Central Indiana SBDC

Alex Balbuena
Business Advisor

Alex serves as a Business Advisor at the Central Indiana Small Business Development Center (CISBDC), supporting entrepreneurs and small business owners in launching or expanding their ventures with expert guidance and resources.

With over 12 years as an entrepreneurship coach, he founded and led the Puebla Institute for Entrepreneurs, authoring three books on the topic. He previously headed the Family Entrepreneurship Center for the Puebla municipal government in Mexico and recently worked as a Microenterprise Navigator in Southeast Indianapolis.

He holds an Associate Degree in Image Consulting from Barcelona, Spain, and is a certified Life Coach from the Instituto Potencial Humano, also in Barcelona. He specializes in business consulting, utilizing the Lean Startup methodology to foster innovation and growth.

As a multicultural professional he is fluent in Spanish and English. Passionate about innovation, nature, and technology, he brings a dynamic perspective to his work.

Tressa Mazhandu
Business Advisor

Tressa Mazhandu is a Business Advisor at the Central Indiana Business Development Center located on the Butler University Campus.   In this position Tressa will be educating, advising and counseling small business owners from idea to implementation of their small business.  Tressa uses her knowledge of business planning, marketing and Human Resources to assist small business owners in their business decisions.

Tressa was an instructor at Ivy Tech Community College in the Hospitality Administration program for the last 3 years and continues to teach an online class each term.  She specializes in guest experience, HR Management and business strategies in the hospitality industry.  Tressa owned and operated All Nations Bed and Breakfast from 2005-2011 and learned that owner operators wear all the hats; accounting, marketing, customer relations, networking, housekeeping, food preparation, maintenance, etc.   This experience is a great asset when counseling other small business owners.

Tressa enjoys international travel, with 30 + countries visited (and many more to see), intercultural experiences, foreign films and authentic cuisine are some of the ways she spends her free time.

Huss Sadri
Business Advisor

Huss Sadri, MBA MS is a senior management executive with a colorful entrepreneurial & professional background. With over 30 years’ experience helping organizations across multiple industries to develop world class sound business strategies, improving business models, and to overcome complex organizational challenges. He has considerable talent and experience to help firms bring out the best in their people, processes and technology, while driving bottom line growth. Huss received an MBA in dual concentrations “international business finance” and “marketing management” from Butler University, and a Master of Science in biotech & agribusiness from Imperial College London University.

Sydney Ozobu
Business Advisor

Sidney Ozobu is a business advisor at the Central Indiana SBDC. In this position, Sidney is responsible for counseling and advising businesses on best practices for success. His expertise comes from his vast professional and educational experiences rooted in the Indianapolis region.

Sidney Ozobu is a passionate professional deeply rooted in the Indianapolis community, dedicated to fostering strategic partnerships, community engagement, and economic development. With a diverse background spanning roles in higher education, real estate, healthcare, and community organizations, he has honed a unique blend of expertise in media/marketing, public affairs, and project management.

Sidney Ozobu received an undergrad degree in Media & Public Affairs from the O'Neil School of Public & Environmental Affairs (IUPUI). He then received his masters degree in Public Management & Policy Analysis also from the O'Neil School of Public & Environmental Affairs (IUPUI).

Sidney Ozobu enjoys traveling the world, staying active, pickelball and spending time with family and friends in the Indy area.

Sean Moss
Business Advisor

Helen Cox
Office Administrator

Helen is an Office Services and Information Technology professional with over 30 years of experience managing local offices and internal client support teams in the public accounting, consulting and financial services industry. She specializes in organizational excellence, performance management and deployment of local, regional and national projects. She graduated from Ball State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Office Systems Administration and Management.

Sebastian Penix
Ecosystem Navigator

Sebastian Penix is the Ecosystem Navigator at the Central Indiana SBDC. In this role, he helps entrepreneurs navigate the entrepreneurial ecosystem by supporting business planning, financial projections, branding, social media strategy, pitching, web development, and market research. He also advises on go-to-market strategy, customer discovery, investor readiness, platform building, and partnership development.

Sebastian has experience as a founder, having gone through multiple accelerator programs, pitch competitions, and entrepreneurial fellowships. He built a startup in the film industry focused on creating a two-sided marketplace for independent filmmakers to find and share opportunities. He has also worked on ecosystem development across the Midwest, helping startups gain visibility and connect with resources and capital.

Sebastian received bachelor’s degrees in Entrepreneurship & Corporate Innovation and Business Analytics from Indiana University. Outside of work, he enjoys working on side passion projects, spending time outdoors, following sports, going to concerts, and being at the movie theatre.