Knoxville Entrepreneur Center

Watch Chris McAdoo take the stage for an impassioned seven minutes to dig deep into the heart of what makes Knoxville Entrepreneur Center so special, and our Maker City community so innovative and powerful. Hint…it’s the people out there doing the work. People like... Kandis Troutman, MA, Paris Woodhull, Hannah Lee, Bailey Foster, Grady Vanderhoofven, John Phillips, Kate Wiggeringloh, Femeika Elliott, Eugenia Almeida, Nikki Elliott, CPA and many, many more. ? Originally recorded during PechaKucha Knoxville’s fiftieth edition on March 07, 2024.?Pecha-Kucha (“Chit-Chat”) is a simple presentation format that features twenty images displayed for twenty seconds each. Originating in Tokyo in 2003, PKN was brought to Knoxville in 2009, along with 400 cities around the world. https://lnkd.in/gq6NCXav

Learn how to identify your own strengths and weaknesses, define clear roles for new hires, and create an appealing work environment that attracts great people during 100Knoxville's quarterly workshop at KEC! Hosted by 100Knoxville and the Knoxville Entrepreneur Center, sales expert Ryan McGrew will be leading the workshop on Building a Great Team on December 2nd! This workshop will help small business owners build a team that aligns with their vision by focusing on more than just the job they are hiring for. We’ll discuss ways to make your business stand out as an employer through culture, growth opportunities, and other benefits that go beyond pay. By the end, you'll have actionable strategies to attract and retain the right talent for your business. Learn more & register: https://lnkd.in/ens7XsxZ

Tonight’s Growth & Grit | Celebrating East TN's Inc. 5000 Listed Companies is one of my favorite yearly events. Lots of laughter & reflection highlighted this joyful roundtable of local leaders & entrepreneurs at the Relix Theatre. It was great seeing some of my past & present clients & pals (I’m lookin’ at you, Abhijit Verekar), a couple of my former fellow Fairview Technology board directors (lookin’ at YOU, Kathy Schrader - Country Financial Representative), a former APR coworker (lookin’ at you, Mike Cohen), a fellow Women in Entrepreneurship Blount County founding member (that’s YOU, Susan Verekar) and former TPW Magazine interview subject (lookin’ at YOU, Robert Hall of Ole Smoky Distillery, LLC.) And as usual, Chris McAdoo’s emceeing (with Harry Boston) was nothing less than performance art. Time well spent, Knoxville Entrepreneur Center; kudos all around.

I have so much time and empathy with entrepreneurs of all types after the last six years of the journey with Boldsquare. They take their work home with them every day, and carry the hopes of their people on their shoulders. Yet when you hear them speak, they generally tell you how great things are, how they’re empowering change, excited for the future and so on. Last night at a Knoxville Entrepreneur Center celebration to recognize the companies in the region who made it on to this year’s Inc. Magazine 5000 list, my friend Abhijit Verekar spoke eloquently about the reality of life on the entrepreneurial journey. His business Avèro Advisors is kicking ass, but he’s also self aware enough to see - and publicly admit - that growth is kicking his and his company’s ass too. Growth is now a given for their business thanks to the quality of service they provide, but how they scale responsibly and effectively is the challenge - and one that he will readily share is a fight every day. After a challenging day, it was refreshing and relieving to hear. Anyone else fancy joining the Entrepreneurial League For Honesty & Openness?

During Let Her Speak's final Women Building Wealth session of 2024, you'll hear about a topic every business owner needs to understand: the hidden costs that eat away at profits. From surprise expenses to overlooked inefficiencies, these "silent profit killers" can have a major impact on anyone building a business and their personal wealth. ?? When: Tuesday, November 19th, 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM ?? Where: Maple Room @ Maple Hall Join Let Her Speak for a Lunch & Learn discussion with guest experts: ? Brianne Wells of Oberle Risk Strategies ? Erin Reece of Bear Financial Solutions Learn more & register: https://lnkd.in/ecApRvPj

Knoxville, we’re coming your way! Join us on Tuesday, Dec. 3 from 4:30 - 6:30 PM ET to connect entrepreneurs and startup companies with information about capital opportunities and other resources. Capital Conversations, an exclusive in-person meetup hosted by Pinnacle Financial Partners right in your community, is your chance to learn more about #InvestTN, the Launch Tennessee-administered, $70-million fund for investments in startups throughout Tennessee. The event will feature LaunchTN’s Capital team, financial sector experts from Pinnacle Financial Partners, and representatives from the Knoxville Entrepreneur Center. Come ready to learn, mix & mingle, and connect. Save your spot at https://lnkd.in/eQDk7T5Q #LaunchTN #CapitalConversations

Small Business Hurricane Recovery Grant Program The Small Business Hurricane Recovery Grant Program, with founding sponsor American Express, provides small business disaster recovery assistance for physical damage or economic loss due to Tropical Storm/Hurricane Helene or Hurricane Milton. Applications close November 17, 2024. https://lnkd.in/g3spuGCh

Congratulations to the following companies that were listed on the 2024 Inc. 5000 for the first time! Red Door Getaways Shep Digital Solutions RDA Healthcare Supply Chain Services Priority OnDemand Vitali Partners Companies on the 2024 Inc. 5000 are ranked according to percentage revenue growth from 2020 through 2023. To qualify, companies must have been founded and generating revenue by March 31, 2020. We look forward to celebrating these companies during Growth & Grit next week at Relix Theatre! Register today: https://lnkd.in/eAkVqzUR?

The first week of The Maker City's Holiday Marketplace features five makers and five unique custom experiences! This is your chance to support local makers - virtually! How it works: ?? Place your bid in the comments on Instagram. ?? Check back to increase the bids during the day. ??The highest bid at 8pm wins! ?? The maker completes the sale. Featuring: @lyndseyullomart @KnoxvillePetPhotographer @girlsgottaeatgood @gretchenknode @smoky_mountain_scents Check back each Monday for five new items! Next week’s theme is Cozy. Illustrations created by @log_the_human. https://lnkd.in/eSftEH6u #TheMakerCity #TheMakerCityHolidays

Join the Anderson Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation at the University of Tennessee for the second Coffee Club, perfect those interested in startups, entrepreneurship or standing out in established companies. Startup coach & friend of KEC, Melissa Centers will have open discussions around critical business skills and capabilities. This second Coffee Club will be on November 11 at 8:15 a.m. in HBB 418.