Awesome Inc

Sue Spencer has many years' experience with cybersecurity and network management for NASA and other government agencies. She took a career break to raise a family then rejoined the tech world with her ground-breaking design technology that removes ethnic bias from clothing design. She has presented at graphic design conferences and conducted multi-week workshops from Madrid to Shenzhen, from Montreal to Seattle. Sue's startup Seamly Systems produces Seamly pattern design software. The Seamly beta application is available for download at https://seamly.net.

We enjoyed having Sue compete in the August 2022 5 Across Pitch Competition.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

• Sue Spencer on Linkedin

• Seamly website

Leave Some Feedback:

• Email [email protected] with what you want to hear about next.

• Did you enjoy this episode? If so, please leave a short review.

Connect with Us:

• Subscribe to our podcast

• awesomeinc.org

• Instagram -- @awesomeinclex

• Twitter -- @awesomeinclex

• YouTube

Dr. Kyle Mann is founder and CEO of UpScore Test Prep which provides equitable access to ACT test prep by partnering with schools and educational programs. UpScore utilizes user friendly dashboards, analytical reports, and personalized learning to radically improve learning efficiency. Kyle is passionate about healthcare, education, and rural Kentucky.

We enjoyed having Kyle compete in the August 2022 5 Across Pitch Competition.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

• Kyle Mann on Linkedin

• UpScore Test Prep website

Leave Some Feedback:

• Email [email protected] with what you want to hear about next.

• Did you enjoy this episode? If so, please leave a short review.

Connect with Us:

• Subscribe to our podcast

• awesomeinc.org

• Instagram -- @awesomeinclex

• Twitter -- @awesomeinclex

• YouTube

Dakota Hoskins is the owner-operator of Safari Solutions - a technology start-up company that focuses on the latest high-tech car wash innovations. Safari Solutions’ barcode scanner module enables car wash operators to add barcode scanning capabilities to any existing kiosk without breaking the bank!

We enjoyed having Dakota compete in the August 2022 5 Across Pitch Competition.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

• Dakota Hoskins on Linkedin

• Safari Car Wash Solutions website

Leave Some Feedback:

• Email [email protected] with what you want to hear about next.

• Did you enjoy this episode? If so, please leave a short review.

Connect with Us:

• Subscribe to our podcast

• awesomeinc.org

• Instagram -- @awesomeinclex

• Twitter -- @awesomeinclex

Awesome Inc team fan-favorite, Steve Huey (Angel Investor, Mentor, and Serial Entrepreneur) leads the Saturday night session at the 2022 Awesome Inc Startup Summer Retreat.

For the past two decades, Steve has been a leader in integrating cutting-edge technologies into already existing markets that desperately need them. Most recently he founded TYP64, a venture studio meets buyout fund, that helps legacy companies implement digital transformation solutions to reinvigorate their business. Prior to starting TYP64, Steve was the founder and CEO of Capture Higher Ed, an industry-leading technology firm that provides predictive modeling and marketing automation software to university recruitment offices.

Featured in Forbes’ Built to Sell and 2018 Kentucky Mentor of the Year, Steve is also a part of the prestigious Endeavour Entrepreneur network honoring high-impact entrepreneurs across the world. Steve has had several successful exits, most recently as the Chair of the publicly-traded sales software firm, Sharpspring. He also chairs several boards for start-ups in Louisville and has mentored 100+ CEO’s across the country. He helped lead the acquisition of both The Learning House Inc. and RentalHouses.com after landing in Louisville, and prior to that, Steve helped lead $4B in M&A for CMGI during the height of the .com era and held director positions at software firms Earthlink and Alluria. In the few hours when he’s not mentoring, speaking, or investing, you can probably find Steve geeking out to tech books or manning his Playstation.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

• Steve Huey on Linkedin

• Capture Higher Ed on Linkedin

• Endeavour website

• Kentucky Entrepreneur Hall of Fame Investor and Mentor Award recipient list

Leave Some Feedback:

• Email [email protected] with what you want to hear about next.

• Did you enjoy this episode? If so, please leave a short review.

• Subscribe to our podcast

• awesomeinc.org

• Instagram -- @awesomeinclex

• Twitter -- @awesomeinclex

• YouTube

Kelly Wright is the founder and CEO of Pomander Tech, which is a fragrance sampling kiosk that drives sales through a better customer experience.

Kelly is a software developer for Inc 5000 company APAX Software in Lexington, KY, Christian, mother, and Girl Scout troop leader.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

• Kelly Wright on Linkedin

• Pomander Tech's website

Leave Some Feedback:

• Email [email protected] with what you want to hear about next.

• Did you enjoy this episode? If so, please leave a short review.

Connect with Us:

• Subscribe to our podcast

• awesomeinc.org

• Instagram -- @awesomeinclex

• Twitter -- @awesomeinclex

• YouTube

Lindsey Grass is the founder and designer of Trends by Linds, an up-cycled fashion and vintage finds brand. Lindsey started her business during the pandemic in 2020 when she saw an issue within the fashion industry, and a solution she could bring to the table. Lindsey is passionate about sustainable clothing, empowering the world around her, and designing new things!

Kara Smith is a recent graduate from the University of Kentucky, currently a Team Alpha Marketing Intern. Her interest in starting her journey of creating a business, and selling her own art, led her to discover how a young entrepreneur begins.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

• Lindsey Grass on Linkedin

• Kara Smith on Linkedin

• Trends by Linds on Instagram

• Awesome Inc Team Alpha internship application

Leave Some Feedback:

• Email [email protected] with what you want to hear about next.

• Did you enjoy this episode? If so, please leave a short review.

Connect with Us:

• Subscribe to our podcast

• awesomeinc.org

• Instagram -- @awesomeinclex

• Twitter -- @awesomeinclex

• YouTube

Samuel Wheeling is the owner of Bang-A-Chain LLC, which he runs with his wife Jennifer Wheeling. 

While growing his disc golf business, he recalled many skills learned over the years while being a manager of retail and fast food establishments. And when an opportunity to change his career paths presented itself, he decided to learn how to code and become a web developer. 

Currently, Sam works for Blueframe Tech which was recently acquired by Hudl. He has been with them since graduating from Awesome Inc U's Bootcamp.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

• Samuel Wheeling on Linkedin

• Bang-A-Chain website

Leave Some Feedback:

• Email [email protected] with what you want to hear about next.

• Did you enjoy this episode? If so, please leave a short review.

Connect with Us:

• Subscribe to our podcast

• awesomeinc.org

• Instagram -- @awesomeinclex

• Twitter -- @awesomeinclex

• YouTube

Philip Devine is co-founder of Quill, which enables real estate agents to write, sign, and submit offers for their clients without their laptops, in less time than it takes to send a text.  They're currently getting ready to launch the beta version this fall.  Philip is passionate about building things that make life easier, doing CrossFit with his family, and spending time with friends.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

• Philip Devine on Linkedin

• Quill website

Leave Some Feedback:

• Email [email protected] with what you want to hear about next.

• Did you enjoy this episode? If so, please leave a short review.

Connect with Us:

• Subscribe to our podcast

• awesomeinc.org

• Instagram -- @awesomeinclex

• Twitter -- @awesomeinclex

• YouTube

Bill Meehan and Kirk Selenberg are the Co-Founders of MiniGrip, which is the World’s First Portable Gripper – A high-quality accessory that people carry with them and use to open twist-top bottles, jars, and other items!  

Kirk and Bill met in Business school at Carnegie Mellon in 2010 and have been friends since.  Kirk (Chief Product Officer) is a Mechanical Engineer by education with 7 Years in R&D and 15 Years in IT. Bill (CEO) has and Finance and Operations background with 20+ years of experience leading businesses in both High-tech and Retail. Bill and Kirk launched MiniGrip in 2020 and have both always wanted to start a new business.  

Bill and Kirk both live in Lexington with their families.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

• Kirk Selenberg on Linkedin

Leave Some Feedback:

• Email [email protected] with what you want to hear about next.

• Did you enjoy this episode? If so, please leave a short review.

Connect with Us:

• Subscribe to our podcast

• awesomeinc.org

• Instagram -- @awesomeinclex

• Twitter -- @awesomeinclex

• YouTube

Gary Ditsch is on a mission to help others live happier and healthier lives. He utilizes technology, data analysis, entrepreneurship, and education as his tools to empower those around him to make behavioral changes and meet their personal goals. Gary is currently the Director of Product at VividCharts, which is a Lexington-based company that makes reporting and data visualization with ServiceNow data much easier for their customers.

When not building products or teaching others how to program, you will likely find him out on a run training for an upcoming race.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

• Gary Ditsch on Linkedin

• Vivid Charts website

Leave Some Feedback:

• Email [email protected] with what you want to hear about next.

• Did you enjoy this episode? If so, please leave a short review.

• Subscribe to our podcast

• awesomeinc.org

• Instagram -- @awesomeinclex

• Twitter -- @awesomeinclex

• YouTube