Propel celebrates 2020 graduates

The Propel Mentor Protégé program celebrated eleven years of small business success on July 10. Operating since 2008, program graduates have generated more than $100 million of economic growth and created 827 new jobs across the region.

The virtual event recognized the latest class of protégés and included advice on how the new graduates can continue scaling their business while navigating the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and nationwide calls for social reform. Keynote speakers included Bob Camp, co-founder of the advisory group CAMPCast, and local personality Hallerin Hilton Hill.

Protégés participated in a three-year, growth-focused program that covered basic business concepts and, most importantly, pairs the start-up with an established entrepreneur or corporate executive for more personalized guidance. 

“The relationship between a new business owner and their mentor is a key indicator of future success,” said Doug Minter, program director. “No one can do it alone. Our protégés have experienced tremendous growth that can be traced directly back to the guidance of their mentors. Now, more than ten years into the program, we have protégés who are so profitable that they are able to purchase the businesses of our current classes.”

2020 Propel Mentor Protégé Graduates

• Accentuate
• Bonediggity Barkery and Gifts
• The Cleaning Force
• Fear NoThing Coaching
• Holloway Event Co.
• KSV Group
• Park City Printing & Graphic Design
• Restoration 1 of Knoxville
• Santa’s Claus-et
• The Social Brand

Sponsored By

Truist | Formerly BB&T  /  SunTrust

In Partnership With

SCORE | Greater Knoxville

Knoxville Entrepreneur Center

Knoxville Area Urban League

America’s SBDC Tennessee