WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS W.Va. (WVDN) – Splatter & Sprout in White Sulphur Springs was named the 2025 Startup of the Year by the West Virginia Hive, the entrepreneurial program of the New River Gorge Regional Development Authority (NRGRDA).
The mother–daughter team Brooke Kelley and Stephanie Braden, who created Splatter and Sprout – a creative play and art studio where children explore their environment through hands-on – open-ended experiences, were honored at the December 2025 Annual Awards Banquet and client showcase hosted in Beckley by NRGRDA/WV Hive.
In presenting the award, Devon Fitzgerald, a regional business advisor at the WV Hive, said, “Splatter & Sprout has quickly become a joyful and inclusive creative space for families in the Greenbrier Valley and surrounding areas. What began as a dream between a mother and daughter has grown into a thriving studio built around process-based art and sensory play — a place where children of all abilities can explore, experiment, and create without pressure.”
Fitzgerald added, “Brooke and Stephanie overcame every challenge that comes with launching a first-time venture — securing a space, building an interactive studio from scratch, and designing programs that truly meet the needs of young learners. Since opening in August, they’ve hosted sold-out workshops, built a loyal and growing customer base, and created a community where creativity brings families together. Splatter & Sprout fills a real gap in our region, offering a sensory-rich environment that supports child development, confidence-building, and joyful learning. Their vision, perseverance, and passion for their community are exactly what we celebrate through this Startup of the Year award.”
Nominees for the WV Hive Startup of the Year award are selected because they reflect a new business that embodies innovation, resilience, and community impact.
On August 5, 2025, Kelley and Braden cut the ribbon and hosted a grand opening of Splatter & Sprout, 729 Main Street, East, White Sulphur Springs, W.Va.
Kelley and Braden believe the WV Hive’s small business assistance has made a tremendous difference. “We’re truly thankful to Devon and the WV Hive for being such a bright light throughout our journey,” said Braden. “They have offered us the resources and guidance we needed and have always been ready to answer all of our questions. Their support helped us connect with the right people, and their encouragement has inspired us more than we can say.”
Splatter & Sprout is open Tuesdays through Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. More at https://www.facebook.com/people/Splatter-Sprout/61575860574065/?_rdr
WV Hive is the entrepreneurship program of the New River Gorge Regional Development Authority, serving Raleigh, Fayette, Summers, Nicholas, Webster, Greenbrier, Pocahontas, Monroe, Mercer, McDowell, Wyoming, Logan, and Mingo counties.
To learn more about the WV Hive, become a client, or book a tour of the new Business Hub, visit https://wvhive.com.
