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Business Pulse - New service, new salons
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Ben Lomand Connect, located at 311 N. Chancery, is introducing Secure Everywhere, a medical alert service that can go anywhere the user goes to provide peace of mind. It's available in both wrist and pendant forms and can provide fall detection, GPS location services, 911/EMS notification and more.
Seth Wright
Published: Aug 5, 2023, 10:35 PM

And now a word from our sponsor

I'm very proud to be able to count Ben Lomand Connect as a sponsor of Business Pulse since my first week of taking it over. It's an honor to be supported by an organization which, like the Southern Standard, has been such a vital part of this community for so long. 

Beginning as a telephone cooperative in 1954, Ben Lomand has adapted over the years along with technology and the shifting needs of their customers. From making the move into cable television with BLTV to revolutionizing the area's internet options by offering gig speed internet for $57.95 per month (a service that has made my work-flow much more efficient), Ben Lomand Connect continues to find new ways to serve Warren County and surrounding areas.

To that end, Ben Lomand Connect is announcing a new service and I'm happy to be able to pass the information along to Business Pulse readers. BLC is leveling up its existing offering, Secure Care - a landline-based medical alert service that worked at a home location. BLC's new service, Secure Everywhere, adds flexibility and advanced technology. 

Secure Everywhere is an easy-to-use personal emergency response system that goes where the user goes, working at home and on the road using state-of-the-art GPS location detection. The system helps seniors or those with chronic medical conditions live a safer and more independent life. No physical phone line is needed. It works anyplace there is adequate cell coverage.

The portable device can be worn as a watch or neck pendant and offers two-way communication, optional fall detection and can call 911/EMS and up to four personal contacts should an incident occur. 

BLC GM/CEO Greg Smartt is enthusiastic about being able to offer customers an enhanced medical alert system. "Ben Lomand Connect has offered medical alert systems for quite some time, but Secure Everywhere is next-level because a landline phone is not required or needed. It works anywhere you go with adequate cell phone coverage. Secure Everywhere can even be used by people outside of our service territory.  You can get it for loved ones that live all over the United States.  Our offer includes the base station, a SOLO device that allows you to travel away from home and a neck pendant that can be tied to either the base station or the SOLO device. A watch band can also be purchased for the pendant as well. Secure Everywhere is something we are very proud to offer to our customers and their family members," Greg said.

As we all get older and so do our parents, the need for such a service has become more apparent to me over recent years and a device like this can help give both those at-risk and their loved ones a bit more peace of mind. 

The service starts at $29.95 per month. For more information visit benlomandconnect.com and type "Secure Everywhere" in the search bar, call (931) 669-4131 or visit BLC's office at 311 N. Chancery St.


Nailing it

For those looking for a little more creativity with their nails, local options to express themselves are expanding. Two relatively new options are neighboring businesses on Main Street. Kai Sage's New Moon Nails and Alex Bell's The Hive 931 are elevating the state of nail art in McMinnville in their respective businesses at 121 W. Main St.

Kai Sage recently graduated from Tennessee College of Applied Technology and is excited to launch New Moon Nails in mid-August. Kai is born and raised in McMinnville and has always been interested in nails and art and has combined the two interests as an outlet for natural artistic skills. 

Kai explained, "I had always done nails with regular polish and I figured out how to do designs with it. When I was a teenager, I found out about gel and other options and was quite interested in it. Once COVID hit and businesses closed and I couldn't get my nails done, I saw a need here. I wanted complicated designs and no place around here could do that. I decided maybe I'd start a new hobby. I' worked hard and practiced every day. I won the local Skills USA competition, I won first in state and then I went to Nationals and won third. I'm really proud of that."

Kai has been drawing from an early age and took 10 years of private instruction from Carol Neal. "She really helped me cultivate my personal style. I worked as a manager for Dodi's Painting Studio from its opening until it was sold and taught painting classes at The Doodle Fish. I always thought I would do something artistic but I didn't expect it would be nails," Kai said.

Kai wants to provide a personalized experience and relishes in being able to give customers something they may have always wanted but couldn't get done elsewhere. "I'm focusing on the care and attention and how you feel about what you are getting. That care is what I'm focused on more than getting people in and out quickly," Kai said.

Kai offers builder-gel nails, acrylics and natural nail care such as polishing and massaging hands. Appointments can be booked online now at new-moon-nails.square.site. New Moon can also be contacted at (931) 305-0838 or newmoonails@gmail.com.

Kai's hours are Monday, 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.; Tuesday, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.; Wednesday, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.; Thursday, 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. and Friday, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.

New Moon Nails is located at 121 W. Main St. Suite E. Right next door in Suite F is The Hive 931.

Alex opened The Hive in early July after working previously at Mane & Company Beauty Bar in Cookeville and Sweet Caroline Beauty Bar in McMinnville. Alex is a McMinnville native who returned after a few years away to study marketing and entrepreneurship.

"I decided to direct my career path to something I was passionate about," Alex said. "I wanted to own my own business, so I thought the beauty industry would be a perfect fit. Once I toured Georgia Career Institute I knew it was something I wanted to do. I had a wonderful time in nail tech school, and got licensed on Feb. 22, 2022. I worked in Cookeville for a little over a year before I decided to make the leap and come to McMinnville full time, and it has been the best decision! I dreamed of one day opening my own salon, and this year brought me that opportunity. I opened The Hive in bee-utiful downtown McMinnville last month, and have loved every second."

Alex offers manicures, pedicures, luminary gel, DIP powder, nail art, and tooth gems. "My goal is to make everyone feel excited to get their nails done. I am by appointment only, so you are the only focus while at The Hive. I am very gentle during the service, and take extra care of your wants so you leave happy every time. I love doing nail art, and adding some sparkle to every set I can," Alex said.

The Hive is open Monday, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.; Tuesday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.; Wednesday, 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. and Thursday, 8 a.m. - 7 p.m. Appointments can be made online at TheHive931.GlossGenius.com. Alex can be found on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Pinterest @TheHive931.

Until next week,

Same biz time,

Same biz page

I sound like a broken record in this space every week but I truly do appreciate all the Business Pulse readers and it's always gratifying when businesses I've featured tell me what an impact their inclusion has made on attracting new customers. So I thank you for reading and I thank you for checking out these businesses and letting them know you read about them here. 

Keep the tips and suggestions coming. They are always appreciated. See you here next week!
Business Pulse- New option for education in works
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Melita Holland, Jacqueline Shehane and Taylor Smoot are launching Orchard Grove, a farm-based homeschool tutorial for the 2025-2026 school year.
Seth Wright
Published: Mar 8, 2025, 5:41 PM

Orchard Grove

Amid much recent discussion about the state of education and the right way to administer it, a group of local teachers is planning to offer Warren countians a new option. 

Orchard Grove is set to be a farm-based homeschool tutorial offering Christian-centered instruction for students in pre-K through 8th grade. 

Jacqueline Shehane, one of three current Morrison Elementary teachers and Warren County natives who are launching Orchard Grove, reached out to me to talk about the new venture. 

"Students at Orchard Grove are enrolled in an umbrella homeschool and receive face-to-face instruction from licensed teachers," Jacqueline said. "Orchard Grove provides an alternative to public and private schools, prioritizing not only high-quality academic instruction but also fostering a deep connection to nature and God’s creation, offering students a well-rounded educational experience. Our aim is to provide a nurturing environment that honors the sacredness of childhood while encouraging a love for learning and exploration — without the constraints of state regulations or testing."

Jacqueline has 20 years of experience teaching first through fourth grades. She has a master's degree in elementary education and, as a wife and mother, places an emphasis on the importance of faith, family and lifelong learning.

Joining Jacqueline are Taylor Smoot and Melita Holland. The three are finishing out their contracts with Warren County Schools and will be remaining at Morrison through May.

Taylor began her teaching career at the Bridgestone Environmental Classroom and Habitat (BEECH) working with public, private and homeschool students. She is currently a first-grade teacher at Morrison Elementary. She was raised on her family's multi-generation farm where she still resides with her husband and two children. 

Melita is a pre-K teacher with a heart for nurturing young minds and cultivating a love for learning. Melita relies on her strong foundation rooted in Christian values to influence her style of warm, compassionate, patient teaching, with a desire to create a safe and supportive environment where children feel valued and encouraged to grow.

"We offer a flexible range of services to accommodate the needs of homeschool families," Jacqueline said. "Orchard Grove students can be enrolled full-time (Monday - Thursday), full-time (Monday - Friday), or part-time (two days a week). Fridays are open to any students who would like to drop in and participate in farm activities, life skills, devotion and fellowship. Our daily instruction schedule runs from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. with early drop-off options available. A typical day at Orchard Grove includes morning prayer, the Pledge, group devotions, core academic instruction, farm and life skills lessons, ample time for outdoor exploration and exposure to rich literature and Bible lessons."

The three educators are united in a vision to offer a Christian-based option to parents seeking a place to educate their children.

"We all share a deep passion for Jesus Christ, our families and teaching," Jacqueline said. "We wanted to create a place where our family values and faith can be woven into our daily lessons. As parents, we often hear people say, 'It goes so fast,' or 'You only get one chance.' These sayings have inspired us to take a different path because we will each have our own children enrolled at Orchard Grove. Once we committed to God’s plan, He has completely guided us in making this dream a reality."

Orchard Grove will be located in Morrison on Shady Grove Road with plans to open for the 2025-2026 school year. Enrollment forms are currently being accepted through orchardgrovellc.com.

Following enrollment, students will go through a screening process to determine their academic level, and then will have a shadow day with other children to see how well they interact within a group. 


Southern Roots

replanted

A move over a month in the making was completed yesterday as Southern Roots Boutique uprooted itself from its previous location at 1704 Smithville Hwy. to relocate in the Plaza Shopping Center at 1100 Smithville Hwy. Ste. 111.

While the store at the Plaza has been open since Feb. 26, Carol Prater, owner of Southern Roots Boutique, proudly held a grand re-opening Saturday and officially welcomed customers to the more spacious new store.

Carol started her children's clothing business as a vendor in other local businesses. She quickly expanded her offerings to include accessories and launched her own store on Smithville Highway just over a year ago. The store's name is a reference to her upbringing as, though she was born in Michigan, Carol's parents and grandparents were all raised in the South, and she is proud of her Southern Roots.

"Southern Roots Boutique offers an extensive line of affordable name brand clothing for women, children and babies," Carol said. "Ladies, you will find a lovely selection of dresses, tops, pants and, of course, your favorite Judy Blue jeans. Southern Roots Boutique also has a new line of purses, shoes and fashionable accessories to complete your wardrobe."

Southern Roots offers a full line of baby accessories from brands such as Copper Pearl, Itzy Ritzy and Noodle & Boo. Smocked outfits to bring your new addition home in are also available. Carol plans to begin offering a baby registry service for expectant mothers as well.

"Our children’s line includes all your favorite name-brand clothing for boys and girls and, of course, we have all the hair bows to match, including monogrammed hair bows," Carol said.

Southern Roots carries a full line of Tyler Candle Products and is an Elite Dixie Belle Paint retailer.

"We have the famous Chalk Mineral paint, the Silk All-In-One paint and all the specialty products and accessories," Carol said. "So, if you have that special piece of furniture to paint or a special project in mind, be sure to stop in and check out our selection of Dixie Belle Paint."

Southern Roots Boutique can be reached at (931) 607-3100 or by messaging its Facebook page. The boutique is open Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., and Saturday from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Vicki's

Just around the corner from Southern Roots Boutique's new location in the Plaza Shopping Center is Vicki's hair salon. Unfortunately, the staff of Vicki's has endured a terrible week as the shop's namesake and owner, Vicki Cantrell, was a victim of a serious car crash on Friday morning, Feb. 28, on her way to the shop which reportedly left her in critical but stable condition. 

I reached out to Vicki's friend and longtime co-worker Jennifer Jones to convey my best wishes for Vicki and to ask about the current status of the salon.

"The shop WILL remain open, unless Vicki tells me otherwise," Jennifer told me. "We have worked side by side for 33 years. It's just overwhelming to take in right now. She needs all the prayers of the community."

I ask all Business Pulse readers to join me in keeping Vicki, her family and her work family in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.


Until next week,

Same biz day,

Same biz page

That's it for another week. Thanks for reading, and thanks to Ben Lomand Connect for sponsoring Business Pulse. If you have a business you'd like to have featured, please let me know at editor@southernstandard.com.