Stephen Rhodes

co-owner, Bella Vita Home + Lifestyle and Avail Aesthetics

Clients’ smiles and new-found confidence keep me excited and passionate about what I do.

An Introduction: My first career began at age 8, when my dad put me behind the wheel of a go-cart. After quickly climbing the ranks, I qualified to race in the NASCAR Truck Series in 2003, making me the first openly gay driver to compete in a NASCAR National Series. I also owned two restaurants in my hometown of Goldsboro, which I eventually sold after making the decision to move to Maui.

I moved back to North Carolina after a sponsor approached me about restarting my racing career. Ultimately, I didn’t start racing again after moving to Charlotte, but I did meet my fiance, Nathan Davis. We now own Bella Vita Home + Lifestyle, a home decor and gift store in downtown Raleigh, and Avail Aesthetics, an award-winning MedSpa, in Cary.

Origin Story: The idea for Avail Aesthetics started after I began having a tattoo removed. I was fascinated by everything the world of aesthetics had to offer, and I loved the idea of being able to help people look and feel their best.

Proud Moments: Reaching the top ranks of NASCAR and opening one of the best MedSpas in the Triangle are my proudest professional accomplishments.

More From Our Jun-July 2021 Issue

• Meet Erin O’Loughlin
• Meet Andy Munn
• Meet Marsha McLean
• Meet Hillary Parnell
• Meet Matthew Poling
• Meet Tim McLoughlin
• Meet Calin Riley
• Meet Victoria Ford
• Meet Brianna Williams
• Meet Erin Bircher
• Bring the Magic
• Meet Evan Bost
• Meet the 2021 Movers & Shakers
• A Peek at the Peak City
• Meet Amy Davenport
• Meet Stephen Rhodes
• Meet Nicole Case
• Meet Camille Kauer
• Meet Alicia Jurado
• Meet Virginia H. Johnson
• Meet Sylvia Inks
• Meet Dr. April Gessner Deddens
• Meet Jasmine Brown
• Meet Mycal Brickhouse
• Meet Matthew Bettinger
• Meet Shane Barry
• ‘It just had everything’
• Small Business Spotlight: Blue Diamond Gemstone Panning
• Riding to Victory
• Nonprofit Spotlight: Spirit League of North Carolina
• Restaurant Profile: Keen on Korean
• Liquid Assets: Wen-da-Hell Hefeweizen from Bearded Bee Brewing
• Liquid Assets: Frozen Lavender Lemonade from Andia’s Homemade Ice Cream
• Garden Adventurer: ‘Millenium’ Allium is More Than a Spellcheck