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Lessons from the Field That Still Apply in Business and Life “Leadership is the process of influencing people by providing purpose, direction, and motivation while operating to accomplish the mission and improve the organization.”— U.S. Army Definition of Leadership During my four years in the U.S. Army (1993–1997), I served as a 75B — Personnel Administration Specialist. My job wasn’t glamorous, but it was essential. I made sure soldiers got paid, got promoted, got recogniz

How Small Businesses Create the Spirit — and the Future — of the Season “When you shop local, you’re not just making a purchase — you’re making a difference.” The lights are going up, the peppermint scents are filling the air, and Cynthiana is starting to shimmer with that unmistakable holiday magic. But here’s the truth: that magic doesn’t come from the big-box stores or the national ads filling our screens. It comes from you — the small business owners, professionals, and

Katelan Kendrick, Executive Assistant If you feel like you don’t need this kind of information… you probably do. In today’s fast-moving digital world, businesses face a big challenge – staying visible. Whether you’re running a storefront, a home-based business, or something entirely mobile, being offline isn’t optional anymore. As someone who loves supporting local businesses, I often find myself scrolling through Facebook or searching Google Maps trying to figure out when t

James Smith, Executive Director “It takes 20 years to build a reputation and five minutes to ruin it. If you think about that, you’ll do things differently.” — Warren Buffett Before you open your mouth, your reputation has already walked into the room ahead of you.It speaks when you’re not there — in how people describe your business, in the stories customers tell, and even in the tone of your emails. In a community like Cynthiana, word travels fast — and that’s both a bless

James Smith, Executive Director If you’ve ever played or followed sports, you know this feeling: It’s the fourth quarter . The crowd’s loud, the clock is ticking, and the game’s on the line. And the ball is in your hands. That’s exactly where we are right now in the year. The first three quarters—January through September—are behind us. Some plays worked perfectly, some didn’t, and maybe a few got intercepted along the way. But this? This is when great teams — and great leade

James Smith, Executive Director If you’ve ever felt like life’s moving faster than your to-do list — and somehow you’re busy all the time...

“Perfection is the enemy of progress.” —Winston Churchill I must confess...I am a recovering perfectionist. We’ve all been there. You’ve...

James Smith, Executive Director “Complaining doesn’t solve problems—it spreads them.” We’ve all been there: stuck in a checkout line...

James Smith, Executive Director “Every great advance in science has issued from a new audacity of imagination.” — John Dewey If you’ve...

James Smith, Executive Director There’s a myth out there that success comes from being motivated all the time. You’ve probably heard it:...

James Smith, Executive Director “You just need to find balance.” It’s one of the most common pieces of advice we hear—and one of the most...

James Smith, Executive Director “Efforts and courage are not enough without purpose and direction.” — John F. Kennedy This week, I’m...

James Smith, Executive Director As someone who’s spent most of his life in leadership roles — from mayor to Chamber director to small...

James Smith, Executive Director This week’s article is a little personal (which ones aren't, right?). The lessons come straight from my...

James Smith, Executive Director Here we are, late July. The heat is high, the ice cream is melting faster than we can eat it, and summer...

James Smith, Executive Director In a small town like Cynthiana, your business card might as well say “neighbor” just as much as it says...

James Smith, Executive Director I’ve always considered time management one of my strengths—schedules, priorities, goal setting,...

James Smith, Executive Director They say July is the “dog days of summer,” but for business owners and community leaders, it can feel...

by James Smith, Executive Director Introduction They say hindsight is 20/20—but at 20 years old, we don’t yet know what we don’t know....

by James Smith, Executive Director As fireworks light up the skies and we celebrate the Fourth of July, it’s easy to enjoy the holiday...