We were lucky to catch up with Kristy Bevis recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Kristy, thanks for joining us today. What’s the kindest thing anyone has ever done for you?

This past November, a couple of months after my 40th birthday, I found out I have a rare salivary gland cancer in my neck which would require radiation therapy. I opted to undergo treatment in Birmingham, Alabama, a couple of hours from my home in Florence. This required me to spend my weekdays away from my shop, my friends and co-workers, and toughest of all, my husband and 3-year-old daughter. As one may imagine, it wasn’t easy. But the outpouring of support from everyone in my orbit has softened the experience in a way that I’m not quite sure how to put into words. Never have I felt so loved or been touched by so many–some who are near and dear to me, some who I’ve never met. One such kindness was initiated by Kimi, who manages All The Best and kept things running smoothly in my absence.

On a weekend home from treatment, I noticed a lovely embroidered journal set up on a stool at the shop. I would come to learn that Kimi had offered the journal to our customers so they could leave me notes while I was away. These notes, ranging from toddler scribble to heartfelt well-wishes to hilarious accounts of daily routines, are a treasure. Kimi’s thoughtfulness knows no bounds (i.e. putting my face on a ridiculous t-shirt for my birthday, mopping my floors before my return home from Birmingham), but this act of kindness also showcased the the kindness of others. I will cherish the journal forever.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

I own All The Best, a record shop and corner store in Florence, Alabama. For the 20+ years prior to our opening in 2021, I worked in the restaurant industry, fulfilling roles from cashier to bartender to general manager. After the birth of my daughter in 2019, I knew I wanted to make a change that would allow me more flexible hours while continuing to flex my creativity.

The idea for All The Best began brewing between my husband and I during COVID. My husband, Ben Tanner, works in the music industry as a producer, engineer, and touring keyboardist. He is also an entrepreneur and co-owner of indie record label Single Lock Records. When our little corner building became available, with its floor-to-ceiling windows and beautiful morning light, we jumped at the opportunity to marry our two passions–mine (food) and his (music). These two things are the bones of All The Best, which features vinyl records, coffee, and grab-and-go-snacks, but the business has morphed into so much more.

Part of our goal for All The Best was to honor our community and its rich musical history while celebrating the current burgeoning network of artists and creatives who call it home. This has led to us consistently hosting pop-ups for established and up-and-coming entrepreneurs, and stocking our shelves with their goods. The ultimate feel-good moment in this celebration of community took place at our first annual Block Party on our one year anniversary this past August. We were able to bring together bands and local vendors for this free community event that closed with a mass sing along to “All The Best,” the song by John Prine and our namesake.

What’s been the best source of new clients for you?

My shop is in a relatively small town, so word of mouth and interpersonal relationships play a huge part in growing my business. I’ve made amazing connections with other small business owners over the years, locally and regionally. When you want each other to thrive and you build relationships with those at the helm of other businesses, their clients become your clients and vice versa. I think it’s important to learn and teach one another, regardless of the industry, in order to better serve the clients and community.

Any advice for managing a team?

I’ve managed teams of 40+ people to teams of four or five. In every case, my management style has been that of a co-worker, not a task-master. Leading by example isn’t a new concept, but it is one that has proven successful for me time and again. My role is one of a helper, an elevator, a cheerleader. I like to provide my team with the tools they need for success and I view shortcomings as teaching moments, not opportunities to boast my authority. This may sound like flowery language, but it’s just the truth. If there are morale issues within a company, it’s impossible to hide. And that’s not to say I’ve evaded times of low morale, but I try to never lose sight of the importance of facing it and working to reverse it. A positive team can only be positive for business. Less turnover leads to a more knowledgable staff. A happy employee means a happy customer. Etc., etc…

Contact Info:

• Website: allthebestflorence.com
• Instagram: @allthebestflorence, @klbevis
• Facebook: All The Best

Image Credits
photos 1-5, 8 – Katie D’Arienzo photo 6 – Lee Taylor