4940 Corporate Drive NW, Suite A, Huntsville, AL 35805 |  (256) 533-1640 | https://www.bbb.org/local-bbb/bbb-serving-north-alabama

From helping consumers avoid scams to supporting businesses with integrity and trust, Better Business Bureau of North Alabama plays an important role throughout our region. We asked their team a few questions to learn more about their mission, their goals for the future, and what keeps them inspired every day.

If your business had a personality, how would you describe it in 3 words?
Community-driven. Empowering.

What trends are you seeing in your industry right now?
Trust, transparency, and technology are shaping today’s marketplace. People are researching businesses more than ever, scammers are finding more clever ways to run their schemes, and small business owners are looking for ways to embrace new tools like AI while maintaining the trust and personal service that customers expect.

What do you love most about doing business in Athens-Limestone County?
One of the things we appreciate most about Athens-Limestone County is how welcoming and engaged the business community is. Whether we’re attending a Chamber event, hosting a fraud prevention program, or working with Accredited Businesses, there’s a genuine spirit of collaboration. The county continues to grow, but it hasn’t lost the sense of community that makes people want to live, work, and do business there.

What goals or exciting plans do you have for the next year?

We’re excited to get our new charitable foundation, BBB TrustHub, fully up and running over the next year. It will allow us to expand our community

impact through enhanced consumer education, fraud prevention initiatives, and scholarship opportunities for students across North Alabama.

We’re especially looking forward to strengthening our Integrity Scholarship program, which helps local high school juniors and seniors pursue their collegiate goals, while also growing our free community programs such as fraud prevention seminars, document shredding events, and other educational initiatives that help consumers and businesses make informed decisions. The foundation will also allow us to provide more resources to help local business owners.

Our goal is simple: to extend the BBB mission beyond marketplace trust and create even more opportunities to serve, educate, and empower communities throughout North Alabama, including right here in Athens-Limestone County.

How do you and your team give back to the community?
Our free community events — such as Fraud Prevention Lunch & Learns and Shred Days — are among our most impactful ways of giving back. Through these programs, we help thousands of North Alabama residents each year protect themselves from scams, identity theft, and other forms of fraud. We also provide opportunities for individuals to safely destroy sensitive documents, helping safeguard their personal information, finances, and families.

Beyond these events, BBB North Alabama is committed to strengthening our communities through consumer education, business ethics initiatives, and scholarship opportunities that support the next generation of leaders. We also invest in local business owners by offering leadership development, training programs, and educational resources designed to help them grow, operate with integrity, and better serve our community.

Finish this sentence: “Our business is successful because ____.”
Our business is successful because we help build trust. When consumers can make informed decisions and businesses operate with integrity, everyone benefits—and that’s a mission our team is proud to support every day.

(Fun questions!) What is one thing your team can’t live without during the workday?
Since we’re a small team, I went ahead and asked everyone. Here’s what they said, feel free to use some, all or none. Thanks for the fun question!

Karen (CEO/President): Vitamins from our vitamin jars 🙂 (aka candy/chocolate)
Belinda (VP): My headset, snacks and of course diet coke! I’m not tolerable if I have not had my 2^nddiet coke for the day!
Robin (VP of Finance): Electricity! And Internet! Definitely! I say this because my power went out briefly while I was working yesterday (Monday) afternoon. Messed up what I was working on.
Shiree (Director of Accredited Business Services & Sales): Coffee…all day every day! Or maybe sticky notes…
Peggy (Senior Operations Specialist): Being able to look out the window.

Bianca (Dispute Resolutions Specialist): A little Humor
Angel (Consumer Services Specialist): Coffee…can’t function without it lol
Evan (Business Relations Representative): Solitaire (Only during off-times, I promise).

Paul (Business Relations Representative): Caffeine  – Coffee or Coke Zero. Usually both.

Claire (Marketing & Outreach Specialist): My Waterloo sparkling waters (and, of course, caffeine). At this point, I’m pretty sure I’m fueled by flavored bubbles.

“Trusted. Community-driven. Empowering.” Those three words perfectly describe the Better Business Bureau of North Alabama and its commitment to helping businesses and consumers across our region.

As today’s marketplace continues to evolve with new technology and increasingly sophisticated scams, BBB North Alabama is focused on strengthening trust through consumer education, business ethics, and community outreach.

One of the things they value most about Athens-Limestone County is our welcoming business community and the collaborative spirit that makes this such a great place to live, work, and do business.

Looking ahead, BBB North Alabama is excited to launch BBB TrustHub, a charitable foundation that will expand fraud prevention programs, scholarships for students, educational initiatives, and additional resources to help local businesses thrive.

Their team also gives back through free Fraud Prevention Lunch & Learns, Shred Days, leadership development, and educational programs that help both consumers and businesses make informed decisions.

When asked what makes their organization successful, their answer says it all:

“Our business is successful because we help build trust. When consumers can make informed decisions and businesses operate with integrity, everyone benefits, and that’s a mission our team is proud to support every day.”

And just for fun—we learned the BBB team runs on coffee, sparkling water, snacks, sticky notes, humor…and maybe a little candy, too!

Thank you, Better Business Bureau of North Alabama, for your dedication to serving businesses and consumers throughout Athens-Limestone County and beyond!

Claire Tinney Jones is an Athens-based attorney with over 27 years of experience— 23 years in her own practice.

Photo 1: Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for Claire Tinney Jones P.C.’s downtown office expansion in July 2025.

📍108A North Jefferson Street
Athens, AL 35611

📞 (256)444-5971

🔗 https://www.clairetinneyjones.com/

📍108A North Jefferson Street Athens, AL | 📞 (256) 444-5971 | 🔗 https://www.clairetinneyjones.com

Photo 2: Claire Tinney Jones celebrating a house closing.

Why did you decide to open your business in Athens-Limestone County?

“The practice of law is deeply rooted in me as my dad and brother are attorneys. My husband and I moved to North Alabama for his job after I finished law school in 1998. I began my legal career as an attorney with Patton, Latham, Legge, and Cole in Athens.

In 2003, I opened my own practice and worked from home to have more time with my children. My only client during that time was the Limestone County Department of Human Resources, and I continue to love this area of my practice today. Approximately ten years ago I returned to a traditional office setting downtown and gradually added more areas of the law to my business. Four years ago I opened my current office on North Jefferson Street.”

What makes your practice stand out from the crowd?

“My core belief in the practice of law is to serve others. It is important to me to be a compassionate listener and to be easily accessible to my clients. My practice offers services of real estate closings and property matters, wills, estates, divorce mediation, and civil matters. Navigating through all these areas can be challenging, so I always want to meet people where they are and show them kindness and grace.”

Photo 3: Claire Tinney Jones celebrating the Childers family closing on their home.

Photo 4: Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for Claire Tinney Jones P.C.’s downtown office expansion in July 2025.

What motivates you about this industry?

“The opportunity for service to others as well as continuous learning in this ever-changing legal field.”

What advice would you give to anyone who wants to open a small business?

“Small business ownership is rewarding and challenging. It becomes part of who you are, and I believe a reflection of the owner’s character and personality. The investment in my work and my community has brought so many amazing people and so much joy into my life.”

What events, specials, or promos do you have coming up?

“I really enjoy being involved downtown and try to be out and about at all the community functions. We often host an open house during events on the square. Stop by and see us!”

Photo 5: Claire Tinney Jones and her family.

For over six decades, BBB North Alabama has worked to promote marketplace integrity through business accreditation, consumer education, scam prevention, dispute resolution, and ethical standards. As the region has grown, so has the need for trusted resources that help both businesses and consumers make confident, informed decisions.

Photo 1: BBB North Alabama staff and volunteers at Cullman Shred Day 2025.

📍4940 Corporate Drive NW Suite A Huntsville, AL 35805

📞 (256) 533-1640

🔗 https://www.bbb.org/local-bbb/bbb-serving-north-alabama

📍414 S Jefferson St. Athens, AL  | 📞 (256) 206-8066 | 🔗 https://franksgoodstuffantiques.com/

Photo 2: BBB of North Alabama office.

What makes BBB North Alabama stand out from the crowd?

“…we don’t just advocate for businesses – we advocate for ethical businesses. Plus, we’re a trusted resource for consumers when it comes to scam reporting/tracking, and fraud education/prevention.

…our mission is rooted in accountability, transparency, and education. Accredited Businesses must meet and maintain our Standards for Trust, which include integrity, honest advertising, transparency, and responsiveness… [for] thousands of consumers and… hundreds of businesses across our 13-county service area.”

“We aren’t a membership club – we’re a standards-driven organization committed to strengthening trust in our local marketplace.”

What truly differentiates you:
✅ “We provide free dispute resolution services to consumers.
✅ We actively track and report scams impacting North Alabama, including Athens-Limestone County.
✅ We offer educational resources to both businesses and the public.
✅ We are locally operated but backed by the credibility of the international Better Business Bureau network.”

What motivates you about this industry?

“Trust is powerful – and fragile.

In an era where scams, misinformation, and online reviews can heavily influence decisions, being part of an organization that actively works to protect consumers and elevate ethical businesses is incredibly motivating.

Every resolved dispute, every scam alert shared, and every new Accredited Business strengthens our local marketplace.”

Photo 3: Karen Reeves, President/CEO of BBB North Alabama.

Photo 3: Karen Reeves, President/CEO of BBB North Alabama.

What truly differentiates us:
✅ “We provide free dispute resolution services to consumers.
✅ We actively track and report scams impacting North Alabama, including Athens-Limestone County.
✅ We offer educational resources to both businesses and the public.
✅ We are locally operated but backed by the credibility of the international Better Business Bureau network.”

What motivates you about this industry?

“Trust is powerful – and fragile.

In an era where scams, misinformation, and online reviews can heavily influence decisions, being part of an organization that actively works to protect consumers and elevate ethical businesses is incredibly motivating.

Every resolved dispute, every scam alert shared, and every new Accredited Business strengthens our local marketplace.”

Photo 4: BBB North AL Staff on Valentine’s Day.

Photo 5: BBB North AL staff at their 2025 Christmas party.

What advice would you give to anyone who wants to open a small business?

1. “Lead with integrity from Day One: A strong reputation is one of the most valuable assets a business can have. Be transparent, communicate clearly, respond to concerns quickly, and stand behind your work.
2. Build relationships: North Alabama, including Athens-Limestone County, thrives on community. Networking, collaboration, and showing up consistently matter just as much as your product or service.
3. Surround yourself with organizations that reinforce credibility and accountability — whether that’s your local Chamber, the BBB, or other trusted professional groups. Strong affiliations signal trust to your customers.”

Who locally inspires you?

“We are consistently inspired by small business owners across Athens-Limestone County who operate with resilience, creativity, and integrity. From family-owned shops to growing service providers, it’s encouraging to see entrepreneurs invest in their communities and prioritize ethical practices.

The backbone of North Alabama’s economy is its local business community — and we are proud to support them.”

What events, specials, or promos do you have coming up?

“BBB North Alabama is gearing up for perhaps its best-known event – Our free Shred Days, which help protect the public from identity theft. Our Athens Shred Day will be later this year in the fall, but four cities are upcoming in April & May. Anyone throughout North Alabama is welcome to attend to safely and securely dispose of their sensitive information.

– Florence: Friday, April 10
– Huntsville: Friday, April 17
– Decatur: Friday, May 1
– Cullman: Saturday, May 2

Photo 6: BBB North AL staff and volunteers at Cullman Shred Day 2025.

For full details, please visit BBB.org/northern-alabama.

We’re also planning several fraud events, including one in Athens this summer… For the latest events and initiatives, we encourage the community to follow us on social media or visit our website.”

Anything else you want to share?

“Better Business Bureau of North Alabama has served this region for more than 60 years, but our mission remains forward-focused. As our communities grow, we are committed to evolving with them — providing modern tools, digital resources, proactive scam protection, and expanded visibility opportunities for ethical businesses.

We believe a strong marketplace starts with trust — and we’re proud to help build that foundation every day in Athens-Limestone County and throughout North Alabama.”

Frank’s Good Stuff Antiques & Interiors, owned by Frank Crafts, is part of the retail industry, specializing in antiques, interiors, and gifts, and has been in business for 2 years.

Photo 1: Grand Opening Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for Frank’s Good Stuff in June 2024.

📍414 S Jefferson St. Athens, AL

📞 (256) 206-8066

🔗 https://franksgoodstuffantiques.com/

📍414 S Jefferson St. Athens, AL  | 📞 (256) 206-8066 | 🔗 https://franksgoodstuffantiques.com/

Photo 2: Owner, Frank Crafts, often spends his days rearranging and staging new items in the galleries at Frank’s Good Stuff to insure customers are always seeing the newest finds from gallery owners. Here, Frank brings a small French table– originally purchased from the old Jim Norman Auction House in Hartselle– out to the front aisle in the Unique Mystique gallery.

Why did you decide to open your business in Athens-Limestone County?

“Well, I’m from Limestone County originally, growing up in East Limestone, and I grew up in a home filled with antiques, but I was in a catastrophic car accident in Chicago that led me back here. For about 3 years, in the late teens, I needed help getting out of bed, in and out of the shower, walking and driving. When the company for which I was working, Merck & Co. Inc, decided I was no longer employable, I relocated from Chicago to Athens, and I needed something to do. I started out in Athens with Sandy Collins at Serendipity with one little booth in back. We grew it into what it is now. When I finally found the building that Bill & Susan Ming were leasing, I had been looking for almost 3 years.”

What makes Frank’s Good Stuff stand out from the crowd?

“The mission for Frank’s Good Stuff is to create an environment where our vendors can meet or exceed their sales goals in an atmosphere that will delight… our customers should have no reason to leave Limestone County when searching for fine quality antiques & interiors.”

Photo 2: Owner, Frank Crafts, often spends his days rearranging and staging new items in the galleries at Frank’s Good Stuff to insure customers are always seeing the newest finds from gallery owners. Here, Frank brings a small French table– originally purchased from the old Jim Norman Auction House in Hartselle– out to the front aisle in the Unique Mystique gallery.

What motivates you about this industry?

“I grew up working at Parisian with ‘You, you’re somebody special at Parisian’ and later ‘The Parisian Point of View.’ IMO, I learned about everything there was to know about customer service working there from the time I was 15 until I graduated from college. The other thing motivating me is that quality antiques and fine furniture from the 60’s-90’s are becoming staples in new homes. A generation or two have gone through the IKEA and big box store furniture and are beginning to realize that pieces from those types of stores have a short shelf life, whereas furniture and interiors from our shoppe are true heirlooms and investment pieces.

The final thing that motivates me about this industry is the opportunities to use my inventory for prop rental, art direction and production design in my second job as a filmmaker. That’s a conversation for another day, but I will say, that Mayor Marks and Holly Hollman are creating a filmmaker-friendly environment in Athens that is adding hundreds of thousands of dollars to our tax base.”

Photo 3: Frank’s Good Stuff is fortunate to have original artwork from local artists. Here, Tina Swindell admires one of her paintings of a local landmark, Kreme Delite. One has to act quickly to snag her original artwork, but thankfully, she generally offers prints of her work as well at very attractive price points.

Photo 4: If you don’t see Debby Smith and Kay Kelly, known in antique circles as “Two Classy Chics,” scouring the bins of antiques sales in GA, TN, and FL, you might catch them at regional auctions in AL and MS or in their workshops crafting original pieces for their galleries at Frank’s Good Stuff. They also have a real knack for blending their antique finds with trendy new merchandise that they find at market.

What advice would you give to anyone who wants to open a small business?

“First off, take what you think it’s going to take to open your place and double it. Second, put together a board– even if they are just your friends and your accountant– to bounce things off. And third, open here in Downtown Athens. With the growth we are experiencing and the supportive nature of our downtown, there’s never been a better time to start something new in Athens.”

Who locally inspires you as a business owner?

“Locally, I look no further but to my own cousin, Regina Crawford from Crawford’s Gifts and my friend Amy Hays Higgenbotham from Trinity’s. They are excellent examples of consistency in social media marketing. Again, IMO, social media platforms, primarily, Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook only work if you are consistent every day. All I can say is ‘Way to go, ladies,’ as they are inspiring me and I’m sure, many others.”

Get a sneak peak at the inventory below:

What events, specials, or promos do you have coming up?

“We will be participating in the Chocolate Walk, and our Spring Open House is March 12th – 15th, which begins with our preview on March 12th. We will also have some 3-6pm specials for St Patrick’s Day, Fat Tuesday, and Chinese New Year.”

Anything else you want to share?

“Yes! Shop Athens first! Then tell your friends in North Alabama, Birmingham and Nashville what a gem of a weekend trip Athens is!”