I got tired of guessing which local businesses were actually good.
So I started walking through their front doors.
My name is Kate Parker. I run She Thrives Marketing and work with a community magazine here in Middle Tennessee. Between the two, I meet with dozens of local business owners every single week.
And I kept noticing the same thing: the best businesses — the ones with incredible service, real community roots, and owners who genuinely care — were often the hardest to find online. They were buried under SEO-optimized chains and businesses that were good at marketing but not necessarily good at what they do.
Meanwhile, I was personally visiting these businesses and walking away thinking, “Why doesn’t everyone know about this place?”
The Front Door is my answer. It’s a curated list of local businesses in Smyrna and Murfreesboro that meet three simple criteria:
4+ stars with at least 15 Google reviews
Real community feedback — not bought, not gamed, not inflated. If real people haven’t vouched for you, you’re not on the list.
Personally visited by me
I don’t list businesses I haven’t met. I walk through the front door, meet the owners, and see the real operation — not just the website version.
They offer something free
Every listed business provides a free resource — a consultation, a guide, an ebook, a first session. Something that gives value before asking for anything in return.
This is not a paid directory. There’s no fee to be listed. There’s no premium placement. The only thing that gets you on the list is being good at what you do and being willing to give back to the community.
If you’re a consumer — welcome. Browse with confidence. Everyone here has earned their spot.
If you’re a business owner — I’d love to meet you. The application takes two minutes, and it’s completely free.