December 2021 (Lexington, KY) - The University of Kentucky’s Von Allmen Center for Entrepreneurship (VACE) celebrates the end of 2021 with a series of successful workshops dedicated to inspire and connect aspiring entrepreneurs.
“The Launchpad Lex series has been a success for the community, small businesses, and our entrepreneurship eco-system to connect and support each other. I am especially thankful for the sponsorship of the Von Allmen Center for Entrepreneurship.” - Jeni Al Bahrani | Founder, Ei District
“The Launchpad Lex speaker series has been very successful in bringing together different parts of the local entrepreneurial ecosystem to learn more about entrepreneurship in the region. The series has been well received by all participants.” – Warren Nash | Executive Director, Von Allmen Center for Entrepreneurship
In collaboration with the Ei District, the three-part workshop series was offered on September 22, October 13, and November 13, each located at Ethereal Brewing at the University of Kentucky’s Cornerstone building on 401 South Limestone. Registration included one food ticket sponsored by VACE and one beverage ticket for Ethereal Brewing sponsored by The Econ Games.
Workshop 1 - “Entrepreneurship in the Brewery Industry”
Kentucky is known for entrepreneurs who have a passion for developing great craft beer and other spirits. The first event was held from 5-7pm on September 22nd. Speakers included Andrew Bishop, owner of Ethereal Brewing; Kore Donnelly, co-founder of Blue Stallion Brewing Company; and Daniel Harrison, brand manager at Country Boy Brewing.
Andrew Bishop, Owner – Ethereal Brewing born and raised in Lexington, Bishop helped open Ethereal Brewing Black Friday of 2014 with his long time friend Brandon Floan. The two of them had been brewing as a hobby for many years before deciding try opening up a brewery. They both attended Tates Creek High School as well as the University of Kentucky. Ethereal has now expanded to 3 locations in Lexington and is heavily involved in giving back to the community and teaming up with others to create a fun, safe, and diverse experience in Lexington.
Kore Donnelly, Co-Founder - Blue Stallion Brewing Company born and raised in Lexington he spent his childhood living a mile from where the brewery now stands and has a love for craft beer, beer brewing, and a background in business. As a Lexington native, Kore is excited to be involved in adding to the already dynamic and inviting culture of this city. Kore is involved in many aspects of the business from brewing to marketing, managing the tasting room, and keeping the books. Kore attended the University of Kentucky for both his bachelor’s and graduate degrees.
Daniel Harrison, Brand Manager - Country Boy Brewing born and raised in Scott County, KY where he still resides with his two children and wife, Michiko. He is a graduate of Scott County High School, Georgetown College, and received his Master’s of Arts from The University of Kentucky. He fell in love with craft beer during a three year stint teaching English in Japan. Daniel currently is Brand Manager for the brewery and is a founding board member and current Vice President of the Kentucky Guild of Brewers. While not at the brewery, DH spends his time playing with his kids, hunting and fishing, drinking beer, and generally annoying his wife.
Workshop 2 - “Building Entrepreneurship in the Community with NoLi Community Development Corporation and Julietta Market”
The second event was held from 5-7 pm on October 13th featuring a fireside conversation. Speakers included Andrea James, executive director of North Limestone Community Development Corporation; Adina Tatum, director of operations at Juliette Market; and Norma Smith, founder and owner of xNorma. The Julietta Market was launched as a non-profit public market to promote entrepreneurship and small business opportunity as the catalyst to build the community.
Andrea James - Executive Director of the North Limestone Community Development Corporation. Prior to her work with NOLI, Andrea served as the Community Response Strategist for Lexington’s mayor with an emphasis on creating a collective response to the opioid and substance use crisis in Lexington. She was also intrical in the city’s efforts related to COVID response and a mayor’s commission on Racial Equality and Justice.
Born and raised in Lexington, Andrea served on Lexington’s city council from 2007-2011 representing the First District and has the distinct honor of being the first black woman to serve as an elected city council member in Lexington. Andrea has worked in local government, philanthropy and various medical administrative roles throughout her career. Andrea works as a consultant with S & A Strategies, a company she co-founded in 2017 that works with organizations working to deepen community engagement and with candidates campaigning for local elected positions. She serves as the board chair of the Kentucky Center for Grieving Children and Families and as chair of the University of Kentucky’s HEALing Communities Fayette County Coalition. She enjoys gardening and anything outdoors and spending time droning or hiking with her husband, Rodney.
Adina Tatum - Director of Operations at Julietta Market, a project of NoLi CDC. Prior to her work with Julietta Market, she worked for 14 years in the Bridal Industry as a Retail Manager and Buyer. In her time in the bridal industry Adina developed discernment of customers, colleagues, and supervisors. Adina also developed a passion for business development. Having a love for a challenge she developed new business strategies to increase revenue for the bridal business. This allowed her to a bring fresh perspective and ideas to a developing the growing market. Having obtained an Associates in Arts, she returned to university to earn her Bachelor's Degree in Science and Business Administration as a first generational college graduate.
Adina has a passion for entrepreneurship. She is a franchisee with Jazzercise Inc and where she also teaches a high energy aerobics class. On the stage is where she feels most like herself. Growing up as an introvert, teaching Jazzercise has challenged her to come out of her comfort zone and allowed her to develop her interpersonal skills and become confident in her offerings in her health and fitness business.
Born and raised in Lexington Kentucky Adina has faced many economic challenges. One lesson she has learned is that every choice has a consequence. Her mantra for reaching those goals and success is “You have the choice to choose the path for your life no matter where your starting point was.”
Norma Smith is founder and owner of xNorma. Norma was one of Lexington’s top bartenders, specializing in bourbon and craft cocktails. She recently opened her own full service cocktail shop at Julietta Market in Lexington Kentucky, where she makes cocktail mixers sourced from local high quality ingredients.
Workshop 3 – “Increasing Academic Outreach by Embracing an Entrepreneurial Mindset”
The final workshop was held from 5-7pm on November 3rd and featured a conversation with Dr. Abdullah Al Bahrani, economics professor at Northern Kentucky University and Dr. Darshak Patel, economics professor at the University of Kentucky’s Gatton College of Business and Economics.
Dr. Abdullah Al Bahrani is an Associate Professor of Economics and the Director of the Center for Economics Education at Northern Kentucky University. His research focuses on economics education and on the role of information on economic decision-making and market outcomes. He has worked in areas of mortgage markets, financial literacy, and economic policy. With the opportunity to work with organizations across the world he has worked with businesses, universities, and policy think tanks in Ireland, Oman, UAE, the United Kingdom, and the United States. He is a strong advocate for evidence-based policymaking and working with organizations to better incorporate diversity, inclusion, and belonging efforts.
Dr. Al Bahrani is passionate about innovative education and student centered learning. Dr. Al Bahrani is proud to be the recipient of the Kenneth G. Elzinga Distinguished Teaching Award (2020), Excellence in Teaching and Instruction award (2016), Dean’s Citation award (2015), and several other awards that recognize my passion and ability for teaching. He is also a proud native of Oman. Click here to join his monthly newsletter. Connect with him on Twitter, and Instagram.
Dr. Darshak Patel is a Senior Lecturer of Economics and the Director of Undergraduate Studies at The University of Kentucky Gatton College of Business and Economics. His goal as an educator is to increase the level of engagement among students by developing lectures and assignments that focus on generating a high level of energy, interest, and motivation in students towards the subject of economics. He promotes active learning through use of active learning strategies, popular media such as EPSN30for30 and Shark Tank, and connecting economics with students over social media.Darshak is a recipient of the Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching at the College of Business and Global Affairs in 2015 at University of Tennessee Martin, a two time recipient of A Teacher Who Made a Difference in 2015 and 2017, a recipient of Gatton College’s Award for Teaching Excellence and Faculty of the Year award in 2019 and UK Alumni Association 2020 Great Teacher Award . Though Darshak’s passion lies in economics, he enjoys many other pursuits. He claims to be a good soccer player, loves getting lost on hikes, frequents local breweries, and has the best dog in the world.
The Econ Games was founded by Dr. Abdullah Al Bahrani and Dr. Darshak Patel. The professors listened to their students and with their entrepreneurial mindset; they filled a gap in the market and has helped students from across the globe.