Kevin Heupel

PhD Candidate - Entrepreneur - Author

Kevin Heupel

Kevin Heupel's Bio:

Kevin Heupel is a high-performing, detail-oriented, and energetic professional with a diverse career encompassing roles as a business analyst, assistant attorney general, business owner, college professor, and PhD candidate. Renowned for his intelligence and quick learning abilities, he leverages his entrepreneurship research, business acumen, and leadership skills to drive innovation and advance entrepreneurial practices. A published author, Kevin has been featured in numerous media outlets, including USA Today, CNBC, It's Your Business, Colorado & Co., Colorado's Best, Money Matters, The Troubleshooter with Tom Martino, Money for Lunch Radio, Your Life from A to Z, Estrella, The Good News with Angie Austin, Good Morning Arizona, and The Brian Tracy Show. Currently, he serves as an affiliate professor and PhD candidate in entrepreneurship at Oklahoma State University, where he continues to inspire and educate the next generation of entrepreneurs. Known for his confidence, authenticity, passion, and self-awareness, Kevin brings these qualities to all his professional and personal endeavors.

Kevin Heupel's Experience:

  • PhD Candidate at Oklahoma State University

    2021 - Present | Stillwater, OK

    Fourth-year PhD student in entrepreneurship. Primary research focuses on founder strategies to establish new venture legitimacy and hype through the theoretical lens of sensemaking, signaling theory, or the multilevel theory of legitimacy.

  • College Instructor/Lecturer at OSU, MSU & CU Boulder

    2018 - Present

    -Adjunct professor of entrepreneurship at Oklahoma State University in entrepreneurship marketing (EEE4423) -Lecturer for Entrepreneurial Business Planning (BUSM4010) at University of Colorado Boulder. -Affiliate Instructor for Small Business Management Entrepreneurship (MGT2500), Legal Environment of Business (MGT2210), and Business Communications (BUS1950) at Metropolitan State University -Utilize Just-in-Time teaching methods -Responsible for curriculum development, lesson planning, instruction, exam and assignment creation -Proficient in Blackboard and Canvas -Received “Excellent” ratings from students per SRI

  • Owner, President & Attorney at Heupel Law, P.C.

    2007 - 2016

    -Owner and managing attorney for law firm specializing in administrative law, consumer bankruptcy, and immigration -Responsible for managing staff of 20 people consisting of attorneys, paralegals, and legal assistants -Handled all financial aspects of the firm with annual revenue at $3M including trust accounting, payroll, and payables -Handled legal issues for clients, attending court hearings, trustee meetings, and drafted motions, pleadings, and briefs for various legal issues and proceedings -Skilled litigator from discovery to appeal -Created and coordinated all marketing efforts on TV, radio, pay per click, direct mail, print, billboards, etc. -Wrote Web site content, blogs, and social media posts on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Google+ to maximize Internet presence and SEO -Grew from one-person firm to largest consumer bankruptcy firm within three years utilizing entrepreneurial planning, skills, and strategies -Top 100 Bankruptcy Firm from 2009-2013

Kevin Heupel's Education:

  • Oklahoma State University

    2021 – 2025
    PhD
    Concentration: Entrepreneurship
    Activities: Winner of 2024 Robberson Scholarship

  • Oklahoma State University

    Masters of Business Administration
    Activities: Winner of Riata Business Plan Competition and Love's Cup, finalist in Baylor New Venture competition, summa cum laude

  • University of Colorado School of Law

    Juris Doctorate
    Concentration: Law
    Activities: 1998 Winning Team of the Rothgerber Moot Court Competition and winner of the Medal for Excellence in Advocacy from American Bar Association

Kevin Heupel's Interests & Activities:

Kevin Heupel’s research explores the intricate dynamics of entrepreneurial ventures, particularly how founders establish legitimacy and generate hype around their emerging businesses. Drawing from theories such as sensemaking, signaling, and the multilevel theory of legitimacy, Kevin's research delves into the critical role of perception and communication in entrepreneurship. His work seeks to understand how entrepreneurs can strategically influence stakeholders’ beliefs about the legitimacy of new ventures, a pivotal factor for long-term success. Kevin’s research is deeply rooted in his own entrepreneurial journey. Years ago, he founded a law firm specializing in administrative law but faced challenges in gaining traction. To overcome these hurdles, Kevin employed innovative marketing strategies, including digital advertising, which led his firm to become the largest consumer bankruptcy practice in Colorado. This personal experience of fighting to establish credibility in the marketplace has shaped his academic focus on legitimacy and hype. Through his PhD studies, Kevin discovered the theoretical underpinnings of the very challenges he faced as a business owner, particularly the liability of newness and the importance of signaling legitimacy to clients and investors. His research has since expanded to include the phenomenon of hype in entrepreneurship. Kevin believes that hype, when used ethically, can be a powerful tool for entrepreneurs. His dissertation investigates how founders can employ rhetorical strategies to create hype, thereby impacting propriety and validity judgments. In other studies, Kevin explores the use of swagger and passion in entrepreneurial communication, examining how these emotional and persuasive elements can inflate expectations and drive early venture success. Through his academic work, Kevin seeks to bridge the gap between theory and practice, offering insights not only to scholars but also to entrepreneurs aiming to navigate the complex terrain of new venture creation. His research interests further extend to the intersection of family businesses, socioemotional wealth, and consumer behavior, highlighting how personal narratives and connections influence market perceptions. Kevin’s journey from entrepreneur to scholar allows him to bring a unique perspective to his research, grounding theoretical constructs in real-world experience. His work aims to equip the next generation of entrepreneurs with the tools and strategies necessary to succeed in an increasingly competitive and perception-driven business environment.