Will Gillespie makes it a family affair.

Molly Harrell

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Will knew he’d stumbled onto something good when he heard about Zoe’s Kitchen, a restaurant chain that makes everything on its menu from scratch, every day. “That’s something I really love about Zoe’s,” says Will. About to graduate from college, Will knew he wanted to work for himself, and decided to bring the Zoe’s concept to his hometown: His first location opened April 2007.

Since then, he’s hired almost his entire family to work for him—his brother, sister, mother, and grandparents all work at Zoe’s—and it’s gone so well that Will recently opened a second location downtown. “I think it’s
strengthened our relationships, for sure,” Will says. He works hard to strengthen his community, too: In addition to coaching basketball for his high school alma mater, Will offers discounts to military personnel, and makes it a priority to donate to local charities, churches, and schools.

“If you own a business and if you’re supported by the community, I think you’re obligated to give back,” he says.

What’s your favorite thing about wearing a skirt? “Air flow. The circulation. I don’t know, I just felt sexy in it.”

And your favorite thing about reading skirt!? “It’s different than anything else I’ve seen in print.”

-Aleigh Acerni