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Welcome to the first edition of Behind the Scenes. My goal with Behind the Scenes is to do the research and answer the questions about Tullahoma that might or might have occurred to you.

It is so very important we support our local businesses. They employ our neighbors and friends. They pay sales and property taxes that pay for our roads, teachers and so much more. Buy local when you can.

Let’s go a step further. Let’s especially support our locally owned businesses. More often than not, these are the businesses that support our Little League teams, our arts scene and so much more.

But wait. Let’s also especially support our new locally owned businesses. These newby entrepreneurs have often put their own resources on the line when they feel a local product or service is needed.

Let’s go a step further. Let’s especially support our new, locally owned female entrepreneurs. Female entrepreneurs often have to overcome obstacles male entrepreneurs do not.

This week I want to focus on three new local female owned businesses. Let’s support these new, strong, confident, passionate hard working local female entrepreneurs. 

Claire Strickland Burt 

First up is Massage Therapist Claire Strickland Burt. Claire earned her LMT certification after moving to Tullahoma from Sarasota, Florida to be close to family here. She worked with another massage therapist before buying the practice of long time Tullahoma massage therapist Susie Alexander-Newman.

When asked why she chose massage therapy, Claire replied “I just enjoy helping people and seeing positive results after their massage. So many clients leave saying they feel so much better after their massage.”

Claire enjoys the role of an entrepreneur but it has taken some adjustments and is more responsibility. She says the only downside of being a sole practitioner is working on her own all day.

Claire offers there are misconceptions about massage but if people would just try one they would better understand the many benefits. She emphasizes massage can be beneficial for stress, headaches, back pain, high blood pressure and much more.

Tullahoma On-Site Bodywork and Massage is located at 311 N. Jackson St. To book an appointment and support this young entrepreneur call 393-2445. 

Autumn Torres 

Work hard. Dream big. Those four words describe fitness professional and new Tullahoma entrepreneur Autumn Torres to a T. And here’s why.

As a youngster growing up in California, Autumn was very active participating in dance and gymnastics. Later, as with many young adult females, Autumn struggled with her weight and body image. The fitness fad at the time promoted a thin physique, lots of cardio and eating minimal calories. As a result, Autumn struggled with roller coaster dieting, low energy, migraines and a host of other medical issues.

True to form, Autumn lifted herself out of her struggles and educated herself about true fitness and nutrition. She has since earned numerous fitness and nutrition certifications and has been a fitness professional for eleven years.

Autumn moved to Tullahoma from Arizona two years ago and worked part time for a nice gym in Franklin. She also works remotely in a management position for a Hawaii hospital.

Autumn’s dream for years has been to open her own fitness facility and share with others her passion for true fitness and nutrition.

Four months ago her dream came true with the opening of her own fitness facility, SWEAT Society. Her facility is located at 2226 N. Jackson St. across from the movie theater. Autumn offers both group/semi-private training, personal training and nutrition. She will soon leave her remote work position and focus fulltime working with clients.

When talking with Autumn it is clear she is passionate about helping others reach their fitness goals. She strives daily to empower both women and men to conquer weight loss, gain strength and improve overall health for life. Contact Autumn at 222-4116, autumnt@thesweatsociety.org or visit her website to request a consultation at thesweatsociety.org.

Autumn Torres. Working hard. Dreaming big. Helping others. 

 Amanda Rainey 

As a young girl growing up in Tullahoma, Amanda Rainey was always interested in skin care and makeup. After high school graduation, Amanda first went to massage therapy school but quickly realized she enjoyed more making people feel pretty and shifted to aesthetics.

She earned her aesthetics certification from George Career Institute in Murfreesboro and worked fifteen years for spas and salons in both Murfreesboro and Tullahoma.

Her dream of owning her own studio came true last month with the opening of The Slick Kitty Wax Studio. The painstaking work of transforming and decorating her studio is now complete at 610 S. Jefferson and she has full days of clients.

At her studio, Amanda specializes in full body waxing. 90% plus of her clients are female.

Amanda enjoys the challenges of being an entrepreneur. The best part she says is the “freedom” of being her own boss. Of course there is more responsibility but so far she is all in being an entrepreneur.

Although Amanda is very busy working with clients and managing her business, her biggest challenge is getting people to try waxing for the first time. “The biggest advantage to waxing is that the hair grows back less and slower and not as prickly. The skin where waxed will be smoother and there is no razor burn. It’s not nearly as scary as some people think” offers Amanda.

To schedule an appointment with Amanda call 222-4306.