Helping develop and implement the "Start Something" initiative out of the Coleman College of Business. Start Something focuses on innovation-driven entrepreneurship in the Pikeville area. For the sake of this initiative, we define an Innovation-Driven Enterprise as an enterprise focused on an external (maybe even global) market and with a product or service that is innovative in its design, use, or delivery.The initiative aims to transform Pikeville into the Startup Capital of… Show more Helping develop and implement the "Start Something" initiative out of the Coleman College of Business. Start Something focuses on innovation-driven entrepreneurship in the Pikeville area. For the sake of this initiative, we define an Innovation-Driven Enterprise as an enterprise focused on an external (maybe even global) market and with a product or service that is innovative in its design, use, or delivery.The initiative aims to transform Pikeville into the Startup Capital of Appalachia by fostering a robust entrepreneurial ecosystem with strategies and tactics informed by research and frameworks developed through MIT’s Regional Entrepreneurship Acceleration Program (reap.mit.edu).Internally at UPIKE, we’ll be offering comprehensive classroom education and hands-on experience that cultivates world-class entrepreneurs, equipping them with the skills and mindset valuable for a wide range of careers. While at the same time working externally to establish and support a robust ecosystem in the Pikeville area with the ability to launch innovation-driven enterprises in a manner that will leverage the digital economy to scale in central Appalachia.Let's "Start Something" in the Pikeville area! Show less

A home grown retail provider of vintage, new, and used musical instruments shipping to all 50 states from the middle of Appalachia. Our business is built upon an innovative corporate culture and delivery of exceptional customer service.

Located in downtown Pikeville, New Beginnings is on a mission: Spreading the Good News of Jesus Christ, Equipping Believers to Become Leaders, and Uniting believers to serve our community by demonstrating compassion for our neighbors.Www.nbfc.church

We're not your traditional economic development firm. We believe the future of rural communities hinges on a network of partners' ability to work together toward a common strategy and their ability to leverage connectivity for economic growth. Leaning on our successful experience in things like rural innovation-driven entrepreneurship, distributed and remote work success, collective impact implementation and measurement, leadership development, and broadband deployment, we want to help rural… Show more We're not your traditional economic development firm. We believe the future of rural communities hinges on a network of partners' ability to work together toward a common strategy and their ability to leverage connectivity for economic growth. Leaning on our successful experience in things like rural innovation-driven entrepreneurship, distributed and remote work success, collective impact implementation and measurement, leadership development, and broadband deployment, we want to help rural communities reimagine their future. We provide Speaking, Workshops, and Virtual Consulting to help teams and rural communities across the globe leverage connectivity to do things that have never been done. Using proven strategies and frameworks, we can inspire leaders to dream bigger and equip them with the tools necessary to bring multiple stakeholders together for sustained, impactful, action. Show less

Provide specialty services to organizations seeking assistance in Communications/Marketing, Organizational Development/Management, Strategic Planning, Financial Analysis, Organizational Change, and Technology Implementation.

Led the effort in revitalizing the economic system in Appalachia Kentucky through forging partnerships to create innovative solutions to historic challenges. Working for the Governor of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, and Kentucky's 5th District U.S. Representative while uilding a network of people and organizations who refuse to accept the risk of doing nothing.Some of SOAR’s accomplishments under Arnett’s leadership include:*Building and Maintaining Consensus around the Blueprint… Show more Led the effort in revitalizing the economic system in Appalachia Kentucky through forging partnerships to create innovative solutions to historic challenges. Working for the Governor of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, and Kentucky's 5th District U.S. Representative while uilding a network of people and organizations who refuse to accept the risk of doing nothing.Some of SOAR’s accomplishments under Arnett’s leadership include:*Building and Maintaining Consensus around the Blueprint for the Future of Appalachia*Establishing the SOAR Summit as the largest annual convening on the future of Appalachia*Advocating for KentuckyWired throughout the region and working with stakeholders on last-mile broadband buildout strategies*Supporting Remote Work efforts, specifically with Teleworks USA and Digital Careers Now. Teleworks USA has created more than 3,000 jobs since 2015. Digital Careers Now has created over 300 jobs. *Creation of SOAR Innovation, a partnership with the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development’s KY Innovation office, to support entrepreneurs and startups throughout 40 counties in Appalachia Kentucky.*Launch of the StartUp Appalachia Pitch Competition*Launch of Thereisafuture.org and various enhancements of communications platforms that reach more than 2 million people annually.*Support of AppHarvest and its investment in Morehead to build a more than 2.5 million-square-foot high-tech greenhouse and create more than 280 jobs. *Support of tech start-ups like Bit Source. *Launch of a SOAR/MIT Health Hackathon*Developing a tactical approach to implementing collective impact at a massive scale*Scaling from an idea/political initiative as the first employee to a team of 12 with a diversified set of funding partners and a strong path to sustainabilityTo find out more about the impact of SOAR, visit https://www.soar-ky.org/impact. Show less

Tasked with developing and managing the operations of a regional chamber of commerce that is uniting businesses across 8 counties of eastern Kentucky. Analyzing problems and delivering solutions.Helping lead an organization through a significant change; transitioning from the Pike County Chamber of Commerce into the Southeast Kentucky Chamber. This transition includes relationship management with all stakeholders including staff, volunteers, community partners, public officials, and… Show more Tasked with developing and managing the operations of a regional chamber of commerce that is uniting businesses across 8 counties of eastern Kentucky. Analyzing problems and delivering solutions.Helping lead an organization through a significant change; transitioning from the Pike County Chamber of Commerce into the Southeast Kentucky Chamber. This transition includes relationship management with all stakeholders including staff, volunteers, community partners, public officials, and our members. Also worked to develop a new brand platform, strategic marketing plan, and new operating procedures. Show less