Business Support Archives - Mountain Association https://mtassociation.org/category/business-support/ Building a New Economy, Together. Fri, 05 Dec 2025 20:49:28 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.8.3 https://mtassociation.org/wp-content/uploads/cropped-mountain-association-favicon-32x32.png Business Support Archives - Mountain Association https://mtassociation.org/category/business-support/ 32 32 Gift Guide to Support Eastern Kentucky Businesses https://mtassociation.org/business-support/gift-guide-to-support-eastern-kentucky-businesses/ Fri, 05 Dec 2025 20:49:27 +0000 https://mtassociation.org/?p=19527 Celebrate creativity and the spirit of Kentucky with this gift guide featuring local makers, artists, and small businesses that the Mountain Association has supported in recent years!

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Celebrate creativity and the spirit of Kentucky with this gift guide featuring local makers, artists, and small businesses that the Mountain Association has supported in recent years!

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Estate and Disaster Planning for Small Businesses  https://mtassociation.org/business-support/estate-and-disaster-planning-for-small-businesses/ Tue, 02 Sep 2025 15:29:44 +0000 https://mtassociation.org/?p=19254 Running a small business comes with daily challenges, but few owners stop to think about what would happen if they were no longer able to run their company or if a disaster strikes, whether it be a fire, a flood or even a cyber attack. Estate planning and disaster preparedness are essential for safeguarding your […]

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Running a small business comes with daily challenges, but few owners stop to think about what would happen if they were no longer able to run their company or if a disaster strikes, whether it be a fire, a flood or even a cyber attack. Estate planning and disaster preparedness are essential for safeguarding your business, protecting your employees, and ensuring financial stability. 

NOTE: This is intended to be general guidance and may not be applicable in every situation. Businesses and individuals should consult an attorney for legal advice.

Estate Planning  

Every small business owner should have a succession plan. Whether you operate as a sole proprietor, in a partnership, or through an LLC, having your wishes documented in advance will spare your loved ones and employees from confusion and conflict during an already difficult time. 

The first step is to ask yourself: What do I want to happen to my business if I pass away or become incapacitated? 

  • Sole proprietors should remember that business assets are tied to personal assets. Your will needs to clearly state what should happen to the business.
  • Partnerships require a written agreement that outlines what happens if one partner dies. Will the surviving partner buy out the deceased’s share? Will heirs inherit profits without management duties? Without an agreement, state law may force dissolution of the partnership. 
  • LLCs and LLPs have more flexibility but still require careful planning. Operating agreements should specify whether heirs can inherit ownership, how shares will be valued, and who will take over daily operations. 

Our guide at the end of this blog will help guide you through these scenarios. In all cases, consulting with an attorney is crucial to ensure that documents like wills, Power of Attorneys, or buy-sell agreements are legally sound. 

Key Person Insurance 

One way to provide financial stability during a transition is through key person insurance. This type of life insurance helps surviving partners or the business itself buy out an owner’s share. A cross-purchase agreement lets surviving partners purchase the deceased’s interest, while an entity-purchase agreement allows the business itself to handle the buyout. 

Special Considerations for Tenants 

If your business operates in a rented space, make sure your lease addresses what happens in the event of your death. Under Kentucky law, leases do not automatically terminate when a tenant dies, meaning your estate could remain responsible for rent. Whenever possible, negotiate terms in writing and avoid oral leases, which can be difficult to enforce fairly. 

Disaster Planning for Small Businesses 

Kentucky has faced devastating natural disasters in recent years, leaving many small businesses struggling to reopen. Approximately 25% of businesses that experience a disaster do not reopen, according to the Small Business Administration (SBA). Some sources suggest this number is even higher, with figures like 40% and even 90% being cited.  

A good disaster plan starts with four steps: 

  1. Identify Risks 
    Consider both natural and man-made hazards. Are you in a flood zone? How secure are your digital records? Do you rely on a single supplier? Conducting a risk assessment will help highlight your most vulnerable areas. Check out our guide at the end of this blog for a straightforward risk assessment tool. 
  1. Plan Ahead 
    Develop a response plan that includes communication strategies, data backups, and contingency operations. 
  1. Implement Safeguards 
    Take practical steps such as storing key documents offsite, investing in backup generators, or cross-training employees so that essential functions can continue even if key staff are unavailable. 
  1. Recover Quickly 
    After a disaster, the goal is to return to normal operations as soon as possible. Having recovery strategies in place, such as pre-identified temporary workspaces or agreements with alternate suppliers, can make all the difference. 

Getting Support 

No one likes to imagine worst-case scenarios, but taking time now to create both an estate plan and a disaster preparedness plan will protect not only your livelihood, but also the people who depend on you and your business.

You don’t have to go through this planning alone. Attorneys can help with estate documents and entity formation, while organizations like Kentucky Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) and SCORE provide guidance on business strategy, succession planning, and disaster readiness. 

We developed a detailed presentation and resource guide alongside AppalRed Legal Aid that will get you well on your way to developing these essential plans. 

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Holistic Spiritual Small Business comes to Ashland, Kentucky https://mtassociation.org/lending/meet-the-psychic-medium-behind-spiritual-so-simple-in-ashland-kentucky/ Fri, 20 Jun 2025 02:40:30 +0000 https://mtassociation.org/?p=19105 In Ashland, Kentucky, a small business is offering something rare in rural Appalachia: a space for holistic spiritual healing. Spiritual So Simple, founded by Sydney Stewart, offers intuitive readings, energy work, as well as specialty products. As a professional psychic medium and paranormal consultant, Sydney is making metaphysical support more accessible in a region where […]

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In Ashland, Kentucky, a small business is offering something rare in rural Appalachia: a space for holistic spiritual healing. Spiritual So Simple, founded by Sydney Stewart, offers intuitive readings, energy work, as well as specialty products. As a professional psychic medium and paranormal consultant, Sydney is making metaphysical support more accessible in a region where it hasn’t always been easy to find. 

Sydney stands at the counter in her shop in front of a purple wall.

Sydney grew up not far from Ashland, “just in the hillside,” as she puts it. She spent much of her time with her grandfather, who was a card-carrying member of the Cherokee tribe, walking between the physical and spiritual worlds and talking with trees. He taught her ancient knowledge, like the spirit of the river, natural medicine, and the unseen energies that shape our lives.  

“I’ve been psychic my whole life,” Sydney says. “And the way I grew up, it wasn’t discouraged.” 

That early encouragement helped shape a lifelong mission to help others navigate hard times, grief and spirituality. Today, Sydney is a certified spiritual healing practitioner, a mindfulness coach, a speaker, a writer, among many other accolades. At her shop in the heart of downtown Ashland, which opened about a year ago, she provides a range of services like one-on-one or group psychic and past life readings, aura portraits, chakra balancing, tarot readings, and more. 

“I’ve always felt the drive to help people and as a psychic medium, I receive the message I am supposed to give them in the moment and pass it along to them.” 

aura portrait sketch by sydney shows colors and a person's face.

As we talked, she described several powerful cases where she helped people reach closure and find ways of healing from things like miscarriages or other deaths of loved ones.  

Word has quickly spread and Spiritual So Simple has become a destination with customers driving for hours to book with her or just check out the shop. Many clients are repeat customers, particularly for her psychic portrait art. For example, with her aura portraits, Sydney sketches the person and then spends several hours painting the aura that surrounds them, reading their energy with the colors revealing their energetic patterns, gifts, and blockages. She also provides a written interpretation to go along with the portrait. This extends beyond what most aura photographers offer, which are typically just generalized lists of colors and what they mean. 

Sydney’s work reaches well outside Ashland. She collaborates with other paranormal investigation teams, like Bearfort Paranormal, to work on cases in places like New Jersey, Ireland, all the way to Australia. The goal of this work is to bring peace to people, whether it’s clearing homes of restless spirits or guiding souls into the afterlife. If people have questions about a spirit in their home that is negatively impacting them, Sydney offers consultations at no charge, because, as she says, “everyone should feel safe in their own space.” 

a group of people stand in front of spiritual So simple in ashland kentucky.
Mountain Association staff with Sydney at her grand opening in September 2024

The shop operates with this kind of care and integrity, which is something Sydney takes seriously in a region with deep religious roots. “I’m very inclusive and very careful about what we allow in the store. We honor where people are coming from, including members of traditional churches.”  

That care extends into community partnerships. Sydney works with Pathways, a behavioral health organization that supports survivors of situations like domestic violence, and those in addiction recovery, which often refers people to her for holistic healing services and spiritual guidance. 

“You used to have to ‘just know somebody’ to find this kind of help. I’m glad I have tools like my website, podcasts, and events to reach more people.” 

The Mountain Association is proud to have supported Sydney with flexible financing and a project to work on her marketing strategy. She is currently focused on planning for her second annual Psychic Fair & Metaphysical Market of Appalachia, a Fall event focused on “granny magic,” handmade goods, and cultural traditions.  

purple wall, a table and couch inside spiritual so simple in Ashland kentucky

Looking ahead, Sydney is also writing a book on what she believes are the nine layers of the aura, extending beyond the seven layers commonly recognized. 

Check out what she has to offer here: https://www.spiritualsosimple.com/  

“Mountain Association has been a gamechanger and massive support network for my business.”

Sydney Stewart

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Faith in Action: 57 Years of Service at St. Vincent Mission  https://mtassociation.org/business-support/faith-in-action-57-years-st-vincent-mission/ Thu, 01 May 2025 16:32:59 +0000 https://mtassociation.org/?p=18866 From what was once a coal camp’s swimming pool in Floyd County, Kentucky, Saint Vincent Mission has served Appalachians since 1968. The nonprofit got its start soon after President Lyndon B. Johnson came to nearby Martin County, effectively using imagery from Eastern Kentucky to launch the War on Poverty in 1964. This inspired a group […]

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From what was once a coal camp’s swimming pool in Floyd County, Kentucky, Saint Vincent Mission has served Appalachians since 1968. The nonprofit got its start soon after President Lyndon B. Johnson came to nearby Martin County, effectively using imagery from Eastern Kentucky to launch the War on Poverty in 1964. This inspired a group from the Brothers of Charity in Philadelphia to come help alleviate poverty in one of the regions suffering the most. 

A black and white photo showing the second floor addition to a building on the saint vincent missiom campus
The property, once owned by Princess Elkhorn Coal Company, was home to the town’s swimming pool. The pool was filled in to become their parking lot and the pool house still stands as the St. Vincent’s foundation. 

Nearly 60 years later, St. Vincent is a bustling campus in the small town of David. The old poolhouse continues to be their headquarters, though they’ve added on over the years to accommodate their many programs. From the beginning, they have sought to address the community’s most pressing needs – launching the county’s first food pantry, a childcare center, and home repair services. Today, they continue to operate the food pantry, offer home repair and disaster relief, workforce development, a garden program, and more. 

“We aim to do the things that truly help people come out of poverty,” Executive Director Erin Bottomlee said, describing how they’ve reshaped their programs over the years. “We can pay someone’s bill for a month, but paying to fix a car so they can get to their job and get around is long-term help.”  

Their programs require active participation: homeowners work alongside repair teams, and gardeners commit to training before receiving supplies. This intentional design empowers people to take part in their own success. For example, with their Christmas program, families earn points they can use to purchase gifts. 

a group of people sit together who were some of the original volunteers at saint vincent mission
Their connection to the Brothers of Charity remains strong — Brother Mike, one of the original leaders, still serves on the Mission’s board today, a board that has always included a Brother. 

“If they are doing things to earn these gifts, then they are the ones giving those gifts to their children and families. They get the joy of providing to their families.”  

Their workforce development internship teaches participants not only valuable skills in areas like home repair, woodworking, gardening, and program operations, but also soft skills like navigating conflict in the workplace. They also help participants obtain licenses, expunge records, and find reliable transportation.

“Many people we serve through this program have a criminal history, past drug addiction, or they have never worked a job and haven’t developed those skills yet. Having this as a first-time job can lay a positive foundation for future work, or sometimes simply getting a positive recommendation from us can lead to landing a job.” 

With so many programs, it’s easy for a small nonprofit to get buried in paperwork and administrative overhead. After the historic floods of 2022, they recognized the need to streamline operations without losing their personal touch. St. Vincent Mission applied to Mountain Association’s Business Support program to work with an expert on a solution. 

A group of people in matching shirts stand on the porch at caritas volunteer house at saint vincent mission
In 2018, the Mountain Association facilitated the installation of solar panels on their volunteer house, resulting in $1,150 annual savings. Additionally, we helped combine two meter services into one, saving $300 per year, and we also assisted in getting them $2,951 in lighting rebates. They hope to expand solar to other buildings as funding allows. 

They worked with S Media, a London, KY based firm, to build a customized system, allowing them to track their impact, manage relationships, and respond more quickly — which is especially crucial given frequent flooding in the mountains. The system was truly put to the test with the floods of 2025. It allowed them to more quickly enter people’s needs and more easily manage their cases through to completion. 

“For those of us who work at Mountain Association, this project was a great way to multiply our impact by ‘helping the helpers’—we were able to empower a local nonprofit to respond more nimbly and effectively in their community,” Jimmy Owsley of the Mountain Association’s Business Support team said.

“In the aftermath of the 2022 flood, there was a lot of confusion among various response agencies about who was affected, who was being served, and what their case status was—this new system provides needed transparency for all of that, allowing Saint Vincent Mission to engage confidently and effectively with clients, partners, and funders.” 

A group of people in orange matching shirts stand in front of a building at saint vincent mission
There have only been a handful of directors since 1968 — a testament to the organization’s deep commitment to its values. Erin (pictured with mic) first heard of the organization when she came to Eastern Kentucky by way of Middle Tennessee to work with the Christian Appalachian Project. She was so inspired by their work that she accepted the role of director in 2016. 

There are many ways to support the incredible work of St. Vincent Mission — from donating supplies to volunteering time. We hope you will visit their website to learn more. 

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From Grandfather to Granddaughter: The Next Chapter of Opell Meats  https://mtassociation.org/lending/from-grandfather-to-granddaughter-the-next-chapter-of-opell-meats/ Fri, 04 Apr 2025 19:03:14 +0000 https://mtassociation.org/?p=18767 On Bear Creek Road in Catlettsburg, Kentucky, a small butcher shop has stood the test of time, serving farmers and families for over fifty years. What began in 1969 with Bill Opell has transformed into a family legacy, now carried forward by his granddaughter, Laura, and her husband, Brad Maggard. They’ve brought new life to […]

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On Bear Creek Road in Catlettsburg, Kentucky, a small butcher shop has stood the test of time, serving farmers and families for over fifty years. What began in 1969 with Bill Opell has transformed into a family legacy, now carried forward by his granddaughter, Laura, and her husband, Brad Maggard. They’ve brought new life to the shop while honoring the traditions that made it a cornerstone of the community. 

Laura Maggard stands inside Opell Meats in Catlettsburg Kentucky. Opell Meats is a custom processer.

Laura, the youngest granddaughter of Bill Opell, grew up surrounded by the sights and sounds of the family business. After earning her degree in agriculture at Morehead State, she spent over eight years as an Extension Agent in Lawrence County, always staying true to her agricultural roots. When her aunt and uncle closed the shop in 2022 after running it as Bear Creek Meats for over a decade, Laura found herself fielding calls from local farmers, desperate for a nearby butcher. 

“A lot of places were just too far, and more and more people were wanting to raise their own animals, especially after the pandemic,” Laura said. “So I thought: This is our family business, all the equipment is still there, let’s do this.” 

In May 2023, Laura and Brad reopened Opell Meats, once again providing a crucial service to farmers and families from all the counties surrounding Boyd, and beyond.  

“There’s not a whole lot of places like us anymore. Years ago, every small town had a butcher shop, and now that’s just not the case. We get people from over two hours away.” 

The building for Opell Meats on Bear Creek Road in Boyd County, Kentucky.

Running a small cow/calf operation in Boyd County themselves, Laura and Brad understand the needs of local farmers firsthand. Brad, who serves as the Fire Marshal for the City of Ashland, spends his spare time assisting with slaughter, maintenance, repairs, and anything else the shop demands. Each day, Laura can be found behind the counter, slicing sandwich meat, wrapping orders, and keeping daily operations running smoothly. 

Opell Meats is more than just a butcher shop—it’s a community hub.  

“It’s a generational thing,” Laura explains. “People have been coming here for years. They loved my grandfather, and they keep coming back. We’re a family operation, so we know our customers, what they like, and what they don’t like.” 

During the peak processing months of October through March, the shop is bustling with farmers bringing in cattle, hogs, and deer. Despite the shop’s recent upgrades, some of the original equipment, like the 1970s grinder and saw, are still in use, standing as a testament to the quality and durability of old-school craftsmanship. 

Laura takes an order for a customer at Opell Meats in Catlettsburg, KY.

In addition to processing beef and pork, Opell Meats offers a variety of products, including deli meats, frozen chicken, and seasonal specialties like heart-shaped steaks for Valentine’s Day and winter meat bundles. They also work closely with local producers, offering prime beef, BBQ beef jerky, eggs, and more. As a custom processor, they cater to individuals and families who use the meat for their personal families or to provide to their neighbors. 

Laura and Brad’s daughters, Caroline and Evie, are already part of the family tradition. “They’re like our little mascots,” Laura laughs. Like her, the girls are active in 4H, attending county fairs and supporting local agriculture projects. Opell Meats proudly supports 4H and FFA students across four counties by purchasing animals at auctions, which helps support their 4H projects for the next year.

As May approaches, the shop is gearing up to celebrate its two-year anniversary with a customer appreciation event, complete with lunch and a big sale. It’s a way to say thank you to the community that has supported them through generations. 

The Mountain Association is honored to have provided flexible financing for initial inventory and technical assistance for setting up their QuickBooks and accounting systems.   

Follow along the Opell Meats journey and its living legacy via their Facebook page here. 

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Trading Traffic for Tractors: The Journey to Red Haven Farm  https://mtassociation.org/lending/trading-traffic-for-tractors-the-journey-to-red-haven-farm/ Mon, 24 Feb 2025 15:55:01 +0000 https://mtassociation.org/?p=18643 If you’d told Sandy Ross and Martin Caruana 10 years ago that they’d be raising pigs, hosting agate-hunting tours, and debating the finer points of chicken feed, they probably would have laughed and gone back to the bustle of suburban Detroit traffic. But, as for most of us, the pandemic really shook things up. Fast […]

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If you’d told Sandy Ross and Martin Caruana 10 years ago that they’d be raising pigs, hosting agate-hunting tours, and debating the finer points of chicken feed, they probably would have laughed and gone back to the bustle of suburban Detroit traffic. But, as for most of us, the pandemic really shook things up. Fast forward to today, they’re truly living their best life on their 540-acre farm in Estill County, Kentucky.

sandy with red haven farm stands with one of her horses with the hills of estill county in the background

Living most of their lives in Michigan, their lives had nothing to do with farming. Shortly after getting married in 2015, Sandy shared her lifelong dream to have horses— a complete surprise to Martin. Along came Splash and Millie in 2018. This led to teaching Martin how to ride and lots of camping adventures with the horses, which provided a great escape early in the pandemic. In early 2021, on a total whim, Sandy mentioned looking at property further south — another complete surprise to Martin! The acreage in Estill County came up and they were almost immediately sold.

For anyone who hasn’t been to Estill County before, its scenes are perfectly captured by the county tourism motto: ‘Where the Bluegrass Kisses the Mountains.’ It’s hard not to fall in love with its idyllic mix of hills and valleys. By June, they were on the farm and there was no looking back.

When I asked Sandy and Martin if they’d done any research on Kentucky, they laughed and said: “None.” When I asked if they had any farming experience, they again laughed and said: “None.” However, it’s easy to see when you talk with them that they are the ‘figure it out’ type. Martin, who described Sandy as ‘fearless,’ loves animals and tinkering with machines. This combination makes them a good pair to take a piece of land and a farmhouse that had been sitting empty for five years and completely transform it.

sandy and martin with red haven farm stand in front of the farmhouse that is available for rent and farm stays

Almost immediately after their move, animals also started to move in.

Because they are both true animal lovers and they wanted to raise livestock primarily on pasture, they researched each breed carefully, choosing the ones with the gentlest dispositions, smaller size and delicious meat — and, of course, the cuteness factor! They choose Idaho Pasture Pigs, Scottish Highland cattle, Nigerian Dwarf and Pygmy goats, and a variety of chickens for meat and eggs. They also added their beloved Great Pyrenees and miniature donkeys to guard the farm. There has been a lot of work to reclaim the land and bring it up to date to handle the animals. They have replaced all the fencing and added new pastures, built shelters and installed automatic waterers. 

One of their goals for their property was to share the beauty of the land and the farming experience. The farm came with a beautiful old farmhouse and a quaint, rustic cabin. They also constructed a new cabin. All of which are available for short-term rentals. Sandy and Martin now live in another house on the property that they were able to acquire and renovate.

sandy pets one of her cows on red haven Farm in estill county kentucky
Of course, running a farm isn’t all scenic sunrises and fresh eggs. Weekends often find Sandy and her daughter, who is on a pre-veterinary medicine track at University of Kentucky, handling some animal care, and her son, who is part owner of the farm, plugging away on farm projects.

Guests are able to explore the farm, creeks and miles of hiking trails. For a more hands-on experience, they also offer farm tours and guided geode and agate tours to uncover hidden treasures along the creek banks (Estill County is one of just six counties in Kentucky where you can find agate with dark red and black bands). Not to mention, guests can enjoy delicious eggs and sausage for breakfast or some of Red Haven Farm’s brats on the grill.

They sell their pasture and humanely raised meat locally at the Berea Farmer’s Market and off the farm, as well as offering delivery and subscription boxes. They also recently began working with other local artisans to include sourdough bread, cheese, kombucha, and jellies as delicious add-ons with more surprises to come.

The Mountain Association is proud to have worked with Sandy and Martin to support some of these projects with affordable financing. We also supported them with consulting from Jessica Holly Creative who helped polish up their branding and further develop their marketing strategy.

So, whether you’re looking for a peaceful getaway, a deep dive into farm life, or just really cool rocks and really good bacon— Red Haven Farm has you covered.

We hope you’ll check them out here: https://www.redhavenky.com/

estill County agate tour Rockhound rocks creek kentucky

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How this Appalachian Author Turned Her Stories into a Thriving Business  https://mtassociation.org/business-support/appalachian-turned-stories-into-thriving-business/ Thu, 13 Feb 2025 17:58:34 +0000 https://mtassociation.org/?p=18650 For years, Diane Taylor Roberts held onto a manuscript filled with deeply personal short stories about growing up in Appalachia, specifically Whitley County, Kentucky. Like many aspiring authors, she had a dream of publishing—but no roadmap for turning that dream into reality. That all changed when she started working with a business coach through the […]

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For years, Diane Taylor Roberts held onto a manuscript filled with deeply personal short stories about growing up in Appalachia, specifically Whitley County, Kentucky. Like many aspiring authors, she had a dream of publishing—but no roadmap for turning that dream into reality. That all changed when she started working with a business coach through the Mountain Association. These coaches help entrepreneurs navigate the challenges of launching a business via one-on-one support to develop their business plan and financial projections. 

Diane Taylor Roberts signs a book at a book signing event

A Writer with a Story to Share—but No Plan to Publish 

When Diane began working with her coach, she had a printout of short stories to form her book, “That’s What I Thought,” but no business plan. She wasn’t sure how to conduct market research, identify publishers, or budget for self-publishing. With guidance, she gained the knowledge and tools necessary to take control of her publishing journey.  

Through market research and financial planning, she mapped out a path forward with the help of her coach, Katie Startzman. Ultimately, she decided to self-publish and successfully secured a microloan from Mountain Association in April 2024 to bring her book to life. 

From Loan to Launch: Selling Out Her First Print Run 

With funding secured, Diane printed her first 500 copies—and in just three months, she sold out. The demand for her stories exceeded expectations, affirming that there is a real hunger for authentic Appalachian voices. Now, she’s fulfilling a second print run, expanding her reach beyond what she first imagined. 

Diane Taylor Roberts at the Appalachian Writers Conference in Berea Kentucky

Diane’s success didn’t stop at print sales. With the help of post-loan business support from Mountain Association, she learned how to market her book effectively with the help of consultant Kathy Byrd. She made her book available on Amazon and even recorded an audiobook version—now available on Audible. She also launched a professional website (www.dianetaylorroberts.com), built with Mountain Association consultant Jordan Jung, as another part of her business support project.  

With her book gaining momentum, Diane has stepped into a new role as a guest speaker at libraries, bookstores, galleries, and community events, including the 2024 Appalachian Writer’s Conference in Berea, KY. Her journey is not just about publishing—it’s about preserving Appalachian stories and inspiring others to share their own.

A Testament to Resilience and Self-Publishing Success 

Diane Taylor Roberts’ story is a powerful example of what can happen when creativity meets business strategy. With no publishing experience but a clear passion for storytelling, she learned the skills she needed, took a leap of faith, and built a thriving book business from the ground up. 

that's what I thought book cover by diane taylor roberts is depicted with handdrawn illustrations

Her journey is just beginning—and with the second print run on the way, there’s no doubt that her voice will continue to resonate with readers far and wide. She’s on a mission to sell her book in every state of the country, and she’s very close already! 

Want to learn more about Diane?

Visit www.dianetaylorroberts.com, or grab her book on Amazon and Audible! 

Do you have a dream you’ve been holding onto? Diane’s story proves that with the right resources and determination, anything is possible. Talk to us about your business dreams today! 

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Crowdfunding 101 https://mtassociation.org/business-support/crowdfunding-101/ Wed, 22 Jan 2025 18:14:05 +0000 https://mtassociation.org/?p=18528 Many small business owners have unique ways of patching together the funds to get their business started. Katie Startzman of Berea, Kentucky may be one of the most unconventional funding stories we’ve heard in recent years. She’d always dreamed of starting a restaurant, but knew she needed to test the waters first. No stranger to […]

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Many small business owners have unique ways of patching together the funds to get their business started. Katie Startzman of Berea, Kentucky may be one of the most unconventional funding stories we’ve heard in recent years.

She’d always dreamed of starting a restaurant, but knew she needed to test the waters first. No stranger to business, Katie previously sold knitting patterns online and had even published her own knitting book. However, launching a more capital-intensive business was intimidating. In 2015, Katie enrolled in a business builder course offered by the Mountain Association. There she realized how she could start a restaurant while limiting her family’s own risk; she decided to launch a bagel cart using a crowdfunding campaign.

See how you can learn from her successes in this Crowdfunding 101 video:

More information on our CrowdMatch Loan can be found here.

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Investing in Childcare in Eastern Kentucky https://mtassociation.org/business-support/investing-in-childcare-in-eastern-kentucky/ Wed, 13 Nov 2024 16:38:16 +0000 https://mtassociation.org/?p=18372 In Eastern Kentucky, accessing high quality childcare presents unique challenges for parents and caregivers. Childcare is a fundamental building block of a thriving community so parents can participate in the workforce and improve their family’s quality of life. To fully realize the resilient economy Mountain Association envisions for Eastern Kentucky, there must be access for […]

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In Eastern Kentucky, accessing high quality childcare presents unique challenges for parents and caregivers. Childcare is a fundamental building block of a thriving community so parents can participate in the workforce and improve their family’s quality of life. To fully realize the resilient economy Mountain Association envisions for Eastern Kentucky, there must be access for families and resources for childcare providers. 

We put our daughter on multiple waitlists for daycare centers the week she was born, as we were told she couldn’t join the list beforehand. She “came off” the waitlist when a spot became available for her at one facility six months later. We were lucky to have family members who could help watch our daughter during the workday in the meantime, as my husband and I both work full time. It was a group effort between her staying home with me, while I was working remotely full time, my husband’s mom, who was also working from home, and my grandmother. We had to coordinate care for her daily that accommodated work meetings and other appointments. This was a major stressor for us. It was a constant pull between being a “good mom” and a “good employee,” while trying my hardest to do both well. 

– Hannah Hall, parent in Hazard 

Research shows the benefits of high quality early care and education lasting into kindergarten and some studies find the impact extends all the way to high school. These benefits include cognitive benefits that prepare children for lasting success and academic achievement in school as well as improved social development and reduced behavior issues. This same research tells us that high quality early childcare is especially beneficial to children from low-income families. 

Those seeking childcare in the region have multiple factors stacked against them from the start, including: 

  • Low-income families paying for childcare spend almost $200 per week on care, amounting to about 35 percent of their household income. 
  • 70% of people in rural Appalachia live in a childcare desert. 
  • Rural parents are significantly more likely than urban/suburban parents to have to drive more than 10 miles to access childcare. Most urban/suburban parents drive less than 5 miles. 

We have families who have decided because of changes in their family situation, that they have to go to work but they can’t find childcare.

Becky Stacy, Executive Director of Appalachian Early Childhood Network  

All these issues create a fundamentally unsustainable environment for parents, especially Eastern Kentuckians with the lowest incomes. At the same time parents are struggling to find care, childcare providers are constantly facing old and new challenges.

Some of the realities caregivers face include: 

  • The childcare business model has been historically unsustainable. 
  • Childcare costs have been growing rapidly; wages for childcare workers remain low. The national median pay for a childcare worker in 2022 was still under $30,000 per year. 
  • Even when paying childcare employees low wages, the average childcare provider in Kentucky is losing money. 
  • Funding available through grants and subsidies is limited and competitive.  

These factors culminate in an environment where starting or maintaining a childcare center in Eastern Kentucky takes not only smart business planning but sheer luck that everything else goes your way. When you’re caring for children and trying to provide for your family, it’s not a gamble many are able or willing to take. 

Addressing these issues requires urgent investment by local Community Development Financial Institutions, like Mountain Association, and other community investors, but also policy action by the Kentucky Legislature. As sources of Federal funding put into place during the pandemic continue to expire, such as the annual $330 million boost from the American Rescue Plan Act, it’s crucial Kentucky continues to invest in the families that make up its workforce. Investments in accessible childcare services and support for those who provide them will go a long way towards a brighter, more resilient future for Eastern Kentucky’s families. 


Mountain Association’s role
the owls learning owlsey county booneville childcare

Oftentimes childcare center startups are labors of love and intense planning and advocacy. No one knows this more than the team at OCARE in Owsley County, who this winter will proudly open a new childcare facility, located in one of Eastern Kentucky’s many childcare deserts. According to the Bipartisan Policy Center, over 45% of childcare facilities in Kentucky have closed over the past 10 years. By investing in new childcare facilities like OCARE’s Owl’s Treehouse, the Mountain Association is committed to learning alongside these organizations and businesses as they navigate the complexities of launching in a rural region where access to early childcare education has long been limited. Through low-interest financing and targeted technical assistance our team worked with OCARE to build a foundation for their successful launch and sustainable future. 

OCARE loan
Sue Christian of OCARE meets with Regina Becknell of Mountain Association’s Lending Team.

Lending to childcare centers is often seen as risky and unwise by traditional financial institutions. The margins for childcare are notoriously thin largely due to high staffing requirements, strict regulatory, safety, and health standards that increase operational costs, and a limited revenue model. Childcare centers operate on a narrow revenue model where their primary – if not only source of income – is parent fees. However, with childcare being essential yet expensive, centers in our region face pressure to keep tuition affordable. This puts centers in the difficult position of trying to bridge funding gaps while also meeting high operational costs (oh, and actually caring for the children!). 

As many childcare centers in our region are nonprofits, we identified the need for specialized financial planning support for the team at Owl’s Treehouse. Through Mountain Association’s Business Support program, OCARE worked with Angie LeBlanc of XP UP Consulting to streamline financial operations – simplifying bookkeeping, grant management, and reporting. Together, we guided them through essential steps like establishing separate bank accounts for financial clarity, implementing clear financial reporting for their various entities, and identifying potential funding sources specifically for after-school programs. As this was the first time OCARE took on debt as a nonprofit organization, their training included practical strategies for debt management to ease the uncertainties. 

Through this partnership we’ve gained invaluable insights into the needs of emerging childcare facilities in rural Kentucky, enabling us to better tailor our loan products and support services to meet these challenges and further support accessible, community-centered childcare across the mountains we love so much.  

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Through A Pandemic & A Flood: Floyd County’s Bike & Book Shop https://mtassociation.org/business-support/from-handlebars-to-hardcovers-floyd-countys-bike-book-shop/ Wed, 08 May 2024 15:08:32 +0000 https://mtassociation.org/?p=17590 During the pandemic, many people across Kentucky faced unexpected job losses and hardship. With the unprecedented events, a wave of creative entrepreneurs emerged with people launching businesses from home offices, kitchens, and garages. This was the case of Deedra and Onas Hanekamp who built a small business in the carport of their home in Floyd […]

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During the pandemic, many people across Kentucky faced unexpected job losses and hardship. With the unprecedented events, a wave of creative entrepreneurs emerged with people launching businesses from home offices, kitchens, and garages. This was the case of Deedra and Onas Hanekamp who built a small business in the carport of their home in Floyd County, Kentucky, to repair bikes and sell books and local artwork.

deedra and onas hanekamp bikes and books

The pair became small business owners when Onas, a certified bike mechanic since 1992, was laid off during COVID. Deedra, an author and a visual artist, had 15 years of experience in selling her books and her art. They decided to combine their passions under one roof: Hanekamp Manor Bikes & Books. Over the next two years they built their business, moving from the carport to a separate structure they hand built. Then the floodwaters came.

In the early morning hours of July 28, 2022, Deedra and Onas, along with many in the Garrett, Kentucky community were rescued by swift water crews from their homes as Beaver Creek rose and flooded their town.

garrett ky floyd County flood
Garrett, KY during the flood
(Courier Journal)

Later that day, Deedra posted a photo of their flooded home and business on their Facebook page: “Our family owned business and the dream to serve our community’s bicycling needs is still strong in our hearts. The flooding has washed away and destroyed so much, but not our desire to continue our business. Unfortunately at this time we will be closed indefinitely… Thank you to those who have supported our efforts to build this business. We hope to be able in the future to once more open our doors.”

After the flood, Deedra said they were stalled out.

“When the flood hit, we had no idea where to turn. Not just on a personal level, but on a business level.”

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They needed support to know which steps to take next as they navigated FEMA and other resources available for small businesses impacted by the flood. They found Mountain Association’s Business Support program, which covered 100% of the costs for flooded small businesses who needed to work with an expert consultant on a project that would help their business succeed through this devastating event.

Deedra chose to work with Terry Salyer, a Mountain Association business consultant in nearby Magoffin County, on a business plan to strategize how to build their business back better.

“Working with Terry to see that going back to our business plan and getting back to the root of why we started this business: Why did we start this? What does the community mean to us and what are we bringing to the community?”

Martin KY eastern ky deedra hanekamp Art
Deedra’s artwork ranges from custom cards for all occasions to larger portraits. She specializes in whimsical drawings and watercolor paintings.

Alongside supporting their business plan and operational efficiencies, Terry helped them to analyze their costs of goods and services in order to develop a pricing model that support them as business owners and their local customers. This also led to the creation of marketing materials, an enhanced website, and a new initiative they are calling Community Days and the Garrett Beautification Project. Community Days is a series of events for 2024, where they are partnering with other small businesses and community members. They accept donations of clothing and other items that they give away for free, and offer discounted bike repair.

Deedra described her work with Terry as pivotal support as they recovered and reopened.

“I love the team feeling. You don’t feel like someone is telling you what to do – you feel like you have someone in your corner that is right there fighting the good fight with you.”

Explore Hanekamp Manor’s offerings, including Deedra’s books. Her most popular books are The Louise Green Series, which blends dark humor with mystery: https://www.hanekampmanor.com/ and  https://www.facebook.com/profile/100063502785638

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