Powered By Her

Options Over Pressure with sisters Tate Craig & Connor Giddens

Host Tiffany Anton welcomes two sister entrepreneurs whose very different businesses share a common approach: give people real options without the pressure. Tate Craig, owner of Mint to Be, explains how her Cookeville wedding chapel—launched in March—offers courthouse-alternative elopements and simple signings with photo ops, guest seating, seasonal décor, and start-to-finish ease for couples across Middle Tennessee. Connor Giddens, IBCLC behind Foxhole Lactation (rebranded in 2023 from Southern Lactation Services), supports families prenatally and postpartum with individualized feeding plans—breastfeeding, bottle, combo, or formula—guided by low-pressure consultations and client goals. Together they talk boundaries, pricing their value, educating the public on what their services actually do, and the family “village” that makes entrepreneurship possible. It’s a practical conversation about designing services around people’s real needs—and giving clients permission to choose what works for them.

Vulnerability, Comparison, and the Power of Your Inner Circle

In this monthly Voices of Her roundtable, host Tiffany Anton is joined by co-hosts Teá Phillips of Metaflex Gloves and Ashley Michael of Plenty Downtown Bookshop. The trio digs into what vulnerability really looks like in business—asking for help, separating self-worth from metrics, navigating jealousy and comparison, and building an inner circle that tells you the truth. They swap practical strategies on boundaries, honest marketing (without oversharing), and finding mentors as your challenges evolve. Plus, a “Boss Babe Brags” segment shouting out local women moving the needle, and quick “Get a Girl” wins—including new product teasers and big plans ahead. A candid, energizing conversation for founders and creatives who want community as much as results.

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Choosing Love Over Exhaustion: Jessica Shannon on Scouts Way

In this episode of Powered By Her, host Tiffany Anton sits down with Jessica Shannon, founder of Scouts Way. Jessica shares her journey as a single mom of three, including her youngest daughter, Scout, who lives with a rare and undiagnosed genetic disorder. From daily medical care and navigating state resources like Tennessee’s Katie Beckett program, to balancing work in pharmaceutical sales, entrepreneurship, and family life, Jessica opens up about the challenges and resilience required to keep moving forward. She discusses how Scouts Way is evolving into a resource hub and community for families facing similar circumstances, offering guidance where no roadmap exists. Her story is one of strength, advocacy, and choosing love over exhaustion, providing inspiration for women in business and motherhood alike.

Spill the Tea (Part 2): The Women Behind the Curtain

In Part 2 of the “Spill the Tea” series, Tiffany Anton and Lisa Uhrik return for another round of joyful name-dropping—this time highlighting the powerhouse women who don’t always live in the spotlight but are absolutely essential to making our community thrive.

From behind-the-scenes leaders at Plenty Downtown Bookshop to healthcare providers, artists, educators, entrepreneurs, and nonprofit changemakers, Tiffany and Lisa celebrate women like Lettie Collier, Sarah Cruzka, Angie Wells, Jessica Yebefansa, and dozens more. These women might not all be front and center, but their creativity, leadership, and quiet influence are shaping the future of Cookeville and beyond.

With humor, heart, and a touch of gossip (the good kind), this episode is a love letter to the women doing the meaningful, everyday work that holds up our businesses, schools, organizations, and families.

Look around your own community. Who’s inspiring you quietly, faithfully, and powerfully? Tag them, thank them, and spill a little tea of your own.

Spill the Tea (Part 1): Women Worth Talking About

In this spirited and heartfelt episode, host Tiffany Anton is joined by her longtime friend and powerhouse entrepreneur Lisa Uhrik to “spill the tea” on the incredible women shaping the business and nonprofit landscape of Middle Tennessee. From public shoutouts to deeply personal admiration, Tiffany and Lisa shine a spotlight on local leaders like Amber Flynn, Catherine Weisinger, Amy New, Andrea Burkhart, Ashley Michael, and Teresa Chastain—each of whom is quietly (or loudly!) changing the game in her own way.

Through honest reflections and joyful storytelling, the duo celebrates women who lead with generosity, confidence, and collaboration—reminding us that leadership isn’t about ego; it’s about community, legacy, and lifting others up.

This is part one of a multi-episode series that honors the women doing the work—out loud or behind the scenes—and leaves us all inspired to notice and affirm the greatness around us.

Listen in and ask yourself: who are your women worth spilling the tea about?

Women, Work & the Weight of Leadership (Voices of Her)

In this Voices of Her episode, host Tiffany Anton is joined again by Téa, Sara, and Hannah for a raw and powerful conversation about what it means to be a woman in leadership—especially in male-dominated spaces.

The group unpacks the subtle and not-so-subtle ways gender bias still shows up in the workplace, the challenges of navigating motherhood and ambition, and how personal experiences have shaped their approach to leadership and company culture. From stories of being passed over for promotions to launching products that center inclusivity, this conversation is full of honesty, laughter, and insight.

If you’ve ever struggled to balance confidence with vulnerability—or just wanted to call out workplace nonsense with grace—this episode is for you.

From Disney to Delegation: Leadership with Michelle Baker

After more than two decades at Disney Cruise Line and the Disney Institute, Michelle Baker made the bold leap into entrepreneurship—partnering with her son to co-found Stoneledge, a leadership development company. In this episode, Michelle joins Tiffany Anton to talk about identity shifts, navigating burnout, and why delegation is the key to growth.

They dive into the challenge of stepping away from big titles, the myth that everyone should be a leader, and what it means to work on “the right things in the right order.” Michelle also shares how her business evolved from trying to serve everyone to focusing on high-level executive coaching—and why that clarity changed everything.

Whether you’re burned out, leveling up, or somewhere in between, this episode offers practical wisdom and a refreshing take on leadership in the real world.

Building Confidence Through Tutoring with Ellie Fuhrer

What starts as after-hours homework help has become a growing business for Ellie Fuhrer. In this episode, host Tiffany Anton sits down with the founder of Homegrown Tutoring to hear how a lifelong love for learning turned into a full-time mission to help kids feel seen, supported, and successful in school.

 

Ellie shares how being the oldest of four siblings, a “school-loving” student herself, and a mentor at heart prepared her for a business that’s all about building confidence—one student at a time. From working with kids who have learning gaps to supporting homeschool families, Ellie opens up about what it takes to grow a business rooted in purpose, how stress can sneak up even during the good seasons, and what’s next for her tutoring company in Cookeville.

 

If you’ve ever wondered how to turn your passion into a business—or just want to be inspired by someone who’s making a real impact—this episode is for you.

From Side Hustle to Full-Time Pet Sitting with Kora Sloan

What starts as a teenage job can sometimes turn into a thriving career—and Kora Sloan is proof. In this episode, host Tiffany Anton sits down with the founder of Playtime Pals Pet Sitting to hear how a high school gig at a doggy daycare grew into a full-time business that’s now thriving in Cookeville.

Kora shares her journey from walking neighborhood dogs at 14, to managing a packed nine-to-nine client schedule, to rebuilding her business after a cross-country move. She talks about the lessons learned from burnout, the value of mentorship, and the importance of earning clients’ trust through communication and care. Whether it’s hand-feeding a nervous pup or making sure an owner can enjoy a worry-free vacation, Kora’s “if there’s a will, there’s a way” mindset shines through.

This is an inspiring conversation for anyone who’s ever wondered if their passion could become their paycheck.

 

Building Joy, Brand, and Boundaries (Voices of Her)

In this Voices of Her episode, Tiffany Anton is joined by Téa, Sara, and Hannah for an honest conversation about what’s working in their businesses—and why joy matters just as much as strategy.

From hiring their first employees to navigating the blurry line between personal and business branding, the group talks hustle, growth, burnout, and the importance of showing up authentically. Sara and Hannah, founders of Privy Clear, share how a viral jumpsuit video and a “Sexy Dwight Schrute” brand shoot reminded them to keep things fun, even in the serious world of digital ads.

Whether you’re building a team, growing a brand, or just trying to take a guilt-free lunch break, this episode is for you.