Beckley, W.Va. (July 2, 2025) – Student entrepreneur Keatley Michael entered her business idea for ParTee Rentals – a mobile mini golf course for events — last Fall in the Pitch Southern West Virginia Business Idea Competition hosted by the West Virginia Hive Network. Her business concept resonated with a live audience and panel of judges, and she walked away with second place, a $1,000 award, and considerable confidence.
The May 2025 Business Management graduate learned a valuable lesson in taking a chance when, as a student at West Virginia University Institute of Technology, she entered her business plan. “It doesn’t hurt to try,” said Michael. “If you have an idea that you’re passionate about, go for it.”
Michael, who was born and raised in Beckley, graduated in May and together with her fiancé is managing multiple ParTee Rentals events throughout the region. She said the $1,000 second place award from the WV Hive pitch competition allowed her to build her miniature golf holes and purchase a trailer for transporting them to client engagements. “I made back my personal investment in this business with my first rental.”
“We are profitable and growing nicely,” said Michael. “I’ve had a decent amount of bookings for just starting the business in April. The overall positive feedback has been really encouraging.”
When asked what spurred her to enter the Pitch Southern WV Business Idea Competition, Michael said, “In the midst of wedding planning, I was looking for a fun activity for my guests to enjoy during cocktail hour. While scrolling through Pinterest, I saw portable mini golf, and it looked like a blast. I also decided that if I was going to build it, I would turn it into a business in an attempt to make my money back.”
Michael said she researched other party/event rental options and found portable mini golf to be a differentiating option for the Beckley region. At the same time, she said WVU Tech emailed students about participating in the WV Hive pitch competition. “I figured that it would not hurt to enter and, if I won something, it would just be a bonus!”
After the initial round of judging entries, Diana Woods of the WV Hive notified Michael that she was selected as an alternate presenter—should another entrepreneur choose not to pitch their business idea to the live audience and panel of judges at a later date.
“At first, I was bummed that I was so close to being picked,” said Michael. “Then, I got the email notifying me that a spot to present opened up, and I was super excited for the opportunity but also super nervous to present. I wouldn’t even let my family come because I didn’t want to talk in front of them.”
Michael said her expectations for winning funding and recognition were low. “I was happy and grateful to have even been selected to pitch,” she said. “It was nice to see that other people thought my new business idea could succeed and believed in it like I did.”
Knowing she could use professional business counsel while completing her studies and starting ParTee Rentals, Michael became a client of the WV Hive and worked with Woods and business advisor Devon Fitzgerald. “Both Devon and Diana have been super helpful. Diana helped me a lot before the competition, and then afterward set me up with Devon, who helped me set goals and offered me resources to attain them.”
Business advisor Fitzgerald said, “Keatley came in with a creative idea and an incredible amount of drive. She’s taken every opportunity to grow, and it’s been great to see her turn ParTee Rentals into a successful and fun business. She’s a great example of what’s possible for young entrepreneurs in West Virginia.”
Woods, Collegiate Project Manager for Entrepreneurship Expansion at the WV Hive, said “We have and will continue to welcome student entrepreneurs and faculty engagement in our business development efforts. The cash prizes aren’t the only benefit of participating. Entrepreneurs who participate gain tremendous experience through the entire process of applying, preparing the pitch presentation, and pitching in front of an audience. There is also meaningful feedback provided during the process from our panel of expert judges, which includes successful entrepreneurs, business professionals, educators, and investors.”
The business challenge or issue that Michael continues to grapple with is marketing her new business. “Social media is a huge part of my marketing plan; however, only having one product (the portable mini golf course) makes it hard to come up with diverse posts or graphics that don’t feel redundant.”
Michael said she has taken the portable mini golf course to multiple community events ranging from a wedding rehearsal to a beard festival. “It’s been really cool to see that mini golf doesn’t have to fit a certain demographic besides those enjoying playing mini golf.”
When asked about people and other organizations who have given ParTee Rentals a boost, she cited the Academy of Careers and Technology (ACT) in Beckley and her family. “The ACT Carpentry program actually built all my golf holes. My family has been extremely helpful, whether it was helping to paint the golf holes, gluing down carpet, building obstacles, or just loading/unloading and setting up, I have really appreciated all they have done to help me.”
In five years, Michael said she would like to see ParTee Rentals have consistent bookings and perhaps even multiple courses to rent. As of now, she, her finance – Toby Giles – and siblings are enjoying being a part of a growing business that came from a moment of inspiration.
Partee Rentals is located in Beckley, W.Va. For more information, check out Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/ParTee-Rentals-61568217965240/
The New River Gorge Regional Development Authority (NRGRDA), and its entrepreneurial program the WV Hive, recently issued its inaugural 2024 Regional Impact Report showcasing its substantial accomplishments throughout the New River Gorge Region and Southern WV.
The West Virginia Hive Network is hosting a “Coffee Talks” networking session from 10:30 a.m. to noon Wednesday, June 11, at Main Street Co., located at 312 Main Street in Logan, W.Va.—an Accelerate WV community. The event is sponsored by Peoples Bank.
Leaders at the West Virginia Hive Network proudly recognize Erica Bowden and her growing business – Auntie E’s Custom Order Bakery at 300 Bethel Road in MacArthur, W.Va. – as a shining example, exemplifying resilience, growth, and staying power, embodying the spirit of a “survivor bee” thriving against all odds.
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