Operation Jumpstart introduces eight new businesses to Paducah | Business

PADUCAH, KY, (KFVS) – Eight new businesses will be introduced to the public during Paducah’s Second Operation JumpStart Entrepreneurship Graduation and Reception, Thursday, February 28 at 5:30 PM.

The OJS event will be the last public reception held at the old Chamber of Commerce Building located at 401 Kentucky Avenue in Paducah.

Entrepreneurs graduating from the 2013 winter session are Bob Allen, Veron Brown, Bambi Brown, Tamra Fakhoorian, Gerald Gulling, Dawn Melendez, Basil Morin, and Sally Wilkins.

The class was taught and facilitated by Phyllis A. Maclin, MBA, Vice President of Paducah Housing Services, Inc.

“This class started with 10 students and ended with eight intelligent and determined entrepreneurs whose interests and talents are as diverse as their business endeavors. I hope they will remain committed to their business plans as they pursue networking opportunities with the City of Paducah and Chamber of Commerce,” stated Maclin.

Featured presenters J.T. Carneal, CPA and Owner of Reidland Clothing, and Bruce Wilcox, CPA and President of Henry A. Petter Supply Company, LLC, grilled the adult learners on the importance of calculating marketing costs and pricing strategies to sustain revenues.

“It was truly exciting to watch each student grasp complex accounting formulas and ratios used to identify hidden costs. Many nights, riveting discussions lasted after class ended,” explained Maclin.

Ian Blache, ICC Director of the Kentucky Innovation Center also shared his expertise in venture capital sourcing and business plan readiness.

Blache’ interaction with the students was so positive that plans are underway to form a new entrepreneurship club in Paducah.

Keynote presenter for the final session will be Kenneth B. Hurt, MBA, IRS Supervising Revenue Officer.

Operation JumpStart is an award-winning micro-enterprise nationally-recognized program that lays the foundation for communities seeking to increase entrepreneurial opportunities and job creation.

Paducah OJS was funded by the Murray State University Regional Small Business and Innovation Center and the Southeast Missouri State University Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship.

The grant was underwritten by the U.S. Department of Labor and the U.S. Small Business Administration.

For more information about OJS Paducah, or to reach any of these new businesses, call 270-450-4221 to learn more.

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