If you’re from Cookeville, you know the name Britt Akers.
From owning One Hour Martinizing to coaching and championing others, Britt’s mark on the city can’t be overstated. But you may not be aware that his journey to leadership and entrepreneurship was a circuitous one.
He shared, “I came here from Warren County when I was 13 years old, after a divorce. I was a ballplayer—you know, basketball, football, baseball – whatever it was, I had to have a ball in my hand. My dad wasn’t really involved with me, and I was raised by a single mom, so a lot of my football and basketball coaches became father figures to me – great father figures. Guys like Rod Chambers, Noel Cherry, and Terry Randolph were so important to me.”
Akers continued, “Susan Galbreath was a manager on the basketball team Terry coached, and her parents, Joe and Sue Galbreath, let me live with them and treated me like family. I think being exposed to sports, community, and people like that helped me tremendously. I also had several ‘moms’ like Betty Ann Sells and Sarah Ramsey – just really kind people who cared about me. Most of all, Paul Ramsey was like a father and mentor to me. These people changed my life and how I saw my future.”
As a competitive athlete, Akers saw the basketball court as the clearest path to his dreams. But as is often the case, life had other plans.
“I was going to try to play college basketball, but I had an injury that sidelined me enough that I couldn’t pursue it collegiately,” he said. “I was hurting because I had put all my eggs in that one basket. I saw athletics as my only way to the life I dreamed about. At the time, I was working at Averitt, but I started looking for other income streams and ways to do my own thing.”
“I knew the Ramseys had a family history in dry cleaning that went all the way back to 1958,” he continued. “So I started asking questions and researching the business. I worked weekends in a dry-cleaning store, learning the ropes and figuring out if it was right for me. I even went to dry-cleaning school after earning my degree from Tennessee Tech. I think my entrepreneurial spirit was really born through my new family and being around strong leaders.”
Though his future shifted from athletics to business, Britt still draws heavily on what sports taught him in how he leads One Hour Martinizing today.
“Sports teach you so much about business – teamwork, working together, and having a mission,” he said. “I’ve always managed like I’m coaching a basketball or baseball team. I try to avoid being a prima donna, and I teach others to resist that too – to never act or feel ‘better’ than anyone else. That mindset has guided me for 35 years, and I still love it. I love the people. I love my customers. And I love the people who work for me.”
He added, “I’ve been blessed with an incredible staff, and they’re the reason One Hour Martinizing has the reputation it does in our community. We may be a small part of the local business landscape, but we’re there on our clients’ landmark days – weddings, christenings, and everything in between. We get to walk with people through some of life’s most meaningful moments, and we couldn’t do that without the right people representing our brand.”
To wrap up our time together, I asked Britt what he loves most about his career and his city.
“It may sound corny, but I really believe people feel better when they’re dressed well,” he said. “I love being part of that confidence boost and the doors it opens. This community embraced me, adopted me, loved me, and encouraged me – and I’m proud to have my life and my business here in Cookeville, Tennessee.”
More than through pressed suits, tuxedos, and starched tablecloths, Britt has changed the world around him by serving others with humility and respect. The pride he has in his children – Eli, Judah, and Annie – is inspiring. The way he celebrates the success of others is admirable. And his commitment to this community is undeniable. We’re grateful Britt Akers calls Cookeville home.
– written by Andrew Buckner, photos by Emily Armstrong
