Thu Dec 12 | 9:00-11:30AM 

Meet 1-on-1 w/ the Experts you need –
100% VIRTUAL Format

Innovate New Albany created Expert 😎 Office Hours to make it easy for business owners & aspiring entrepreneurs to get the answers they need.

Please set all your appointments by 12 Noon, Weds 12/11/24.

We will end registrations at Noon, so our Experts can plan their Thursday schedules.

STEPS

1. Review our roster of Experts
2. For each Expert you choose, click link below the Expert’s name to schedule appointment
3. Make individual appointments w/ the Experts you need – just ONE – or up to SIX
4. You’ll receive an email & a calendar invitation – w/ a Zoom link for each appointment
5. Thurs Dec. 12: at time of each appointment, click on Zoom link to meet w/ your selected Expert

Questions? Email Neil Collins: neil@InnovateNewAlbany.org

 

Schedule up to FIVE 30-minute meeting(s) below:

Tushar Kulkarni | Big Kitty Labs
Software Solutions to Meet Your Needs

Tushar has over 25 years of experience managing small to large-scale projects & teams
& delivering innovative tech solutions. Tushar founded Big Kitty Labs to pursue his passion for innovative tech solutions and bringing them to different domains. Under Tushar’s
leadership, Big Kitty Labs has successfully designed & delivered 200+ software systems in domains ranging from the government sector, healthcare, education, automative, aviation, agtech and sports.

Great questions for Tushar:

• What were the initial challenges one faces when starting their tech company, and how can one overcome them?
• How does one validate their tech idea or solution in the market before diving into development?
• What were the key steps that one can take to build a talented and cohesive tech team
• What strategies can one employ to market and promote your tech product or solution
• Can you share any lessons learned or mistakes made during the early stages of your tech venture?
• How does one navigate the competitive landscape and differentiate your tech product from existing solutions?

Click here to schedule 30 minutes with Tushar.

JR Kunkle | Kunkle Consulting
IT Security, Regulations, and Frameworks

JR has knowledge of both IT and business with 20+ years of in-depth IT experience, primarily in IT management, Project Management, Consulting, and IT Risk and Assurance. His current primary area of focus is Cybersecurity and of course Artificial Intelligence (AI).

Industry experience includes: Manufacturing, Retail, Industrials, Financials, Utilities, and Governments. Recently, he’s been working with Healthcare, FinTechs, and E-Commerce companies (Cloud applications).

JR has a Masters Degree in MIS & Finance (University of Dayton) and a Bachelor Degree in Accounting and Economics (Wittenberg University). In addition, the Certified Information Systems Auditor (“CISA”) certification was obtained. He developed the syllabus and has been an adjunct instructor at Wright State University for graduate level Accounting Classes.
Passionate about life, business, and information technology. Of course, none of this means anything without his role as a father to his son.

Great questions for JR:

• What is considered reasonable security for small and medium sized businesses?
• How do I know my business information is protected?
• What IT regulations and laws apply to my business?
• What IT frameworks can help protect the information and my business?
• What is an IT Audit?
• What is Ransomware and could it happen to my business?

Click here to schedule 30 minutes with JR.

Susan Fortner | BPR International
Public Relations & Marketing

Susan Fortner has 20+ years of experience in public relations and marketing. Her firm BPR International manages accounts throughout the country specializing in health care, talent, banking, and packaged and soft goods. In addition the firm is recognized as a broker/partner with QVC, HSN, and Evine shopping networks.

Fortner has won awards and sits on the accreditation board to advance candidates in the Accreditation in Public Relations process. In 2013 Susan received special honors for her work in crisis management.

Great questions for Susan:

• How can I promote my company on a limited budget?
• How do I set Marketing & PR budgets that are sufficient to drive results?
• What simple steps can I take to improve my social media visibility rapidly?
• Which charities, like-minded businesses, and complementary companies should I partner with?
• How do I create and execute events that will differentiate my business in a crowded market?
• How can I get my products featured on shopping channels like QVC and HSN?

Click here schedule 30 minutes with Susan.

Jen Meek | Book + Street
HR and Talent Solutions

Jennifer is a result-driven executive, guiding leaders in laying the foundational work of their talent strategy. Going beyond the everyday Human Resources issues, she aligns people strategy with the overall goals and objectives of an organization. This intentional and authentic approach leads to identifying areas where an organization can continue to develop and thrive.

Her vast experience in the talent solutions arena also makes her a sought out subject matter expert. She is knowledgeable in C Suite issues that impact workplace culture, team dynamics, and internal communications strategies. A dedicated and passionate leader, Jennifer can provide personalized service, create meaningful and lasting relationships, and achieve profitable results.

Prior to Book+Street, Jen has 25 years of senior leadership experience, she served as Vice President of HR for a multibillion-dollar private equity-owned company in the oil and gas industry, with 1500 employees in 22 countries. Additionally, Jen was the President, CEO, and member of the Board of Directors of an HR consulting organization for 12 years.

Jen’s undergraduate degree is in Marketing from Bowling Green State University, and her Master’s in Business Administration is from Miami University of Ohio. She has served on many boards over the years and is currently a member of the Board of Advisors for Modern Ice Equipment and Supply.

Great Questions for Jen:

• How do you build and sustain a conscious culture?
• What are strategies that you can deploy to attract, recruit and retain top talent?
• What are the keys to leading executive team communication?
• How can you effectively and efficiently hold your team accountable?
• Learn effective ways to articulate mission, vision and values for your company.

Click here to schedule 30 minutes with Jen.

Brian Thomas | Impact-Social
Go-to-Market Strategy & Execution

For the past 12 years, Brian has implemented go-to-market strategies for small businesses and startups. He has assisted small businesses across numerous sectors in identifying, developing, and implementing growth strategies. From local beverage distribution, to international commodity markets, and IoT to Web3, businesses have used these go-to-market systems to find success or pivot into a welcoming niche. Whether it’s growing a social media page to 1 million followers, building a local customer base to 50+ customers, or reaching into international markets to diversify importers, the fundamentals of market-fit, sales, and marketing are the foundation for any business to grow. At Impact Social, our business is to accelerate your business.

Great questions for Brian:

• Who will buy my product or service?
• How do I price my product or service?
• What is the most effective distribution channel to reach my market?
• How do I sell my product or service?
• Why have my sales plateaued?
• What systems do I put into place to grow my business?

Click here schedule 30 minutes with Brian.

Eric Pace | Book + Street
Accounting, Treasury, and Financial Modeling

Eric has worked over 15 years in Corporate Treasury and Finance roles for financial services companies including KeyBank, Huntington, and JP Morgan Chase. Eric played an important role in managing through the 2008 financial crisis and the additional governance, regulation, and risk management practices. He developed complex financial models to improve capital, liquidity, and credit risk management and has extensive experience in stakeholder interaction in the board room and with investors and rating agencies. He has experience leading the finance function at Konzortia Capital, a SaaS startup specializing in AI/ML technology to improve deal flow management for venture capital and private equity.

Eric earned a bachelor’s in management from Case Western Reserve University with a finance concentration, as well as a bachelors in accounting and has held a Certified Treasury Profession designation (inactive).

Great Questions for Eric:

• What are my options for raising capital? What is better, debt, preferred, equity, etc?
• What are the benefits of having a disciplined financial process and system in place?
• What is the role of a CFO in my business? What can I expect and how is it different from a standard accountant or bookkeeper?

Click here to schedule 30 minutes with Eric.

Please note: If you register and then don’t attend, your time slot will go unfilled, potentially preventing other business owners from accessing the expert advice they need. If you need to cancel your appointment, please email Neil Collins at info@InnovateNewAlbany.org .