
Mother Nature was back at it… talking a bigger game than she delivered, but just enough to cancel school and push my kids into NTI. 🤪
I kicked off the week with breakfast with my old friend and former Louisvillian, Taylor Trusty. Hearing him reflect on his time here reminded me of another former Louisvillian who feels the same way about this city,Craig dos Santos. If you missed that conversation, it’s worth a look.
I also made it to ACG’s monthly luncheon where Sara Blackmer from Solyco Capital shared how their firm blends multiple investment products with hands-on operational involvement. I am glad they have planted an office in Louisville. It remains one of the best business lunches in town.
And while everyone is gearing up to close out the year, there has been more deal flow and fresh capital than usual coming across my desk. The headlines this week felt the same… so many stories moving at once that we had to build a fresh Rabbit Hole Ready to keep you plugged in.
Hot job 💼: Director of Operations at Insight Global ($100K–$120K). Lead day-to-day operations, strengthen systems, and guide teams through execution in a fast-moving environment. Strong fit for operators who can bring structure and clarity to a growing organization.
📈 Number: 7 of the 20 bourbons crowned Top Bourbons for 2025 by Whisky Advocate are from Kentucky, reinforcing the state’s outsized influence on what the world drinks best.
Birthday Cheers 🎉: It must be a popular week to be born because the lineup of birthdays is long and full of great people. The full list is below. 👇👇
As always, I appreciate you reading. 👊
-Todd
🏙️ Louisville’s Big 8: What Moved the City This Week
Who won the week, what opened, and why it matters.

🐰 Rabbit Hole Ready
The kind of links that make you forget you had other tabs open.
🎓 A Big Move at Assumption
Erin Churchman was named Director of Development at Assumption High School, and it is a great win for the school. I know firsthand because I was lucky to work with her.
🏢 Vsimple’s New HQ Lands on River Road
Vsimple officially opened its headquarters in Louisville. Be sure to listen to their CEO, Buddy Bockweg’s comments on why he’s building here. 🎥 Video inside
🔥 Network & Chill at Mashup Hall
Chris Redd and Ricky Mason hosted a fireside chat at MashupHall for Network & Chill, featuring Alex Reed as the speaker. Packed room, sharp insights, and a big win for the city’s creative community.
⛳ Five Iron Golf Expands Again
Congratulations to Peter McCormick and Alex Zega as Five Iron Golf opened its second Louisville location inside the PNC Tower. More downtown progress.
🎥 Video by Jordan Clemons here.
💛 Kosair for Kids Donates $400K
Kosair for Kids granted $400,000 to 10 youth-serving organizations. A huge lift for important area programs. Great work Barry Dunn & team! 🎥 Video inside
🍗 Chick-fil-A Expands… Near Me
Chick-fil-A is opening a new location which means they will now claim even more of my wallet. Convenience is dangerous.
🏭 Foxconn Makes a Major Louisville Bet
Foxconn announced a new manufacturing plant which only adds fuel to Louisville’s manufacturing momentum. The engine is very much on.
🏆 Pat Day Honored at Derby in December
Hall of Fame jockey Pat Day received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Kentucky Derby Museum’s Derby in December event. A well deserved moment for a Kentucky icon.
Presented by: 150 Years of the Kentucky Derby Book 📚
If you’re hunting for a holiday gift with real Louisville soul, this one is an easy win. The Kentucky Derby 150th Anniversary hardcover book is a coffee-table stunner that celebrates the most iconic event our city puts on the world stage.
It's packed with historic photos, rare stories, and behind-the-scenes moments only the Derby can deliver. Whether you have lifelong Louisvillians on your list or friends who simply love the magic of Derby weekend, this is the kind of gift people enjoy all year… not just in May.
A keepsake that feels local, meaningful, and timeless.
👉 Get Yours Here
🎉 Birthday Shoutouts
Birthday love for some local standouts

Mark Blankenbaker, best known for sports radio and Twitter posts with his UofL Sheriff persona.

Dr. Jacquelyn “JJ” Bowman, a psychologist and neuropsychologist running a great private practice.

Holly Prather, COO of Leadership Louisville who juggles 100+ things for this important organizations.

Chuck Summers, a Cherry Bekaert leader and big-time community supporter.
🏡 House Hunt Highlight
Looking for inspiration on where to land next? Here are two standout options that show off very different ways to live well in Louisville. Click the photos to explore these properties and learn more.
🏡 Classic East End
1311 Leighton Cir, Hurstbourne | 7,650 sq ft | 5 bed, 7 bath | $1,750,000
(7 days on market)
This Hurstbourne estate delivers scale, presence, and livable luxury with more than 7,600 square feet of space. Multiple gathering areas give you room for hosting or quiet evenings. The chef's kitchen and first-floor layout make daily living easy. The neighborhood remains one of Louisville’s most established pockets, with quick access to dining, shopping, and the East End’s main arteries. It’s a classic, grand home built for someone who wants both comfort and impact.
Listed by: Traditions Real Estate Group
✨ Lyndon Modern
400 Wood Rd, Lyndon | 3,700 sq ft | 4 bed, 4 bath | $789,900
(6 days on market)
This Lyndon standout blends warmth and updates across a generous floor plan. The main level flows easily into an inviting kitchen and bright living spaces designed for everyday comfort. Upstairs bedrooms offer flexibility for guests, hobbies, or a home office, and the half-acre lot brings breathing room rarely found this close to everything. It’s polished, move-in ready, and tucked in one of the city’s most convenient East End corridors.
Listed by: Smith Wilson Group, RE/MAX Premier Properties
🏢 Louisville Spark Job Board
Who’s hiring in Louisville? 5 Trending jobs
Territory Sales Manager at JM Hunter Group, LLC ($75K–$100K). Manage a regional sales territory, grow accounts, and build long-term customer relationships. Great fit for self-starters who excel at consultative selling.
IT Adoption Specialist at Dexian ($80K–$100K). Support teams through new technology rollouts by improving training, communication, and user adoption. Ideal for someone who blends tech comfort with strong people skills.
Control Engineer at Sterling Engineering ($90K–$150K). Design and optimize industrial control systems, including PLC programming and automation troubleshooting. Strong role for engineers who like hands-on problem solving.
Litigation Associate at Wyatt, Tarrant and Combs, LLP ($135K–$155K). Work on complex litigation matters with responsibilities ranging from research and drafting to motion practice and courtroom preparation.
Market Sales Manager at Dawn Foods ($105K–$173K). Lead regional growth for Dawn’s bakery ingredients by managing key distributor and bakery accounts, identifying new opportunities, and delivering sales programs that help customers boost margins and product quality.
📆 What’s Sparking This Weekend
We found the fun, so you don’t have to.
Saturday, December 13
🎄 Christmas Gift & Decor Show
Browse hundreds of holiday vendors at the Kentucky Exposition Center offering décor, gifts, crafts, and seasonal treats. It’s a huge, family-friendly shopping tradition and an easy way to knock out your list in one stop.
🎅 Rockin’ Around the Village
Westport Village turns festive with live music, holiday lights, and in-store specials. A great evening stroll spot with plenty of photo ops, cozy vibes, and chances to support local shops.
🎸 Punk Rock Taylor Swift: The Eras Show
Headliners hosts a high-energy punk-rock tribute to Taylor Swift’s biggest hits. Expect loud guitars, diehard fans, and a full-tilt atmosphere that reimagines the Eras Tour in a totally different style.
Sunday, December 14
🥞 Pancakes at the North Pole
A kid-favorite holiday brunch with Santa, festive activities, and a cheerful North Pole theme at Main Event. Great for families looking to keep the magic fully alive.
🎅 SantaCon Louisville
Hundreds of Santas roam downtown for a playful, citywide holiday crawl. Expect costumes, music, chaos, and plenty of memorable photo moments across multiple stops.
🎤 Under The Streetlamp
Retro harmonies and classic hits take over the Brown Theatre as Under The Streetlamp brings a polished, feel-good concert packed with nostalgia. A perfect night out for fans of doo-wop, Motown, and vintage charm.
📺 Video of the Week
Here’s another holiday pop-up bar we somehow missed, thanks to Tiffany for pointing it out, at Whirling Tiger, open Thursday through Saturday.
🥃 Final Sip
We’ve officially hit that stretch of the year when meetings start getting bumped to January and everyone’s calendar takes on its own personality. However you manage your time, I hope you leave room for the good stuff… the holiday moments, the people you enjoy, and all the festive things happening around Louisville right now. If you need ideas, our Holiday Guide has you covered.
Enjoy the season and make it yours.






