You Should Know These Up and Coming Nashville Businesswomen

A graduate of Washington State University, Amanda Blanck is managing partner at Deviate. Her experience as a certified coach makes her a highly sought-after consultant in the business field, where she helps companies transform their teams and reassess their leadership strategies. With a degree in communication, Amanda works with top brands across the country, like the University of Chicago, Clemson University Football, and William Morris Endeavor, assisting them with executive transitions, and training them on how to be effective, values-based leaders. She was the recipient of the 2016 Nashville ATHENA Young Professional Leadership Awards.

With more than 17 years of experience as a stylist in New York, New Jersey, and Nashville, Ali Ryan puts her experience to use as the owner and creator of The Dry House Nashville. Opening the blowout salon has been a lifelong dream of Ali’s, who designed The Dry House to be a “home away from home” for her clients. When women walk out of the salon, the goal is that they feel fierce and beautiful. In addition to blowouts, The Dry House offers haircuts, hair color services, and hair extensions with consultations.

Growing up, Krystal Douglas fell in love with sewing after watching her great aunts make everything they wore. Her grandmother was a country/gospel artist who reaffirmed her love of music, and Krystal went on to study music at Middle Tennessee State University. Years later, she combined her affinity for the two to start her business, Music City Sewing. Utilizing her sewing skills and experience in concert production, Krystal creates custom clothing pieces for entertainers—everyone from burlesque dancers, to A-list artists—to wear on stage. Some of her most impressive works include pieces that come off with magnets, sewn backdrops for tours, and ornate rhinestone work. She is considered the “go-to” person in Nashville for custom costume rigging and stage production decor.

A busy mom of three, Stephanie Gerber started her blog, Hello Glow, as a way to rediscover who she was outside of being a mom. The blog focuses on natural beauty, health, and wellness. You’ll find everything from healthy recipes and detox guides to DIY tutorials and green cleaning tips. Stephanie also partners with brands, allowing her to host giveaways on the blog and offering readers inspiring ideas on all things healthy living.

Currently the project manager for Martin’s Bar-B-Que Joint, Grace Johnston started at the company on the catering team. From there, she worked her way up to catering manager, before leaving that role to work in digital advertising. She later returned to Martin’s, taking on the position that she holds today. As the project manager, Grace works on both large and small projects that include coordinating events, re-writing the employee handbook, and overseeing merchandising decisions. One of her most recent and notable accolades includes getting Martin’s Bar-B-Que Joint’s online ordering system up and running.

A native Nashvillian, Sarah Scarborough is the owner of Firepot Nomadic Teas. She holds multiple degrees in environmental studies, agroecology, and sustainable development. As a tea connoisseur, Sarah has traveled the world to find the best ways to produce quality teas without compromising on the principles of ethical trade and organic sourcing. Under Sarah’s direction, Firepot Nomadic Teas will be opening a tea bar in April 2018. This will be the first brick-and-mortar store for the brand, which will feature its signature teas, as well as a selection of tea books and tea wares. The latest Firepot innovation, the Masters & Pioneers Collection, will also be unveiled during the opening of the tea bar.