COOKEVILLE – WCTE PBS will premiere a brand-new season of “It’s Your Business with Michael Aikens” in partnership with TN Tech Center for Rural Innovation (TCRI) Director Michael Aikens on Thursday, Oct. 14 at 8:30 p.m. The premiere will also be streamed simultaneously live on wcte.org/live in addition to YouTube TV and Facebook.
The series will continue to tell the stories of the changemakers in our communities in their own voices; stories that will inspire our rural communities and workforce to prepare, survive and thrive throughout the pandemic, and beyond. Aikens visits local business owners on location to discuss their motivations and perspectives, and to learn from their successes and mistakes. He also visits with local community leaders and regional celebrities to garner their perspectives and seek advice to help our communities achieve new heights together.
“We’re thrilled to be producing a second season of “It’s Your Business with Michael Aikens” to showcase throughout central Tennessee. I get so inspired watching Michael when he interviews entrepreneurs in our region who possess a robust work ethic, self-starters and who are creative and passionate visionaries discussing their product or service,” said Brent Clark, Director of Content & Digital Media of WCTE PBS.
Aikens, a serial entrepreneur and Tennessee Tech employee for 16 years, has used his background in business, technology and leadership to foster economic development in the Upper Cumberland. He holds an undergraduate degree in marketing from Appalachian State University and a Masters’ Degree in Strategic Leadership from TN Tech, and oversees economic development initiatives at TN Tech including the Rural Reimagined Grand Challenge, Center for Rural Innovation and Eagle Works Innovation & Entrepreneurship program. Aikens leads the TCRI in its mission to create companies and build economic development in the Upper Cumberland.
WCTE Central TN PBS has served the Upper Cumberland 40+ years as the region’s premier storyteller and is the only television station in a 75-mile radius of Cookeville, making it a strategic partner in education, health services, government, arts and music. WCTE is a 501(c) 3 and is owned and operated by the Upper Cumberland Broadcast Council. WCTE Central TN PBS is one of only 350 PBS member stations nationwide.
