Plate To Profit: 5-Week Series
Ready to take your Middle Tennessee food business to the next level? Join us for a hands-on 5-week program led by expert facilitators where you’ll dive into strategic business planning, financial management, operations, marketing and branding, and growth strategies.
You’ll get a personalized assessment, and a growth plan tailored to your business goals, plus the chance to connect with other food entrepreneurs and industry experts in a supportive community. When the program wraps up, the support doesn’t stop! You’ll be part of a post-program community group with ongoing resources and guidance from Pathway Lending to keep your business growing strong. Let’s build your recipe for success—together!
Meet Your Instructor
Emanuel “EJ” Reed – Co-founder & CFO, Slim & Husky’s Pizza Beeria
Emanuel “EJ” Reed is the co-founder and Chief Financial Officer of Slim & Husky’s Pizza Beeria, a fast-growing, nationally recognized pizza brand rooted in community, culture, and creativity. A proud graduate of Belmont University with an MBA in Finance, EJ has built a strong reputation as a financial strategist and entrepreneur. Before Slim & Husky’s, he and his childhood friends launched and sold a successful moving company, giving him firsthand experience in starting, scaling, and exiting a business.
At Slim & Husky’s, EJ is known as the “man behind the numbers,” guiding financial operations, business modeling, and growth strategy while helping expand the brand from a garage concept in North Nashville to multiple locations across Tennessee, Georgia, and California. His passion for entrepreneurship goes beyond the balance sheet — EJ is committed to mentoring and equipping the next generation of business owners with the knowledge, tools, and mindset needed to thrive.
As a facilitator for this 5-week course, EJ will share his expertise in financial management, operations, marketing, and business modeling, drawing on real-world lessons from building one of the Southeast’s most dynamic restaurant brands. Participants will gain practical insights on how to launch, grow, and sustain a food service business while creating lasting impact in their communities.
Register for the free class today to reserve your seat!