Savannah Thieneman Cherry
Age: 25
Company: Slingshot, a software and app developer
Hometown: Sellersburg, Indiana
Resides: Floyds Knobs, Indiana
Education history: University of Louisville — B.S. in business administration in marketing
Hobbies: PC gaming, YouTube, creative writing, cooking
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/sncherry/
Favorite tech gadgets: ChatGPT, Cricut, Apple AirTags, KVM Switch
What’s one thing Kentucky can do to improve its tech and/or startup ecosystem?
Education poses a significant challenge for businesses, particularly startups. The learning curve can be so steep that it becomes overwhelming, mainly because you’re unaware of what you’re missing out on. From my vantage point, the most glaring void in startup education is in the realm of technology.
Now, let’s be clear, I’m situated on the flip side of this equation: I’m well-versed in the potential of technology. However, a significant chunk of my interaction with startups involves bringing them up to date with the latest technologies and industry best practices.
In my view, enhancing the educational content we provide to startups and businesses — particularly in the context of technology — holds immense potential.
This effort wouldn’t only pave the way for our startups to thrive, but it would also facilitate the creation of groundbreaking products tailored for the future.
How did you get into the career you have today?
Growing up with parents who each started their own small businesses provided me with a unique perspective on entrepreneurship.
Seeing their dedication, hard work, and how they navigated the challenges of running a small business left an indelible mark on me. That background instilled in me the values of innovation, adaptability, and a hands-on approach to business.
I’ve been interested in psychology since I was little, and, surprisingly, that’s been a driving force in my career.
My fascination with understanding human behavior and decision-making processes steered me toward marketing, helping me create content that resonates with our target audience.
My affinity for technology has also been a guiding light throughout my journey. Yes, I’m a total nerd, and I wear that badge proudly!
Who has been one of your top mentors? Why?
He hates when I say it, but my co-worker Dan Murphy has been a huge supporter in my career so far. He’s taken me under his wing and helped me to learn everything about tech, sales, and business. When I didn’t know something, he was there to explain. When I made mistakes, he was there to talk through it. I can’t thank him enough for all the guidance and knowledge he’s shared with me (both personal and business advice).
What’s something about you that people might not know?
I’m a former UofL cheerleader. I’d actually been tumbling and cheering since I was 18 months old. I was on the all-girl team from 2016 to 2019, winning nationals in 2017. During my junior year, I had a pyramid collapse on me. Basically, that means that I was on the very bottom holding up multiple people — and the whole thing collapsed on my back and neck. That accident led to a very severe concussion that caused a loss of balance on the right side of my body. After seven months of physical therapy, I was cleared for daily life, but never to return to cheer.
