As I entered the busy tire shop, I see a young man interacting with the customers. I head over to the counter and ask to speak with the owner, Josh Sheay. The man pointed to the young man who was interacting with the customers. I watch as Josh talks with yet another customer. Don’t let Josh’s young age fool you. When the family business needed help, he stepped right up and took charge. He takes pride in his work and puts the hours in as needed. He has high ambitions for a business that’s been in their family for years!

What inspired you or led you to your current career?

At the time it was to help the family out. He was having a hard time keeping employees. I felt I could pitch in and I did that and just got stuck. So here I am.Who is he?  My dad. Does your dad still work here? He recently retired. We bought him out. I like to say we fired him and he got a really good severance pay. Hahaha!

What is your favorite restaurant in Knoxville and what do you love there?

Probably Louis down on old Broadway is one of my favorites and the best would either be spaghetti or their lasagna.

How long have you lived or worked in Knoxville?

I was born and bred in Knoxville so I’ve not left. We like to travel but as far as growing up, I’ve been here all of my life. I started working when I was sixteen and just have not stopped working since.

Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in Knoxville? 

There’s a ton of interesting people. But if I was going to nail down one it…… am I allowed to say my dad? I’d probably say my dad, Howard, but he goes by Gene.

If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be?  And why?

My wife is a fluent traveler. She loves to travel everywhere. We’re trying to get the kids to see new things.  Number one would always be Ireland. We’ve already been there twice but if I had to say something else I’d say Scotland. Because every time we go to Ireland we’re that close. Are you Irish? No. Is your wife Irish? No, but my oldest son is thirteen. He was born on St. Patrick’s Day. I don’t know if it was just that or my wife’s favorite color is green. So we just tend to lean toward the luck of the Irish.

What is your favorite movie OR what is the first movie you remember seeing in a theater?

I don’t remember my first. There are so many good ones but Gladiator or Braveheart. Those are the two movies. If they’re ever on, I can never turn them off. 

What advice would you give a crowd of people?

I guess it would be to try new things and sometimes you come out of your comfort zone to experience new because if you never try you’ll never know what you’re missing out on. 

What is your favorite music/ 3 bands you would like to see (dead or alive)?

I was never really much of a concert-goer. And as many different types of music that I’ve always listened to, I would say right now, everything tends to be Christian or Christian rock. If I were going to go see a band I would want to go to something old school like the Eagles or maybe some alternative like the Cranberries, Bush, anything back in the late 80’s or early 90’s.

Choosing anyone alive and a non-relative: with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? Where in Knoxville would you have lunch?

I would probably say one of my old best friends, Jim Harris, just because we could sit down and talk for hours and it would seem like we could just keep talking. As far as where it would be…. something in West Knoxville because it’s hard for him to get to me and hard for me to get to him. Probably Smokey Mountain Brewery, any place like that because that way we could sit and have bar food and beer. 

What is your favorite thing or something unique about Knoxville?

The one thing I always like to tell people when they ask me about Knoxville, it’s such a centralized location because you can go three hours in any direction, north or south on a major interstate and hit a major city. You’ve got easy access to major airports. Plus you’re not north so you don’t get the crazy winters. You’re not too far south so you don’t get the crazy summers. We kind of get four seasons but we’re still real close to the mountains too. Being in the valley is kind of one in itself.

Where do you see yourself in 5 or 10 years?

 Hopefully retired but I know that won’t happen. So probably expanded and being a small business owner with multiple locations.

(Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?

I’m an extreme introvert and don’t like to talk with people or deal with people which is why it’s so weird that I’m so good at sales. It goes back to that whole thing that you’re trying to do things to come out of your comfort zone because you never know what you’re going to miss out on. 

Who would you like to see nominated for this project, The Faces of Knoxville?

Jim, my buddy Jim Harris.

If you were cast into a major motion picture and had your choice of anyone to be your co-star, who would you choose?

Jennifer Aniston.

If you had a full-time staff member that was fully paid for, who would you choose?

Chef, Housekeeper, Driver, Coach, Physical Fitness Trainer, or Nanny?

A Nanny.

What 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?

Right now I would think of crazy and work because there are so many projects going on. For me right now comfort, family, and relaxation.

Josh, Thank you for sitting down and sharing your story with The Faces of Knoxville! Blessings~Bridget