Tennessee Edwards is the Chief Creative / CEO of WerkShed, a company focused on growing innovative companies, making content that matters, strategy & marketing plans and helping entrepreneurs get the help they need. Tennessee is an entrepreneur that started with a 25 -year career in entertainment that spans scripted content, docu-reality TV and got his start working as an intern with Newline Pictures(Lord of the Rings ). He went on to produce/ executive produce for FOX, HGTV, CBS, MTV, SPIKE, NETFLIX, A&E to name a few.

He has worked with the largest production companies such as; Fremantle (makers of American idol), ITV ( makers of Hells Kitchen, Love Island) and helped launch hit shows such as UFC’s “The Ultimate Fighter” on Spike and “Tiny House Nation” on A&E/ Netflix. As an executive producer and business development executive he developed & sold shows, worked in branded content and helped hire and launch the product placement division at ITV America integrating products in shows such as Counting Cars on History, Home Makeover TV shows, as a few examples. Tennessee managed IP / assets for shows like Hells Kitchen and sold “ IP” into gaming and licensing deals. Making branded content he has worked with brands Home Depot, Subway, Zillow, GM, Aetna and many others.

Tennessee wanted to help build innovative companies and took a leap to go out on his own in 2018 so that he would be in control of his career opportunity, honest deal making, work with honorable companies / professionals, look international for business and produce content that fit his values. “You only have one life and should make decisions that grow your career, change industries for the better, go with your gut, help grow others careers and not just be a cog in a wheel and chasing paychecks” is what Tennessee believes. Along the way his plan has evolved and has pivoted into broad entrepreneur role outside of media. He is an advisor to product companies, restaurant concepts, tech companies and traditional business models. Tennessee at this stage of his career only works on projects that he believes in and with entrepreneurs that have the same vision he does, which is to grow companies but also grow people along the way. By growing a good company and reputation you can employ so many and help people realize their goals. Life is about doing!

Tennessee believes in markets like the space industry, International business entrepreneurs, niche areas for products / marketplaces, asian markets and innovative entrepreneurs. The 360 way of running a company and looking at all angles if even not the traditional way. Think where an industry will be in 10 years and aim for that not where it was 10 years in the past. Think for the future yet sell in the now.

He works closely with his Korean content relationships he has built over several years, has advised Korean startups outside of media and has worked closely with the Korean government trade agency. Advisor to asianboss.io

Besides being an accomplished Creative Executive, Strategy, Executive Producer; Tennessee is an entrepreneur and advisor in companies focused on tech, media, skilled labor, brands and co-founder of Scout Comics.

Tennessee has managed teams across industries, over half a billion dollars in content creation and part of M&A strategies. His strengths are bringing people together around a common goal, research & understanding how tech will impact companies, future vision, access to decision-makers, strategy and making everything a win-win for those involved. He has a unique rolodex and knows many people in many industries. Tennessee is building WerkShed into a company that can scale during fragmented and disruptive times by making focused deals.

He is also currently working with a large Texas group, Crockerholdings.com , as Chief Strategy Officer to launch a new restaurant concept and multiple businesses under the group from one of the largest commercial landscape firms, construction to products.

“ All my life I have wanted to help others, be a renaissance man and be involved in a lot of things”

“If you’re not growing, challenging yourself and not having fun at the same time then why do it?” “ Only work with people that have the same drive and values as you do and never chase what you can’t catch”. Opportunity is out there and be selective.