The ribbon cutting for one of Knoxville’s newest businesses on Wednesday represents a new beginning for one family, which has faith not only in themselves but in their friends and neighbors in town.

Cunningham Financial Services has been in operation since early April, and on Wednesday afternoon the Knoxville Chamber of Commerce formally marked their arrival at 305 East State Street.

Joe and Shawna Cunningham are launching their financial planning business after Joe’s departure from Iowa State Savings Bank. He tells KNIA/KRLS News it was a bit nerve-wracking to take a chance on going into business for themselves, but the time seemed right to make the move.

“It was; it’s a big step of faith, and I spent about fifteen years at Iowa State Savings Bank and I loved it; I have nothing but great things to say about it, it was wonderful times. But with the transition that they were going through, we just had to evaluate what was best for us…so we decided to take this leap of faith and have our own company,” Cunningham says.

In the short time the office has been opened, Cunningham says they’ve gotten a warm reception from the community; he and Shawna say they love Knoxville, and have always wanted to have their own business in town.