Jacob Kelsoe
Owner, Hotworx
After studying business at the University of Alabama and achieving an MBA, Jacob Kelsoe eventually met his longtime goal of owning and operating his own business. Jacob is now the owner of three Hotworx studio locations here in Middle Tennessee. These studios are equipped with several individualized infrared saunas designed to maximize your workout experience and are available for clients to use 24/7.
In 2020, Jacob first purchased the Hotworx Midtown location in Nashville and, soon after, in 2021, decided to build a studio location in Mt. Juliet. It wouldn’t be long until he took on a third studio, Hotworx Cool Springs. He states, “I always enjoyed studying businesses and how they ran and what made them successful... I really enjoyed the aspect of figuring it out.”
Jacob enjoys managing a business like Hotworx because it serves many people with a wide range of needs. Whether a client is recovering from an injury, looking for a new form of fitness, or just getting started, he is dedicated to ensuring his business meets those standards. Jacob’s resilience in business comes from his ability to keep going no matter what, to continue to improve, and never to give up.
Brent Stephens
Owner, Graze Craze
When a firefighter of 17 years begins searching for a career shift, owning a charcuterie business might not be at the top of the list. But for Brent Stephens, the more he searched for something new, the further he was guided down the path to Graze Craze, a charcuterie shop specializing in all things charcuterie boards and boxes.
In December of 2022, Brent was given the opportunity to take ownership of Graze Craze Charcuterie in Mount Juliet and diligently served our community with fresh, customizable charcuterie boards, boxes, and box cups for events large and small. Graze Craze meats and cheeses are all cut in-house. Hummuses and jams are freshly made as well. “Whether it’s big business, small business, corporations, family, church. Whatever it is, I have something for everybody.”
Brent takes his service to our community seriously and credits his desire to serve for his business success. “It’s all about serving people. If you don’t want to serve people and meet their needs, then you’re not going to succeed.”
Christopher Eads
Attorney/Founder, The Law Offices of Christopher Eads
Folks in Mount Juliet can rest easy knowing that if they ever need an attorney, they don’t have to go to Nashville to find one. Christopher Eads is one of the few lawyers located here in Mount Juliet. Representing the residents of this city is something he takes very seriously.
Chris started practicing law at larger firms. He found himself in a revolving door of assignments requiring him to work in practice or specialized groups with no real opportunity for growth or connection to the clients. “Working in the bigger firms, you don’t really get to do what you want per se. A lot of times, they delegate to you what your case is. They put you in practice groups, and I always felt like you were limited... I just thought, ‘There’s much more to being a lawyer.’”
Chris eventually decided to branch out and open his firm, The Law Offices of Christopher Eads, in Mount Juliet. His firm focuses primarily on personal injury and employment law, aiming to offer the direct support and communication that each client deserves. “What sets us apart is that the clients actually get to talk and deal with the attorney they retain.”
While understanding the challenges of creating his firm, Chris ultimately decided to bet on himself. And Mount Juliet is better for it.
John Zendrosky
Financial Advisor, Northwestern Mutual
It’s been an exciting year for John Zendrosky as he uses his expertise as a financial advisor to go above and beyond for his clients through Northwestern Mutual. He is committed to helping people and creating the blueprint that gets them to their financial goals. What people may not know is that, for John, this isn’t just a job. This is personal.
John gained first-hand experience in what could happen when someone neglects to have a solid financial plan for themselves and their family. He opened up to us about his family and what it felt like to watch his father endure the challenges of not having a proper financial strategy to guide him. At 60, his father was diagnosed with a serious health condition and found himself at the start of a tumultuous journey. John explains, “He couldn’t go to work anymore. He lost his job, lost his benefits. He had to pull all his retirement money out to pay medical bills... If he had [long-term disability], he would still be earning a paycheck.” John notes that this personal experience moves him to help others not fall into the same traps. He makes it his duty to teach people the importance of planning for retirement, investments, education, long-term care, life insurance, long-term disability, and more.
John credits his success in business to finding the right people, finding the right network, and surrounding himself with a community that fosters resiliency. He is a heavy hitter in the financial world as he helps people learn and progress so that each generation can be better than the last. “People generationally make the same mistakes that their parents make. So, I love being able to teach someone even if they never become a client.” Now that’s something we can all stand behind.
Patrick Robinson
Owner, Relive Studio
Do you have the grit to wake up and learn something new? This is the question Patrick Robinson had to answer as he found himself leaving the world of corporate America and embarking on an entirely different journey. Film, filters, photography, and videography had always piqued Patrick’s interest but never manifested beyond a side hustle.
Patrick continuously worked to refine his abilities in photography and videography. And as his skills grew, so did his popularity among businesses and community members. “I think we’re in this unique time to be alive where you can learn literally anything... Don't ever discount where your life might take you. I think it’s a series of serendipitous events that lead people to where they are.” Patrick’s rigor and diligence as a creative would soon lead him to take a leap of faith and start his own business.
In 2020, as the world was bracing for a pandemic, Patrick quit his corporate job once and for all and opened Relive Studio. Relive Studio is a creative agency focusing on commercial videography and various other facets of photography. Whether an individual or a business, Patrick has the experience and the ability to elevate one’s online presence with compelling content that will stop followers from scrolling.
Relive Studio undoubtedly benefits from the unique concentration of creatives and new businesses in Nashville, Mount Juliet, and other surrounding areas. “Every day is different in Nashville. One day the subject might be a musician. One day it might be a new business that’s just starting. I think we’re unique in the sense that we have a tremendous amount of creatives per capita than other places.” Patrick’s artistry in capturing raw footage and understanding its importance fuels his capacity to provide content that boosts momentum.
Our community and creatives have significantly benefited because Patrick decided to follow his passion. Standing at the intersection of change and comfort can be frightening, but it is where people like Patrick begin to inspire us.
“What sets us apart is that the clients actually get to talk and deal with the attorney they retain.”