NKU entrepreneurial student to pitch business as a finalist in premier competition

HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. (WKRC) - A young entrepreneur turned his hobby into a business and will now pitch it at one of the most prominent competitions around the world.

Isaiah Kelly is a graduate student at Northern Kentucky University and founded his shoe company, Smoove Creations in 2018. He's created many custom designs, including some for St. Elizabeth Hospital, NKU and the Black Lives Matter movement.

He is the first student from NKU's entrepreneurial program to qualify for the Rice Business Plan Competition at Rice University.

Kelly will be among 54 student-led startups competing for more than $1 million in funding and resources.