Meet Kayte Malik: Founding Managing Director of Arrow House Group

Can you tell us a little bit about your professional journey and what led you to your current role in Arrow House Group?
"I’ve been entrepreneurial for as long as I can remember, always looking for ways to turn ideas into businesses. After earning my MBA from the University of Notre Dame and gaining experience across banking, retail, technology, and entrepreneurship, I launched Arrow House Group in 2025.

Today, Arrow House helps businesses grow, launch new ventures, and strengthen their operations. A big part of my motivation is using what I’ve learned to help other business owners navigate challenges and find a clearer path to growth".

Can you tell us about your background and experience in procurement, and what inspired you to partner with the Finger Lakes SBDC to develop this program?
“Throughout my career, I’ve had the unique experience of being on both sides of the table—working as an executive responsible for purchasing products and services for large organizations, and later as an entrepreneur selling into those same types of organizations. That perspective has shown me that having a great product or service is only part of the equation. To successfully work with larger buyers, businesses also need to understand how procurement works, how decisions are made, and how to position themselves as a strong partner.

That experience is what inspired Arrow House Group to partner with the Finger Lakes SBDC to develop and launch FLX PI (The Finger Lakes Procurement Initiative). We wanted to create a program that goes beyond simply teaching procurement and gives business owners the knowledge, tools, and connections they need to compete for larger opportunities.

I also appreciate that the SBDC is putting that same philosophy into practice by partnering with a growing local business like Arrow House. It creates a true two-way opportunity where we’re helping other businesses grow while also growing alongside them".

What impact do you hope the Finger Lakes Procurement Initiative will have on rural businesses, and how will connecting participants with corporate partners help them pursue larger contracts and growth opportunities?

"There are great businesses throughout Western New York, well beyond the major business centers of Buffalo and Rochester, that have the potential to grow. Western New York covers a significant portion of the state, and we want to help ensure businesses across the region have access to larger economic opportunities.

FLX PI is designed to help close that gap. We’re bringing business owners and corporate partners into the same room so participants can learn directly from the people making purchasing decisions, build real relationships, and better position themselves for larger opportunities. Ultimately, we want more local businesses competing for those contracts".

What can attendees expect from the program—from the registration process and course experience to the key skills, knowledge, and connections they’ll take away when they complete it?

"This is a hands-on program - not eight weeks of PowerPoints. We built FLX PI as a cohort-based experience that lets business owners learn together while applying what they learn directly to their own companies.

Participants will work on everything from positioning and capability statements to pricing, contracts, procurement processes, and presenting their business to larger organizations. Just as importantly, they’ll meet procurement professionals, business leaders, and fellow entrepreneurs. Our goal is simple: when they leave FLX PI, they should be more prepared, more connected, and more confident walking into the room with a larger buyer"

From your perspective, what are some of the most important needs, challenges, or opportunities you are currently seeing among the entrepreneurs, businesses, or community members you work with?

“Having worked across banking technology, retail, strategy, and entrepreneurship—and in markets including Chicago, New York City, San Francisco, and Charlotte—I’ve seen firsthand what it takes for businesses to grow in different environments. I think Upstate New York has a real opportunity to support businesses better as they move from startup to their next level of growth.

There’s a lot of support for starting businesses and for larger companies, but scaling requires a different set of skills and resources. The economy, workforce, and technology are changing quickly, so business owners need to keep learning, understand their numbers and customers, and stay focused on generating revenue and building a sustainable business."

Looking ahead, what could a stronger partnership between Arrow House Group and the SBDC look like, and what initiatives, referrals, programs, or collaborations could have the greatest impact on the community?

“Right now, the Finger Lakes Procurement Initiative is a pilot, but we’d love to see it grow. The broader vision, through the SBDC and the Ralph Foundation, is to bring this type of support to rural communities across Western New York.

Our goal is to test the program, learn what works, and potentially expand it to communities beyond Rochester and Buffalo, including Yates County, Cattaraugus County, and other areas across the region. Ultimately, we want to make these resources accessible to more businesses in rural Western New York"

To learn more about Arrow House Group visit: https://www.arrowhousegroup.com/main