This blog is dedicated to Breonna Taylor, George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Tony McDade, Dion Johnson, Sandra Bland, Daniel Hambrick and the countless others killed due to police brutality and a system that has perpetually ignored the cries of the Black community. On June 19, 1865, Union General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, to take control of the state immediately following the Civil War. When he arrived, General Granger declared, “The people of Texas are informed that, in accordance with a proclamation from the Executive Office of the United States, all slaves are free.” Roughly 250,000 enslaved black people in …

When times get tough, we turn to our in-house bartender, Dave Goetz for liquid courage. Here, he shares a few of his most requested cocktails.  Manhattan Fill mixing glass with ice. Add 2 oz. Rye, 1 oz. Sweet Red Vermouth, 2 drops Angostura bitters, 2 drops Orange bitters. Stir vigorously for at least one minute. Strain into coupe glass, add orange peel and 1 to 2 Luxardo cherries. Turn your Manhattan into a “Nashattan” Into a 3-liter charred oak barrel, pour two fifths 100 or higher proof Rye, one fifth Doulin Sweet Red Vermouth, one bottle Fee Brothers or Regan’s …

Reflecting on HistoryBrittany IrbyMP&F Account Supervisor, Diversity Committee Member It’s February, which means that it is Black History Month (BHM)! This year marks 50 years since the first BHM celebration took place at Kent State University. This is a month to honor and acknowledge the contributions that black people have made in America. In honor of BHM, I challenge you all to reflect on that one “aha” moment that you might have had over these few weeks. You might ask yourself, what is an “aha” moment? Merriam-Webster describes it as a moment of sudden realization, inspiration, insight, recognition or comprehension. …

Some call him the Fox, but we call him our fearless leader. Today we celebrate his 30th anniversary at MP&F by sitting down—in his corner office—with the man himself and reflecting on the last few decades. Is it true that you left a well-paying gig with a corner office at a reputable agency for an optimistic (yet not profitable) startup with a card table and folding chair for a desk?  DF: That’s true. I had a great job, but McNeely, Pigott and I had talked about going into business together for a long time, so I went with my gut, and so glad I …

Caylan Hays is one of MP&F’s newest staff associates. Here’s her personal take on mentorship and why it is both meaningful and important. I’ve heard it said before that we make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give. To me, that ideal captures the essence of mentorship and what might motivate someone to act as a mentor. It’s a great privilege to have been offered wisdom and guidance from people I admire, both personally and professionally. Mentorship doesn’t always come with the title, and sometimes you don’t know you’ve had a mentor …

As a young professional, I often ask myself, “Is this acceptable?” Adapting to working in a professional environment can be a challenge in the beginning of a career. As times have changed, so has the dress code. Over time, we have seen a shift in the culture and fashion in the workplace. What was once frowned upon as too casual has become more acceptable. However, even with these changes, companies, like MP&F, still expect employees to look professional. Why is it important to dress nicely? Do not underestimate the importance of first impressions! Studies show that 55 percent of first …

The holidays are in full swing, and we know they can be stressful. The shopping, the wrapping, the decorating, the hiding, the traveling … it can be a lot. To help, we’ve created Nogmented RealityTM! Follow these five steps to nogment your reality (actual results may vary): Drink eggnog. (See our go-to recipe below.) Lie down. (Couch recommended.) Place the MP&F holiday card across the bridge of your nose. (We hope you got an MP&F holiday card. If not, respond to this email with your address, and we’ll put one in the mail to you right away!) Let stress float …

Nashville’s recent growth has been as hot as hot chicken itself, and for good reason, too. The Nashville area is experiencing the third-highest job growth of large metro areas in the United States, and the Metro Planning Department estimates that over 1 million people will move to Middle Tennessee by 2040. MP&F has worked closely with many people who are helping the area adjust to this growth, and has seen these shifts take shape at the company itself. Almost half of MP&F’s more than 70-person staff has roots outside of Middle Tennessee. As Nashville continues to grow, MP&F’s team is …