Skip to content

Melissa Lushbaugh




OWNER | SOUTH MADE MARKETING

Some people are born in Knoxville and never leave; some people arrive in Knoxville later in life and decide to stay. In either case, calling Knoxville home is what matters in the end.

For Melissa Lushbaugh, arriving in Knoxville due to her husband’s relocation turned out to be a great turn of events. “I love how friendly Knoxville is,” said Lushbaugh. “There are so many amazing local businesses and small hidden gems. I adore everything about downtown. There are endless things to do, places to go and people to meet.”

As the owner of South Made Marketing, a marketing firm that specializes in web design, graphic design, branding and digital marketing, Lushbaugh currently sees a shift for women in business. “I think there is a positive buzz about women in business right now, specifically women-owned businesses,” she stated. “I still think there is room for growth, but overall it’s really happening. It’s not as shocking as it may have been in the past to hear that a woman is the owner of something.”

Lushbaugh credits her husband for giving her the motivation to start her own company. “My husband is the most driven person I know,” she noted.” “He has motivated me and encouraged me from the beginning. He has shown me that there is always something we can learn from and grow from in order to evolve. Viewing obstacles as opportunities is powerful, and he has really given me something to emulate.”

Giving back to the community and making an impact in her new hometown is important to Lushbaugh. Previously a high school teacher and coach, she has a passion for helping children. She works with Junior Achievement and Make a Wish of East Tennessee to do just that. “I was lucky enough to be part of granting a wish for a child while I was in college,” she said. “Seeing the hope and level of joy that wish experience gave that child was everything and still influences my decisions today.”

If Lushbaugh could give guidance to those looking for their passion in life, her main piece of advice would be to “do what you love.” And she encourages people to take the time to figure out what exactly that is. “Experience life and be open to different options,” she advised. “Then you can find what’s exactly right for you.”

More Stories

  • Latest Issue 6-7 25

    Read More
  • Editors Letter

    As I sit down to write this letter, the sound of steady rainfall still lingers in my ears. April showers are a seasonal expectation here in East Tennessee, but this year they seemed to carry right on through May, leaving us with one of the rainiest Mays on record, and I think we’re all more than ready to trade our umbrellas for sunglasses and start soaking up some sunshine. Now, as we turn the calendar to June and look ahead to July, the promise of sunnier days feels like a welcome reward.  Read More
  • BIG SLATE VFX LAUNCH MARKS NEW ERA FOR KNOXVILLE’S CREATIVE INDUSTRY

    Big Slate Media, a leading Knoxville-based agency and video production company, is proud to announce the launch of Big Slate VFX, a new division specializing in visual effects and motion design. With this launch, Big Slate Media becomes the only Knoxville-based production company offering full-service, in-house VFX capabilities. Read More
  • CLOSETS BY MCKENRY CELEBRATES 10 YEARS WITH A CLOSETBRATION

    Over 75 attendees joined Closets by McKenry as they celebrated 10 years in the Knoxville closet scene on Tuesday, May 13 at their showroom. Wyatt Ellis, local bluegrass prodigy entertained during the evening, and Susan Watson of Watson’s Stained Glass intrigued guests purchasing her beautiful custom items. Read More