After 13 years in the Methodist Healthcare system, Wishon Akiens was recruited by The Regional Medical Center at Memphis where he got to travel the world and learn about new product technologies.  After five years at The Med, Akiens wanted to do something else.  He realized there was something missing in the Mid-South’s medical products industry.  There were virtually no minority companies in the local industry.  He knew he was just the person to fill the void.  Akiens partnered with his wife, Cherlyn, and using their daughter’s name – Briana – for inspiration, brought life to BRI Enterprises.  In the early stages, it was hard for Akiens to garner support from manufactures and hospitals.  Fortunately, Akiens’ connections with Methodist Healthcare Systems, combined with his extensive expertise of medical products, proved to be the catalyst he needed for success.  He began a fruitful business relationship with Methodist Healthcare – by far BRI’s largest customer – which works daily with BRI to provide the latest innovations to its patients.   BRI supplies most of the area hospitals including The Med, Baptist, the VA Hospital and UT.  BRI has been in existence since 1995 and currently employs 8 employees.