What does it mean to be the best? And, who is qualified to determine that? What features must be present to deem something so? Is it a quality thing? A popularity thing? What is it about something — a person, product, business — that makes people say things like, “Oh, that was the best movie!” or “That was the best meal.”? The word “best” is used casually every day, but in every usage, it’s a form of validation ... a stamp of approval ... that someone thinks something is primo, exquisite ... the best!

The New Oxford American Dictionary defines the noun form of “best” as “that which is the most excellent, outstanding or desirable; the most meritorious aspect of a thing or person; the highest standard or level that a person or thing can reach.” In reading that, I understand it to mean that there is room for more than one “best;” there can be a lot of bests, as long as whatever or whoever it is exudes the highest quality possible.

With that in mind, Her Nashville is introducing a new stamp of approval, “Her Best,” which is a merit given to local companies and services by you. To kick it off, this issue features four businesses that were nominated by readers (multiple times!) as having “the highest standard or level that a person or thing can reach.” In short, these are some of Nashville’s best. But again, there are a lot of bests. So, each month, we will continue to feature a business that offers “Her Best” quality to customers. Once these businesses have been crowned in the magazine, they will each receive a “Her Best” sticker to proudly display, letting the world know that Nashville women think the service they offer is top-notch. So keep an eye out for the crown, and feel good about where you shop, what doctor you see, who decorates your home and any other service you employ. Because it’s not what I think is tops; it’s about you. You tell me who rocks, and I’ll spread the word. And that, my ladies, is the best!

Ashley Haugen