What's the Startup?!
Welcome to “What’s the Startup?!”, the podcast that opens the door to the dynamic and ever-evolving world of startups in Western Kentucky. Whether you’re an aspiring founder with a groundbreaking idea, a go-getter business owner looking to scale, or simply curious about the entrepreneurial landscape, this podcast is for you.
Each episode, we sit down with seasoned entrepreneurs, successful founders, and gifted mentors who have navigated the highs and lows of the startup journey. They share their stories, insights, and hard-earned lessons, giving you a front-row seat to the strategies that drive success.
But it’s not just about the stories—we’re here to provide you with actionable advice and practical tips that you can apply to your own venture. From overcoming challenges to seizing opportunities, “What’s the Startup?!” is your go-to resource for turning ideas into thriving businesses.
Join us as we build a community of innovators, thinkers, and doers in Western Kentucky and beyond. Subscribe now, and get ready to unlock the secrets of startup success!
Episodes
43 episodes
Why a Video-First Marketing Strategy Wins Every Time with Kevin Klepeis of Kentucky Fried Creative
In this episode of What’s the Startup?!, Kevin Klepeis shares how small businesses can use a video-first marketing strategy to make a big impact without big-agency budgets.After years in corporate marketing, Kevin founded...
Should You Pursue Venture Capital? Startup Funding Advice from Diego Rubio of CORI
In this episode, we’re sharing a powerful excerpt from one of our most popular mentor-led workshops—an intro to venture capital with Diego Rubio from the Center on Rural Innovation (CORI). Diego unpacks how venture capital really works, what VC...
How to Grow a GOOD Network, Not Just a Large One
A strong network doesn’t have to be a big one—it just has to be built right.In this episode, Josiah Wright of Optrivo breaks down what actually works when it comes to networking as a founder. Spoiler: it’s not about cold ...
Thinking About Starting a Business? Here’s What You Need to Know with Aaron Harned of the SBDC
Thinking about starting a business—but not sure where to begin?In this episode, we sit down with Aaron Harned, Center Director of the Paducah Small Business Development Center (SBDC), to unpack what really goes int...
Want to Start a Coffee Hour in Your Community? Here’s How.
What if one weekly gathering could change the game for your startup community? In this episode, mentor Terri Lundberg sits down with Amie Tooley to talk about how to create and sustain a thriving community Coffee Hour—no matter where you live. ...
Crafting the Perfect Pitch with PreventScripts Founder Brandi Harless
🎙️ This episode is sponsored by Kentucky Fried Creative—authentic marketing for the Common Wealth, from the Commonwealth. From strategy to video to web, they help small businesses grow with clarity and confidence. Learn more at kyfriedcreat...
A No-Cringe Approach to Cold Outreach with Josiah Wright of Optrivo
Think cold outreach has to be awkward or spammy? It doesn’t. In this video, Josiah Wright of Optrivo—startup founder, sales pro, and SprocketWKY mentor—breaks down how to approach outreach with confidence, clarity, and zero cringe.Want m...
How SprocketWKY Is Changing the Game for Regional Entrepreneurs
🎙️ This episode is sponsored by Kentucky Fried Creative—authentic marketing for the Common Wealth, from the Commonwealth. From strategy to video to web, they help small businesses grow with clarity and confidence. Learn more at kyfriedcreat...
Building More Than a Product: Stevens Bonhomme on Scaling FeedCoyote Through Community
In this episode, we sit down with Stevens Bonhomme, founder and CEO of FeedCoyote, a fast-growing freelance collaboration platform that’s redefining how freelancers connect and grow their businesses.Stevens shares how FeedCoyote scaled ...
Just One Connection Away: Inside a Candid Mentor Conversation Between Aaron & Liam
What’s it really like to learn from a mentor? In this episode, we sit in on a real conversation between Aaron Goodman of OMADA Marketing and his mentee, Liam—a rising marketing talent finding his footing.They talk through:
Sprocket WKY: Connecting Communities, Mentors, and Opportunities Across Western Kentucky
In this episode of What’s the Startup?!, we’re joined by Maggie Choate, Sprocket’s newest team member, to celebrate the launch of the Sprocket WKY platform. Maggie, who has been instrumental in turning this vision into real...
Introducing the Sprocket WKY Platform: A Free Digital Resource for Entrepreneurs
Western Kentucky just got a major upgrade.In this episode, we’re sitting down with Monica Bilak, Executive Director of Sprocket, to introduce the brand-new Sprocket WKY Platform—a free digital resource built to connect and ...
You’re Just One Connection Away: Join Us for A Big Reveal!
Building something in Western Kentucky takes vision, resilience, and a lot of heart — and sometimes, it can feel like you’re doing it all alone. But the truth is, you’re just one connection away from the clarity, momentum, and support ...
Inside a Healthcare Startup with Dr. Jawad Popolzai of DataRovers
What does it take to build a startup in one of the most complex—and resistant—industries out there? In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Jawad Popolzai, physician and co-founder of DataRovers, to explore how his team is tackling the hidden ine...
The 5 Levels of Marketing, and How to Get Your Startup to the Top with Josiah
What kind of marketing support does your business actually need?Josiah joins us to break down the five levels of marketing support—from doing it all yourself to hiring a full-blown head of strategy—and how to figure out where you ...
Jason Lemle on Regional Resilience and Reimagining What’s Possible in Graves County
When disaster strikes, some communities rebuild. Others reimagine. In this episode, we sit down with Jason Lemle—President of Graves County Economic Development and Director of the Mayfield Industria...
Startups, Stats & Big Wins: A Look Back at 2024
What does real startup momentum look like?Since 2021, Sprocket has helped launch 55 startups, supported the creation of 89 new jobs, recruited 12 companies to Western Kentucky, and hosted 759 founder meetings. Together, our startups have...
Entrepreneurial Lessons from Sprocket’s Board Chair Ines Rivas-Hutchins
Ines Rivas-Hutchins has worn many hats at Sprocket—board member, treasurer, secretary, and now board chair. In this episode, she shares her journey from architecture and construction to leading a startup hub, the lessons she’s learned along the...
Executive Presence for Founders: How to Show Up, Influence, and Succeed with Terri Lundberg
How you show up as a founder can make or break your success—whether you’re pitching investors, building a team, or selling your vision. In this episode, we sit down with Terri Lundberg, executive coach, attorney, and Sprocket bo...
Want to Build a Better Product? Get Closer to Your Customers: Insights from Smart MS3’s Akashdeep Randhawa
In this episode, we sit down with Akashdeep Randhawa, the visionary CEO and co-founder of Smart MS3, to uncover how his startup is revolutionizing physical therapy. Akash shares the personal inspiration behind his journey, the challenges of bui...
Build Your Startup Smarter + Inside Market Fit Lab with John Truitt
Want to build your startup without wasting time and money? In this episode, we sit down with John Truitt, Entrepreneur-in-Residence at Sprocket, to talk about what makes or breaks a startup—and how to get it right from the start.J...
Ewagers Founder Noah Fulk on How to Pivot, Adapt, and Build a Scalable Startup
What does it take to pivot your way to success? In this episode, we sit down with Noah, founder of Ewagers, to hear how he turned his passion for gaming into a groundbreaking esports platform. From overcoming the challenges of a failing B2C mod...
The Power of Showing Up: Maurice on Resilience, Support, and Starting Up
In this episode of What’s the Startup, we sit down with Maurice, founder of Doggy Eats, to hear the inspiring story of how a love for his dog and a problem-solving mindset turned into a growing business. Maurice shares how he we...
Don’t Click the Link: Cybersecurity for Startups with Dr. Michael Ramage
In this episode of What’s the Startup, we sit down with Michael Ramage, Director of Cyber Education and Research at Murray State University, to tackle one of the most overlooked yet critical topics for startups: cybersecurity. Michael ...