Local Co-Founder Duos

Shawanda Mason and Jennifer Holder

The Chattery

It’s been 12 years since The Chattery, a well-known and beloved Chattanooga nonprofit, opened its doors. With just $100 and a shared belief in accessible, joyful adult education, co-founders Shawanda Mason and Jennifer Holder set out to fill what they saw as a learning void in the community.

“One of the largest challenges was being taken seriously,” says Holder. “As two young women starting a nonprofit, the hurdles we faced were simply from people not believing in us. But anytime someone doesn’t believe in you, that’s motivation to do even better, and that’s what we did.”

Adversity only fueled Holder and Mason, and despite early obstacles, The Chattery grew from four classes a month to now more than 50, reaching over 25,000 learners while continually expanding its offerings. Growth, however, did not shield hardship. In 2024, after their building was set on fire, the founders faced a defining moment that put their resilience to the test.

“No one can prepare you for watching a team of volunteers throw 10 years of memories into a dumpster,” Holder adds. “But through it all, we proved we’re more than just ‘stuff’ and more than just a ‘space’ – we’re a community. A community of learners, teachers, and friends.”

Their relationship mirrors the organization’s learning ethos, proving that a successful partnership is achieved through mutual respect. “When we have differences of opinions we give each other permission to ask questions,” Mason explains. “Even though we’re running a business, our friendship comes first.”

That dynamic also ensures accountability and growth, with both founders quick to express their gratitude for one another. “I always want to do my best so that my partner knows that we’re on the same page,” Mason says. Holder agrees: “I owe so much to Shawanda. She’s taught me how to set boundaries … I value her opinion and trust her.”

From landlord and tenant to best friends and on to business partners, they’ve come a long way and achieved their founding goal together. However, their mission continues. “We set out to become the go-to place for enjoyable adult learning,” Mason reflects. “Community building is an ongoing job, so our work is far from over.”

Jim Markley and Thomas Lee

Sockwell

Jim Markley and Thomas Lee first crossed paths in the sock industry more than a decade ago, and after realizing the space still held untapped potential, left their previous ventures to begin the next phase of their careers: Sockwell, a lifestyle sock brand now carried by 1,000 retailers across the globe.

With Markley leading the sales and marketing side and Lee overseeing operations, finance, and customer service, the sock-savvy duo built a company that plays to each of their strengths.

“Thomas and myself are different, but we complement each other very well,” Markley says. “Thomas has taught me how to be more analytical and work through certain problems in a very detailed process … With Thomas as a partner, I feel that I have become a better business person and more well-rounded in my approach, which makes our team and our company more successful!”

From securing early funding, navigating COVID-related disruption, and adapting to a rapidly shifting retail landscape, Markley and Lee have maintained a united front through transparency. “There is no substitute for good brisk discussions on key areas of difference,” Lee shares, “and a willingness to listen to all opinions and search for a compromise that keeps the company’s and the customers’ interests in mind is at the top of the list of considerations.”

In addition to commitment to the partnership
a shared dedication to their employees and customers continues to guide their growth and their path forward. “I think from the very beginning, we had a desire to build a successful brand and do business the right way,” Markley explains. “I believe that anyone who works with our company feels that we treat people with respect and integrity. That approach makes you not only a better business owner but a better person and leader.”

Both agree that their partnership has been foundational to the company’s trajectory and their own development. “There is no doubt that we challenge each other to be better leaders and owners,” Lee concludes. “We are always striving to raise the standard for products, customer experience, and the quality of every interaction we have with our customers.”

John Bryant and Patrick Wells

StoneLoads

For Patrick Wells and John Bryant, their company, StoneLoads, has always been about more than just business. The brothers-in-law built their company on a shared vision for innovation in the stone industry, but what truly fuels their work is a commitment to one another’s success, families, and futures.

From the start, the pair recognized an opportunity to modernize an industry lagging behind in the digital age. “We saw a clear need for innovation in the business and in the greater stone industry – specifically, embracing eCommerce,” Bryant explains. With years of experience, yet enough distance to question the status quo, they set out to create a platform that would bring new efficiency and accessibility to stone purchasing.

While their business addresses a market gap, its foundation lies in the strength of the partnership. Wells and Bryant operate with an intentional level of alignment, prioritizing synchrony over speed. “We simply don’t make a decision unless we’re both on the same page,” Wells says. “Unity is more important than progress. Even if it takes more time, finding agreement on the right direction is always worth it.”

Prioritizing one another’s well-being ensures that they see each other not just as co-founders, but as family, and for Wells, that dynamic multiplies possibility. “I want the absolute best for John and his family,” Wells shares. “I hope this business is so successful they can do all of those things and more. I don’t see that as pressure. It’s just a part of what motivates me to get going every day – knowing you have other people counting on you … I will be able to do far more with John than I will ever do on my own.”

Bryant echoes that sentiment, describing how trust and shared vision shape his leadership. “Having a partner that I trust has elevated my work,” he says. “Management can be isolating, and having someone to high five after a great meeting or a closed deal – someone who truly shares the vision – matters a lot.”

Ultimately, the company they built to transform their industry has also become a reflection of what matters most to them: mutual trust and shared success.

Douglas Lee and Christopher Wood

Be Caffeinated

Long before local coffee chain Be Caffeinated became known for its drive-thru coffee, teas, and pastries, co-founders Douglas Lee and Christopher Wood were testing a very different business idea.

“Our first attempt was Bro Cones, a snow cone mobile trailer that we would take to events,” Wood recalls. Though it varies from their final concept, that idea eventually led them to the success of their current venture in the Scenic City. “Eventually, we all decided to move to Chattanooga, and once here, we decided to try out our own take on drive-thru coffee. Doug had been in restaurants for a while, and I had some academic backgrounds in business, so we made a good team.”

That complementary skillset remains a defining strength of their partnership today. Lee oversees warehouse and inventory operations, while Wood manages HR and administrative responsibilities. However, the division of labor has never meant division in direction. “We’re always honest with each other, and if there is something non-negotiable, we just communicate as long as it takes,” Wood says. “We tend to have similar opinions on a lot of things, so this is not an issue too often, but when it does happen, we make sure to respect each other and tackle the problem together.”

Lee agrees they’ve rarely found themselves at odds, noting, “If we did happen to have different ideas on a big project, we’re both level-headed guys, so we’d be able to present both sides and pick the best course of action.”

That shared mindset has been especially critical through Be Caffeinated’s hardships, including launching the company just before the pandemic. “We have not been strangers to adversity, and the year before the pandemic was a wild time to open a business,” Wood says. “But we have faced each problem head on, reminding each other that we are on the same team and that our solutions lie together, not apart.”

For Lee, the partnership’s meaning extends beyond operations or growth. “I’ve heard Chris say, ‘Go alone if you want to go fast; go together if you want to go far,’” he explains. “I don’t think either of us could’ve made it to where we are without each other, and the impact we have on each other and the community makes it all worth it.”

Greg Vital and Franklin Farrow

Morning Pointe Senior Living

“At its core, partnership is about alignment,” says Greg Vital, co-founder of Morning Pointe Senior Living. “When values, vision, and respect are shared, growth follows naturally.” This was certainly the case for Morning Pointe, which has grown over the past three decades into something co-founder Franklin Farrow says is “far beyond our initial dreams.”

Their early business plans, which consisted of modest goals to justify leaving their current positions, quickly gained momentum. “Within a couple of years, we were blessed to achieve those initial goals and surpass our original expectations,” Farrow shares. Before long, the pair was scaling their business and bringing ambition to fruition. Today, Morning Pointe encompasses more than 40 assisted living and memory care facilities across the Southeast.

“The vision started small, but the mission was always big,” Vital adds. “Over time, that mission translated into steady growth – expanded services and teams who believe deeply in the work.” While many factors contributed to the company’s success, the duo points to a shared drive to exceed expectations. “We both like quality and standards,” Vital says. “We also like achieving goals and building relationships with people who we enjoy doing business with. Collectively, these things allow us to challenge each other and our associates to meet and exceed quality levels both for our company goals and our customers.”

Just as in the company’s early days, they continue to rely on one another to expand the company’s reach and evolve as leaders. “We hold each other accountable, ask honest questions, and push for growth rather than comfort,” Vital explains. “That dynamic has shaped us into stronger leaders over time.”

Approaching three decades in partnership, Vital and Farrow see their collaboration as an accomplishment whose impact transcends their own careers. “Thirty years with a business partner is a milestone,” Farrow reflects. “It’s not always easy, but it is deeply rewarding and has allowed us to build something bigger than our individual selves.” Ultimately, Vital adds, “Leadership can be isolating without trust. Having a true business partner means decisions are more thoughtful, pressure is shared, and the mission always has two people protecting it. That makes the journey not only more effective, but more fulfilling.”