Press Kit
" Proof is a resource and community founded by industry professionals, with a mission to support owners and professionals in the food and beverage industry. We work with community leaders and entrepreneurial ecosystem builders to offer support programs to food and beverage communities."
Meet Our Team
Mike Robinson
Founder
Mia Littlejohn
Founder
Stan Stout
Restaurant Coach
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Mike is a serial entrepreneur with years of experience in the food and beverage industry from brick and mortar restaurants to catering to consumer packaged goods to breweries.
With almost 20 years of experience in the food and beverage industry in both operations and management roles, Mia Littlejohn is dedicated to fostering resources for food and beverage professionals.
Shanna Lucien
Restaurant Coach
Kaleena Goldsworthy
Director of Programs
Dirk Unkle
Strategic Advisor
Stan is an expert in brand growth, brand turnarounds and risk assessment/mitigation.
Shanna has years of experience in the food and beverage industry with operations, management and growth. She offers knowledge of how to fully utilize community partnerships for success in local markets and how to position yourself financially for a successful future.
Kaleena has a strong background in beverage consulting, restaurant management, product development, and small business ownership.
Dirk has years of experience in helping businesses to foster valuable sales partnerships and continued growth.
Our Story
Proof launched in [January 2020?] as a bar, test kitchen, and hub/resource space for professionals in the food and beverage industry.
Being so passionate about providing resources and tools for food and beverage professionals, our team felt inspired to shift our focus toward relief programs that would provide efficient strategies and guidelines for food and beverage entrepreneurs to follow for flexibility, strengthened customer relationships, and continued growth beyond the hardships of the pandemic.
Proof’s grand opening turned into a “grand closing” in March of 2020 when the covid-19 pandemic hit and the restaurant business was hit especially hard.
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Proof’s programs now extend throughout more than six cities.
Proof provides equipment, restaurant seating, kitchen/prep space and much needed resources to chefs allowing them to creatively test out their concepts and gain valuable experience without the steep start-up costs associated with starting a restaurant on your own. Chefs can build their brand and sharpen the skills needed to operate successfully in the food and beverage industry.
Proof partners with business development centers to offer programs that are intended to advance food and beverage entrepreneurs and their companies. These programs are held virtually and offer resources, important information, tools, and personalized coaching to deliver value to those operating in the food and beverage industry.
Mish Hughes
Programs/Marketing Coordinator
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Mish has experience in the marketing field and helps to guide participants through the courses as well as working with them one on one to achieve their marketing goals.
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Restaurant Resilience Program
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Food and Beverage Workshop
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Consumer Goods Program
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Consumer Goods 101
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The Urban League of Greater Chattanooga
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The Urban League of Greater Atlanta
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The Urban League of Philadelphia
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The Urban League of Louisiana
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Tennessee Small Business Development Center
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Retail Strategies
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City of Lebanon
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Mainstreet
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Lake County Economic Development Corporation
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Cowork Columbia
Features
Apr 1
Chattanooga Times Free Press
Chattanooga's Proof Incubator supports entrepreneurs through coronavirus pandemic
Mar 3
Feb 6
Chattanooga Times Free Press
Chattanooga's Proof Restaurant Recovery Program has statewide reach, offers classes to businesses
Media Resources
Access Photos
Access Logo
Access Video
Contact Our Team
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Party Bites Catering
Chattanooga, TN
"The way the class was structured as far as dealing with the pandemic and the crisis management that followed was very impactful. This year has been a fast year for me and I knew I needed to scale and Proof coached me on how to scale properly."
Testimonials
Good Batch Mama
Kingsport, TN
"Having the opportunity to review our operations and dissect our pain points with industry pros who have been in the business for years was an IMMENSE value add to us."
Lil Mama's
Chattanooga, TN
"So many things in the industry that come up are unexpected, but I knew with Proof, I had someone to call to say 'hey, this is what I’m experiencing' and ask if it’s normal and if they can help me. It’s given me a great sense of confidence, because now when I’m making decisions for the restaurant, I have an opinion from someone who is experienced and gone through what I am now."
About Proof
Proof is an accelerator, incubator, and bar based in Chattanooga, TN. Founded and led by food and beverage industry veterans, the mission of Proof is to support owners and operators in the industry through programs, resources, and community.
Collectively the Proof team has 50+ years of experience, with expertise ranging from management training to operations to marketing (and more). To date, Proof has accelerated 60 companies through its programs.
Learn more about Proof at proofincubator.com.