Regardless if you grew up here or you’ve just moved to here, if you’re starting a business, trying to make connections, planning a party, these are the people you need to know and why:
1. KIM WIGGINS
Kim Wiggins: an immediate friend. Kim is currently Clarksville’s most trusted county trustee official. She might be holding an elected position, running for a second term, but to know her is to love her. She is passionate, a goal-getter, a networking genius, and a kind hearted person. Her and her husband, O’Neal, have a family owned business, Wiggins Medical Transit, here in town assisting elderly, handicap, or disabled with traveling services. You need to know Kim because after you meet her, you feel like a million bucks, even after she takes your property tax.
2. MICHAEL & REGINA HAMPTON
Michael and Regina Hampton: local farmers. Michael and Regina are family business owners of The Food Initiative and Iron and Elder. If you’ve been to the Clarksville’s farmer’s market, you’ve seen Michael and Regina out there selling meat, eggs, and now flowers! Their first business is The Food Initiative, it is a nonprofit that helps educate the youth on agriculture and also provides healthy food for the homeless. They also supply locally grown boxed veggies via a monthly service, once a week, summer educational programs for littles to help further holistic knowledge, and they throw amazing events!
You have to know the Hamptons because sustainable living is becoming so valuable, and this is a reliable, local source!
3. KAREY DAUGHTERY
Karey Daugherty: a passionate, local business owner. This gal is one of the hardest workers I’ve met. She plans, coordinates, makes flower arrangements, decorates, operates a venue, and successfully pulls off amazing events around Clarksville.
After the wedding, a lot of brides think they want to become a wedding planner, or own their own venue (speaking from experience), but this industry IS NO JOKE. Late nights and mother’s of the bride are sometimes treacherous territory! She has dominated this industry, in a good way, just because she’s ‘Karey’. She might not sleep, but she will throw you THE BEST AND PRETTIEST EVENT.
Her family also owns The Mad Herbalist. It’s located on the Tanglewood property. Karey has a driven passion for Clarksville and its growth. We always joke and call her the female version of my dad, Trent Knott. And if we could clone them, Clarksville would be overloaded with thriving businesses, because you put them both together and you get dreams + vision + a wealth of knowledge. You have to know Karey because even if she has 12 events in one day, she will make time for people who care about this city.
4. TRENT KNOTT
Speaking of, Trent Knott: a previous mayor candidate, my dad, vote Knott or Knott at all. He lost that race long, long ago because God definitely had other plans for him (and we are not a glass house family). Some would consider him a serial entrepreneur; he and my mom, Dana Knott, once owned a radio station, then a carpet cleaning business, then he became a contractor, and now (somehow) built and runs over 7 businesses in the massive warehouse labeled Project 2231, once the Acme Boot warehouse, located on 2231 Madison Street.
He’s a family guy, married up 100%, loves his kids, but loves his grandkids more. You might meet him standing in the front of Miss Lucille’s (no longer with a flat top, now it’s a silver fox combover) offering a hand while following up with “I do kinda work here”, and then you’ll probably leave with his cell phone number and a hug. He’s got a contact for everything known to man, offers great business advice, and is a joy to be around. But after you meet him, don’t name drop, because everyone else knows him, too. You have to know Trent because after you do, you’ll have one more cheerleader in your back pocket.
5. LORILEE RAGER
Lorilee Rager: a creative. Lorilee is one of the sweetest, spunkiest home grown girls I’ve ever met. Her family is filled with all-stars. Lorilee is the founder and creative director of Thrive Creative Group. Her award winning company builds websites, offers design work, and digital marketing. Every time I run into Lorilee, I’m greeted with positivity, lots of laughter, and an innovative, genuine conversation which leaves you feeling better than you knew you could. You have to know Lorilee because she’ll inspire you with just being her authentic self.
6. THE CUNNINGHAM BROTHERS
Cunningham Brothers: Entrepreneurs. These two guys of the Cunningham family have passion, wit, and style. They have completely stepped up the game within our city and its offerings. They have given us a few things to put on the list of attractions, a place for brunch with friends, and a proud place to take family from out of town. Currently between the brothers, they have Old Glory and Strawberry Alley Ale Works. They might even have a few other things up their sleeves coming soon! You have to know Matt and Wes Cunningham just to say thank you for investing in our city!
7. LEO MILLAN
Leo Millan: Builder. Owner of Millan Enterprises who rents out residential and commercial properties. If you see gorgeous, new strip malls popping up around town, it’s probably Leo. He also shares such a passion to help build up our city. The newest venture on the horizon is the co-working space, The Press. HOW COOL FOR CLARKSVILLE! After the new twist that 2020 had to bring us, I think that a co-working space is popping up in our city just before we bust the seams with new growth. Leo is another really awesome asset to our city. You have to know Leo because he has your new business location in his next building project!
My family knows a lot of people from living here our whole lives, and I could list 100 more people you should meet: pastors, actual mayors, chiropractors and doctors, really amazing local business owners (most all are dear friends), the Kevin Kennedy’s, etc. I tried giving a very wide variety of people and professions, but these people mentioned above all carry the same underlying nature of: hard work, passion, and pure joy for what they do. They don’t do it for themselves, they do it for something we all share in common: Our beloved city and its locals.
