ACTC partners in first-ever Carter County Ignite Appalachia Bootcamp & Pitch Competition
Published on Jun 4, 2026
Ashland Community and Technical College (ACTC) proudly served as a community partner for the inaugural Carter County Ignite Appalachia Bootcamp & Pitch Competition, a six-week entrepreneurial program designed to support and empower local small business owners.
Hosted in partnership with the ECDI Women’s Business Center of Central Appalachia, the program provided hands-on training, mentorship, and resources to help participants strengthen their business ideas and prepare to pitch for startup or expansion funding.
While hosted by the ECDI Women’s Business Center of Central Appalachia, the program was open to all entrepreneurs and brought together both men and women from across Carter County to pursue their business goals.
The finale event was held May 28 at Commercial Bank in Olive Hill.
“I was honored to participate in the Ignite Appalachia Pitch Competition by serving as a judge in the finale,” said Chris Slone, program coordinator for the Business Administration program at ACTC. “Supporting future entrepreneurs as they pursue their dreams is truly a privilege.”
The competition began with eleven participants, with eight entrepreneurs completing the intensive program and pitching their ideas to a panel of judges.
The $5,000 first place winner was Christian Baker, who, alongside her husband, owns Cooler Cleanser Company. The couple manufacture and sell a specialized cleaning product for coolers.
The second-place winner, taking home $2,000 was Vanessa Ingle, who is launching Tracks End RV and Music Park, a live music venue, which will also have RV spaces, tiny homes, and glamping accommodations.
Third place went to Allen Wilson of Wilson Fitness and Martial Arts, who sought funding to provide financial assistance for students who would not otherwise be able to participate in his programming. He was awarded $1,000.
Additional participants included Kacy Hicks, O’Brien’s Archery; Mari Ann Caudill, Hometown Bookstore; Peyton Steagall, Bare Beauty Bar; Ryan Day, Day’s Seasoning; and Megan A. Porter, White Willow Charities Inc.
“The Ignite Appalachia Bootcamp & Pitch Competition is one of the most rewarding parts of my job,” said Bonnie Barker, program manager of ECDI Women’s Business Center of Central Appalachia. “Watching entrepreneurs grow in confidence as they transformed their ideas into real business opportunities was so inspiring. Over six weeks, we saw participants challenge themselves, learn new skills, and take meaningful steps toward their goals. And they rocked it.”
ACTC joined a strong network of partners and sponsors committed to fostering entrepreneurship and economic growth in the region.
Sponsors included Commercial Bank, Olive Hill Tourism, Grayson Tourism, Paws Inn Keeper, and Michelle Wilhoit Insurance.
Community partners included the Olive Hill Chamber of Commerce and ACTC.
“What makes this program especially meaningful is that it truly took a village,” Barker said. “Sponsors, mentors, judges, community partners, and local leaders all came together to invest in these entrepreneurs and in the future of Carter County. I am incredibly proud of how our community rose to the occasion to support this effort. In a rural county our size, having eight entrepreneurs complete this journey is a tremendous accomplishment and a testament to the strength, resilience, and entrepreneurial spirit of our region.”
Through its involvement, ACTC continues to support workforce development and small business growth across the region by connecting education with real-world opportunity.
For more information on ACTC’s Business Administration program, visit https://ashland.kctcs.edu/education-training/program-finder/business-administration.aspx
