46Solutions Named 2023 Small Business of the Year:
At the Commerce Lexington Salute to Small Business Awards Luncheon presented by Forcht Bank, 46Solutions was named the 2023 Small Business of the Year. The recipient of this year’s award in the Business Success Category, 46Solutions was chosen for the honor from three different category winners. The week-long celebration featured events, Facebook Live segments, and video vignettes of the category winners.
Established in 2019 by its parent company, the Davis H. Elliot Company and its vice president of I.T., Bob Fronk, 46Solutions provides technology services to homes and businesses in central Kentucky. Its residential solutions help homeowners by designing and installing high-quality audio and video systems, creating immersive entertainment experiences, and providing expert technical support and maintenance. Commercial services include managed I.T. services, cybersecurity, phone systems, cloud communication, and network consulting.
In the four years since it was established, the business was forced to alter its business plan due to the COVID-19 pandemic, became profitable with 300% employee growth, captured significant market share from its competitors, opened a state-of-the-art audio-video showroom in Lexington Green, and was recently recognized as Best Home Entertainment company in WTVQ’s Viewers’ Choice Awards.
Commerce Lexington Board Chair Cassidy Rosenthal (Stites & Harbison, PLLC), said, “Commerce Lexington’s annual Salute to Small Business Awards program is the perfect opportunity for the business community to come together, say thank you, and recognize our area small businesses that are so vital to our economy. This year’s Category Award winners have overcome adversity, fundraising challenges, workforce issues, and the constantly changing economic landscape. We congratulate all of our award winners for this honor.”
Established in 2019 by its parent company, the Davis H. Elliot Company and its vice president of I.T., Bob Fronk, 46Solutions provides technology services to homes and businesses in central Kentucky. Its residential solutions help homeowners by designing and installing high-quality audio and video systems, creating immersive entertainment experiences, and providing expert technical support and maintenance. Commercial services include managed I.T. services, cybersecurity, phone systems, cloud communication, and network consulting.
In the four years since it was established, the business was forced to alter its business plan due to the COVID-19 pandemic, became profitable with 300% employee growth, captured significant market share from its competitors, opened a state-of-the-art audio-video showroom in Lexington Green, and was recently recognized as Best Home Entertainment company in WTVQ’s Viewers’ Choice Awards.
Commerce Lexington Board Chair Cassidy Rosenthal (Stites & Harbison, PLLC), said, “Commerce Lexington’s annual Salute to Small Business Awards program is the perfect opportunity for the business community to come together, say thank you, and recognize our area small businesses that are so vital to our economy. This year’s Category Award winners have overcome adversity, fundraising challenges, workforce issues, and the constantly changing economic landscape. We congratulate all of our award winners for this honor.”
46Solutions was named the 2023 Commerce Lexington Small Business of the Year. Left to right: Commerce Lexington President & CEO Bob Quick, Forcht Bank President & CEO Tucker Ballinger, 46Solutions’ team members Josh Dixon, Wil Winstead, and Alex Blanton, and Commerce Lexington Board Chair Cassidy Rosenthal (Stites & Harbison, PLLC).
PRESENTED BY:
PLATINUM SPONSORS:
Community Trust Bank
Equity Solutions Group
GOLD SPONSORS:
Central Bank & Trust Co.
H-L Media (Lexington Herald-Leader & Kentucky.com)
Kentucky Employers' Mutual Insurance
LM Communications
TravelHost of the Bluegrass
Community Trust Bank
Equity Solutions Group
GOLD SPONSORS:
Central Bank & Trust Co.
H-L Media (Lexington Herald-Leader & Kentucky.com)
Kentucky Employers' Mutual Insurance
LM Communications
TravelHost of the Bluegrass
SILVER SPONSORS:
Bankers Title of Central Kentucky | BlueRock Title | Electronic Business Machines
Energy Insurance Agency | MCM CPAs & Advisors | WUKY 91.3FM
VIDEO SPONSOR:
Lamar Advertising
SMALL BUSINESS SPONSOR:
BACK Construction, Inc.
INVITATION & PROGRAM DESIGN SPONSOR:
Stablemate Creative LLC
Bankers Title of Central Kentucky | BlueRock Title | Electronic Business Machines
Energy Insurance Agency | MCM CPAs & Advisors | WUKY 91.3FM
VIDEO SPONSOR:
Lamar Advertising
SMALL BUSINESS SPONSOR:
BACK Construction, Inc.
INVITATION & PROGRAM DESIGN SPONSOR:
Stablemate Creative LLC
2023 Salute to Small Business Category Award Winners:
MINORITY BUSINESS AWARD:
You’ve Got Curls & Hair Loss Center
121 Malabu Dr., Suite 4, Lexington, KY 40503
859-552-9201
www.gotcurls.com
In 2012, Melanie Day established You’ve Got Curls and Hair Loss Center with a mission to provide personalized hair care solutions tailored to the unique needs of individuals with curls and hair loss. As an industry leader, the business specializes in serving a diverse clientele, offering personalized hair care regimens and cutting-edge treatments to enhance and restore the natural beauty of your hair. According to Day, You’ve Got Curls and Hair Loss Center is not just a business - it’s a platform for personal growth, self expression, and embracing the beauty of diversity. Day and her team have collaborated with institutions like Eastern Kentucky University and the University of Kentucky to deliver specialized hair care educational programs. Earlier this year, the business was instrumental in assisting UK in organizing its first-ever Natural Hair Care Expo. Recognizing the need for affordable and convenient access to beauty products, You’ve Got Curls and Hair Loss Center introduced beauty product vending machines on college campuses through partnerships with Berea College and Transylvania University. Over the years, the business has experienced remarkable growth, fostered a culture of excellence and innovation, and leveraged a variety of opportunities to expand.
You’ve Got Curls & Hair Loss Center
121 Malabu Dr., Suite 4, Lexington, KY 40503
859-552-9201
www.gotcurls.com
In 2012, Melanie Day established You’ve Got Curls and Hair Loss Center with a mission to provide personalized hair care solutions tailored to the unique needs of individuals with curls and hair loss. As an industry leader, the business specializes in serving a diverse clientele, offering personalized hair care regimens and cutting-edge treatments to enhance and restore the natural beauty of your hair. According to Day, You’ve Got Curls and Hair Loss Center is not just a business - it’s a platform for personal growth, self expression, and embracing the beauty of diversity. Day and her team have collaborated with institutions like Eastern Kentucky University and the University of Kentucky to deliver specialized hair care educational programs. Earlier this year, the business was instrumental in assisting UK in organizing its first-ever Natural Hair Care Expo. Recognizing the need for affordable and convenient access to beauty products, You’ve Got Curls and Hair Loss Center introduced beauty product vending machines on college campuses through partnerships with Berea College and Transylvania University. Over the years, the business has experienced remarkable growth, fostered a culture of excellence and innovation, and leveraged a variety of opportunities to expand.
BUSINESS SUCCESS AWARD:
46Solutions
657 Blue Sky Parkway
Lexington, KY 40509
859-788-4600
www.46Solutions.com
46Solutions is an employee-owned technology company with three primary services: managed I.T. services, cybersecurity, and audio/video integration. It was established in 2019 with nine employees by its parent company, the Davis H. Elliot Company, and began offering I.T. services and cybersecurity protection to central Kentucky businesses. Its residential solutions help homeowners by designing and installing high-quality audio and video systems, creating immersive entertainment experiences, enhancing home security, and providing expert technical support and maintenance. Commercial services include managed I.T. services, cybersecurity, phone systems, cloud communication, and network consulting. Today, 46Solutions employs 33 full-time employees with over 350 years of combined technology experience. In the four years since it was established, the business was forced to alter its business plan due to the COVID-19 pandemic, became profitable with 300% employee growth, captured significant market share from its competitiors, opened a state-of-the-art audio visual showroom in Lexington Green, and was recognized as Best Home Entertainment company in WTVQ’s Viewers’ Choice Awards.
46Solutions
657 Blue Sky Parkway
Lexington, KY 40509
859-788-4600
www.46Solutions.com
46Solutions is an employee-owned technology company with three primary services: managed I.T. services, cybersecurity, and audio/video integration. It was established in 2019 with nine employees by its parent company, the Davis H. Elliot Company, and began offering I.T. services and cybersecurity protection to central Kentucky businesses. Its residential solutions help homeowners by designing and installing high-quality audio and video systems, creating immersive entertainment experiences, enhancing home security, and providing expert technical support and maintenance. Commercial services include managed I.T. services, cybersecurity, phone systems, cloud communication, and network consulting. Today, 46Solutions employs 33 full-time employees with over 350 years of combined technology experience. In the four years since it was established, the business was forced to alter its business plan due to the COVID-19 pandemic, became profitable with 300% employee growth, captured significant market share from its competitiors, opened a state-of-the-art audio visual showroom in Lexington Green, and was recognized as Best Home Entertainment company in WTVQ’s Viewers’ Choice Awards.
ENTREPRENEUR AWARD:
Lexington Event Company
P.O. Box 21773
Lexington, KY 40522
859-230-5365
www.lexingtoneventco.com
Lexington Event Company is an event planning, consulting and management firm based in Kentucky but serving clients across the U.S. The team works with clients to plan, promote, and produce events of all types, size, and scale – with a special attention and commitment to pull in as many local businesses as possible. Owner Kaelyn Query’s passion for event planning and management was sparked in high school through an internship program, and her career in event planning started shortly after that. Not only has she built a successful company, Kaelyn takes time to help others learn and grow by public speaking, guest lecturing, and teaching classes at the University of Kentucky and Transylvania University. Lexington Event Company also provides services to nonprofit organizations at reduced rates to help them grow their events and generate more revenue. The COVID-19 pandemic hit the hospitality and event planning industries very hard, and Kaelyn took the opportunity to provide resources and information, bring people from her industry together to talk through issues, and hone the company’s processes and procedures to create more efficiency, leading to increased sales, an improved close rate, and better engagement with clients.
Lexington Event Company
P.O. Box 21773
Lexington, KY 40522
859-230-5365
www.lexingtoneventco.com
Lexington Event Company is an event planning, consulting and management firm based in Kentucky but serving clients across the U.S. The team works with clients to plan, promote, and produce events of all types, size, and scale – with a special attention and commitment to pull in as many local businesses as possible. Owner Kaelyn Query’s passion for event planning and management was sparked in high school through an internship program, and her career in event planning started shortly after that. Not only has she built a successful company, Kaelyn takes time to help others learn and grow by public speaking, guest lecturing, and teaching classes at the University of Kentucky and Transylvania University. Lexington Event Company also provides services to nonprofit organizations at reduced rates to help them grow their events and generate more revenue. The COVID-19 pandemic hit the hospitality and event planning industries very hard, and Kaelyn took the opportunity to provide resources and information, bring people from her industry together to talk through issues, and hone the company’s processes and procedures to create more efficiency, leading to increased sales, an improved close rate, and better engagement with clients.
NONPROFIT COMMUNITY IMPACT AWARD:
Children’s Advocacy
Center of the Bluegrass
162 N. Ashland Avenue
Lexington, KY 40502
859-225-5437
www.kykids.org
Opening its doors in 1994, the Children’s Advocacy Center of the Bluegrass (CACBG) strives to reduce the trauma experienced by child survivors of sexual abuse through the coordination of services related to the investigation and treatment of child sexual abuse cases in Central Kentucky. Each year, over 1,000 children come to the Center for forensic interviews, medical examinations, counseling, and support. All services are provided at no cost to a child’s family. Interviews are conducted in a safe, child-friendly environment. The Center’s medical clinic is staffed by a physician and nurse who are specially trained to treat child victims. A full-time licensed therapist is available, providing assessments, crisis counseling, individual and group therapy. Additionally, its advocacy program provides caregivers with counseling, resource referrals, and supportive listening. Beginning with just one employee when it began, the Center now consists of a 20-member staff that provides children hope for a future free from abuse through its healing services. As the only agency of its kind in Central Kentucky, the CACBG listens to those with the smallest voice and champions the rights, well-being, and healing of innocent victims who have experienced unfathomable trauma.
Children’s Advocacy
Center of the Bluegrass
162 N. Ashland Avenue
Lexington, KY 40502
859-225-5437
www.kykids.org
Opening its doors in 1994, the Children’s Advocacy Center of the Bluegrass (CACBG) strives to reduce the trauma experienced by child survivors of sexual abuse through the coordination of services related to the investigation and treatment of child sexual abuse cases in Central Kentucky. Each year, over 1,000 children come to the Center for forensic interviews, medical examinations, counseling, and support. All services are provided at no cost to a child’s family. Interviews are conducted in a safe, child-friendly environment. The Center’s medical clinic is staffed by a physician and nurse who are specially trained to treat child victims. A full-time licensed therapist is available, providing assessments, crisis counseling, individual and group therapy. Additionally, its advocacy program provides caregivers with counseling, resource referrals, and supportive listening. Beginning with just one employee when it began, the Center now consists of a 20-member staff that provides children hope for a future free from abuse through its healing services. As the only agency of its kind in Central Kentucky, the CACBG listens to those with the smallest voice and champions the rights, well-being, and healing of innocent victims who have experienced unfathomable trauma.
For Salute to Small Business Sponsorship opportunities, email Angela Carlos.