Women-owned businesses keep South Cheatham thriving

Women-owned businesses now make up roughly four out of every 10 firms in the United States, a rapidly growing segment of the small-business economy. In Kingston Springs and Pegram, a group of a 12 women entrepreneurs reflects that national trend, running shops, services and creative ventures that help keep the community thriving.

This Women's History Month, the Kingston Springs Gazette is highlighting a dozen of its women-owned businesses in South Cheatham — from retail and wellness to creative services — that are helping shape the town’s local economy and community life.

Alma Yoga and Movement

Kat Andrews opened Alma Yoga and Movement with her partner, Silas Langford, on Main Street in 2023. "Women are so powerful," Andrews said. "I was teaching a class, and I was having a hard morning, and one of the women who is a regular was looking at me, and she said, 'Come here,' and just hugged me. And I feel like that is our community in a nutshell: it's noticing a need and then filling that need with so much love."

SKYKING Pizza and Turnbull Provisions

Amy Davis-Bruce opened SKYKING Pizza with her husband Cole in 2013. They later opened Turnbull Provisions on Main Street in 2021. "I think that women are willing to do the work. And if you own a small business, you have to do the work," Bruce said. "I want to empower women and be like, 'You can do it.' I want women to feel like they can do whatever they dream of."

Salon 102

Jennifer Blye has been on Main Street since 2014. "I've worked for myself pretty much all my life ... and I provide a good space for other [women] to work," she said. "I spend more time with some of my customers than I do with family members. I go to people's weddings, funerals, showers – it's almost like family."

Ewe and Company

Glenna Butts has owned her yarn shop on Main Street since 2010. "I like having the yarn shop just because of the community it has built," she said. Butts hosts a range of classes at her brick and mortar and has a monthly knitters meetup at SKYKING Pizza.

Jollifrogs

Mother-daughter duo Rachel Taslimi and Karen Kloess are the newest edition to Main Street, opening their boutique gift shop in spring 2025. Jollifrogs is made up of a collective of other women-owned small businesses, including Grounded Roots, Dear Delaney Boutique, Gypsy Soul Stoneware and more. "I've always owned my own business," Kloess said. "I like the customers and getting to know people."

Studio Mills

Linda Mills, 75, has owned her yoga studio on Main Street for 18 years. "Once you work for yourself, if you can make a living doing it, you don't want a boss," Mills said. "When I'm with people at the end of a class, it's a wonderful thing to be able to help people feel better." Mills hosts classes three days a week at Studio Mills.

The Land and Yorkshire Deli

Lesley Mortimer-Wallace opened The Land on Highway 70 at the end of 2019. Since then, it has transformed to include The Yorkshire Deli, opening in 2022, as well as women-owned business Wonder Gift and Garden, opening in 2023. "I have dreamed of this place for almost 15 years," Mortimer-Wallace said. "I am a strong, creative woman and I believe I have attracted other strong, creative women ... The essence here is awesome ladies."

Mud Puddle Pottery

Sharon Ingram opened Mud Puddle Pottery Studio in Pegram in 2004. Ingram has sold her own pottery work since 1990. "I love mostly the people, the relationships that we grow from it. There are so many bonds and friendships that develop. And I can't imagine my life without the people that have came through our [doors]," she said. "This is a labor of love. It truly is, because nobody's gonna get rich off of this. It's hard work – really, really hard work. But the gift that we get back from what we're doing, you can't even imagine how truly wonderful it is that we get the most incredible people to come into our lives."

Halo and Harp Aesthetics

Sam Tritschler, 29, opened Halo and Harp Aesthetics in Kingston Springs in October. She said she was always inspired by her mother to own her own business. "She grew up with a really strong mom, and that was my grandma ... She's a go getter. She's so resilient," she said. "She always encouraged us to do what made us happy and do what we love and not worry about the money – that'll happen if you're doing what you love. I'm so fortunate to have her as my role model."

Woven Events

Kingston Springs resident Whitney Gorbett owns Woven Events and Woven Philanthropy. "We are creators at our core," Gorbett said. "Children or no children, the female body is made to create. But more than that, we are made to hold: complexity, emotion, vision. The quiet and chaos of it all. And if we wrap it in our passions, it turns into something fierce, something alive."

West Glow Farm

Marybritton Cummings owns West Glow Farm with her husband, Jody. She opened the working produce farm and event venue in 2019. "Who I was seven years ago is so much different than who I am today. I've learned so much," she said. "I love every part of this business – from the farming to the events to the community."