unleashing
national impact
igniting local
transformation
The Owl's Tree House Learning Center, a nonprofit childcare business, embarked on a challenging journey to become Owsley County's first-ever childcare center. This rural Kentucky county, referred to as a "childcare desert," has no local resources for childcare or early childhood education, making the creation of such a business both critical and complex. Recognizing the urgent need, lead representatives Sue Christian and JoAnne Richardson began work on the project in January 2024. With no paid staff and extremely limited resources, they relied entirely on the dedication of volunteers.
Among the most daunting challenges was managing the center's finances without formal administrative support, a vital necessity for ensuring the long-term sustainability of any childcare facility. Christian and Richardson also faced the substantial task of developing a structured, high-quality curriculum that met state standards, a process that required considerable time and expertise.
Adding to these obstacles was the intricate process of navigating the industry's inspection and regulatory requirements. For new operators, understanding and meeting these standards proved overwhelming without dedicated resources or prior experience. These logistical, financial, and regulatory hurdles highlighted the complexity of bringing much-needed childcare services to an underserved community.
In March 2024, The Owl's Tree House Learning Center recognized the urgent need for expert guidance to navigate the complexities of launching a childcare business. Seeking professional assistance, they partnered with the Kentucky Small Business Development Center (SBDC) and Southeast Kentucky Economic Development Corporation (SKED). Through the Kentucky SBDC Childcare Initiative, the center received crucial support, including tailored guidance and training to help prepare for a successful launch.
A key area of assistance was financial management. The Kentucky SBDC Childcare Initiative provided a QuickBooks subscription, along with training and setup, and a laptop, giving the team the essential tools to manage finances, track expenses, and develop budgets effectively. This not only ensured proper financial oversight but also positioned the center for long-term sustainability.
In addition to financial tools, the initiative supplied a comprehensive, STARS-certified curriculum, meeting the state's rigorous standards for early childhood education. This curriculum was vital for ensuring a high-quality learning experience for the children, while also fulfilling the regulatory requirements necessary for licensing.
With the Kentucky SBDC Childcare Initiative's support, The Owl's Tree House Learning Center has achieved remarkable milestones on its journey to becoming Owsley County's first-ever childcare facility, set to serve 47 children. Armed with QuickBooks software and a dedicated laptop, the center's team now has the tools to manage finances effectively, track expenditures, and establish a sustainable budget. The training provided by the initiative has empowered them to maintain detailed financial records, enhancing transparency and positioning the center for long-term success.
The STARS-certified curriculum supplied by the initiative has been instrumental in helping the center meet state standards, ensuring that the children will benefit from a high-quality, structured learning environment. This curriculum enables The Owl's Tree House to comply with licensing requirements, adding credibility and assurance for the community.
As the center prepares to open its doors by the end of 2024, it stands ready to provide vital early childhood education to 47 children, helping fill a critical gap for families in Owsley County. This accomplishment represents a foundational step toward addressing the area's childcare needs and fostering community growth.
Madeline Tipton's journey to becoming a business owner began amidst unprecedented challenges. Graduating with a Communications degree in Spring 2020, she faced a world turned upside down by the COVID-19 pandemic. Instead of embarking on her planned career path, she found herself back in her hometown of Ashland, KY. However, Madeline seized the opportunity to explore her passion for art and painting during the extended period of isolation.
As the country began to reopen, Madeline transformed her newfound creativity into a business venture. By April 2021, she launched The Tipton Creative, a company specializing in custom murals, sign painting, and brand design. In just under three years, Madeline's hard work paid off. She completed over 65 projects across Kentucky, Ohio, West Virginia, and even Uganda, transforming spaces and helping brands tell their stories visually.
"Working with Terri and Michelle allowed me to not only develop a strong and confident pitch, but I was able to feel more organized and focused toward my future goals. I started out feeling lost on how to pitch, and I feel more equipped with public speaking in future opportunities!"
Despite her early success, Madeline recognized the need to elevate her business's visibility. She aimed to grow her brand beyond word-of-mouth recognition and attract clients on a larger scale. To achieve this, she sought guidance from the Kentucky Small Business Development Center (SBDC), Eastern Kentucky Center, in the Fall of 2023.
Madeline set her eyes on competing in the Invest 606 Pitch competition in April 2024, where the prize could fuel her plans to expand into web design and social media marketing for small businesses. In addition to the prize, she also sought the opportunity to raise her brand awareness and sharpen her public speaking skills.
Under the mentorship of Terri and Michelle from the Kentucky SBDC, Madeline worked diligently to develop a compelling and organized pitch. The guidance helped her gain clarity on her business goals, refine her message, and boost her confidence in public speaking.
While The Tipton Creative did not clinch the prize money at Invest 606, Madeline's participation was far from a loss. The competition provided her with invaluable exposure and resulted in securing new clients impressed by her presentation. She successfully raised awareness of her brand, setting the stage for future opportunities.
Madeline's talent and drive have not gone unnoticed. Recently, she was commissioned to spearhead the rebranding of the Ashland Alliance into the Northeast Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, serving Boyd and Greenup counties. This project is a testament to her growing influence in the regional business community.
Beyond her business endeavors, Madeline is dedicated to giving back. She actively volunteers her time to charity events, economic development seminars, and community engagements. As a speaker at the 2024 SOAR Annual Conference in Pikeville, she shared her insights on brand marketing and encouraged others to turn their passions into a thriving business.
The SBDC in Eastern Kentucky team is excited to continue supporting Madeline on her journey. Her commitment to uplifting others through her art and branding expertise is leaving a positive impact on the region. Madeline Tipton's story is a powerful example of resilience and creativity, proving that even in challenging times, opportunities for growth and success are within reach.
Bill Meehan and Kirk Selenberg of Reaction Items, LLC faced significant challenges in launching their innovative product, MiniGrip, during the pandemic. Designed to help individuals with limited hand mobility, the product aimed to meet a critical need but struggled with supply chain disruptions in 2021 and 2022. The high costs of manufacturing and branding in China added to the hurdles, making it difficult to achieve profitability. Additionally, as newcomers to the B2B market, they needed guidance to expand their reach and secure funding for inventory and product development.
"The MiniGrip team had a wonderful experience working with SBDC, especially with our coach, Tonya Parsons. Tonya sincerely wants her businesses to succeed, so when you work with her, you feel like she's part of your team. She is also very resourceful and proactively tries to connect you with anyone whom she thinks can help, whether it's a resource from within the SBDC organization or outside. We started to go to her for all of our needs because she usually figures out how to help you solve your problem. Lastly, Tonya is extremely organized. She always sends you noted after the meeting and always follows up with all of her actions."
The Kentucky SBDC in Lexington provided tailored support to Bill and Kirk. Business coach Tonya Parsons helped them expand their business plan, explore alternative manufacturing options, and secure microloan funding to address inventory challenges. The provided LivePlan resource clarified their financial strategy and helped them secure their first loan. Marketing strategies and test market coaching from SBDC coaches JC Phelps and Stuart Arnold enabled them to refine their outreach. With the Kentucky SBDC's guidance, they transitioned manufacturing to Indonesia, reducing costs and improving efficiency. Their promotional efforts were bolstered by features on platforms like FOX, CBS, Amazon Launchpad, and Grommet, while Kickstarter and pitch competition success further validated their business.
Reaction Items has experienced substantial growth, with 2023 revenues over 1.5 times higher than 2022. The introduction of the MiniGrip XL Jar Opener and the addition of a marketing-savvy co-owner set the stage for continued expansion. B2B efforts now target promotional products and beverage manufacturers, and future plans include NFL-branded MiniGrips. The company also supports its community by mentoring startups and donating a portion of sales to the American Cancer Society, demonstrating both commercial success and social responsibility. Bill and Kirk were also names 2024 Kentucky SBDC Pacesetter Award Winners and were featured in Frankfort, Kentucky at the 2024 Kentucky Celebrates Small Business ceremony.
