ASBTDC Client Named to Arkansas Business ’20 in Their 20’s’
JONESBORO – Nathan Bailey of Monticello, a 2018 graduate with a degree in agriculture business, has been selected as one of the “new influentials” for the 2019 class of “20 in their 20’s,” which will be featured in the Sept. 9 issue of Arkansas Business.
(from left) Edward Haddock, U.S. Small Business Administration Arkansas District Director; Nathan Bailey, member of 2019 class of “20 in their 20’s;” and Robert Bahn, lead business consultant for A-State Small Business and Technology Development Center.
Each year, Arkansas Businesshighlights 20 influential young adults that have outstanding accomplishments and/or responsibilities in the business and non-profit sectors. Over 300 nominations are reviewed by an internal committee before honorees are chosen.
Robert Bahn, lead business consultant at the A-State Small Business and Technology Development Center (ASBTDC), began working with Bailey in 2016 during his junior year at Arkansas State. During this time, Bailey developed his Bailey Patch prototype and was in search of area manufacturers for production. After a consulting visit at the ASBTDC, Bahn was able to help connect him with an array of partners.
Bailey is the sole owner of “Waterbug Irrigation” and is offering services to farmers with irrigation systems by selling his product, the Bailey Patch. The Bailey Patch is designed to solve polytube blowouts in farms’ irrigation systems.
Representing the College of Agriculture, he first presented his patent-pending design during the A-State Business Plan competition hosted by the Neil Griffin College of Business in 2016 and went on to win $1,000. He then advanced to the Donald W. Reynolds Governor’s Cup.
Ultimately, Bailey came to the ASBTDC with the idea he invented and came out with a salable product. Upon reminiscing how the Bailey Patch helped with recent flood tragedies in Arkansas, Bailey stated, “It couldn’t have been done without the help of the ASBTDC, especially the market research.”
Bahn and Bailey still remain in touch throughout the young influential’s business journey.
The ASBTDC at Arkansas State University is a partnership of the U.S. Small Business Administration, the University of Arkansas at Little Rock College of Business and Arkansas State University Neil Griffin College of Business. The ASBTDC assists start-ups, existing businesses and technology businesses. Core services include free consulting and market research plus low to no-cost training. Learn more at asbtdc.org.
