Standin’ On Bidness
“…but what would your city, town, province, parish, community, etc. look like if we had this mindset all year of supporting our local economy.”
With the upcoming holidays and people preparing to condense a year’s worth of shopping into just a few weeks, many people will be looking for new and unique gifts to give this season. This time of year is when people begin to promote the idea of shopping in your local community. Instead of buying the Thanksgiving ham from Kroger, shoppers prioritize going to a local butcher. That same butcher is around all year, yet we wait until the end of the year to give him our business. Why is that? Simply put: Small Business Saturday. We go the entire year without giving a second thought to where something is coming from until we get to the end. In the last two months of the year, society has emphasized the importance of shopping locally. While that is admirable, what would your city, town, province, parish, or community look like if we had this mindset of supporting our local economy year-round?
When you spend in the city, more of it stays in the city. “When you support a local business, you’re also supporting your town, city, and neighborhood by way of paying sales tax. The sales tax money is used to support public schools, parks, roads, and sidewalks, as well as fund public service workers…” In addition to supporting the dreams and livelihoods of small business owners, your purchases impact your local community in meaningful and necessary ways. Another benefit to shopping locally is the tailor-made experience. What does that mean? When you buy something from a major corporation, it is understood there is nothing really unique about it. Take Starbucks for example: when you purchase a pumpkin spice latte from your “local” shop, you can bet that the same exact drink is being made at the same time 500 miles in any direction of your store. Conversely, places like The Hub here in Memphis offer specials that are completely unique to their shop. It’s not only a purchase but also an experience that is unlike any other place in the city.
The relationship between the consumer and small businesses is the backbone of the American Economy. In fact, “America’s 33.2 million small businesses account for more than 99% of all U.S. companies and employ just under 47% of private sector employees.” If asked, “What is the most important part of small business?” undoubtedly, the answer would be customer service. Small businesses offer unmatched customer service because their missions go beyond making money; they seek to serve their community.
Now we will take the time to highlight some of our favorite local businesses, brands, clubs, etc. that we believe deserve your support. Not just seasonally, but year-round. Support will look different for each. Passing the word to a friend, listening in, sharing a post, and buying a product are all ways you can support them not just now but also in the future!
The Hub Coffee
The Hub Coffee, located in the East Memphis area, is a mission-driven coffee shop. The Hub had its grand opening in 2017 and has been serving excellent coffee for a little over six years. The shop is unique as it is located inside Mission Church and boarded by a number of businesses. The location provides a fertile ground for missions and elevates the community inside of the church. Many of the customers claim the Hub to be their “home away from home.”
captured by Faith Moments Photography
Founded in 2017 by Lance Hedrick, The Hub Coffee is now overseen by manager Peter Cavitch. Peter is a man who you want to work for. A leader who is willing to roll-up his sleeves and get in the daily grind with his team. Always finding new ways to make the everyday Hub Experience better than the last. The Hub’s main mission is to glorify God as we provide excellent coffee and service to the people of Memphis. The Hub partners with 3 local non-profits: Asha's Refuge, Su Casa, and Memphis Union Mission. About 50% of all profits are donated to these three wonderful establishments. Throughout the week the shop hosts all different kinds of people. From discipleship meetings and friends hanging, to business meetings and college students studying, the Hub plays a key role in the lives of many. The Hub is not just a normal coffee shop mainly due to our wonderful staff. Each employee has a like-minded mission: To make Christ known. This creates a unique sense of unity between the staff as they converse with the customers and make superb coffee.
There are multiple ways to support the ministry that is being done at the Hub Coffee. Among the most important, however, is prayer. Pray for the daily conversations that are taking place. Not just between staff and customers but also between customers themselves. Pray for the community as a whole. Pray for the non-profits that we support and give to. If you feel led to give, there are many ways to do so here at the Hub. Just ask a barista how you can give! However, you can always come and buy a warm delicious cup of coffee, knowing that your money is going to places that truly matter and make a difference.
Find The Hub Coffee on IG @the.hub.coffee
Stop in for a cup at 6000 Briarcrest Ave, Memphis, TN.
HyperFocus
HyperFocus isn’t just a running group, but it is a running community. Hyfo is for people to find joy in movement, and joy in community. Here are a few questions and answers from Hyperfocus Creator Josh Clark about any and everything HyperFocus!
Where does “hyperfocus” come from as a name?
“I had been struggling to find a name for our club, I thought of names for about 3 months, I tried everything to come up with one, asking others for ideas, word blurb breakdowns, AI, you name it. I was on a trip with some friends in West Virginia and I had just finished a run and came back in the house as I and some friends were talking about it, I told them about how I wished I could just find a name for the club so I could get moving on it, and one of my very honest friends blurted out, “you should just call it hyper focus because you get so fixated on things!” Trying to take a stab at me. And I remember it clicking and visualizing the word and how branding could look with that name all in a split second, and I said, “You know what, that is what I’ll name it” The secret underlying meaning behind it is true, I do hyper fixate on things and move on from the next, but running has been the one that has stuck with me the longest. I never imagined HyperFocus would be what it is today, but here we are. It’s also cool because when you run and you hit that runner high you can HyperFocus and what you are doing, pacing, form, cadence, etc. “
What does HyperFocus mean to you?
“Hyperfocus isn’t just my running group, but it is my running community. I’m in a spot right now where I’m not currently training for anything, so running is completely optional to me. What keeps me going to weekly runs is seeing my friends and meeting new friends along the way. “
What would you say is the purpose of HyperFocus?
“For others to find joy in movement, and joy in community. After almost every HyperFocus run there is a chance to go get coffee, food, or hang out further. I also want it to be a space where runners can feel safe running in a group together. It’s no secret that Memphis isn’t the safest place, so I hope that with every run our runners feel protected in the group and safe with those that are around. “
At what point do you consider someone a member of Hyfo?
“There is no membership fee, buy-in, or anything that would ever make someone an “official Member” at this time, but personally, I view those who are consistent at all or almost all of our runs as the “members” those who believe in the purpose and community building of HyperFocus and want to help in its mission. “
What happens at a run meet?
“This depends on the run! Monday night runs at Slider Inn (Downtown Memphis bar) runners show up, run, and hang out afterward for post-run food and drink deals in Slider’s courtyard and watch Monday night football. On Wednesday mornings, runners show up, run, and get coffee afterward at City and State. On Thursdays at the UofM track runners show up, have 15 minutes of free warm-ups, then group stretches and dynamic warm-ups together, do optional track workouts geared towards the Saint Jude Full, Half, 10k, or 5k, and then dinner after at CFA!”
What are you pushing people to know about running?
“To enjoy it. almost everyone who runs with us is running because they genuinely enjoy it. Even though running can suck, runners don’t. Movement is a gift that not everyone has, don’t waste your gift!”
Keep pace w/ HyperFocus:
AML Classics
Alec Livermore runs a hand-curated vintage clothing business that started in November 2019 in Pittsburgh, PA. He graduated from Slippery Rock University in May 2022, with a degree in Business Management. He has since relocated to Charlotte NC, where he vends at pop-up vintage markets all over the East Coast. Vending in cities like- Asheville, Butler, Charleston, Charlotte, Pittsburgh, & Youngstown, to name a few. He has coordinated three huge pop-up events at Slippery Rock University, as well as multiple other markets across Pennsylvania and Ohio. These markets have brought out 1,000s of customers and generated revenue for the vendors as well as local businesses in the area. He has sold over 3,400 vintage clothing items and continues to list new products weekly. His collection consists of 70s,80s,90s, & early 2000s clothing. He is super passionate about vintage clothing and vintage styles. His dream is to one day own/operate his own vintage clothing shop.
Consider shopping with AML Classics this Holiday Season and beyond!
Shop with AML!
Find him on IG @AML_CLASSICS
On My Heart
“My name is Scarlett Guess. A little over two years ago, I started listening to podcasts for the first time to help pass the time while training for a half-marathon. I remember hearing a particular episode where someone shared their testimony, and it inspired me and encouraged me so much that I wanted more. However, I soon found out that there were not many testimonies available, and the one that I had heard was a rarity. I believe that is when God first put it “On My Heart” to start a podcast centered on hearing the good news of the gospel through the testimonies of His people. However, I knew that I was the least adequate person to do something like this. Not only am I NOT a “techy” person at all, but my whole life I have been insecure in the way I talk. I talk too fast, stutter too much, and tend to ramble, and sometimes repeat myself. As I was wrestling with these thoughts, God gave me a passage out of Exodus 4:10-12 that says, “But Moses said to the Lord, ‘Oh, my Lord, I am not eloquent, but I am slow of speech and of tongue.’ Then the Lord said to him, ‘Who has made man's mouth? Who makes him mute, or deaf, or seeing, or blind? Is it not I, the Lord? Now therefore go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall speak.” After reading the passage that seemed like it was written just for me (and after months of prayer), I started the On My Heart podcast. After almost two years in, three complete seasons, thirty-four testimonies, and over 7,500 plays, it has been truly amazing to see God answer so many prayers, see Him provide over and over again, and be in awe of the lessons that He has taught me that I didn't even know I needed.
I started this podcast so that in some small way, it could be a blessing and encouragement to others, but I had no idea of what a blessing it would be to me. I pray every day that God not only uses this podcast, but my life, and let it be all for Him and for His glory.”