From food to fitness to coffee, founders chart their own paths
Attendees listen during The Daily Memphian’s 2025 Small Business Seminar held at the Memphis Botanic Garden. (Brad Vest/Special to The Daily Memphian)
Alicia Dixon knew from the start that if she went out on her own, the food industry would be the obvious choice. It’s in her family’s DNA.
“First of all, I love food. Period,” Dixon said. “My father, he’s been in the restaurant industry for over 30 years. My sister is in the restaurant industry. But as far as wanting to follow in their footsteps a little bit, I try.”
Dixon, who founded Groovy Gratitude and co-founded Dixon-White Restaurant Group, will be joined by Melissa Bamford, founder of Grit Group Fitness, and Micah Dempsey, director of operations at Belltower Coffee, at The Daily Memphian’s Small Business Seminar at the Memphis Botanic Garden on Thursday, Sept. 17, at 3:30 p.m.
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Small Business Seminar Alicia Dixon Micah Dempsey Melissa Bamford Memphis Botanic Gardens Subscriber OnlyThank you for reading The Daily Memphian. Your support is critical.
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Noah McLane
Noah McLane reports on business for The Daily Memphian. He was born and raised in Tennessee and attended journalism school at Middle Tennessee State University, where his passion for community-focused storytelling blossomed.
Prior to writing for the business section, Noah was the editor-in-chief of his college newspaper, worked on general assignment for the Jackson Hole News & Guide in Jackson, Wyoming, and was most recently the statehouse reporter for The Daily Memphian.
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