Sponsored by Hope Calloway Board Vice President, West Side Baptist Church Middle School Sunday School Teacher, Calloway United Benevolent Services Steering Committee, Soup for the Soul Volunteer What are your most significant professional accomplishments to date? I launched The Mocktail Guy in April 2025 and, in just 12 months, grew it from a family- run operation into a full team serving 68 events and 8,000+ handcrafted drinks across Western Kentucky. I built a team that includes an administrative and marketing coordinator, a prep team, and five event bartenders, and increased profit margins to 70% by developing an ingredient tracking system. That growth earned The Mocktail Guy the Murray-Calloway County Chamber of Commerce’s 2026 Emerging Business of the Year award, recognition of what’s possible when hospitality and financial discipline grow together. Describe a challenge in your career and how you overcame it. Building a premium alcohol-free hospitality business meant creating a category that didn’t really exist locally in a market where events default to alcohol service. Instead of positioning The Mocktail Guy as a substitute, I reframed it as an experience built for literally anyone: the sober curious, people who drink but want to try something different, youth, designated drivers, and people in recovery. It’s for everyone from 1 to 100 years old. The challenge? Showing a community that there is a place of belonging for everyone. I believe it starts with a centralized focus and the commonality of a fun drink in your hand. It’s the dance floor that invites everyone to dance. The challenge became the differentiator in learning to adapt to an ever-changing world. Who inspires you, and how has that influenced your professional journey? At 14, I experienced homelessness after my father’s mental illness cost our family our home. A group of people I call my Trace Creek Angels stepped in during that season: they fed me, prayed with me, and gave more generously than I could have imagined. It wasn’t one person but a whole community that radically loved on me when I had nothing to offer back. That’s who inspires me. The Mocktail Guy exists because of them, and every event we serve fuels a larger mission: reminding people they are deeply loved, valued, and cared for. Tyler N Cope Owner & Founder, The Mocktail Guy Business Development Officer, CFSB Rotary Club of Murray, Kentucky Academy of Audiology What are your most significant professional accomplishments to date? Transitioning from an audiologist and provider into the role of practice owner. This transition has allowed me to grow beyond providing excellent patient care and take on the broader responsibilities of leading a practice, supporting a team, and shaping the future of our practice. Becoming an owner has challenged me to develop new skills in leadership, business management, decision-making, and strategic growth while continuing to prioritize the quality of care our patients receive. I am especially proud of this accomplishment because it represents both professional growth and the opportunity to build a practice that reflects my values as an audiologist and leader. What makes you stand out in your industry or field? What sets me apart in the hearing care field is my combination of clinical experience, commitment to patient-centered care, and passion for creating a meaningful experience for every patient. For many years, I have been a premier hearing care provider among the top private practices in the country, building my expertise while developing strong, lasting relationships with the people I serve. I have also focused on elevating the standard of care within our entire team. Excellent hearing healthcare goes beyond providing the right technology—it is about listening to patients, understanding how hearing loss impacts their lives, and creating individualized solutions that help them reconnect with the people and experiences that matter most. Who inspires you, and how has that influenced your professional journey? Tony Milliano, my mentor, boss, and associate for many years, has had one of the greatest influences on my professional journey. He has not only helped me grow as an audiologist but has also taught me what it means to be a leader, a business owner, and an advocate for patients. Through his example, I have learned the importance of doing things the right way, investing in your team, building genuine relationships, and never losing sight of the people you are serving. His mentorship gave me the confidence to grow beyond my role as a provider and ultimately step into practice ownership. Audiologist, Audiology and Hearing Center Whitney Cope SEPTEMBER 2026 31
