The Kentucky Small Business Development Center recognized 10 businesses from across the state with Pacesetter awards, including locally owned and Owensboro-based Hand Therapy Plus Total Body Rehab — who won accolades in the Traditional Pacesetter category.
All winners were announced earlier this week during the Kentucky Celebrates Small Business awards ceremony, held at the Capitol Rotunda in Frankfort.
“It takes a lot to succeed, and even more to advance, as a small business,” said Kristina Joyce, Kentucky Small Business Development Center state director. “These businesses prove their strength and commitment to our communities, to their employees and to our Kentucky economy, both by investing in their startups and then by staying the course.”
Hand Therapy Plus Total Body Rehab offers rehabilitation services to restore optimal functional recovery to individuals who are suffering from chronic pain, injury, illness or disability. Therapy services include occupational therapy, physical therapy, women’s health, hand therapy and treatment for chronic pain.
Kelsey Carrico worked as an occupational therapist at Hand Therapy Plus for three years before she took ownership in June 2019. A Western Kentucky University graduate, Carrico obtained her master’s degree in occupational therapy from Spalding University. She specializes in women’s health services, treating all conditions from hand to shoulder and fabricating custom hand-to-elbow orthotics.
There were two types of Pacesetter awards given this year, Traditional Pacesetters and Startup Business Pacesetters. The Traditional Pacesetter awards recognize high-performing second-stage businesses that are producing innovative products, increasing sales, creating jobs, and serving communities of the commonwealth. Startup Business Pacesetter awards recognize promising businesses in their early stages.
Other Pacesetter award recipients include Equus Run Vineyard, Pho KYtchen, Lenoxburg General Store, Southern Prep, Stevie Ray’s Blues Bar, Universal Spartan, Pirogue’s Cajun Food Truck, Salt of the Earth Halotherapy and Yocum’s Ag Repair.
