Aaron Hensley, a business coach, made headlines when he became the majority owner of Honeybee Coffee, only to spark a mass staff exodus and the closure of two stores. However, it has come to light that Hensley had previously made similar offers to other Knoxville small businesses, promising to help them grow, but with strategies that didn't align with theirs. Two owners, Matthew Jackson of Puleo's Pizzeria and Kendale Ball of Simpl, declined Hensley's offers, citing concerns over his aggressive expansion plans and treatment of staff. Hensley's playbook focused on rapid growth, but his tactics ultimately led to the downfall of Honeybee Coffee. His advice to business owners to "push on" their staff and not be afraid of them quitting is a stark contrast to the reality of what happened at Honeybee. In my opinion, Hensley's approach is a cautionary tale of the dangers of prioritizing growth over people and community. His actions have left a trail of damaged businesses and disillusioned staff, and it's clear that his playbook needs a serious rewrite.
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