The Value of Tenacity
I first met Deron Little when he was located in the Renaissance Center in Farragut. Deron had made quite a name for himself as head chef at Fox Den Country Club and had recently left to open his new concept, Seasons Restaurant. It seemed like an unlikely location for a fine dining establishment, but he was banking on pulling the Fox Den crowd west and the Tellico Village crowd east.
It obviously worked. There is no question about Deron’s knowledge of food or his skill in the kitchen, and he is truly a master chef. What is truly remarkable about my friend is his tenacity. Life has undoubtedly tested his resolve, but he refuses to give up no matter what life throws his way. He’s had a stalwart partner in his wife Sheah and a loyal manager in Megan Hipsher, and you can always count on him to delight the palate no matter the occasion.
As more restaurants chose to locate west, he opened a second Seasons in Bearden. While he was running those facilities, he was working with his son Drake and friend Noah Allen at night to build out the current location in Turkey Creek. He thought Turkey Creek would be the right place to consolidate his operations and that has proven to be a good decision. That is where we find the Seasons we all know and love.
Over these past several years, we have become good friends, and he has always been willing to help me with my unusual story ideas. For instance, I’d always wondered what it would be like to see an expert chef prepare his own catch. So I proposed a float down the Clinch River together to fish for trout. His catch on that trip turned into a beautiful trout almondine and a nice piece for the magazine.
As I’ve gotten to know him better and seen all the work he puts into being a chef and business owner, I’ve been often reminded of my own experiences as a self-employed entrepreneur.
I often say that being in business means that you have to always willing to do what needs to be done, when it needs to be done, whether you want to do it or not, always with a smile on your face and a good attitude. That’s not always easy but that along with a healthy dose of tenacity is what is required to be successful.
Self-employment is certainly not for everyone, and it does have it’s challenges, but the icing on the cake is you constantly get to meet new people, help them solve their problems or grow their businesses and make our community a better place to live.
I am thankful every day for the opportunity to serve and for you being willing to read and enjoy the publication.