For small business owners in Middle Tennessee who are serious about growth.
The Free Small Business Community Middle Tennessee Has Been Waiting For.
Most business owners are figuring it out alone — in real time, at full cost.
Ignite Tennessee Small Business Academy was built to change that.
For small business owners in Middle Tennessee who are serious about growth.
The Free Small Business Community Middle Tennessee Has Been Waiting For.
Most business owners are figuring it out alone — in real time, at full cost.
Ignite Tennessee Small Business Academy was built to change that.
What Ignite Academy Is About
Learn
Real-world business education from entrepreneurs who've actually built something. No theory. No fluff. Lessons learned the hard way are shared so you don't have to.
Grow
Marketing, sales, operations, leadership, the complete toolkit for building a business that lasts. Taught by people who are still in the trenches.
Connect
Middle Tennessee's most driven small business owners in one room. Monthly live events, CEO interviews, and a community that pushes you forward.
Built on faith,
earned by experience.
The community and resources I wish I had when I was starting out.
From Steve
My name is Steve Cory. Over the last 30+ years, I've built and sold multiple companies across a range of industries, retail, service, technology, and now digital marketing. I've had the wins. I've had the losses. I filed for bankruptcy, rebuilt from nothing, and came out the other side with the kind of clarity you can only earn the hard way.
Today, I run Cory Media Group, a digital marketing agency based in Shelbyville, Tennessee, focused on one thing: helping local businesses get found, get chosen, and grow in the age of AI search. We work with service businesses across Middle Tennessee every day, HVAC companies, contractors, attorneys, dentists, medical practices, and businesses with real roots in this community who deserve to be found by the customers already looking for them.
What I didn't have during the hard years was a room full of people who got it. Fellow business owners who could speak honestly about the struggle, share what was actually working, and do it all with the right values at the center.
That's exactly what Ignite is. It's the free academy and community I wish had existed when I was starting, a place where Middle Tennessee business owners can grow together, sharpen each other, and honor God with the businesses we've been entrusted to build.
"Honor God with our businesses. Connect with fellow entrepreneurs. Leave better than we arrived."
In business, the most valuable currency isn't money.
In investing, there's a concept called
OPM — Other People's Money.
In business, there's something even more valuable: OPM — Other People's Mistakes.
Learning from someone who's already made the mistake can save you years of frustration and thousands of dollars. That's the spirit Ignite was built on.
Ignite In Action
See the energy, collaboration, and inspiration that happens when entrepreneurs come together.
A Community of Entrepreneurs Learning Together
This is where ideas start turning into real opportunities. At Ignite events, entrepreneurs gather to learn practical strategies, gain insights from experienced leaders, and explore new possibilities for their businesses.
The room is filled with people who are done figuring it out alone.
Real Conversations. Real Connections.
Ignite is more than just presentations—it's about meaningful conversations and building relationships with people who understand the entrepreneurial journey.
Founders, operators, and business owners connect, share what's working, and hold each other accountable to building something bigger.
Grow Your Business with Wisdom, Not Just Hustle
Faith-driven insights and real conversations from a community of entrepreneurs who value purpose as much as profit.
Business isn’t just about making money—it’s about stewardship, growth, and impact. Our blog brings together lessons, stories, and perspectives to help you lead well, grow wisely, and stay grounded in what matters most.
Free Facebook Community
Stop figuring it out alone.
Join the Ignite Tennessee Facebook Group, where Middle Tennessee business owners connect, share what's working, and keep the learning going all month long.
No cost. No pitch. Just Middle Tennessee entrepreneurs.
© 2026 Cory Enterprises LLC. Privacy Policy Terms of Use
Ignite Tennessee Small Business Academy — Founded by Steve Cory, Shelbyville, TN A Cory Enterprises LLC platform
© 2026 Cory Enterprises LLC. Privacy Policy Terms of Use
Ignite Tennessee Small Business Academy — Founded by Steve Cory, Shelbyville, TN A Cory Enterprises LLC platform