In Episode 5 of Spectruss Speakeasy, Sam sits down with Carter Fowler of Fowler Brothers Co., Home & Patio, Chattanooga’s 140-year-old family-owned furniture business. What follows is an inspiring, and at times brutally honest, conversation about generational business, personal transformation, and why staying relevant takes more than just sticking to tradition.
Carter didn’t jump straight into the family business. His journey includes years of personal growth, real struggle, and a serious mindset shift. From a troubled past to taking ownership of his story, Carter brings a refreshing transparency to what it means to evolve, not just professionally, but personally.
He opens up about working outside the business and learning how to lead not just with strategy but with humility. His story shows that legacy doesn’t mean inheritance, it means responsibility.
Tradition Meets Reinvention
Fowler Brothers isn’t just a furniture store, it’s a piece of Chattanooga’s identity. But as Carter puts it, “You can’t grow by doing what you’ve always done.”
He talks about the decision to lean into modern marketing, digital advertising, and storytelling, working with Spectruss to create a brand that honors the past while preparing for the future. From refreshing the showroom to investing in design consultants, Carter’s leadership is rooted in purpose: making Fowler Brothers feel like home, for both customers and team members.
“We want people to walk in and feel like we’ve thought about their life, not just their living room.”
The Hardest Part? Letting Go.
One of the episode’s most powerful moments comes when Carter reflects on what it’s like to step into leadership when the business is steeped in family expectations. He shares the internal pressure, the resistance to change, and the breakthrough that came when he finally made peace with doing things his way.
This isn’t just a conversation about furniture or business, it’s about identity, self-worth, and building something that lasts.
Listen to Episode 5 of Spectruss Speakeasy to hear Carter’s full story:
Watch it on YouTube here
Hear it here on Spotify
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