Joe Papp and Charles Muratore contacted the Central Indiana SBDC in January 2006 to review their business plan which outlined their proposed launch of a solid surface fabrication and installation company in the Indianapolis area.
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Larry White, Business Advisor for the Central Indiana SBDC worked with these small business owners and gave them tools and support needed to obtain funding and open for business. This business obtained $150,000 in funding through an SBA Community Express loan.
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Rubicon Foods currently has $1,500,000 funding in progress and is working through private placement with Barnes and Thornburg with the assistance of the ISBDC. The company continues to do well, experiencing strong growth and is in an expansion phase.
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IndyParentSource provides metro-Indianapolis families with an online directory of local resources, playgrounds, events, activities, and parenting tips. The IndyParentSource website also provides a location for parents to chat, buy and sell children’s items, and even find babysitters.
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Darlene and Tim Lusher opened Southside Automotive in June of 2007. They were referred to the East Central SBDC by National City Bank. The SBDC Business Advisor helped the Lushers measure the productivity of their labor, gain control of their parts inventory and get the bookkeeping system set up so they could make more educated business decisions.
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Burk Smith and Jim Goodwin contacted the East Central Indiana SBDC in March of 2008 to discuss a business idea that they had been researching for several months – a children’s entertainment facility with inflatable jumpers, video and arcade games.
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The Lemontoad™ is an innovative, peer based, niche retailer specializing in the sale of embellished products marketed to appeal to sorority sisters across the United States. As tenants at the Innovation Connector in Muncie, sisters Kim Smith and Kris Gruppe were referred to the East Central Small Business Development Center (ECI SBDC) as they worked on fine tuning their business plan.
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Café Royal opened the end of January 2009. Business has been brisk and the community has embraced the coffee shop.
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Their new facility is being remodeled - complete with new shelving, redecorated offices, exterior repainting, and new lighting in the warehouse. This will allow for a much more efficient operation, all under one roof, with inventory items labeled – placed orderly on shelves.
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Frontline Logic is a technology company that employs fourteen staff members focused on serving clients in technology areas associated with Content Management, Collaboration, Business Process Management, and Document Imaging.
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In March 2004, Chuck & Gayle Ross asked the North Central Indiana SBDC for help in moving their furniture repair and restoration business into wood component manufacturing.
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With an Indiana University business degree, experience running a 100-employee restaurant and several years as Miller Trucking’s accountant and manager, what else would Mark Miller need to know before buying his father’s transportation business? How to land financing, he learned, after visiting a couple of banks and being turned down.
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Business owners, Greg and Kris Bewley are still celebrating in opening their own business. After twelve long months of careful planning, detailed preparation and a lot of advice, the Bewley’s opened Cartridge World on October 8, 2007.
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James began this interior design business from home in 2005. After several years there, he moved into an office space that he shared with a retailer on Main Street in Lafayette. While his design business grew, he know that the shared office would not be permanent.
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Beginning in June 2007, the ISBDC provided counseling that helped guide the Minglin’s through many aspects of their business, from web site development, marketing, and financial advice. Together they discussed recommendations of updating the store and signage, as well as getting the website up and running.
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"The SBDC was a great help and terrific resource when I needed help writing the financial plan for my business. They paired me with a business advisor who provided personal and professional support as I started my business. I feel confident they will be able to coach me through any future issues or challenges I might face."
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Serving Miami, Cass, Fulton, Wabash, and Howard counties, The Kreole Kid has opened and is predominantly an on-site catering company offering southern BBQ, Cajun cuisine, specialty sandwiches, and seafood as concessions at festivals and events throughout Indiana. A full-time restaurant is planned in the very near future.
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With less than two months preparation, Groove Productions was born and hosted its first event,“Jazz Like Me” on February 20, 2009 at the Lafayette Theatre in downtown Lafayette, IN, with around 200 attendees.
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Today Out My WindowTM is a business that not only wholesales and retails cards, framed prints and gift products, but is committed to wildlife conservation efforts. Elaine Flynn is a member of the National Wildlife Federation Backyard Habitat Program, the Indiana Wildlife Federation and Ducks Unlimited.
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Tashia’s kitchen is located in Cassville, Indiana, and business is going so well, she recently expanded and has plans to open a retail area next.
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Triple Crown Imaging started in 1999, offering professional healthcare staffing at a time when hospitals were beginning to experience a significant shortage of seasoned staff.
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Inventor Steven Riedle had a good idea for a unique product: a reusable gel-filled product that can be grabbed from the freezer and applied to the nose to stop a nosebleed.
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Amy Smerekanich first came to the South Bend SBDC to attend the “Business Feasibility: Can I Make Money at This?” workshop. She had already started developing the content for a business plan based on her vision of opening a specialty yarn shop in the South Bend area. With her extensive background in art and a strong interest in knitting and fiber arts, Amy had a solid knowledge of the trade.
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“The folks at the Small Business Development Center have been a tremendous blessing in guiding Single Source, Inc. down the path to success. They are a quality group of people and we are proud to be associated with them.”
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Brandy has now been in business almost 4 years. Integrity Investigations’ employment has stayed fairly constant with 7-8 employees (administrative and surveillance). She receives constant feedback from clients that she is their choice mainly because of her professionalism and immediate attention to their needs. Sales have grown by 1,726% in this short time
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As a result of assistance from the SBDC, Kerry and Diane received a $700,000 SBA loan and hired a contractor to build a full-service heated equestrian facility with 24 horse stalls, hot/cold water indoor and outdoor wash stalls, and a 72’ x 144’ indoor riding arena. In addition, two outdoor riding arenas and 30 acres of custom-seeded pasture land complete this first-class environment for both equestrian education and horse boarding.
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With monthly contact from the Small Business Development Center, Missy and Kelly bought a building, developed a website, developed a marketing plan, hired and trained employees. They started their business in April 2009 with a ribbon cutting ceremony.
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The SBDC did a great job of matching my needs with just the right counselor. Not only does Alan Steele have marketing experience, he has extensive background in managing small companies as well. He has been a wonderful resource regarding the surrounding communities in our service area and has referred me to other small businesses for services I've needed. Alan is a good listener and coach, which I really appreciate, especially during challenging times. Meeting with Alan on a regular basis in my local community helps me to stay aligned with my goals and accomplish my objectives. I feel very fortunate that we have agencies like the Small Business Development Center available and would highly recommend the SBDC to anyone involved with a small business.
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Nancy Molargik approached the Northeast Indiana SBDC when she was interested in purchasing Lanternier-Vesey Flowers and Gifts, Fort Wayne’s oldest flower shop, from her employer of four years.
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BioAdvanTek, Inc. was formed in June 2006 in Angola, Indiana, to provide application solutions for new antimicrobial technologies created to make products and environments safer through the reduction of potentially harmful bacteria, mold, mildew and fungi.
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RIC Solutions, LLC is a woman-owned commercial construction firm specializing in roofing, insulation and concrete. The firm’s owner, Teresa Criswell and her late husband both worked for other roofing contractors and later formed their own company. Ms. Criswell had a desire to resurrect the business and used personal funds as well as a loan to purchase a large, four-wheel drive pick-up truck to pull her equipment trailer.
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When Lisa Compton, president and CEO of SensoryCritters.com, first came to the Northeast Indiana Small Business Development Center (NEISBDC) in July of 2006, she was seeking financing assistance for her small business, which designs and manufactures weighted clothing and other products that provide a calming influence to individuals with autism and/or sensory processing disorders and help them with concentration.
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Emerald Property Care, LLC has evolved into a full-service lawn and landscaping company. In addition to the traditional installation and maintenance of lawns and landscaping and snow removal services, the company offers landscape design with computerized imaging as well as customized landscaping services such as water gardens, stone walks and walls, arbors, patios and fire pits.
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Terry Bratton came to the Northeast Indiana Small Business Development Center in November 2007, seeking advice on obtaining a business loan to help with cash flow for the new business. After talking with Business Advisor Scot Goskowicz, the conversation turned to profitability, marketing and sales strategies, and the development of a business plan. The two also worked on defining ideal customers for PMS so that Mr. Bratton could proceed with developing appropriate marketing strategies for the firm.
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Inspired by the success of the Build-A-Bear™ franchise, where children can pick out and help build different stuffed animals, Whitley County entrepreneurs Cory Schipper and Matt Norden came to the Northeast Indiana Small Business Development Center (SBDC) in August 2007 with the idea of forming their own company to offer a wide range of unique and colorful wooden toys that children can assemble.
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Alpha Computer Mac & PC, LLP opened for business on November 1, 2008, in a small strip mall located at 301 Stable Drive. Alpha Computer specializes in three major categories of computing – desktop computers, notebook computers, and servers – with a focus on providing network systems and services to small- and medium-sized businesses. The available network systems include PC-based LAN systems and mini-computer, server-based systems, and the services offered include the installation of network systems as well as training and support.
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SBDC clients Scott and Rebecca Meyers, of Hamilton, Indiana, first consulted with the Northeast Indiana Small Business Development Center at the Angola outreach site in March 2008 about opening a bakery in Steuben County to capitalize on Scott’s 20 years of experience in the baking industry.
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James K. Nichols first came to the Northeast Indiana Small Business Development (NEISBDC) in April of 2009 requesting marketing assistance for a new product he had designed.
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Dwayne E. Knott and Stephen P. Smith were referred to the NEISBDC by Sharon Sallot, director of the new Go Whitley Accelerating Innovation incubator program in Columbia City. The two entrepreneurs were in need of assistance to prepare their newly-formed company, Whitley Environmental, Inc., for a contract it had just been awarded by the Whitley County Solid Waste District to provide county-wide curbside recycling services. They first met with NEISBDC Business Advisor Scot Goskowicz on November 17, 2009, who interviewed them to learn more about the new business.
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Dr. Lourdes Lorino, a practicing optometrist, approached the Northwest Indiana SBDC in late 2006 yearning to venture into her own ocular care center in Crown Point, IN. Dr. Lorino noted a lack of industry specialization in certain markets including geriatrics, disabled persons and Hispanics. These groups have specific eye problems which are not typically addressed in most retail locations.
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TimePlus Payroll has grown steadily in both the payroll and bookkeeping arena. The biggest “win” to date is a five location surgical center.
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Lakeside Wealth Management Group, LLC and Lakeside Financial Group, LLC collectively manage over $500 million on behalf of institutions, corporations, and private clients. Services include financial planning, risk management, estate and tax planning, investment management, and custom qualified plan designs.
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Hendrickson feels the Mellow Brew atmosphere is as important as its menu. With wireless available, he invites people to hang out, setting the stage with cozy coaches and indoor water fountains. But there aren’t numbers on the walls or newspapers on the tables.
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Darnell Carter and Dana Cochran went to beauty school together 30 years ago. Since then, their careers paths have stayed connected, culminating with their partnership at Styles & Smiles, a complete hair and natural nail care salon.
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When the MyJobSearcher.com staff decided to transform the company’s look, the team went straight to the Web for help by connecting to clients through social media. Through polls on Facebook and the blog, the team sought votes to help select a new logo, and this shift has carried over into the Web site.
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Cliff Fleming’s childhood drives his vision for both The Village of Burns Harbor and Northwest Indiana. When he purchased the property in 1996, he had his Gary neighborhood in the back of his mind as he launched the Porter County development.
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Carl and Lorrie Lisek’s goal is to create a future legacy for their kids by focusing on helping the environment through prevention and education.
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Wilhelm Klarer always knew he wanted to set up his own auto repair shop. After facing a lay-off and while waiting on a new job opportunity, he decided to take the leap into entrepreneurship by opening Klarer Automotive in March 2009.
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Crown Point, IN – When Greg Crowley planted the seed for his consulting engineering firm, he didn’t envision the way the business would grow. Today, Crowley Engineering Group has branched out from Crowley’s initial idea as he continues to diversify his products and services to cultivate success.
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Dyer, IN – Produce Depot owners Mike and Rose Massaro pipeline fresh fruits and vegetables from all over the world to residents in Northwest Indiana.
During the winter season, Mike brings produce to customers from the Chicago International Produce Market by visiting the market several times a week. Other times of the year, he showcases Michigan’s offerings through his store located at 101 Joliet Street.
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Zen Wellness owner Jackie Primos believes spa treatments and health education go hand in hand.
“Our goal is to beautify the body from the inside out. We focus on mind, body and spirit,” Primos said. “Our main thing is to educate our clients and to help them take responsibility for their health.”
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Schererville, IN – Thinking outside the shipping box, The UPS store owners Ken and Vicky Schuett see the document services side as an avenue to growth since taking over the store in August 2009.
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Joel Jabaay is the third generation behind the wheel at Jabaay Motors.
The family-owned business is heading in new directions, with its latest location now open at 8120 Grant Street in Merrillville, while building on its Lansing and NWI roots.
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Karen Hannon’s invention and business have fueled her passion for helping children and paved the way for her role as an advocate for the National Children’s Cancer Society.
Hannon created Lounge N Lax, functional children’s wear, which includes pants and matching caps. The products were born from her son’s problem with winter perspiration and her daughter’s aversion to having her hair combed.
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Through the course of several counseling sessions with ISBDC Business Advisor Troy Phelps, Jeanne grasped the accounting process and converted their accounting records from 100% handwritten records to 100% QuickBooks records. They now use QuickBooks to track all inventory activity, pay bills, send invoices, receive payments, and run financial records for their accountant and owners.
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isocket came out of stealth mode in July 2008 and will be scaling their website to accommodate the increased traffic on the site as well as Beta testing.
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Hanapin Marketing, founded in February 2004 by Pat East, designs and implements internet marketing strategies using a variety of tactics such as search engine optimization, pay-per-click advertising, and email marketing.
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Ladder 51 uses a patented double-broiling process to cook its wings; the wings have no breading or additives and most of their saturated fats are lost during the cooking process. Since no fry grease is used, the caloric content is significantly reduced.
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The Lostutters sought general business startup and expansion information from the Southeastern Indiana SBDC. There they received information regarding demographics, zoning issues, permits, business plan outline, SBA and SBDC materials.
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A letter from a client...
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An open house at the Ohio River Valley Food Venture facility in Madison, Indiana sponsored by the Small Business Development Center was the starting point for Hi-Ho Trading LLC. After listening to Richard Mezoff, Tour Coordinator, Kitchen Manager and SBDC Food Specialty Business Advisor, and making our own notes of the advantages of the facility and available expertise, we began to make plans to form our company and be included in the Food Venture operation.
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Kelly’s Uniforms and More grew steadily. Sales increased from $1,800 during her first month to a record high of $12,700 in May 2008. The “high month” in sales resulted from a special spring sale-in which everything was reduced 25% or more. Some of the older inventory was sold at even greater discount. New markets have opened up beyond the Harrison County location to include Washington, Orange and Floyd Counties.
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Warren approached the SBDC in October 2007 requesting assistance to determine the best site location for his business with the desire to stay in Osgood. Warren followed the advice of the William Cord, SBDC Business Advisor to explore the opportunities of locating a high quality meats retail store in nearby Greensburg.
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Jim is very grateful to the SEI SBDC for their assistance and he stated “The SBDC is extremely under-utilized and through their help and the Ohio River Valley Food Venture Kitchen I am now fulfilling my entrepreneurial dream”. Sales have increased by 75 % and he has expanded his product placement in retail outlets and is now selling his soap locally at Bev’s Hair Chateau & Magic Tan, The Front Porch and the Floating Cow. Jim makes beer soap for the second largest established micro-brewery in Chicago - Half-Acre Beer Co. New markets are being penetrated in the metropolitan Louisville, KY area. His best selling bar is Menthol Rush, a mint-scented bar that he said is perfect for waking up a person and clearing the sinuses.
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In less than a year, Tim and Margi Griffith’s Wild Birds Unlimited nature store on Evansville’s east side went from a grand opening to being recognized as a small business success story by U.S. Senator Evan Bayh.
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Barb quickly learned that there was a lot involved in buying a business, so she and her new business partne sought help from the Southwestern Indiana SBDC.
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Jaya Dodd has been quietly stirring up business in downtown Evansville since 1980. Downtown lunch patrons first met Jaya as she stirred her now famous Korean dishes in her large wok in a tiny corner of the former Shultz’s Department store building. The original restaurant had seven stools and no tables.
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The Dickinson Family Chiropractic in Evansville has been delivering quality chiropractic care to the Evansville Community since 2004.
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The SBDC has given me the support I needed to turn a great idea into a blossoming cottage industry. The initial seminar at Ivy Tech helped me to understand the idea of having a business plan and how important it is to think through every aspect of the business from funding and buying merchandise to marketing and limiting the company's growth. With so much "food for thought" I became overwhelmed with enthusiasm for my product, but unsure about several details. It was clear that I needed more help.
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BurnGlo is a campfire in a box that fulfills a wide variety of campfire needs, from sitting on a residential patio, tailgate parties, wilderness camping, to an emergency heat source. The product is stamped with the USDA shield for compliance of the Emerald Ash Borer problem. It is the easiest, safest and most portable way to enjoy a fire!
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On March 31, 2008, ownership of the Sports Den in Evansville was transferred to Dave and Mary Shepard, realizing a lifelong dream. Dave had been a cook, bookkeeper, bartender, waiter, and caterer for 14 years. Mary’s background in retail gave her an understanding of good customer service.
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Maury and Mike Nichols established Nichols Fire & Fleet in October of 2008. Their company provides vehicle maintenance and repair not only on commercial vehicles but on emergency vehicles as well.
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Pursuit Of Success & Happiness…that is Posh International. Four women got together to do something truly spectacular by forming a premiere hair and nail salon on Evansville’s East Side. Because of their vast experience, these four women know both sides of the coin. They know what type of environment hair stylists want to work and they know what type of environment their clients appreciate their service. They are a success!
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"One of the great things about creating meals – finding and cooking with fresh, delicious
ingredients – also is one of the worst things about creating meals," said Sheri Risner as she sat down at her computer to log onto MealEssence.com, which she launched through her own JDGroup Ventures LLC. "I had problems keeping track of what ingredients I needed for dinner, which often led to driving to the store for groceries at the last minute. I was investing too much time and money in daily meal purchases and preparation."
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The Southwestern IN Small Business Development Center has long been known for its collegiate management program. Small businesses obtain management assistance through projects conducted by a team of local university students. This year, however, area high school kids from the IDEA Club participated as well.
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An increase in sales prompted QTR (Quality Thermoplastic Resin) to consider expanding its manufacturing facility in northwestern Vanderburgh County. The sales increase is also bringing additions to the workforce.
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Pam Martin first came to the West Central Indiana SBDC in July 2007 looking for assistance in buying an existing restaurant business. Pam had past experience as a restaurant owner in Florida, and was ready to get back into the business.
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The West Central Indiana SBDC provided NxLeveL curriculum and counseling to guide Jamie and Andrea. They opened their respective businesses in January 2007 after they had utilized information gained from counseling to reduce operational costs and cross-market by sharing retail/office space and supporting each other’s business.
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In August 2007, Jane Rowe Realty opened for business in an office on 6th Street near downtown Terre Haute. Jane Rowe Realty has already hired 6 agents and the company was the recipient of the 2008 Image Award from the Terre Haute Area Association of Realtors.
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The Roxy Studio is a unique photography service that provides not only wedding photographs but also lifestyle photographs. Samantha McGranahan established the Roxy Studio in November 2007.
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Marta Shelton is one of those brave dreamers we call entrepreneurs. Marta has an amazing talent for baking. For years she has shared her goodies with friends and neighbors and dreamt of going into business for herself.
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Art Totality, LLC is a company that reaches out to families and the community through art-focused projects.
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Heather Bellew came into the Small Business Development Center on Jun 30, 2009 looking for some help and advice, on starting a new hair salon in Terre Haute. She had worked as a stylist for several years, and wanted to go out on her own
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As the university’s strategic plan progresses and the physical therapy education program is approved and developed, the rehabilitation clinic will serve as an integral point. Without the help of the friendly staff at the SBDC, we would not have been able to reach these goals.
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I dreamt of owning my own coaching business for seven years before launching it. As much as I wanted my own business, the feelings of fear, comfort and “not knowing how’ consumed me.
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Caribbean Works Tanning Salon has been a long-term client of the WC ISBDC. Joe Condry’s initial visit was back in 2006 when he started the tanning salon. Since his initial visit requesting start and funding assistance, Joe has expanded his realm of services utilized by the WC office.
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Nu Key Development has been a long-term client of the WC-ISBDC for more than a year. Wendell initially contacted the center to assist with financing for his redevelopment company.
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