Cozy Corner BBQ | Sean Robinson

Tell me a little bit about yourself and the history of your business.

My name is Sean Robinson. I’m the grandson of the original owners. My grandmother and grandfather started it August 1977. Four generations have grown up in the business and we’ve owned it for 44 years. It’s been a blessing for it to last this long, especially through times like this one during the pandemic. Business has stayed constant or increased. Although it’s been a crazy past year and a half, business has still been good.

I’m assuming you all have repeat customers and people that are always here.

Absolutely, we definitely have our loyal customers. I have some come in every week. I know their name and order by hard. A lot of customers are from out of town. There are a lot of Memphians who, I feel like, don’t know about us. There are a lot of people who live here but have never been here before. We’re a word of mouth type of restaurant. We don’t do a lot of advertising. When you’re that good, word of mouth goes a long way!

What attracted Cozy Corner to this location? Tell me more about the building. Why here?

Before we had this building, my grandfather used to have parties almost every weekend at the house. His friends would tell him, “This food is good. You need to open up a restaurant!” After so many people kept telling him, he took it into consideration and he started looking for a restaurant. In 1977, he found this building, it was already named Cozy Corner and it already had a telephone number. It was also already a barbeque restaurant, but it didn’t get as big as it is now until we got it in 1977. My grandfather was cheap and when he bought the building he said, “We aren’t going to change the name or telephone number. We’re going to keep everything the same, but we’re going to use my recipes.” We’ve been using those recipes since 1977. If it’s not broke, don’t fix it!

That’s really cool. I love the legacy and tradition. Does Cozy Corner have any signature items? What’s the most popular?

Our top two sellers are the ribs and wings. Of course, everything we do is barbeque, so the wings are whole chicken wings and the ribs are pork spare ribs St. Louis cut. We sell out of ribs and wings almost every day. We close at 8pm and we probably run out of ribs and wings around 7:00 or 7:30pm. We try to cook enough to make it until we close. The third top seller is the Cornish game hen. It’s a small bird, barbeque whole. Cornish hen is definitely another thing we’re known for.

Do you have any recurring special events that happen here?

Not really, but we usually participate in Memphis in May. We usually cater for the Mayor’s tent. We do cater events, and we normally have people pick up the order.

What’s the future vision for Cozy Corner?

The future vision is to open up at least one more location in Memphis. Somewhere on the other side of town, not too close to this location. A lot of mornings, I pass by Cozy Corner around 7:00 AM and it’s the best smell.

How long does the process of BBQ take?

Yes, somebody’s cooking! BBQ in general is very time consuming. We have two cooks. One cook comes in around 3 or 4 o’clock in the morning and leaves around 11 o’clock in the morning. The second cook comes in and leaves around 7 o’clock in the evening. For how long it takes, it really depends on how hot the pits we use to barbeque take. We don’t use thermometers or gauges. We barbeque with charcoal, so no gas or wood. That’s how we cook.

Neat, there’s a whole science to it!

Yes, you have to pay attention and check the food often, because we don’t want to burn anything up. We train our cooks to know what they are doing. The time can vary and depends on how hot it is.

What’s the best way for customers to follow you all?

A lot of it is word of mouth. Cozy Corner also has an Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. You can follow Cozy Corner on all three social media platforms. I created it for us, being the youngest grandchild. You have you evolve with time.

The food will not change, but the technology will! If you weren’t cooking BBQ, what other things would you be doing or cooking in your free time?

I love the Green Bay Packers. My favorite basketball team is the Lakers. I enjoy watching and playing sports, going to the movies, bowling, and hanging out with friends. Other times, I enjoy doing nothing. I can be a homebody.

Is there anything you’d like the Medical District and Memphis community to know?

Yes, through thick and thin, we are so thankful for every customer that walks through the door – loyal ones, new ones, ones that have stuck with us throughout the years. Although business is good, there have been some rough years in the past, where we sometimes didn't know if we were going to make it. Lo and behold, someway, somehow we still did. Definitely thankful for all the customers because if it wasn’t for them, we would not be here. Thank you to every customer.

Fresh Start Facility Services | Johnny Fayne

MMDC sat down with Johnny Fayne, president and CEO of Fresh Start Facility Services, to learn more about his story and experience participating in our Buy Local program.

Can you tell me a little about yourself and your business?

I started Fresh Start Facility Services in 2006 and it is a 100% minority owned full-service janitorial business. We’ve been working with several large logistical centers and currently work with a manufacturing company with over 2 million square feet. We’ve worked in the medical field on extensive projects in the Tennessee, Arkansas and Mississippi markets. Locally we’ve had partnerships with Methodist Le Bonheur Hospital and Regional One Health. We have also worked in the Nashville market for five years supporting Vanderbilt and in Mississippi with ABB, where we service their national distribution center. Right now, we are working with Rosemark, known across the national and international market offering chemicals for disinfection and sanitation. 

How did you get started in the janitorial industry?

I have an extensive background in management through my tenure at FedEx managing flight and truck operations, hazardous materials, and more. I started their hazardous materials program 20 years ago that is still in operation today. I retired from there managing their international freight operations, the largest operation in the entire company and biggest revenue driver at the time and as manager of the year. 

I got into this field almost by accident. I introduced a friend to this field but later joined the field working with our first customer in 2006, Hino Motors in Marion, Arkansas, a subsidiary of Toyota. They have almost a two million square foot facility and we are proud to still maintain their business today.

Why did you choose to locate your business in Memphis?

Our business has always been in the medical district. Our first office was at 1331 Union. At the time when we started, we were looking for a downtown or close business that would make it easier for customers and employees to reach us. It has worked out very well. 

What part of your business are you most proud of?

In the janitorial space that we operate in now, there is a 200% employee turnover rate. However, we have been able to keep our retention rate very low- with little turnover. We try to make it comfortable for our employees and find ways to help them access services around town. And we are working to increase our minimum wages to $15 an hour. It’s almost a ministry where we are helping our community thrive- no one can survive on $7-$8 an hour. And we are excited about helping our employees move from a $12 to $15 starting wage. 

Why is it important to support local businesses? I think what gives us an advantage over a national brand is that we know and use the local suppliers. We use the same equipment as the national brands that are well known. For example, when equipment breaks down, we have the same relationship or better with the local people that provide that service. The same people that they would reach out to we often have a better relationship with them and can get quicker, better service. I think when companies consider working with local businesses, this is important to consider- they have the connections to get the job done, unlike national companies who have to turn around and find and build new relationships. The employee base is also important to understand. A national company must hold a career fair to obtain employees.  At one time we were competing with a national company who had a career fair where less than 40 people showed up to meet them versus the 300 people who showed up to meet us. Who knows Memphis more than local businesses and can relate to our local worker base and their needs? This insight allows companies like ours to flourish and provide a higher level of professionalism to the market. 

How have you been working with Hire Local? 

As our contracts are growing in Memphis and with institutions partnered with MMDC, we have partnered with their Hire Local program to identify and fast-track local residents into a new career field. Hire Local is targeting residents who live in the 38103, 38104, 38105, 38106, 38107, 38112, 38114, 38127 zip codes who may be interested in learning a new skill, in full-time roles, close to home. The current training collaboration helps both Fresh Start Facility Services grow their talent team and supports MMDC’s strategic goal to increase the employment rate of residents in and close to the medical district. Get more information on the Hire Local training opportunity by visiting https://hirelocal901.com/job-seekers/training/. 

Is there anything else you’d like the public to know about yourself or your business?

We are a business with a proven track record that is ready to scale. We value relationships with both our clients, our employees and local suppliers. And we are committed to helping our community grow as we do.

Slim & Husky’s | Derrick Moore

Interview by:

Mariko Krause, Senior Program Associate 

What do pizza, the arts, and snacks have in common? Read more to find out! I had the opportunity to interview Derrick Moore, co-owner of Slim & Husky’s Pizza Beeria, where I learned about their mission, their drive to be part of the community, and more about their specialty items. Not only is there a dine-in and to-go option, but they also have walk-up windows for those that are on the go. Reader warning: you may be inclined to immediately crave pizza, cinnamon rolls, and head to Slim & Husky’s right after this!  

Can you tell me a little bit about yourself and the history of your business?

Yes, Memphis is the seventh location. From the beginning, my partners and I had a  moving company from 2010 until 2017. We grew it and sold the company. We started working on Slim & Husky’s in 2015, finalized the concept, and opened in March 2017. I  was one of the original founders. I’ve been in the thick of it from the beginning until now.  

What attracted Slim & Husky’s to the Medical District – Edge District?

Memphis was #1 because it’s down the street from Nashville and we have close ties to the city. My family is from Memphis – my mom, grandma, aunts, and cousins are from here. As a kid and adult, I spent time down here. Memphis is familiar and feels like home. The people are just awesome. The culture of Memphis is to really embrace small and local brands, and they do it better than any city I’ve seen. We knew we’d have success in Memphis. We wanted to pour more hope into the city and provide jobs for those in our community. The Edge District was the perfect location. It wasn’t all the way Downtown but wasn’t far away from neighborhoods. It was the perfect place for us to open up. The opportunity presented itself and we jumped on it.  

Have you ever received any business support from MMDC? 

Yes – tons of it. Not just grants but also they helped pay for some outdoor seating.  They have been a tremendous help with everything from top to bottom. Vonesha  [Mitchell] has been great. If we needed employees, they were willing to help find employees. Everything that they could help us with, they either did it, or they offered it. It’s a great organization with really good people. It’s been dope working with them. And they didn’t just leave us at the open; they still keep in touch. It’s a good relationship.  

Do you have any special or signature items? Most popular? 

[As far as,] special items, we’ve got signature pizzas, vegan options, the “Nothin but a  ‘V’ thang” – that’s a vegan option, all the way up to the “Cee no green” for the men and women who like to pile on the meats. We have specialty cinnamon rolls drizzles to die for. Everything is 100% authentic. We pour a lot into it and the reception has been awesome. Anything someone wants to put on a pizza, we got it – except for anchovies! We substituted anchovies with something with a little bit more taste. We’ve got salmon and shrimp for our pizzas.  

What’s your favorite pizza topping? 

I get the same pizza every single time. I do “Build my own” with red sauce, five cheese blend, my meats: beef, pepperoni, chicken sausage, and my vegetables are green olives, mushrooms, onion, and green peppers. I get that every single time.  

This is “The Derrick” Pizza! Slim & Husky’s has a really prominent social media account and website. What’s the best way people can stay in touch with S&H?

Probably Instagram [fun fact: S&H has over 73K followers on IG!]  

Do you have any recurring special events that happen here? 

Before Covid-19, we used to do a scholarship for kids and movie nights. As a business, you have to be careful because people are looking at you to set an example. We just haven’t been able to right now. We used to do so much. We are looking forward to  getting that back started; we don’t want to put people in danger so we’ll hold off [until  we can gather again.] 

 How do you see S&H growing within the Medical District community? 

We will grow within the Medical District for sure. We are looking forward to when things open up to produce events with the MMDC. Anything we can do with the community as a whole and our neighbors. I just love the Edge District, especially once  [the Ravine] comes up. The only way is up with the Medical District right now!    

I love the artwork and vibe in the space when you first walk in. Slim & Husky’s has worked with Quantavious “Toonky” Worship (@toonky_berry), Jamond Bullock (@alivepaint), and a couple of other Black artists that I saw are from Nashville. Why is that important, and can you speak about that experience?  

It’s always important for us. Our thing is Pizza. Art. Music. We highlight the creativity with the pizza, the creativity with the music – you come in and might hear R&B, some hip hop from the 90s, 2000s, we’ll play it. The arts are very important to us. We love the exposure and continue to expose our community to the arts. 

African Americans as a whole are very creative with the arts, music, food, and also business. Historically, to survive and make it in this country as a whole, we have to be creative. For the artists, we always want to tap into the local community and give exposure to them. It’s always fun [to work with those artists.] 

Is there anything else you’d like the Memphis/Medical District community to know about your business? 

I would like for people to know that we are a community-based business. If they don’t know, hopefully, we can show them based off by working with teachers, artists, and employing people from the community. When things really open back up, we can show them how we like to get our hands dirty and get involved with the community. I would  like people to know that we appreciate the community we go in and when you make  yourself part of the community, and not just move and say “Hey, I’m open, now come  support.” [Instead,] we believe in really getting in there and getting after it with the people in the community.  

I love it! That’s really inspiring and makes the business model so much more humanizing and engaging.  

If you weren’t eating pizza, what other things would you be working on or eating? When I’m not eating pizza, I’m snackin’ for real – I’m a chips and fruit snack type dude.  If I wasn’t working in the pizza sector, I’d like to be working on a bar or art gallery. I’m actually doing some of that stuff now in Nashville. I love it and we look forward to doing something like that in Memphis.  

Slim and Husky’s is located at 634 Union Ave. Follow them on Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter!

Hire Local Stories | Amber Gardner

Memphis Medical District Collaborative sat down with Amber Gardner, HIRE Local participant and recent recipient of HIRE Cares COVID-19 Emergency Assistance. 

What was your living situation like before COVID started?

I had to bury my sister, so funds were kind of low. My job at a fast food restaurant released all but two employees once around mid-March. I didn’t have any money to buy gas, food, or household supplies. It was kind of rough.

 What has your living situation been like during COVID?

I was having a hard time paying my bills—like my light bill. It’s just been hard period for the simple fact that I haven’t been able to work, and that’s how I usually provide everything. Me being laid off wasn’t helping me at all. My family helps me as much as they can, but they’ve got their own lives and their own bills to pay. I can’t keep calling on them. I’ve tried getting assistance from other programs like MIFA and CSA, but they were saying their programs were already full. Luckily, I ran across the HIRE Cares assistance, and y’all helped me.

How has COVID impacted your job search and/or career progress?

Before the virus even came, I was in school trying to get my high school diploma. They halted classes once the virus hit, and that has posed a major setback. I was trying to build my skills, and now I can’t because the virus messed a lot of stuff up. I was also in the process of getting my CDL certification through the Excel Center, and those classes were halted as well.

How has the HIRE Local program assisted/not assisted you with the hardships faced due to COVID?

The HIRE Cares assistance helped me pay my light bill and the Visa gift card assisted me in purchasing household supplies and groceries. 

What other resources are getting you through COVID? — Unemployment? Stimulus? 

I was able to receive the stimulus check, but had to spend the majority of that money on paying my sister’s funeral costs.

Outside of local and federal resources, what else has been getting you through the pandemic?

My kids—especially when I’m feeling down. We haven’t been going out to prevent from getting the virus, but we do enjoy time together in our yard. We’ll play catch or hide and go seek. We spend a lot of time having movie nights and cooking. They’ll help me cook breakfast, lunch, or dinner and we occasionally bake. Usually, they’ll be on their phones 24/7, but we’ve spent a lot more family time together since COVID hit.

What do you think about our federal and local government’s response to the pandemic?

They should have gotten the money out faster than they did. There are still people who haven’t gotten a stimulus check and are still struggling. They are struggling to pay their bills. A lot could have been done with the proper budgeting and a timely response, but that is not what we’re experiencing.

What would you say your next steps are for yourself and your family?

Right now, I’m still looking for employment. Most of the companies that have called me are nursing homes and hospitals with COVID-19 patients. I’m not trying to put myself or my kids at risk by getting sick, so I’m still trying to look for a job where I know they are following the proper safety procedures to prevent COVID-19 transmission—requiring masks, providing hand sanitizer, and regularly sanitizing their buildings. I’m trying to work somewhere where I’ll be safe and I know I’ll come home and be safe. I’m currently in search of customer service, hospitality, and food service positions. I’m going to get a job because work is the only thing that’s going to help me to provide for my family.

Hire Local Stories | Jessica King

Memphis Medical District Collaborative sat down with Jessica King, HIRE Local participant and recent recipient of HIRE Cares COVID-19 Emergency Assistance.

What was your living situation like before COVID started?

Before, we had everything under wraps. We were still kind of late with rent, but it was more so because our pay periods didn’t fall on the due dates for our bills. When we were late, it was more like 2-3 days late instead of being months behind. Before all of this happened, we were good and on top of everything.

What has your living situation been like during COVID?

It’s been a living nightmare, just about. My fiancé’s hours have been cut short and I have been let go from my job. It’s like— where is the next dollar going to come from? How are we going to be able to basically keep everything together with the small amount of money that we do have as far as feeding and taking care of the kids, keeping up with light bill, keeping up with rent? It’s a feeling of “what do we do next?” instead of getting paid on payday and immediately taking care of the bills.

Have you had your hours cut? laid off? furloughed? — When did you see a turn in your situation due to COVID?

I was laid off from my warehouse job. Because of COVID-19, they weren’t getting as many orders as they thought they were going to get. They had a last in, first to go policy. I had only been working there a week when COVID-19 hit and was let go. When customers stopped purchasing because they heard the rumor that Coronavirus was carried through the boxes and that delivery drivers might have it, it slowed everything down. It went from employers saying we need you all to we no longer need you, as everything slowed down. With that job, seniority ruled. If you were there for six months or so, you still had your job. Anybody having worked less than 6 months, they did not need. This all happened towards the end of March. 

How has COVID impacted your family/ ability to afford necessary goods?

It went from me and my fiancé having everything together to him now having to do everything on his own. I have to figure out if I need to pay my car note. You have to pay your car note in order to keep the car in order to keep going to work. It became a question of if I should take all the checks that I made throughout the month and put them together with the little bit of money that I do have to pay rent; or should I pay the lights, the car note, the things that the kids need. It became more of a this or that situation. Instead of working with my fiancé to split the bills with the money I had coming in, I watched him have to make choices of what bills we could and couldn’t afford to pay. It wasn’t like that before. We went from comfortable to sacrificing some bills to pay others. It was really very hard. You want to do it, you know you have to do it, but at the same time, you don’t have the funds to do it. It’s a living nightmare.

What bills or needs did you find yourself having to put on hold or sacrifice during this time?

The kids are growing rapidly, but I had to put purchasing new clothes for them on hold. Buying groceries was put on hold. After seeing my check each week, I knew that it wouldn’t cover rent, so we’ve put rent on hold. It came to a point where I applied for food stamps, so purchasing food was no longer an obstacle. Before, we would sometimes go to Grandma’s house to eat or scrape up the few dollars that we had to make sure that we can eat. It became overwhelming after a while. 

How has COVID impacted your job search and/or career progress?

Thankfully, I have an interview and an orientation tomorrow to start Monday. It’s for a temp warehouse job. I feel like I can do this temp job, and hopefully it lasts because Coronavirus dies down. Normally, you go to work for temp warehouse jobs and they say we’ve got to get a certain amount of work done on current orders and backorders to reach their quota. Once we get that certain amount of work done and shipped out because everyone is working so hard, then they don’t need you, and warehouses start letting people go earlier than the normal 2-3 months for temp jobs. It’s now mom going from one job to another to another to another to try and make ends meet. People still have bills and kids. We still have to maintain our health and our children’s health, a household, and we still have to maintain cars to make sure we can go back and forth. To hire somebody and tell them they’ll be here for a couple months, to then saying we don’t need you anymore after two weeks— it becomes frustrating. 

How has the HIRE Local program assisted/not assisted you with the hardships faced due to COVID?

We were literally two months behind on rent for the month of April and June because of the cut hours and no job at all, so we were literally facing eviction and losing just about everything we have and splitting the family up to make sure everyone had a place to lay their heads. When I received the call regarding HIRE Cares rental assistance, it was perfect. We no longer had to split up. We could get caught up on bills. We no longer had to decide whether or not we had to pay one bill and lose something else or risk losing the house. It was making everything back stable how we had it. We no longer had to pick and choose what we should pay off and put on hold until the next paycheck. To see some type of relief on my end and my fiancé’s end, it was like finally something good has come out of this whole Coronavirus. Something good has finally happened. The support means that we can still have our spot, not break the family up, and still be able to keep everything that we had worked hard for before this Coronavirus even started. I literally sat down and broke into tears because we finally have help— and it’s not from family because family is going through the same thing. We finally have help to where we can still keep our little family we created together without going to a hotel, Grandma’s house, sister’s house, cousin, auntie, none of that. It helped us out a lot.

What other resources are getting you through COVID? — Unemployment? Stimulus? 

I got the stimulus check, but my fiancé didn’t due to his child support costs. I was able to take the stimulus check to get us caught up for the month of March on rent, utilities, and groceries. My fiancé no longer had to look around to see where the next dollar was coming from or work overtime. I’ll be calling CSA for utility support as well. Food was no longer a problem once I started receiving food stamps. I received the HIRE Local Visa gift card as well, which has assisted me in paying for gas to make sure I can get back and forth from my interviews and make sure my son has a consistent babysitter.

Outside of local and federal resources, what else has been getting you through the pandemic?

Taking the time to pause and gather with the family has helped— to come together to joke and laugh. We might go sit with aunts, uncles, grandma and cousins to sit, talk, laugh, and play and get our minds of everything that’s going on. We just have a good time and get our minds off of what’s going on.

What do you think about our federal and local government’s response to the pandemic?

They really move so slow. I don’t know if it’s just Tennessee, but they really move so slow. I filed for unemployment 8 weeks ago, and I still haven’t heard anything. It would be better if they were to move a little faster and pause on taking vacations, even as this work becomes overwhelming. For people like me, unemployment is needed because this is how we’re able to not lose everything we have or go end up in court to face eviction. If everyone was to just come together and work like they were before COVID, even though everyone is at home, everything would be so much smoother. Instead, I’m told that representatives are on vacation and I have to wait until they come back from vacation for assistance. Anything can happen during this time. We can lose our house, our cars, we can have a medical emergency in the family— and if they don’t have insurance, we have no way to pay for it. If they were to move quicker—not too quickly, because we don’t want them to make any mistakes—but, if they were to move how they were before and actually work with us, it would help out a lot.

What would you say your next steps are for yourself and your family?

My fiancé’s job has picked back up. Now, he’s getting every day work. He’s getting his regular hours plus extra hours. Within the next week, we are planning to move to a bigger house in our price range. My new job is paying about the same amount as his and it’s a weekly job. COVID has made us really sit down and create and stick to a budget. We’re making sure to save money aside from our jobs weekly so that we won’t be behind. Even though Coronavirus is going on, we still need to have savings. Whenever the unemployment hits, we can take that and pay off bills for a month or two and now work towards taking care of the kids’ needs and maintaining our bills instead of picking and choosing what to pay. It’s a work in progress, and it can be stressful, but we’re sticking to it.

Johnson Mechanical Services

MMDC sat down with Antonio Johnson, BUY Local business owner of Johnson Mechanical Services.

Can you tell me a little about yourself and your business?

My name is Antonio Johnson. I am a resident of Memphis and owner of Johnson Mechanical Services. We’ve been in business since 2008. We’re a family-owned and operated business. I have 22 years of experience in the business. I wanted to start my own company. The business was originally named Johnson Heating and Air when I started because I was a sole proprietor, but as I began to grow, I understood that I needed an LLC, so I changed the name to Johnson Mechanical Services LLC. I am a local, veteran, and minority-owned small business, certified by Shelby County and categorized as a Small Business Enterprise with the City of Memphis. My primary goal is to be recognized as one of the leading minority contractors in the mechanical services.

How did you get started in the mechanical industry?

I was in the military for 6 years and after I was honorably discharged from the US Army. I got an opportunity—God blessed me— I went to the unemployment office looking for a job, an opportunity opened up to be a forklift driver at a heat and air company, Jackson Supply. They sold all the materials and equipment needed for the mechanical services. I worked there for 6 years and gained a tremendous amount of hands-on experience and knowledge in the heating and air field. I met and talked to a lot of good people that helped me. One of the guys, Joe Johnson, told me that he could show me something that would change my life forever if I was willing to go back to school. I went to State Tech and learned the heating and air business and received my certification. I’ve been doing it for 22 years now.

Why did you choose to locate your business in Memphis?

I was born and raised in the City of Memphis. I grew up in South Memphis and graduated from South Side High School. I wanted to give back to the community that I love and show my family, especially my son and nephews, that you can be a successful black businessman in this city.

Do you offer any training programs for those who also want to learn about mechanical services?

Yes. In the past 22 years of business, I have trained 9 people that have become productive business owners in the industry. They have become mentors to other. I assisted them in doing their business the correct way— getting their licenses, getting insurance, and being bonded. If you’re out doing services or working in someone’s home, you always want to cover yourself. I have 2 people that I’m currently training in my program.

What has it meant for you to be a part of the BUY Local Marketplace?

It has been a great opportunity. I didn’t know about it at first, but once I was invited to a BUY Local event and was presented the information about your Anchor Partners, it has been great for me. It has opened my eyes to opportunities to expand and market my business and what I’m trying to do to the public. It’s a wonderful opportunity to be a part of this network. When I go to those meetings, I see a wide array of minority business owners in attendance. You guys are opening up the doors for people such as myself.

What was your experience like at the February Buy Local Connect Event?

I was able to get business cards for all those that I talked with. There were Medical District partners that had booths set up who gave me great feedback. Rory Thompson at Tennessee Small Business Development Center set me up with Dr. Branch, one of their consultants. They’re helping me create a business plan and capability statement. Event speaker Veronica Clark with UT Center for Industrial Services has followed up with me and helped me navigate the services they are offering and set me up to participate in the Turner Construction Management Program in Nashville. I’ve gotten positive feedback from everybody. You guys are pioneering opportunities for minority businesses to network with Anchor Partners representing major companies that we can later sub-contract to and work with in the future.

Is there anything else you’d like the public to know about yourself or your business?

I work for the City of Memphis Fire Department as an active duty firefighter for the past 17 years. I love this job, I love helping people, and I’m looking forward to being promoted in July as a Lieutenant and continuing to share my knowledge and experience with the young people hired on the job. I’m certified as an Advanced EMT by the state of Tennessee through the Fire Department and have various life-saving training certifications that I must continue to educate myself on an annual basis. I love what I do for the City of Memphis! It gives me great pride and joy!

 Johnson Mechanical Services, LLC is located at 5495 Winchester Suite 1 and can be contacted at (901) 650-0348.

Kickspins | Tonya Dyson

MMDC sat down with Damien Baker and Tonya Dyson, owners of Kickspins and retail tenants of MMDC’s new development BOXLOT. 

You are well-known to Memphis! You do so much for the city. For those who don’t know you, can you let us know a little bit about your background and the many things you do for Memphis?

First of all, I tell people I’m a singer-songwriter first and then that kind of shapes everything else that I do around music here in the city. I am a recording artist, a songwriter, a performance artist- I do soul and jazz. Outside of that, I’m very active on the business end of the arts and culture scene here in Memphis. I’m the Executive Director of Memphis Slim Collaboratory, Director of the Soulsville USA Festival, Curator at Large for the Downtown Memphis Commission live programming, owner of Neosoulville- a marketing & promotions company for concert promotions- and, of course, co-owner of Kickspins. I also have a radio show on 88.5 called “Soul School” that airs every Tuesday at 3 o’clock.

Your business model is very unique- 2 stores in one with unique services (shoe refurbishing & customization and music apparel). What inspired this business as well as your partnership with Damien?

Really just a nod to hip-hop. I’m a hip-hop kid. Of course, kickspin is a breakdance move. It was the perfect name/way to incorporate both sneakers and vinyl- both part of hip-hop culture. Kickspins just popped up and came together that way. I love music, but I’m also a sneaker head too, so this was the perfect way to blend the two. I co-own Kickspins along with Damien Baker. We’ve known each other for several years, and have been on the same scene. The hip-hop, soul scene was relatively small back then when we were younger and in our twenties. As an adult, we discussed a joint store idea and he wanted to do something to get out there with his sneaker customization. I told him about this opportunity, and asked him if he was interested in creating something together for that, and he was. That’s where it all came from. 

How did this opportunity come about? How has MMDC aided in the process of starting your business?

I original started working with MMDC in 2017 with the first iteration of a record store called OM in the pop-ups that were in Edge Alley when they first opened up. It was a 30-day pop-up. I was one of the first initial incubations in there along with a vintage thrift store, a soap-making company, and an architect. I was contacted by MMDC regarding another incubation opportunity, but around that time, I was working on a big project and was unable to get involved. This past Spring, I ended up getting a call from Vonesha Mitchell asking me if I was still interested in the opportunity, and I got the opportunity to sit down with her and Chris Porter of Creative Punch to workshop what we now know as BOXLOT. I was excited about the rebrand. The proposed branding, marketing, and programming elements proposed for BOXLOT really excited and interested me. At that point, I knew that I wanted to be a part of this project. 

How exactly do you go about finding all of the records, CDs, and other music apparel that you stock in the store?

I will be selling CDs soon- a lot of the local artists still have CDs. I am a local artist myself, and I want to support the local scene. Local artists can come to me- e-mail me at kickspinsmemphis@gmail.com or at tonya@memphisslimhouse.org if they’d like their CDs to be sold at Kickspins. Anyone that’s selling vinyl can also reach out. I don’t like going to a lot of estate sales—I like buying my records from people that are still alive because I like hearing their journeys—they usually have cool stories. They tell me about when they were a teenager when they bought this, when their wife bought this album when they had just moved in before they had kids…such interesting stories. A lot of times, I’ll connect with these people through word of mouth. I’ll talk to someone’s uncle or someone’s grandfather, dad—someone who had their parents’ collection and they don’t know what to do with it. I talk about vinyl, collecting, and music all the time. I’m an overall music aficionado- particularly for soul music, so a lot of people just reach out to me and say, “Hey, I have this collection. Do you want to buy it?” On the Grand Opening, I had people to come in asking if I buy albums and connected that way. That’s usually how I come across a lot of stuff. I’m always scouring Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist. I’m a vintage type of person, I thrift a lot. If I see something that has some good bones or some structure, I can see the vision. For example, I have these Yo! MTV Raps and Rap Packs trading cards in store. I put in a search for hip hop and they just came up. They were collected in 1991 when they first came out. The person figured they’d come in handy and bought boxes full when they first came out and stored them in one of their collector’s storage units. Now, they’re cleaning out their storage unit. I ended up meeting the person and purchasing the whole lot. 

As a new business owner in the District, what is some advice you would give other entrepreneurs looking to establish a brick and mortar in the Medical District?

Make sure you have your distribution line setup as far as how you’re going to stock your store. Always keep marketing and branding in mind. That’s the biggest driver, and of course, have some type of social media plan. Think out of the box. Have cool programming around it. It doesn’t have to be huge or super spectacular for it to be effective. A lot of people think they need to host huge events, but drawing in 4 or 5 people is still a win if you can get those 4 or 5 to at least purchase a small item and refer their friends to your business. Don’t think that any of your efforts are too small because the smallest thing can be effective. 

Can people expect any events or programming from Kickspins?

I plan on having weekly events including Music Trivia on Wednesday nights from 6-8 and Juke in the Box on Sundays from 1-3. Each week of Music Trivia will have a different theme. The upcoming Music Trivia during BOXLOT’s National Sneaker Day event (October 9th) will be themed “Guess That Sample.” For Juke in the Box, customers can come in and choose what song they want to have playing in-store using our Vintage Sounds Bluetooth speaker. Outside of that, I plan on having in store performances by local artists during weeks of their album releases. This would be similar to a short, unplugged performance where local artists can come and perform a song, sell, and sign their albums. I’ll also be going live on Facebook during those events and integrating Facebook with Paypal so that those who cannot be present can stream and order the artist’s album all on the Facebook platform. That way, those who order online can still get their albums signed by the artist and shipped to them.  

What are your signature/most popular items so far?

The records- that has been the biggest thing. A lot of the late 60s and 70s soul music has been selling very well. Now that I’ve gotten t-shirts, those have been selling quickly as well. 

Kickspins is located at 607 Monroe Avenue. You can like and follow them on Facebook and Instagram and contact them at (901) 286-3164 or kickspinsmemphis@gmail.com.

Kickspins | Damien Baker

MMDC sat down with Damien Baker, co-owner of Kickspins and retail tenant of MMDC’s new development BOXLOT.

Can you let us know a little bit about yourself and the “Kicks” side of Kickspins?

Well, I've always been an artist /sneakerhead. I used to get in trouble for drawing in class, on desks and walls. It eventually led to me doing the same but on sneakers, then I decided to move on to restorations. We all have that one pair that we just dont want to let go of. That's one of the main reasons why I decided to give it a try for the first time.

When/how did you get into the sneaker scene, shoe refurbishing, and sneaker customization?

I've been into sneaker culture since middle school. I remember when classmates would bring in the latest Eastbay catalog. The entire class would stop just to look at it and see the what new sneakers were being released. I became interested in customization back in 2007. I was watching a television program that featured a pair of  customized  "God of War" Nike Dunks. I thought to myself, "I can do that." A friend of mine saw the same program and decided to give me a couple pairs of sneakers to try it out on. I did some free hand designs and people liked them. I learned the process and took it seriously back in 2014. Then moved on to learn the restoration aspect.

Your business model is very unique- 2 stores in one with unique services (shoe refurbishing & customization and music apparel). What inspired this business as well as your partnership with Tonya?

I've known Tonya since 1999. We've both shared a deep love for music and art. I showed her a pair of customs that I was working on for a customer. She admired my work and was very encouraging. She later pitched the idea of "Kickspins" to me and I loved the idea, so we ran with it.

How did this opportunity come about? How has MMDC aided in the process of starting your business?

The opportunity was presented to me by Tonya through MMDC. The MMDC has been supportive in more ways than one, financially, through promotion and events. I'm happy and thankful to be a part of something so special and innovative.

Do you sell any items in store? What can people expect from their experience with your services and your in-store offerings?

Yes, I sell various books about sneakers and the culture, 3-D printed sneaker keychains that range from "Off White Jordans" to "Travis Scott Dunks". I also sell various products for sneaker customization/restoration, ranging from leather paint starter kits, heatguns, shoe cleaners, shoe decreasers and sole cleaners, to restore them back to their original color.

As a new business owner in the District, what is some advice you would give other entrepreneurs looking to establish a brick and mortar in the Medical District?

If the opportunity, love and passion are there, go for it. Know your service, product and customer base. Properly set goals and means to achieve them. You will definitely be supported.

What are your signature/most popular services so far? Any design requests that stand out?

My most popular services have been sneaker restorations and colorway changes. Some sneakers are almost impossible to find again once no longer in stock. Those that are available are highly expensive.  Like I said before some people have that special pair that they just dont want to let go of, so they bring them to me. I'm able to remove creases, restore the original color to the sole and or change the colorway all together.

Kickspins is located at 607 Monroe Avenue. You can like and follow them on Facebook and Instagram and contact them at (901) 286-3164

or kickspinsmemphis@gmail.com

Majik & Co

MMDC sat down with Auston Freeman, owner of Majik & Co. and retail tenant of MMDC’s new development BOXLOT. 

Can you tell me a little about yourself and your business? 

I’m a native Memphian. I’ve been doing vintage clothing for about 11 years now. I started off just going to thrift stores and just picking up stuff here and there. I transitioned that into doing different trade show and sneaker events- the vintage clothing transitioned me into thinking more about the connection between both sneakers and vintage clothing and the culture that comes with the two elements. I originally started selling on Ebay. I had a small website. Now, here I am in 2019 with a store!

The vintage culture in Memphis is on the rise. How’d you get plugged in? 

The stuff that I like now is everything I kind of wanted as a kid, but I just never really knew the significance of the items back then. I saw apparel then, and liked it, but was too young to buy it for myself. Now, looking back on it, when I find certain pieces, I’m like “Oh yeah, I remember this from when I was a kid—” and there’s a certain nostalgia factor to it. I think that’s what’s getting everybody into the whole vintage, retro thing—the nostalgia in it. Whether it be an old jersey or an old pair of shoes, people remember those from their childhoods and earlier eras. The nostalgia factor really got me into the industry. 

Can you shed some light on the vintage scene in the city and what makes it so special here?

I’ve been doing this for a while and never really ran into many who were doing it. I would maybe run into a few who were. I definitely think that there was a resurgence of vintage reselling around 2012 and that kind of died. Now, there’s a huge wave of everybody getting back into the vintage scene. It’s this wave of 1: the vintage scene being publicized more, like people going to thrift stores and 2: there’s some large name brands that have launched similar stores. Like Round 2 in California— now they have one in New York, Chicago, and Miami. People are seeing that. They might have started selling vintage on the side, just kind of collecting and now seeing that they can make a business out of this. 

There’s not as much awareness here in Memphis of the vintage scene versus other cities. When I was probably starting in 2007/2008, they probably already had shops popping up across the country that were doing this. In Memphis, we’re just kind of now figuring out what vintage is and what the culture is really about—working to fill in the gaps and the lack of knowledge of the industry. 

What makes Majik & Co. stand out from other vintage resellers in the city?

I would say my overall knowledge of the product and the history behind it. There’s a lot of people that are doing it, but they might just be doing it because it’s cool or it’s like the thing to do at the moment. I feel like I have more skin in the game and am more knowledgeable about the products that I’m selling and offering. 

How did you go from doing your business mostly online to having your own shop here at BOXLOT?

I was working at The Pocket Downtown, and that’s where I met Brian who was over the Shab Chic development in the beginning. He referenced the Business Support and Incentives provided by MMDC that could help me transition into a brick and mortar, so I eventually met with Vonesha. Over a year’s time, we spoke regularly trying to figure out possible locations that could work for my business, the financial capabilities, and ultimately, when MMDC acquired BOXLOT, she had me in mind as a potential tenant. She asked me if I was still interested, and I said yes! I think more than anything, I made a splash on Instagram more than around Memphis. I was known in Memphis by certain people, but I was still kind of like a known unknown, but this opportunity gives me the visibility to make my brand known throughout the city. 

How has MMDC aided in the process of starting your business?

I definitely couldn’t do this without MMDC and having this strong support system. MMDC having the different tools to help a small business owner or someone, in my case, owning their business for the first time figure it out and transition from strictly online to a brick and mortar has been extremely helpful.

How exactly do you go about finding all of the apparel that you stock in the store?

Various sources anywhere from thrift stores to garage sales. People even walk in the store with items and I’ll buy stuff from them if they have cool stuff. People will message me online if they want to sell something. I also find things online. 

As a new business owner in the District, what is some advice you would give other entrepreneurs looking to establish a brick and mortar in the Medical District?

Be creative. If you already have a good thing going and a business that you can stand behind, follow your dreams! This area is in a way kind of like a blank canvas and you can create your own space and create your own vision within the area. Follow you vision!

Can people expect any events or programming from Majik & Co.?

I’d like to do some raffles, like a sneaker raffle or raffle for a piece of clothing. Some larger events are pending for 2020. 

What are your signature/most popular items so far?

So far, my top selling items are the Nike windbreakers. Everybody likes that 80’s/90’s retro style. The second top-seller is the vintage concert and tour shirts. People are really into those!

Majik & Co. is located at 607 Monroe Avenue. You can check out their apparel and follow them on Instagram!