Ryan Thewes - Architect

-Ryan Thewes - Architect-  

Photo courtesy of Ryan Thewes

Do a google search on the percentage of people who have grown up and are working in the career they dreamed about as children. The average across several studies and surveys is a shocking eighteen percent.

Ryan Thewes is a member of that eighteen percent club. His unique and innovative designs have won multiple awards. He’s been interviewed for various media. His reputation for quality while maintaining an organic, authentic Modern design in every project has received recognition not only the U.S.  but Europe as well. Fortunately for us, he calls Middle Tennessee home. Ryan’s thumbprint can be seen all over Nashville.

He grew up in Southern Indiana with a pencil in his hand, clearly a gifted artist. Early on, he knew art would be his career. Adults encouraged him to be architect. Once he found the connection between drawing and architecture, it became his lifeblood. Ryan says he eats, sleeps, and breathes architecture. Having the opportunity to work with two architects that had worked with Frank Lloyd Wright helped to further develop and perfect the work he does today.

Photo courtesy of Ryan Thewes

How long does a typical design of a home or office building take?

That varies from project to project and client to client. There are some clients that fall in love with the design process and coming up with new solutions. I have a project now that we have been going back and forth for a few years perfecting. Those types of designs always yield the best results. On the flip side of that, there are designs where time is critical and solutions must happen in a matter of 3-4 weeks.

I was impressed you limit your clients so that you can personally work on each project. Do you have or keep a waiting list?

That is true, and yes, I do keep a waiting list. If someone hires me, they expect me to be the sole creator of anything that is produced. Having my name associated with the project, I wouldn’t want it any other way. It is that personal connection with each design that allows for unique and creative solutions for each site and client.

Have there been instances where a client wanted something traditional and your aesthetics have merged into a successful project?

I never want to push my aesthetics on anyone. Any house that I have designed for a client isn’t what I would have necessarily designed for myself and my family. My goal is to find the essence of what each client is attracted to and come up with a new and unique solution that embraces that. I want to produce a timeless design that is free of any classification. So to answer your question, if someone asked for a modern version of a classical home, I would sit down with them and figure out the reason why they are asking for that. What characteristics about the classical home do they like and what characteristics of the modern home do they like? My challenge then would be to come up with a design that combines those ideas into a new and unique form. If done correctly, any house designed today will still feel current and progressive 50 years from now.

If a potential client had an existing structure - say a barn or out-building - and he or she would like to convert into a modern home without losing the integrity of the original building. Is that a project you’d take on?

I always prefer new construction as it is easier to control the quality of the build. One area that I like to focus on is highly energy efficient building. That is much more difficult to do when retrofitting an existing structure.

However, I do take on many projects like that if they fit within my aesthetic. I have a few current projects that are remodels and additions, but they are very special situations.

From Southern Indiana to New Mexico, what drew you to Nashville?

We chose Nashville purely based on location and proximity to my family in Southern Indiana. I needed a larger city to do what I do, so that limited our choices. Specifically, when we moved here, there was almost no modern architecture to speak of. The stuff that was here was done so poorly that it actually scared people away from even considering modern. It was an untapped market where I felt like I could fill a niche.

Other than the office space in Dickson, have you been commissioned to take on other office spaces?

The majority of my projects are residential because clients are willing to take more design risks with their personal homes. I have been fortunate to work on a few commercial projects where clients have trusted my vision. In a space like Dickson, their trust has paid off tremendously. Everybody in town knows that building and their business has grown because of it. It is built-in advertising.

Let’s have some fun; What do you do in your spare time? Hobbies?

Not much spare time these days! Sports (tennis and golf) are what I love to do when given the opportunity. I have always had a love of live music so I attend a lot of concerts. And food – I love to go out to eat.

Favorite TV shows?

I find myself watching less and less TV all the time. These are a few shows that have survived the purge: Flipping Out, Always Sunny in Philadelphia, America’s Got Talent.

Dogs or cats?

Dogs – I am an animal lover but have always had a dog.

Dream vacation?

A local window company took me to Germany last year to visit their manufacturing plant and it was awesome. So my dream vacation right now is seeing more of Europe.

Favorite genre of music and do you listen to it while you work?

I work in silence…. Weird, I know.

But I absolutely love music.

My music tastes would probably be classified as Americana. A little country music (the good country music), alternative, rock, ‘80s, etc. I love creative music and that spans across many genres. Sturgill Simpson, Brent Cobb and Chris Stapleton have monopolized the CD player in my car now for a really long time. I annoy my family because I will put in a CD and listen to it on repeat for months – or until the next obsession comes along.

Photo courtesy of Ryan Thewes

One could binge-watch all the home improvement type shows and look at a few google images, and think there’s not much when it comes to home design. Through research of architecture and talking with Ryan, I’ve learned there is a creative element, a specific eye and talent to get the end-products we see around us today.

In 2016, Build Magazine awarded Ryan with Modern Design Firm of the Year – Southern USA & Best Tennessee Residential Project: Sharp Cabin. By looking at the cabin and reading the specifics on it, the awards are well deserved.

Visit Ryan’s website to view more stunning pictures of his exquisite work.

Follow on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Google + and Houzz to chat, keep up-to-date on projects and much more. 

Written By Heather Clift:

[Heather Clift is an award-winning writer with a passion for all things Southern. Small town life, observational humor, and dark themes are her favorite subjects. Her short stories have been published in a variety of anthologies and magazines.  She became a contributor for Live, Laugh, Love Nashville specifically to connect with small business owners feeling privileged to showcase the heart, soul, and talent of those in and around the Nashville area. In her spare time, Heather enjoys binging on Netflix, making to-do lists, and grammatically correcting memes. For a peek of her fun side, you can find her on Instagram or Twitter, bragging on her kids, defending the Oxford comma, or posting signs with rogue apostrophes. She is currently working on her first novel.]

How to run a business as an introvert

How to run a business as an introvert

Today we have a guest blog by Clare Diston. Clare is a freelance editor and proofreader who loves working with independent authors. She works on fiction and non-fiction through her business, Human Voices Editorial Services.

I am an introvert, no question, and I also run my own business. Are those two things incompatible? Some people might think so, but the real answer is an emphatic NO.

There are lots of definitions of the term ‘introvert’: it can mean someone who is shy and quiet; someone who directs their attention and energy inwards; or someone who gets their energy from being alone. That last definition is my favourite—I used to be extremely shy, but now I like to think I’m OK at holding a conversation and making a good impression. The difference is that, after a social binge, I need to ‘recover’ by being by myself and doing my own thing. I like people, but I need my own company too.

In many ways, I’m more suited to the self-employed, work-alone lifestyle than I am to working in an office: I don’t really like small talk and I can’t sustain it all day, I HATE phone calls, and I feel unreasonably immense pressure when I have to make anyone else a cup of tea. But being an introvert is by no means a death knell for entrepreneurial flare, and it can even be a real advantage to starting a business and making it work.

So if you’re an introvert who wants to start a business, here are my 6 tips for making your introversion work for you!

1. Acknowledge your strengths

It’s easy to look at introverted characteristics in a negative light, but if you just reframe them you can see that they’re actually strengths. You’re not unsociable, you like your own company. You’re not quiet, you’re focused. You’re not a bad team player, you’re an excellent solo star. If you know you work best alone and you come across better in writing than face to face, play to your strengths: start a business that you can do by yourself (might I recommend editing and proofreading?) and sell yourself in emails and written pitches.

2. Embrace email

Speaking of email—when you run your own business, you can more or less choose how you communicate with your contacts. I had a couple of temp jobs when I was a teenager which involved answering phones all day and it was HELL for introverted me. Now, in my business, I communicate almost exclusively over email or Skype messaging. None of my clients have my phone number. Of course, some phone calls are inevitable (and if a client wants one, do it), but it’s so pleasant to work without that constant dread of the phone ringing.

3. Allow yourself to recharge

If you do end up having to make a phone call or attend a face-to-face meeting, give yourself some time to recharge afterwards. For introverts, spending lots of time with people can be draining—especially in a more intense business situation—so it’s important to get your energy back by taking some alone time and rewarding yourself with something fun. You might dance around the living room, pelt out your favourite song at the top of your lungs, or treat yourself to your favourite snack. Plus, knowing you’ll get a reward for your efforts will make you more likely to do it again.

4. Push yourself

You might be tempted to think you can do it all yourself, but no entrepreneur is an island, and a huge part of running a successful business is making connections. That means you’re going to have to go to meetings and networking events, and you’re going to have to talk to people. Sounds scary? It is, so don’t give yourself the chance to chicken out. Book well in advance, spend money on tickets, and set yourself a target like talking to three people or giving away five business cards. Harness all that self-motivated energy to get you out of the door and you might even find you have fun!

5. Practice your elevator pitch

When you deliberately put yourself in situations where you will meet people, they’re going to want to know about you and your business, so have a brief ‘elevator pitch’ prepared. This is a short summary of who you are, what you do, why/when you started, and perhaps a funny or interesting one-sentence summary that will stick in your listeners’ minds (mine is: “Anything to do with words, I’m your girl!”). Crucially, you need to practice this, so when all eyes turn on you, you can take a deep breath and take comfort in the fact that you already know what to say.

6. Encourage other introverts

As an introvert, you’re best placed to recognised introversion in others, and to help them with it. If you’re at an event and you spot someone sitting alone at a table looking terrified, approach them—after all, you know exactly how they’re feeling! Similarly, if you notice a fellow introvert trying to say something and getting talked over by the more extroverted in the room, ask their opinion and encourage them to speak. By promoting solidarity between introverts and helping the ones who are just starting out, we all stand to benefit. Maybe one day you could even pass on your wisdom in a blog post about running a business as an introvert…

Written 2-22-2017 by Clare Diston for Human Voices titled How to Run a Business as an Introvert. Reposted with permission by Live Laugh Love Nashville – Wellness Wednesday Feature .

[The below website link will connect you with Clare Diston at Human Voices. Plus follow her on social media.]

Website

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Ashwood Estates

Ashwood Estates Apothecary Naturals, once a tiny seed planted early in life, bloomed and grew to the success it is today. “Our relationship and my business both began on Ashwood Avenue,” Bari writes.

Devoted to a wholly organic lifestyle, founder Bari Marley believes in the balance between the body, mind, and spirit. Keeping that balance thrives not only on the products we use but how they are made. A master herbal mixologist and essential oil expert, Bari uses the depth of her knowledge to create a wealth of products – for the whole family and home.

Imagine relaxing at the end of a long day using the bath salt mix, Detox. Or treating your skin to Drench Body Butter. Clean It Up is a multi-purpose spray to clean, disinfect, and degrease. Every product available carefully designed for purpose, and contains only organic, sustainable plants found in nature. The labels list the ingredients and are easily recognizable. Remember the secret but miracle working salve that seemed to cure “all that ails you” recommended by our grandmothers or great-grandmothers? There’s a science behind those – using only naturally-occurring components.

Ashwood Estates Apothecary Naturals is locally owned and operated in Nashville. One of the most popular products, the Healing Salve, was one of the distinguished items included in this year’s CMT Music Awards Artist swag bag.

The entire line of products is available to purchase in the online store. The gorgeous design of the labels on the dark brown containers or silver tins give a nod to an earlier time.

For those local to Nashville, Ashwood Estates does offer free local pick- up at Pia's Antiques on 8th Avenue where Bari also works.

There’s no secret when it comes to Bari’s success. The proof is in each handmade creation.

Check out the amazing products of Ashwood Estates Apothecary Naturals online and like the Facebook page to keep up with current news and events.

Written by Heather Clift for Live Laugh Love Nashville's Small Business Saturday piece.

Alexander's Catering and Café 15

The first definition of cater is to provide food and drinks, typically in a social setting, in a professional manner. Take that one step further; to cater is to accommodate and satisfy one’s needs.

Alexander’s Catering in Nashville encompasses and exquisitely solidifies the definition of cater and will exceed your expectations regardless of your event. From a boxed meal for a working lunch to an elegant, plated affair, Alexander’s Catering specializes in accommodating a variety of tastes from around the globe. Gluten-free, vegan and other dietary requests are also available. 

At the heart of this family-owned and operated dining experience are Stephanie [Kissleburg] and Alex [Griffin]. Meeting one another in the late ‘90s while working in a Nashville restaurant, this perfect pairing set the stage for their purchase of the company in 2004 after the birth of their son. The next course was, “to move into the Nashville City Center building in 2005 shortly after Metro moved to make improvements to the John Henry Hale housing area near Charlotte and 13th Ave. There is now a large community garden visible from the freeway where our kitchen once was,” Stephanie writes.

With over thirty years of culinary excellence, Alexander’s Catering services the Nashville/Davidson County area and other surrounding counties.

You can get a taste of Alexander’s daily. Quietly tucked away, but conveniently located on the 15^th floor of the Nashville City Center is Café 15.

When asked about this secret-but-not-really club-like hot spot, Stephanie’s passion glows. “It’s quite humble, but I'm really proud of the quality, price, and service we offer. We prep everything fresh each day, and I think we owe our twelve year success to that ethic.”

Get your day off to a start with something from the rotating breakfast menu of hot breakfast sandwiches. Maybe Waffle Wednesday or Big Breakfast Friday will hit the spot.

Need a mid-day pick me up? Drop into Café 15 for their hot lunch buffet, or a fresh salad and deli-style sandwich.

Café 15 is open Monday thru Friday from 7a.m. to 3 p.m.

Fun fact: Stephanie is half-Icelandic. Customers traveling to Iceland have had the opportunity to meet her family. (You can, too. Just ask her.)

***

Nothing brings people together like good food. Alexander’s Catering completes the experience.

Follow them on Facebook and Yelp and check out their Website to see the daily menu.

Written 5-12-17 by Heather Clift for Live Laugh Love Nashville - Small Business Saturday

Doghaus Productions - Sam Pita

Doghaus Productions - Sam Pita

There’s more than country music in Nashville. Just ask Sam Pita of Doghaus Productions. “There is an incredibly diverse scene full of rock n roll, singer-songwriters, electronic music, rap, soul, bluegrass, I mean, I've really heard it ALL,” she writes.

Doghaus Productions is a full-service music company located in East Nashville. Sam Pita, owner/engineer, made Nashville her permanent home after growing up in Boca Raton, Florida and attending college in Philadelphia. “I experienced all four seasons for the first time. I loved it. I feel like experiencing life in different parts of the country has shaped me for the better and is a big part of who I am. I know how to slow down and live in the moment.”

BREAKING NEWS:

Sam, and Doghaus productions has started a new series,  "East Nashville Sessions", that will feature local artists playing in local or unusual places in the neighborhood. I want to be able to allow people to be able to discover new places and music this way. If any businesses want to participate as a location, feel free to reach out to her!  The next video will come out next month, shot on the patio of Beast Pub.

Recently featured as Nashville's popular radio station Lightning 100's Local Artist of the Week, Diamond Carter is making waves. With his honest lyrics and raw voice, he can make you cry just by picking up a guitar. Here he is singing his song "Santa Cruz" in Sam's house in East Nashville (You can even hear his pup, Rita, cry for attention in the beginning of the video).

Diamond Carter is doing a "Live at 5" show tomorrow "Sunday" on Facebook live, via his Facebook page.

Why ‘Doghaus Productions?’

It took me a long time to think of a name for my company that I would actually like... I came up with Daughaus Productions because a lot of my most favorite, laid-back recording sessions have taken place in studios in people's sheds, garages, bedrooms, etc. I love that people can figure out how to create an authentic, awesome sound pretty much anywhere nowadays with the right equipment and brains behind it. My music production company is also sort of homegrown and spun out of the Nashville DIY scene, so I thought the idea of a ‘dog house’ kind of encompassed that idea... the idea that something built in your own backyard can be full of love, creativity, and passion.

Fan-girl moment

While I was a college student, I interned at Milkboy the Studio. It's a beautiful sounding studio that a lot of famous musicians have used. One time Patti LaBelle was recording vocals there. I got to meet her briefly and I definitely fan-girled (on the inside... I kept cool on the outside). She was just so sweet and kind and gracious. There were a few not-so-nice celebrities that I encountered... so I really appreciate when "big" stars like Patti are just normal, down-to-earth people.

Cue the goats

I play guitar. I dabble in piano and took some lessons here and there growing up, but I forgot most of it. I'd like to learn the violin but I hear you sound like dying mountain goats for a while until you get good. That's kinda terrifying. But you're supposed to do what terrifies you, right?

Sam beautifully describes recording music as painting, creating images with sound as the color. She became obsessed when she was younger, not expecting to make it a career until she was accepted into the prestigious Drexel University.

Since college through the inception of Doghaus Productions, Sam’s portfolio reads like a who’s- who in the music industry. She has lived, eaten, and breathed the music scene in two major cities and been introduced and worked alongside some of the top-players in the industry Her talent and professionalism shines; moreover, she is absolutely personable and wickedly funny.

Visit the website to catch a glimpse of Doghaus Productions at work as well as a list of services she and her team provide.

Be sure to follow them on Facebook and Instagram.

Written 5-6-17 by Heather Clift for Live Laugh Love Nashville - Small Business Saturday

Pet Wants Nashville: Shawna Cohen

Type ‘healthy food for dogs’ or some derivative of the subject into any search engine, and you’ll have several million links for your browsing pleasure.

When Shawna Cohen looked for alternate options for Enzo after a bout of undiagnosed health issues, she stumbled onto the ideals of cooking actual, whole food. Finding some success led her to educate other pet parents on the benefits of homemade food. She quickly outgrew her home kitchen and needed something on a bigger scale.

Opening a store would mean sharing her passion and mission for healthy living on an even larger scale. Enter Pet Wants. Ready for a big adventure, Shawna packed up her life in New Mexico and headed to Nashville.

I recently interviewed Shawna, intrigued with Nashville’s new and hip residents:

I read on the About page of your website you learned of Pet Wants and decided to leave New Mexico to come to Nashville. Why Nashville?

The one and only reason I chose Nashville was because it was the only city I knew someone in and by that, it really was just one person!

I had lived in Phoenix, Arizona and South Dakota and did know people there, but knew I didn't want to live in either of those places again - so Nashville it was!  After doing research and seeing what a dog- friendly city along with so many events and festivals for dogs made the choice even easier!  Also, learning what was happening in East Nashville with all the renovations and being the new and up-and-coming area of Nashville and such a welcoming pet community, I knew this would be a great location for the store.

I love that you have a delivery service for your products. You are quite possibly the only shop in this area doing this.

When I was in the midst of trying to figure out how to start a pet food business, delivery was something I wanted to incorporate. I knew it would be a great convenience and incentive for people. The delivery service is part of the Pet Wants Model. We had a choice of doing just a mobile delivery service or retail store with delivery.

Being that I'm the only Pet Wants in Nashville, I can deliver anywhere I want. My limit is about 40-45 minutes – about a 50 mile radius.  As it is now, I go to Franklin, Brentwood, Hendersonville, Gallatin, Hermitage, Madison, Inglewood, Smyrna, Bellevue, Green Hills, West Nashville, East Nashville, and any areas that are close to those cities. I will expand the area even more as business progresses.

A lot of pet parents (myself included) may think that good, whole food for our pets is priced high. But your prices are in-line with the major national brands. How are you able to keep your prices so low?

Our prices are just below the most premium brands and obviously higher than the lowest so we try to stay comparable without devaluing our premium ingredients and most of all, the freshness of the food.

What helps us stay competitive is that Pet Wants is its own brand of food that is manufactured specifically for and sent directly to us right from the plant rather than going through other distribution companies. 

It is a small, family-owned manufacturing plant that doesn't manufacture pet food for too many other companies. 

Being that it is made only once a month with limited ingredients cooked in smaller batches allows the ingredients to be fresher and most of the ingredients, with the exception of our proteins, are locally sourced as much as possible to cut down on costs.

Being a part of Pet Wants is also about the passion of our pets and being able to provide a superior product at an affordable price.

Shawna is warm and inviting. Her passion for healthy living for all members of the family shines through. She resides in Nashville with her first love, Enzo, and Shelby, both Husky mixes rescued in New Mexico.

Pet Foods Nashville is conveniently located at 962 Woodland St. and is open seven days a week. Food for cats and dogs, as well as a variety of supplements, bones and treats are available.

Find her online and Facebook.

Written 4-13-2017 by Heather Clift for Live Laugh Love Nashville - Feature Friday

Frisson Soft Serve

Live Laugh Love Nashville would like to take a moment to introduce you to one of our newest businesses, Frisson Soft Serve! We are excited to have them around town to keep us cool on the upcoming Summer days!

Nashville has everything from hot chicken to hockey, but there is one thing missing, soft serve gelato! The idea for Frisson Soft Serve was born when Caila Singleton and her partner realized there was nothing in Nashville like their favorite ice cream spot and had a serious craving for some soft serve. Once they experienced their first incredibly hot and humid summer here in Nashville, they realized they had to give Nashville a fun, tasty way to beat the heat. They took their delicious, soft serve gelato cones and roll them in different kinds of toppings to make a one-of-a kind heavenly experience.  Frisson is bringing delicious gelato that uses fresh, uncompromised ingredients to Music City! Their cones have a unique twist. First, they serve their gelato soft serve style. Second, they take an assortment of delicious toppings and layer them on the cone. That's right. Sundae meets cone...you really can have the best of both worlds. Don’t just take our word for it though...take a trip over to their food truck and taste for yourself the most unique frozen treat in Nashville!

When the idea for Frisson Soft Serve first began to formulate in this duo's minds, they knew their focus was going to be on the Nashville community. They wanted to bring an experience to Nashville that is just as unique and incredible as the people that live here. However, that was not enough.

As anyone in the food industry will tell you, quality is the key, so they set about trying to find the best-tasting mix out there. After much searching, they finally found it. A minimal ingredient, artisan gelato mix that could be made in fresh batches of any flavor they could dare to think of! They were ecstatic, but it still wasn’t enough.

The dream of Frisson Soft Serve is to be built by the community for the community. This company wants to implement outreach programs, be able to partner up with local charities, support the Nashville Humane Society, go to community events and so much more. They also desire to expand their menu to include customers with dairy allergies and those who are vegan. They can do this by collaborating with local bakers for vegan cones and purchasing another machine so they can sell vegan options and frozen yogurt.

They need your help to get Frisson Soft Serve where they know it can be! Attending local events, supporting charities and expanding the menu takes a lot of resources. Frisson Soft Serves' ultimate goal is to be able to afford a new machine so they can focus on expanding their menu with 100% dairy free, vegan and frozen yogurt options. This expansion will allow them to reach a larger customer base and with the added revenue they can attend more events, do more charity work and support more local businesses.

Falling short of that goal, they will use the funds to connect with local charities (such as the humane society), attend more events, experiment new menu options for customers with allergies and vegan preferences and implement charitable activities (such as the “pay it forward” program) so the Nashville community can get involved.

https://ifundwomen.com/projects/frissonsoftserve

Join Frisson Soft Serve for their Grand Opening event on Sunday, April 2nd at the Shops at Porter East!

In the meantime, check them out on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter and be sure to visit their website!