KENTUCKY SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER

in Lexington, KY

Lexington Client Success Stories

Kentucky SBDC in Lexington

Serving the Counties of: Anderson, Bourbon, Boyle, Clark, Fayette, Franklin, Garrard, Harrison, Henry, Jessamine, Mercer, Nicholas, Owen, Powell, Scott, Shelby, Spencer, Woodford

The Kentucky SBDC in Lexington provides one-on-one coaching at no cost to existing and potential entrepreneurs in Central Kentucky. The Kentucky SBDC in Lexington also meets the educational needs of the local small business community by offering a variety of low cost training programs taught by industry experts and qualified SBDC Consultants.
Fausto Sarmiento, Center Director

Fausto Sarmiento

Center Director

Fausto is an experienced, bilingual professional who uses business acumen, negotiation skills, risk management, and leadership experience to produce measurable performance gains in collaborative organizations. Fausto has been a small business owner, independent contractor and has worked with Community Ventures as a Business Development Specialist. He earned a Master’s Degree in International Trade and Diplomacy from the Patterson School at the University of Kentucky.

Tonya Parsons, Business Coach

Tonya Parsons

Business Coach

Tonya Parsons is an expert in operations, project management, and entrepreneurship. Prior to joining the Kentucky SBDC in Lexington in 2020, Parsons had experience handling accounting for small businesses, as well as financial coaching. Tonya is originally from Owensboro, KY, but since earning her degree in Mathematics from the University of Kentucky, she has resided in Lexington. Tonya was acknowledged as the 2018 Business Networking International Notable Networker Award winner and participated on the Business Owners Advisory Board for Commerce Lexington from 2017-2019. She is an energetic self-starter that loves an adventure and is dedicated to helping others succeed.

In her free time, she works with the UK Alumni and the UK Women and Philanthropy organizations to raise money for scholarships. She also enjoys spending time with friends and family, and cheering on the Cats!

Stuart Arnold, Business Coach

Stuart Arnold

Business Coach

Stuart comes to the SBDC to invest his more than 35 years of experience in small business marketing, communications, strategy, and leadership. He is a native of Perryville, Ky. (Boyle County) and a 1980 graduate of Western Kentucky University with a degree in Technical Illustration and Graphic Design. Stuart’s previous positions include: director of marketing – Advocate Communications, director of community relations – Ephraim McDowell Health, director of marketing and public relations – The Center for Rural Development, editor/publisher – News Journal, director of strategic marketing – Grassroots Marketing, principal strategist/marketing architect – Strategic Planning Specialists. He has been a nationally syndicated editorial cartoonist and is the author of 100+ Tactics & Tips to Increase Small Business Revenues. In his personal time, Stuart and his family enjoy camping, hiking, tennis, disc golf, music, and many other activities. Illustration, reading, writing, and playing drums are a few of his favorite personal hobbies.

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