BOWLING GREEN, Ky. — The Bowling Green Chamber of Commerce hosted a luncheon for small businesses to exchange opportunities and network with one another.

What You Need To Know

  • The "Sports and Biz" luncheon’s purpose was to provide growth and connection for local businesses

  • Western Kentucky University Athletic Director Todd Stewart was one of several who spoke at the luncheon

  • Local business owners shared stories and promoted their services to one another and the community

But what defines a small business? According to The U.S. Small Business Administration, a small business is a company that has less than 500 workers in the manufacturing industry. For non-manufacturing industries, the company has to have less than $7.5 million in annual revenue. 

And according to data from Lincoln Business Guides, 99% of all businesses in Kentucky are small businesses and they employ nearly 44% of all workers in the state.

The Event Kode owner Kodi Shutt was able to tell her story about how she went from making balloons as a hobby to making it into a business during the “Sports and Biz” luncheon.

“It started out as a hobby it was just something that I loved to do, and I was encourage by several people to turn it into a business and I did,” Shutt said. 

Not only were businesses sharing stories with one another, but officials such as Western Kentucky University Athletic Director Todd Stewart also gave them advice on how to grow within the community and with the university community.

“We can’t do it without them. We need their help as well,” Stewart said. “What we need from them is to support our programs by coming to our games, being corporate sponsors, by participating in name image and likeness and partnering with our athletes.”

Many were eager to throw their hat in the ring and start growing their businesses, including a moving business called Two Men and a Truck.

“We’re new to Bowling Green, so we’re here trying to make as big of an impact as we can and help out the community,” Parker Ciampa said.

People at the luncheon were so passionate about helping small business that they even let them put what they had to offer on full display.

One of them being The Event Kode, who set up a photo booth full of balloons. 

That doesn’t come as a surprise, however, as Bowling Green’s community consistently centers on growth for entrepreneurs and go-getters. 

“You can’t beat Bowling Green,” said Shawn O’Keefe, who works on financial coaching . “This community is second to none.”

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