May McNeil has carried an entrepreneurial spark since childhood.
“I was the 10-year-old with a lemonade stand, an at-home restaurant, a family newspaper – you name it, I made it a business endeavor,” May admitted.
As she grew older, that spark was set aside while she pursued a more traditional path — earning a degree in communications and working in retail. After graduation, she built a career in retail management and communications with high-end athleisure companies, moving wherever her work took her.
Eventually, though, it wasn’t a job that determined her next move — it was love. When May’s husband pursued a degree at East Tennessee State University (ETSU), the two lived apart for a time. Deciding it was time for life to be as it should — together — she left Durham, North Carolina, and began looking for work in Johnson City. When nothing felt like the right fit, she leaned back into the entrepreneurial spirit she had shelved for years and decided to pursue her long-held dream of owning a boutique. That dream, she explained, went far beyond fashion.
“I’ve always had this dream of having my own space to build community in – a place where people can be creative, express themselves, and bring folks together – and I was at a turning point in my life and figured now is as good a time as ever to go ahead and chase that dream.”
In Johnson City, May found herself surrounded by others committed to building and enriching their community. The city’s active downtown association boasts over 170 businesses, with the historic district alone home to more than 30 restaurants and bars, family activities, local shops, and vibrant public art. Known as “lively and robust,” the area thrives with community events, merchant promotions, green spaces, and natural attractions — making it the perfect place for McNeil’s new venture, West of May, “a curated boutique blending classic Americana with a wild Appalachian spirit.”
“It’s a cool little downtown – you can tell there are a lot of people who are really passionate about bringing something unique there, and a lot of people have really good ideas and are trying to make it happen,” McNeil said. “It’s exciting to connect with those folks and be part of something as the town grows and changes.”
One of those local connections led her to the Lending Team at Communities Unlimited (CU) for working capital to launch her business. She was drawn to CU’s values from the start.
“I looked up Communities Unlimited and felt I really aligned with the mission, and I liked that it was an organization that is mission-driven and not just another bank.”
May connected with Chris Tillman, CU’s Economic Development Loan Officer, and together they worked through her loan application to determine the right amount for her needs.
“Chris was very honest with me about what to expect,” McNeil said.
“He also went to bat for me to try to help me get what we thought I needed – I felt like he was an advocate throughout the process.”
The funds allowed West of May to host community pop-ups ahead of its planned grand opening in September. In the future, McNeil envisions her boutique displaying local artists’ work, hosting wine tastings, and featuring live performances — helping her become a connector in the community while supporting other local talent.
Alongside in-person events, McNeil has been growing West of May’s online presence. She’s curated an Instagram page showcasing her collections, sharing announcements, and highlighting her mission. She also recently launched her website, featuring her first collection, “Mountain Time.” The business has quickly built momentum — gaining nearly 800 Instagram followers in just two weeks — and fellow business owners, such as Johnson’s Literary Depot, have helped promote it in creative ways, like hiding West of May coupons inside their books.
“I’m meeting people who have the same vision for bringing people together and revitalizing the downtown, and just knowing there’s a lot of people who need this space too and are getting behind it.”
After months of preparation, she’s looking forward to the moment that will mark the start of her next chapter.
“When I get to open my doors for that grand-opening weekend, it’s going to feel amazing,” May said.
With the support she’s received, she knows this is just the beginning. The funds from CU will continue to provide working capital for West of May as it opens its doors and grows into the community hub she’s always envisioned.
