that started with learning about entrepreneurship and business to a faith-driven voice showing him he can focus on making a difference. Prison reform, education, tech, insurance, real estate and more - follow along on this episode of Circle Back to learn about Dr. Turner Nashe’s six businesses and counting.

Born into a successful family, John Ingram had entrepreneurship in his blood. However, it was with his unique ingenuity and thought leadership that he prepared a supply chain framework that would support the shift to online shopping for books, growing the family company to a record breaking $2.5B in revenue.

For more than 30 years, Lucious Burch flourished in the venture capital business where he helped take 17 businesses to the New York Stock exchange. As a self-proclaimed people investor, Burch learned his skills on the job in New York, but made his way back to his roots in Nashville to continue to invest in great people and businesses.

Sherry Deutschmann was raised in North Carolina with a strict upbringing, but chose Nashville as home to develop her career. Now she's a serial entrepreneur, the founder of LetterLogic and BrainTrust. Learn how her drive and empathetic character led her to become one of the strongest women in entrepreneurship in Nashville.

Brian Fox was far ahead of his time when he founded his company to minimize financial fraud and bring efficient results to the confirmation process. President and founder of Confirmation.com, Fox shares his 20 year story to success in the newest episode of Circle Back season 2.

From The Chase Studio at the Nashville Entrepreneur Center, Circle Back Season 2 is here! We’re returning with even more of Nashville's most exceptional entrepreneurs revisiting the moments that defined their path. Hosted by Clark Buckner, these founders offer inspiration and practical insights to those navigating their own entrepreneurial journeys.

Growing up in New Orleans as the son of Saints legend Archie Manning, football ran in the family for Eli Manning and his brothers, and was a thread that ran through most of Eli’s life: He was on the high school team, was a star during his time at Ole Miss and retired in 2020 after 16 years of quarterbacking for the New York Giants. The hardest part of retirement? Finding a new stage that he loved as much as football. Learn more about the crucial lessons he’s learned as he launches his next venture with the support of his family in this week’s A New Stage.

For Grammy-award winning songwriter Cliff Goldmacher, music is more than just entertainment; it’s a powerful force to connect the world - and to start a business. Every skill that’s needed to write a song is also a skill necessary to being an innovator, Goldmacher posits, and that’s the draw of The Reason for the Rhymes. In his sessions, Cliff channels his music business savvy and entrepreneurial spirit to help executives build skills in lateral thinking, creativity, communication, collaboration, empathy, risk-taking, and idea diffusion, by writing a song.