Taking the Leap: 2025 TVFCU Idea Leap Winners

Emma Reigel

GOWIN VALLEY FARMS

Northwest Georgia Region Grand Prize Winner

How did your experience in the Idea Leap competition impact your mindset and growth as a small business owner?

It brought a great sense of joy. In going through the many steps of the grant, I was reminded of my passion for my journey as a small business owner. I had to represent not only what I do, but why I do it, and how I got started. Meeting other small business owners who share in that passion and drive was also a very fulfilling part of the grant process.

How did you use the funds from the grant, and how will this opportunity help shape the next phase of your business?

I have used the funds to build out an entirely new lab space and an autoclave room for my mushroom farm. With the remaining funds, I am finishing phase 1 of bringing my second module online to use as a second grow room and incubation space. This will allow me to continue farm and institutional research with UTK at a larger capacity.

What is your long-term goal for your business?

I would love to see my business double in total sales within two years, as well as have greater automation for all aspects of the production process. I am always seeking to grow our collaborations with universities on research as well as expand our co-packaged products and sales in local stores. I would love to continue to collaborate with other local businesses and have more time to go to schools and other educational events to spread the love and information of mycology!

What encouragement can you provide for any entrepreneurs struggling to figure out their next step?

Start with where you are and where you would like to be in one, three, and five years. Troubleshoot where your largest pain points are, and determine which ones can be eliminated the quickest and would help the most in your growth and goals. Find great employees, and make time for yourself so you can be at 100% when you are focused on your business. If you are worn out or burnt out, you won’t be able to do or be your best for your business, so take care of yourself, your relationships, and your physical and mental health.

LaShon Carter

TINY TIGERS LEARNING CENTER

Chattanooga Region Grand Prize Winner

Tell us about your business. What brought you to this venture, and what need are you meeting in the Chattanooga area?

Tiny Tigers Learning Center was founded out of both personal calling and community need. Although I initially resisted entering the childcare field, I ultimately recognized it as a calling to serve children and families. Since 2009, I have dedicated my work to early childhood education and have grown to deeply love caring for families and being an active part of both children’s development and parents’ personal and professional growth.

Through this work, Tiny Tigers Learning Center meets a critical need in the Chattanooga community by providing reliable, high-quality childcare, flexible scheduling, and family-centered support that allows parents to work, pursue education, and build stability while their children thrive in a safe and nurturing environment.

How did you find out about the TVFCU Idea Leap Grant and what made you decide to apply?

I learned about the TVFCU Idea Leap Grant while participating in the Urban League’s Next Level Program. Through this program, I had the opportunity to attend and observe several Idea Leap presentations and watch fellow entrepreneurs present their businesses on stage. Seeing businesses similar to mine receive support and grow through the program encouraged me to apply the following year.

What is the most rewarding aspect of owning a small business?

The most rewarding aspect of owning a small business is seeing the positive impact it has on children, families, and the community. It is incredibly fulfilling to be part of a child’s growth during their earliest and most important developmental years while also supporting parents as they work, return to school, and pursue better opportunities for their families.

Beyond caring for children, owning this business allows me to build meaningful relationships with families and watch both children and parents grow over time.

What encouragement can you provide for any entrepreneurs struggling to figure out their next step?

You do not have to do this alone. Get in the room. Surround yourself with people who are operating at the level you want to reach, and be willing to learn from their experiences. Seek out a business coach or mentor who can help guide you, challenge your thinking, and provide accountability.

Dr. Lar’Mara Henderson, LCSW

SCENIC CITY COUNSELING

Chattanooga Region Second Place Winner

How did you find out about the TVFCU Idea Leap Grant and what made you decide to apply?

I first learned about it through Chattanooga’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. After attending Chattanooga Entrepreneur Week in 2023 and watching the competition as an audience member, I remember thinking, “I could do that.” The following fall, I joined the Chamber’s first TVFCU application workshop to learn the process. I never expected to become a finalist on my first attempt. That journey led me to the stage in May 2025, where Scenic City Counseling was awarded $15,000 as the runner-up.

How did your experience in the Idea Leap competition impact your mindset and growth as a small business owner?

The competition challenged me to think bigger about what innovation in mental health truly looks like. I’ve spent more than two decades serving military members, first responders, and families, but preparing for Idea Leap pushed me to articulate how our work blends clinical excellence with community outreach. It reminded me that growth isn’t just about expanding a business, it’s about expanding impact, representation, and accessibility in a field where many people still struggle to find culturally competent care.

How do you navigate ongoing innovation while ensuring a high level of service and value for your clients?

Innovation at Scenic City Counseling means creating new pathways to healing without compromising clinical excellence. We combine advanced training, evidence-based practices, and strong healthcare partnerships with creative outreach strategies. Every innovation is guided by one question: “Does this increase access while maintaining quality care?”

What is your long-term goal for your business?

My long-term vision is to continue expanding access to mental health care across Chattanooga through innovative community outreach. Over the next two years, we aim to increase our service population, expand group sessions and corporate workshops, and generate sustainable revenue growth that allows us to reinvest in the people we serve. The goal is to build a lasting model of therapy that is visible, accessible, and deeply connected to the community.

What encouragement can you provide for any entrepreneurs struggling to figure out their next step?

Stay rooted in your mission, surround yourself with people who believe in your work, and remember that impact grows when you show up again and again for the community you serve.

Bobby McGrath

VISIONARY MOTORSPORTS & FABRICATION

Ocoee Region Grand Prize Winner

How did you find out about the TVFCU Idea Leap Grant and what made you decide to apply?

We learned about it through a friend, and it felt like perfect timing. We applied because we have a significant waiting list and needed to purchase equipment so we could expand our ability to serve our community. It would have taken 30,000 baby steps to get to our expansion goals, but the grant funds were one giant leap to get us there faster!

How did you use the funds from the grant, and how will this opportunity help shape the next phase of your business?

With the grant funds, we purchased a parts washer, which improves efficiency and helps our team move jobs through the shop faster; an additional vehicle lift, which increases our capacity so we can take on more projects at once and reduce wait times; and an exhaust bender, which allows us to expand into custom exhaust fabrication, opening up a new service line and increasing what we can deliver for customers.

What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced as a small business and how did you overcome it?

The biggest challenge we face is that demand frequently outpaces our capacity, which has created a significant waiting list. The TVFCU Idea Leap Grant helped us increase capacity, allowing us to serve more customers while maintaining the personal touch and high standards of quality that are the signatures of Visionary Motorsports.

What is the most rewarding aspect of owning a small business?

The most rewarding aspect is getting to be part of people’s stories. Cars are rarely “just cars” to our customers – they’re tied to memories, family members, and milestones. When we take something meaningful to them and bring it back to life, we’re not just fixing a vehicle; we’re helping preserve a piece of their history and creating something they can pass on.

What is your long-term goal for your business?

Our long-term goal is to grow Visionary Motor-sports in a way that increases capacity and impact without losing the craftsmanship and personal relationships that define us. We want to reduce the waiting list, expand our in-house capabilities, and continue being the shop people trust with vehicles that truly matter to them.