Innovation Campus News 2-15-2024 | |
Fueling creativity and collaboration: students, alumni, staff, business members, business owners, and WKU professor unite at the WKU Innovation Campus, shaping the blueprint for an exciting ImagineBGKY Hackathon ahead! | |
MEMBER SPOTLIGHT OF THE MONTH | |
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This month, the WKU Innovation Campus Member of the Month is Brittanie Dawson - Business Coach with Kentucky Small Business Development Center - South Central (Kentucky SBDC - South Central).
Tell us a little more about SBDC. What are they and what do they do? What services do you offer?
The South-Central Small Business Development Center exists to help small businesses and entrepreneurs in all stages of business ownership. We are a nationwide resource, funded by local community partners, like WKU and the Bowling Green Chamber of Commerce, as well as the Small Business Administration. All of our services are offered at no cost to the client. We offer market research, advisement on marketing and social media, business planning resources, and loan packaging, as well as many other topics.
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What do you love most about being a business coach?
I love helping my clients see their dreams come true. To walk with a client through the purchase or start-up of a business, and then see their success, is so exciting. I value the relationships I have built in my time with the SBDC.
Can you share a fun or memorable client interaction / story?
One of my favorite things to do is actually go out to a client's place of business and really see them in their element. Site visits give you insight into a small business owner’s passion.
What advice would you give someone considering starting their own small business?
One of the best first steps you can take if you have an idea for a small business is attend one of our Start Smart Webinars. These are held frequently and can be found on our website at www.kentuckysbdc.com.
Kentucky SBC is located in the Small Business Accelerator.
Please feel free to reach out to Brittanie at:
Email or 270-721-2800 or 270-925-2214
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MEMBER OF THE MONTH LUNCH & LEARN | |
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FREE BUSINESS SERVICES FOR
SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS
Get ready to supercharge your business strategy with our upcoming Member of the Month Lunch & Learn focused on essential topics like business planning, financial projections, marketing, and branding. Whether you're an entrepreneur launching a startup or a seasoned business owner looking to refine your strategy, this workshop is designed to equip you with the knowledge and tools you need to succeed in today's competitive landscape.
Wednesday, February 28
Noon - 1pm
Hosted by - Brittanie Dawson - Business Coach
Kentucky SBDC - South Central
SmartSpace Training Room
For more information or to register click HERE.
*If you need access to the SmartSpace please stop by the front office.
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SUSPENDERS
OF
DISBELIEF
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GROWING THE RESEARCH PORTFOLIO AT WKU
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Suspenders of Disbelief, a new storytelling and engagement consultancy, announced its founding and establishment of headquarters in Bowling Green, Ky., in the Collaborative SmartSpace of the Western Kentucky University Innovation Campus HQ. The company’s location at the WKU Innovation Campus is a natural extension of multiple research projects the Suspenders of Disbelief founders have conducted in the state in the past several years.
Read more about Suspenders of Disbelief here.
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Thanks to WKU President Tim Caboni for featuring our Civic Imagination & Worldbuilding conference in his latest campus update to faculty and staff. We are proud to partner with the University of Southern California, Western Kentucky University Potter College of Arts & Letters, and WKU Innovation Campus to bring this exciting event to life!
Read the full article on Growing the Research Portfolio at WKU here.
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STARTUP GARDEN
Growing Entreprenuers From Seed
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Are you ready to cultivate success in 2024? The Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce, KY Innovation, CREATE, and WKU Innovation Campus is thrilled to announce the kickoff of our first Start-Up Garden event of the year. This is your opportunity to dive into the dynamic world of real estate with none other than Mihreta Heldic, the visionary behind Velvet Beauty House, as our keynote speaker.
Exploring the Real Estate Landscape?
Join us as Mihreta shares her expertise and insights into the real estate industry. Whether you're a seasoned investor or just dipping your toes into the market, her knowledge and experience promise to shed light on key trends, opportunities, and strategies that can help you navigate the ever-evolving landscape of real estate.
Secure Your Spot Today!
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INNOVATION CAMPUS PIE COOKOFF
National PI Day - Thursday, March 14
1:00 - 2:00
Innovation Campus - Room 129
Stay tuned for more details.
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WELCOME TO THE WKU INNOVATION CAMPUS | |
The WKU Innovation Campus would like to say WELCOME to our newest members below and we look forward to working with you. | |
| Yellowberri | SmartSpace | For over 16 years, we have been curating cool in our local and international communities. In today’s age of niches, specialists, and algorithms; we do it all under one roof, a digital one. We’re a network of creative specialists from around the world, built with elbow grease, duct tape, and hot sauce. Lots of hot sauce…
| | Joshua Ohimai | SmartSpace |
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INNOVATION CAMPUS COMMUNITY QUESTIONS | |
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We are thrilled to announce a fantastic opportunity for your company, business, or lab to shine at the WKU Innovation Campus! Each month, we feature a standout member as our "Member of the Month" in our newsletter and emails, reaching our community of innovators, faculty, and staff at WKU.
Would your company, business or lab like to participate in a Member of the Month? Let us know HERE.
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Here at the Innovation Campus, we thrive to foster a sense of community among our talented individuals. We believe that by coming together, sharing ideas, and collaborating, we can achieve incredible things.
Share your ideas with us by clicking HERE.
To further enhance our community experience, we want to hear from you! Do you have an event, training, or any other initiative in mind that you'd like to see offered at the Innovation Campus?
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AVAILABLE WEBINARS FROM INNOVATION CAMPUS MEMBERS | |
QUICKBOOKS TRAINING
Did you miss the Free QuickBooks Training from Innovation Campus member Community Ventures? The training is now available for free via webinar. For more information, please reach out to Miller Slaughter by EMAIL.
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Latest Business Email Compromise Scams - Don't Be The Next Victim
Keller Schroeder, a member of the Innovation Campus, is offering an on-demand webinar by KnowBe4 that is aimed at preventing you from becoming the next target.
During the webinar you’ll learn:
- The truth about Business Email Compromise
- How to defend against these attacks using technical and non-technical controls
- Why building a human firewall is your best last line of defense.
Click HERE for more information.
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PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT & NETWORKING FOR SMALL BUSINESSES OWNERS | |
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A few weeks ago, small business owners associated with POP-UP (People’s Opportunity Program for Underserved Populations) seized a valuable opportunity to network, mentor and enhance their financial management skills at the inaugural POP-In event. Sponsored by POP-UP, America’s SBDC Kentucky, CREATE and the WKU Innovation Campus, the event brought together owners of newly-formed, local businesses and WKU accounting faculty and Beta Alpha Psi students for an evening of collaboration and knowledge and real world-sharing experiences.
The gathering provided a platform for small business owners to connect with accounting and finance students and foster potential partnerships. Small business owners can get overwhelmed by running the day-to-day operations and the management responsibilities of owning a business. POP-In’s goals are to provide networking opportunities and professional development and support to enhance the chances of success for these owners. It was inspiring to witness the exchange of ideas and experiences between local entrepreneurs and next generation of business leaders.
One of the highlights of the evening was a presentation on Small Business Financial Management delivered by WKU Gordon Ford College of Business’ professor Heather Glass. Ms. Glass shared valuable insights and practical strategies to help attendees navigate the financial aspects of running a small business effectively. Her expertise and guidance were invaluable, offering attendees actionable advice to enhance their financial management skills and drive success in their ventures.
These networking and professional development events will be held monthly for POP-UP clients that have been funded or are pursuing funding. The People’s Opportunity Program for Underserved Populations is committed to expanding economic opportunities for minorities and other under-resourced members of our community by providing business know-how and financial resources for positively impacting new and existing business development. POP-UP is directed by Live the Dream Development Corporation and the Housing Authority of Bowling Green.
For more information on POP-UP please contact: Dawn Bolton - EMAIL or Visit us HERE.
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