Bridging the Gap: Students Explore Entrepreneurship at Memphis Suites

As part of the Spring 2026 Bridging the Gap Initiative, students received a powerful introduction to entrepreneurship during a visit to Memphis Suites, one of the largest salon-suite businesses in the Memphis area.

Owned by Andrew and Tammie Smith, Memphis Suites is more than a business location; it is a thriving ecosystem of entrepreneurs, housing over 30 individual suites within a 15,000-square-foot facility. The space serves not only as a business hub but also as an event center and a launching pad for independent professionals building their brands.

During the visit, the Smiths intentionally poured into students, offering both inspiration and practical insight into what it truly means to be an entrepreneur.

Their message was both simple and profound: chase purpose, not money.

Drawing from their own journey, they shared real-life lessons about the challenges, risks, and rewards of entrepreneurship. They emphasized that success is not built overnight, but through vision, discipline, exposure, and a willingness to take action.

Students were challenged to move beyond ideas and into execution.

The Smiths encouraged them to start by writing down their ideas, getting them out of their heads and onto paper, so they could visualize, refine, and eventually build something tangible. This practical advice resonated deeply, turning abstract dreams into actionable first steps.

The experience also included a guided tour of the facility, where students could see entrepreneurship in motion. As they walked through the suites, they encountered a diverse group of business owners, each representing different services and specialties within the beauty and wellness industry.

This exposure allowed students to see firsthand how ownership operates at multiple levels from individual suite operators to large-scale business management.

What stood out most was the level of engagement.

Students asked thoughtful questions, leaned into the conversation, and left with a renewed sense of possibility. For many, the experience transformed entrepreneurship from a distant idea into a realistic and attainable path.

We are deeply grateful to Andrew and Tammie Smith for their willingness to invest their time, wisdom, and lived experience into the next generation.

This is what the Bridging the Gap Initiative is all about.

It’s about connecting students to real people, real spaces, and real opportunities so they can see clearly, think boldly, and begin building futures of their own.

When students receive exposure, access, optimism, and confidence, they don't merely envision possibilities; they begin to create them.