Tag: Chamber of Commerce

The Dialogue with Liam Story

Posted on August 24, 2023 by - Uncategorized

This feature is a question-and-answer session with a new Blount County Chamber member. So, here we go with our 200th installment visiting with Liam Story, owner of Tennessee Real Estate Media which is in business to help real estate agents achieve their goals with real estate photography and media.

Describe more about what you do. We are a full-service real estate media company. We are a one-stop shop for real estate agents. We offer photos, video, drone work, 3D, floor plans, agent marketing videos, and even our own lead generation/CRM system designed specifically for real estate agents.

How did you get started? I started working in real estate photography while in college as a way to make some extra grocery money. It quickly grew into a full-time business, and I found that I love working with real estate agents.

What is your background? I have a degree in marketing, which gives me a unique perspective when photographing a property for an agent, or creating marketing videos for real estate agents. I learned real estate photography from a mentor of mine that has over 20 years of experience in the field.

Who is your biggest supporter? And how? My biggest supporter has always been my wife. As many of our members know, entrepreneurship is a roller coaster with many highs and lows. She has always been patient through the good and bad.

Describe your customers. Real estate agents who want to be the top agents in their market are my target demographic. My clients have worked hard to build their real estate businesses, and have done so in a very competitive market. I love helping agents succeed, achieve their goals, and sell more listings.

What impacts the business environment you work in? As a real estate photographer, the real estate market certainly impacts my business; however, it is somewhat of an inverse relationship. Often, during a buyer’s market, when homes aren’t selling as well, is when my business picks up.

What do you enjoy about running or working at the business? The thing I love most about running my business are the success stories from agents I’ve worked with. When an agent lets me know that a listing I shot for him or her recently sold, or that he or she got some new clients from a marketing video I created, etc that’s what makes me know what I’m doing is actually making a difference in the lives of my clients.

UT Federal Credit Union Breaks Ground on Branch in Blount County

Posted on August 1, 2023 by - Uncategorized

UT Federal Credit Union (UTFCU) reached a major milestone on Tuesday, July 25, as it broke ground on its Springbrook Farm Branch in Alcoa, Tennessee. This new branch will be the eighth branch location for UTFCU, and the first branch in Blount County. The branch is expected to open mid-2024.

“We exist as a credit union to serve our members and the community,” said UTFCU President/CEO Debbie H. Jones, CPA. “We want to meet our members where they are, and we have a large membership base that lives in Blount County. We look forward to serving our existing members, as well as new members, in this community.” Jones added, “Membership with UTFCU is open to anyone who lives, works, worships, conducts business, or attends school in Anderson, Blount, Knox, Loudon, and Union Counties.”

This project has been many years in the making and officially launched when UTFCU secured a building lot in Springbrook Farm in Alcoa, a master planned “City Center” development consisting of a retail lifestyle center, multiple residential areas, commercial office space, hotels, conference center, and more.

The new branch will provide a lobby/hospitality area, community room, multiple financial service offices, drive-thru Interactive Teller Machines (ITMs), a night deposit, and a coin counter for member use.

Pictured are UTFCU’s President/CEO Debbie H. Jones and Chair of UTFCU’s Board of Directors, Mr. Mike McNeil. Also pictured are members of UTFCU’s leadership team: Hanna Gomez (VP, Marketing), Lisa Rodgers (EVP/COO), Jonathan Lodwick (VP, Information Technology), John Kruse (VP, Finance), Anne Hewitt (AVP, Retail Services), Brandy Garner (VP, Human Resources), and Mike Clonce (SVP/CLO).

For more information, visit www.UTFCU.org or call (865) 971-1971.