12.20.21

Fort Wayne Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Recognizes WEOC Women’s Business Center Director for Community Economic Development

For immediate release

December 20, 2021, Fort Wayne, Ind.—The Fort Wayne Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. recognized Leslee Hill, Director WEOC Women’s Business Center, for outstanding commitment and service for Economic Development in the Fort Wayne Community.

Tamesha Fikes, President, Fort Wayne Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. said, “Our goal is to celebrate women who are doing exemplary work in our local community under the five-point programmatic thrust of our sorority. Economic involvement is a pillar that we want to ensure residents are empowered to know how to access resources they need. Leslee Hill and the WEOC Women’s Business Center excel in this area and are well deserving of this recognition.”

The local Delta Sigma Theta Sorority chapter’s economic emphasis has been on personal financial planning and management of assets: money habits, money management, career exploration, and financial planning.

Hill said, “Every person has potential to achieve their dreams. No amount of college degrees or training turns any one person into a personal budgeting wizard. The fact is, many Americans struggle with financial literacy. Yet, mastering financial skills empowers individuals and elevates communities. I am so honored to be recognized for the work we do through our WEOC WBC,” said Hill.

“Our community is rich with support if you are willing to get uncomfortable. If you need help budgeting, please connect with us at WEOC Women’s Business Center. We come alongside small business owners and provide workshops, business coaching, and mentoring for financial literacy. Participants gain practical knowledge about financial skills and get tools to begin using right away,” said Hill. This year, WEOC WBC is varying workshop times to be more flexible with business owners’ schedules. Visit our website for details. https://niic.net/our-events/

Delta Sigma Theta Fort Wayne serves and impacts the lives of Fort Wayne residents in the areas of Educational Development, Economic Development, International Awareness and Involvement, Physical and Mental Health, and Political Awareness and Involvement.

About WEOC Women’s Business Center

2,794 women and immigrants have been served, trained, and counseled since WEOC Women’s Business Center opened five years ago. WEOC Women’s Business Center serves Northeast Indiana women at all stages of their business ventures. We respond to women entrepreneurs’ unique needs through business growth coaching, training, entrepreneurial education, connectivity, and access to capital.

WEOC Women’s Business Center is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration. The NIIC serves as the host organization and provides supplemental funding and complementary resources. WEOC Women’s Business Center is an SBA designated Women’s Business Center—one of two in Indiana—and more than 100 nationwide. For more information, visit www.weocwbc.net.

About The NIIC

499 new products launched, 196 patent applications submitted or granted, and 2,351 jobs created—that is what entrepreneurs have achieved through The NIIC since its inception two decades ago. The NIIC has also connected Northeast Indiana companies to attract $100.4 million in grants and capital.

The NIIC is a non-profit, vibrant entrepreneurial community designed to advise entrepreneurs to plan, launch, and grow successful business ventures. The NIIC bolsters innovative companies to move ideas into action. The NIIC is located in a designated U.S. Small Business Administration HUB Zone. In April 2018, Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb designated The Northeast Indiana Innovation Park Campus as an Opportunity Zone through the U.S. Treasury.

The International Business Innovation Association (inbia.org) recognized the NIIC as the 2020 Entrepreneur Center of the Year – Mixed-Use and awarded it one of the two prestigious industry awards – The 2020 Dinah Adkins Award. The NIIC is the country’s only ISO9001:2015 registered business incubation and acceleration program. Additionally, TheNIIC.org.

 Contact: Tammy Allen, NIIC Director|Marketing & Programs, info@niic.net

07.15.21

Tax Credits for Small Business are Here | Learn How They Apply to Your Business at Virtual Event July 29, 2021

   

Contact: Tammy Allen, Director, Marketing & Programs, info@niic.net, 260-407-1731

For immediate release

July 15, 2021, Fort Wayne, Ind. Small business owners are invited to a virtual event to learn about new tax credits and resources available through the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). WEOC Women’s Business Center (WBC) and WBC EmPWR Program co-host this virtual lunch and learn event on July 29, 2021, from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. This virtual event focuses on IRS coronavirus tax credits for employers. It also focuses on SBA coronavirus and traditional resources to help small businesses start, grow, expand, and recover. Register here.

Event participants will learn from experts John Linstead, Senior Stakeholder Liaison, the IRS, and Laura Schafsnitz, Indiana District Office Public Affairs Specialist,  U.S. SBA.

“The Small Business Administration has been a much-needed ally for small businesses as they have navigated COVID-19. The SBA continues its commitment to providing support and resources as the state navigates emerging from the Pandemic. This includes essential information, like how to navigate the new tax credit for employers,” said Ted Baker, Interim President and CEO, The NIIC.

Leslee Hill, Director, WEOC WBC, said,” The SBA looks for unique ways to support all small businesses in every region. They do an excellent job creating programs that are timely and well communicated. This event is an opportunity for small business owners to understand the tax credits available to maximize their resources. This event will provide essential information, which could lead to substantial financial benefits.”

Laura Schafsnitz is a public affairs specialist with the U.S. Small Business Administration Indiana District Office. Her expertise includes bringing government, public, and private organizations together to share resources and opportunities to help small businesses start, grow, expand, and recover. A graduate of Webster University and a U.S. Army Veteran, Laura has worked in public affairs her entire career bringing news and resources from the highest echelons of government to everyday people worldwide.

John Linstead is a Senior Stakeholder Liaison with the Internal Revenue Service in Cincinnati, Ohio. He works with tax professional organizations and small business organizations across Indiana, Kentucky, and Ohio to educate about the tax laws and their federal tax responsibilities. During his 36 years with the IRS, he has held the positions of Tax Examiner, Tax Auditor, and Appeals Officer before becoming Senior Stakeholder Liaison in September of 2005.

Register now through Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/your-business-the-irs-what-you-need-to-know-about-tax-credits-tickets-160203953337

About WBC EmPWR Program

The Women’s Business Center (WBC) EmPWR Program is funded by the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Office of Women’s Business Ownership and serves clients in 83 Indiana counties. The EmPWR Program brings together the experts, resources, and tools business builders need to get back on track from COVID-19. We specifically serve women-owned businesses – from individual entrepreneurs to businesses with many employees in multiple locations. We work with anyone who needs our support. For more information, visit https://niic.net/empwr/.

About The NIIC

499 new products launched, 196 patent applications submitted or granted, and 2,351 jobs created—that is what entrepreneurs have achieved through The NIIC since its inception two decades ago. The NIIC has also connected Northeast Indiana companies to attract $100.4 million in grants and capital.

The NIIC is a non-profit, vibrant entrepreneurial community designed to advise entrepreneurs to plan, launch, and grow successful business ventures. The NIIC bolsters innovative companies to move ideas into action. The NIIC is located in a designated U.S. Small Business Administration HUB Zone. In April 2018, Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb designated The Northeast Indiana Innovation Park Campus as an Opportunity Zone through the U.S. Treasury. The NIIC is the country’s only ISO9001:2015 registered business incubation and acceleration program. Additionally, the International Business Innovation Association (inbia.org) recognized the NIIC as the 2020 Entrepreneur Center of the Year – Mixed-use and awarded it one of the two prestigious industry awards – the 2020 Dinah Adkins Award. TheNIIC.org. Click here for The NIIC press kit.

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07.04.21

Helping restaurants rebound

Excerpt

Local speaker series to explore number of topics

A prestigious group of business executives has been tapped for a webinar series designed to help share lessons learned as the restaurant industry continues to rebound from the COVID-19 slump.

The Women’s Business Center of The NIIC this month is hosting a Restaurant Revitalization Speaker Series that the organization says will focus on five key areas: “Mayhem, Miracles, Marketing, Menu, and Management.”

The first presentation July 12 features Thor Wood, co-founder and CEO of SnapShyft, a staffing service technology startup based in Indianapolis. The company’s platform has been featured in Business Insider, Modern Restaurant Management and Hospitality Tech Magazine, The NIIC said in a news release.

The monthlong series also features regional business leaders, including Mary Corinne “MC” Lowenstein, director of marketing at Hop River Brewing Co., and Brandon Gump, chef and general manager at Tri-Lakes Restaurant in Columbia City. Gump also owns Rowdy Rooster Artisan Meats, a new charcuterie producer in Fort Wayne expecting to open in late summer. Gump has been in the restaurant industry more than 15 years, including as a consultant.

The restaurant industry was among those most affected by the coronavirus pandemic, particularly in early weeks with most states under stay-at-home orders to enable social distancing and prevent COVID-19 spread. Some food businesses closed, while others quickly shifted from in-house dining options to carry out and delivery – even if those were not a significant part of their past operating models.

“There was so much unknown and we would have had no idea the amount of pivots we were all able to do in such a short time,” Lowenstein said during a telephone interview last week.

Hop River Brewing went “through all the phases,” she said, from shutting down, to delivery and stepped up promotion of carryout food and beer.

Trying to anticipate how customers might respond to various stages of the pandemic – particularly the exposure risks – and their comfort level with food-service businesses was a challenge. So was staffing, though protecting those who were working and being sensitive were also priorities, Lowenstein said. A chef, for example, was brought in to make family meals to go for staff and a GoFundme account generated more than $10,000 to help employees who faced financial difficulty. The latter is just one of the “indirect indicators to show that our community was really supportive,” Lowenstein said.

Overall, restaurant and food service industry sales fell by $240 billion in 2020 from what had been an expected level of $899 billion, according to a news release from The NIIC, formerly known as the Northeast Indiana Innovation Center. The figures were part of a 2021 State of Restaurant Industry Report that the National Restaurant Association published in January.

That report also said that as of Dec. 1 last year, more than 110,000 eating and drinking establishments were closed for business temporarily, or worse, permanently. And the eating and drinking place sector finished 2020 nearly 2.5 million jobs below its precoronavirus level.

Sarah Lance, Women’s Business Center EmPWR program manager at The NIIC, said the data hit home.

“We’ve experienced this in our community, in our state. With so many in the food service industry facing such devastating challenges this past year, we thought there had to be something we could do to support them,” she said.

The Women’s Business Center EmPWR Program is funded by the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Office of Women’s Business Ownership and serves clients in 83 Indiana counties. The program brings together experts and resources to help business leaders.

“In speaking with some Indiana restaurant owners,” Lance said in a statement, “there emerged a need for connection with peers, to listen and learn from each other. This speaker series provides the platform to bring them together to connect on the challenges they all faced and the opportunities ahead for restaurants and foodservice, from food trucks to bakeries.”

Read full article on JournalGazette.net.

06.29.21

Indiana Restaurant Revitalization Virtual Speaker Series to Connect Restaurant Owners on Post-Pandemic Challenges and Opportunities

For immediate release

Contact: Tammy Allen, Director, Marketing & Programs, info@niic.net, 260-407-1731

June 29, 2021, Fort Wayne, Ind. The restaurant industry suffered devastating losses in 2020. With these harsh realities in mind, the WBC EmPWR Program at The NIIC developed the Restaurant Revitalization Speaker Series. Each virtual event features an Indiana restaurant industry expert and will be on a Monday or Wednesday this month, from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. Visit https://niic.net/restaurant/ for more information.

The 2021 State of Restaurant Industry Report, published by The National Restaurant Association, January 26, 2021, reported “key findings regarding the impact of coronavirus on the restaurant industry include:

  • Restaurant and foodservice industry sales fell by $240 billion in 2020 from an expected level of $899 billion.
  • As of December 1, 2020, more than 110,000 eating and drinking places were closed for business temporarily, or worse, permanently.
  • The eating and drinking place sector finished 2020 nearly 2.5 million jobs below its pre-coronavirus level.”

This data hit home for Sarah Lance, WBC EmPWR Program Manager at The NIIC. “We’ve experienced this in our community, in our state. With so many in the foodservice industry facing such devastating challenges this past year, we thought there had to be something we could do to support them. In speaking with some Indiana restaurant owners, there emerged a need for connection with peers, to listen and learn from each other. This speaker series provides the platform to bring them together to connect on the challenges they all faced and the opportunities ahead for restaurants and foodservice, from food trucks to bakeries,” said Lance.

Mary Corinne “MC” Lowenstein, Director of Marketing, Hop River Brewing Company, said, “Since the beginning of COVID-19, we have had this great opportunity to try different things in our individual establishments. Now we have the opportunity to look ahead and keep those things that worked pre-COVID and expand on things that enhanced our mission during COVID.”

The Restaurant Speaker Series focuses on five key areas: Mayhem, Miracles, Marketing, Menu, and Management.

Mayhem—human resources–get and keep the right people, July 12, 2021, 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m., featuring Thor Wood, Founder and CEO at SnapShyft. Wood, Co-founder and CEO of SnapShyft, a Staffing-as-a-Service technology startup headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana. The #1 most reliable staffing solution in the market, SnapShyft was founded by a leadership team with over two decades in foodservice and hospitality; 14 years in executive recruiting and staffing; and over 20 years in operations, finance, accounting, and HR. The SnapShyft platform has been featured in Business Insider, Modern Restaurant Management, TechCrunch, Success Magazine, Xconomy, Yahoo! News, Buzzfeed, Bar & Restaurant, Hospitality Tech Magazine.

Miracles—pivot and make it work, July 19, 2021, 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m., featuring Mary Corinne “MC” Lowenstein, Director of Marketing at Hop River Brewing Company. Lowenstein thrives on developing and marketing community engagement opportunities through experiences based on leisure activities and personal interests. She said her passion grows in providing and promoting positive interactions and connecting people through a common interest. She is also a Founder of the Northern Indiana Brewers Association and Beer Trail Passport.

Marketing—communicate your brand story, July 21, 2021, 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m., featuring Bradley Houser, Founder and CEO of EatHere Indy. Houser, Founder and CEO of EatHere Indy, is an entrepreneur and economic driver with a passion for high-growth opportunities. He is a media and tech leader in Indiana’s fast-growing food/tech industry. EatHere Indy is headquartered in Indianapolis, with one mission: To bring diverse communities together through shared food experiences.

Menu- food concepts and planning, July 26, 2021, 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m., featuring Brandon Gump.  Gump is the Chef and General Manager at Tri-Lakes Restaurant in Columbia City.  He is also the owner of Rowdy Rooster Artisan Meats, a new charcuterie producer in Fort Wayne set to open in the late summer of 2021. Over his 15-year career in the restaurant industry, he has managed various restaurants and bars as well as served as a consultant to restaurants.  He says the most significant issue in restaurants is consistency. Brandon focuses on building consistency and ultimately profitability for the restaurants he serves.

Management—create the magic through operations, hospitality, and culture, July 28, 2021, 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m., featuring Justin Lance, Regional Director of Operations at City BBQ. Lance is a successful role model with over 25 years of experience in the restaurant industry. His tenure includes multiple promotions at high-growth brands such as Bahama Breeze, Don Pablo’s, and City Barbeque. Over the years, he and his teams have produced a talent pipeline, leading to internal promotions for teammates at the GM, department director, multi-unit leader, and new store opening levels. He excels in sales growth, people development, and building relationships with the guests in his restaurants.

Register via niic.net/restaurant

Cutline:

Mary Corinne (MC) Lowenstein, Director of Marketing, Hop River Brewing Company

About WBC EmPWR Program

The Women’s Business Center (WBC) EmPWR Program is funded by the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Office of Women’s Business Ownership and serves clients in 83 Indiana counties. The EmPWR Program brings together the experts, resources, and tools business builders need to get back on track from COVID-19. We specifically serve women-owned businesses – from individual entrepreneurs to businesses with many employees in multiple locations. We work with anyone who needs our support. For more information, visit https://niic.net/empwr/.

About The NIIC

499 new products launched, 196 patent applications submitted or granted, and 2,351 jobs created—that is what entrepreneurs have achieved through The NIIC since its inception two decades ago. The NIIC has also connected Northeast Indiana companies to attract $100.4 million in grants and capital.

The NIIC is a non-profit, vibrant entrepreneurial community designed to advise entrepreneurs to plan, launch, and grow successful business ventures. The NIIC bolsters innovative companies to move ideas into action. The NIIC is located in a designated U.S. Small Business Administration HUB Zone. In April 2018, Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb designated The Northeast Indiana Innovation Park Campus as an Opportunity Zone through the U.S. Treasury. The NIIC is the country’s only ISO9001:2015 registered business incubation and acceleration program. Additionally, the International Business Innovation Association (inbia.org) recognized the NIIC as the 2020 Entrepreneur Center of the Year – Mixed-use and awarded it one of the two prestigious industry awards – the 2020 Dinah Adkins Award. TheNIIC.org. Click here for The NIIC press kit.

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05.11.21

Northeast Indiana Business Owners Invited to Brave Leadership Discussions, Based on Dare to Lead Book

Photo by The NIIC

May 13, 2021, Fort Wayne, Ind. Are you ready to engage in brave leadership discussions? Women’s Business Center (WBC) EmPWR Program announces a four-week study of Dare to Lead by Brené Brown. The study will be led by Sarah Lance, Program Manager, WBC EmPWR Program, and presented at The NIIC. Participants are welcome to attend in person or virtually. Register here.

“Earlier this year, we hosted Embrace the Suck | A Woman’s Entrepreneurial Journey, a two-day workshop for women business owners. We worked with Sabrina Moon, Certified Dare to Lead™ Facilitator, to customize the training for participants based on Dare to Lead concepts. We limited attendance due to COVID-19 Pandemic, and interest remains high. We value the content of this training and its transformative powers for leaders. That’s why we’re extending the discussions,” said Lance.

Brown is a five-time number-one New York Times bestselling author, including Dare to Lead. She has stated how much the response to her TEDxHouston talk, “The Power of Vulnerability,” surprised her by trending on social media, with current viewership estimated at more than 53 million.

Brown writes, “One of the most important findings of my career is that daring leadership is a collection of four skill sets that are 100% teachable, observable, and measurable. It’s learning and unlearning that requires brave work, tough conversation, and showing up with your whole heart. Easy? No. Because choosing courage over comfort is not always our default. Worth it? Always. We want to be brave with our lives and our work. It’s why we’re here.”

“If you own a business, lead others, or prepare to lead others, this book discussion is right for you. This book is for anyone who wants to step up and into brave leadership,” said Lance. “I encourage all participants to read or listen to the audio version of Dare to Lead and take the Daring Leadership Assessment. The assessment is specific to you and will reveal your leadership opportunities for growth. This will be useful to inform your participation to get the most out of our discussions,” said Lance.

The Dare to Lead book discussions begin Wednesday, May 26, 2021. Four weekly discussions will be held from 4:00 to 5:30 p.m. and will also be available via live stream.

Register here

05.11.21

Resiliency Training Available for Indiana Business Owners

Aimed at Increasing Success through Harnessing Failure

May 11, 2021, Fort Wayne, Ind.—Entrepreneurship is not easy. It often includes struggling to make payroll, launching products people will buy or chasing that next big idea. Successful business ownership takes resilience. In this spirit, The NIIC created new training for business owners, The Resilient Entrepreneur: Building Success and Surviving Setbacks. Sarah Lance, WBC EmPWR Program Manager, The NIIC, will facilitate and lead the training, which is high-value offered at no charge to participants through the EmPWR Program. Register here.

At the core of this training are the principles taught by innovation and entrepreneurial experts John Danner and Mark Coopersmith, authors of The Other “F” Word, How Smart Leaders, Teams, and Entrepreneurs Put Failure to Work. Designed to help business builders thrive, it provides tools to improve the odds of success by turning failures into strategic resources. “Great innovators build on failure. Through a structured set of immersive, hands-on experiences guided by two of the very best thought leaders on failure, you will activate, upskill, and nurture your business resilience. By doing so, you will anticipate and lean into future pivots, gain business insights, and confidently navigate the choppy waters of change,” said Karl R. LaPan, NIIC President and CEO.

Two live sessions kick off the training, followed by 10 15-minute videos, an application exercise, and discussion. Danner and Coopersmith will lead the two live sessions. “Failure’s like gravity. It’s everywhere—a fact of life for every organization at every organizational phase, from startup to growing business and established enterprise,” John Danner and Mark Coopersmith, The Other “F” Word.

Lance will facilitate the live sessions, with the first one to focus on an overview and key traits of resilient entrepreneurs. The second live session will be a clinic to discuss participants’ specific challenges and general Q&A. These are followed by the training videos and applications, which are available online using NIIC Navigator® Learning Management Tool. Lance recommends augmenting the online training with WBC EmPWR one-on-one coaching.

Register for the program here

About WBC EmPWR Program

The Women’s Business Center (WBC) EmPWR Program is funded by the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Office of Women’s Business Ownership and serves clients in 83 Indiana counties. The EmPWR Program brings together the experts, resources, and tools business builders need to get back on track from COVID-19. We specifically serve women-owned businesses – from individual entrepreneurs to businesses with many employees in multiple locations. We work with anyone who needs our support. For more information, visit https://niic.net/empwr/.

 

05.07.21

Partnership Aims to Ease Entrepreneurial Struggle,

LivePlan Now Available for Indiana Small Businesses

May 7, 2021, Fort Wayne, Ind. Entrepreneurs often struggle with the business planning aspects of preparing an investment pitch, the financial statements that accompany them, and walking through crucial elements of their business model. In partnership with Palo Alto Software, The NIIC announces it will provide access to this high-value tool to at least 50 small businesses in Indiana. Access is at no charge for a  defined period of time for accepted participants through The NIIC’s WBC EmPWR Program.

LivePlan provides structure and consistent methods to navigate the entrepreneur through the maze of choices and decisions to tell their story more credibly with investors, financial institutions, and other stakeholders. If you have struggled in the past or want to have a tool to take your business planning to the next level, LivePlan is worth the time you invest,” said Karl R. LaPan, NIIC President and CEO.

According to Palo Alto Software, companies that plan and track against their plan experience 30% faster growth than those that don’t. LivePlan cloud-based software provides the tools needed for small businesses to achieve this.

  • One-page plan template for a fundable business plan;
  • A step-by-step planning process, including prompts and tutorials within the platform;
  • Automatic financial tools and dashboards for planning, budgeting, forecasting, profit and loss, key financial assumptions, etc;
  • Industry benchmark planning, performance dashboards, and smart budgets and forecasts tools; and
  • 500+ sample plans.

Sarah Lance, NIIC WBC EmPWR Program Manager, describes LivePlan as an amazing platform, business plan-making magic. “It has tools and features to build your business plan and also to plan for long-term sustainability. I encourage small business owners to either work the plan at their own pace or pair it with WBC EmPWR one-on-one business coaching,” said Lance.

“It is always exciting to see the innovative programs and resources the WBC EmPWR Program discovers and offers to their clients,” said U. S. Small Business Administration Acting Regional Administrator and Indiana District Director Stacey Poynter. “It’s an honor to have them as a resource partner providing ideas, access and solutions to Indiana entrepreneurs.”

The process is easy. Apply here. Please note you must login at least weekly to continue your complementary three-month access. Longer access may be granted if you are making progress toward your plan.

https://northestindianainnovationcenter.formstack.com/forms/empwr_2021live_plan

Login credentials will be sent upon processing of your application.

Contact: Tammy Allen, Director, Marketing & Programs, info@niic.net, 260-407-1731

About WBC EmPWR Program

The Women’s Business Center (WBC) EmPWR Program is funded by the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Office of Women’s Business Ownership and serves clients in 83 Indiana counties. The EmPWR Program brings together the experts, resources and tools business builders need to get back on track from COVID-19. We specifically serve women-owned businesses – from individual entrepreneurs to businesses with many employees in multiple locations. We work with anyone who needs our support. For more information, visit https://niic.net/empwr/.

About The NIIC

499 new products launched, 196 patent applications submitted or granted, and 2,351 jobs created—that is what entrepreneurs have achieved through The NIIC since its inception two decades ago. The NIIC has also connected Northeast Indiana companies to attract $100.4 million in grants and capital.

The NIIC is a non-profit, vibrant entrepreneurial community designed to advise entrepreneurs to plan, launch, and grow successful business ventures. The NIIC bolsters innovative companies to move ideas into action. The NIIC is located in a designated U.S. Small Business Administration HUB Zone. In April 2018, Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb designated The Northeast Indiana Innovation Park Campus as an Opportunity Zone through the U.S. Treasury. The NIIC is the country’s only ISO9001:2015 registered business incubation and acceleration program. Additionally, the International Business Innovation Association (inbia.org) recognized the NIIC as the 2020 Entrepreneur Center of the Year – Mixed-use and awarded it one of the two prestigious industry awards – the 2020 Dinah Adkins Award. TheNIIC.org. Click here for The NIIC press kit.

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04.15.21

Crowdsourced Microloans Advance Small Businesses

Owners Receive Kiva Northeast Indiana Funding

April 15, 2021, Fort Wayne, Ind.— With an average of 188 lenders and global syndicates, at an average of $114.62 per funded loan, Northeast Indiana received an infusion of $49,000 in crowdsourced microloans since Kiva Northeast Indiana began nine months ago. This month, Kiva Northeast Indiana hit a milestone of 10 funded loans and is one of 30 hubs in the United States.

Katrina Tucker, Founder and Owner, Fearfully and Wonderfully Made Emporium LLC, was the Kiva Program’s first client. “My children inspired me to start my business. One Easter, I decided to make their Easter dresses. The rest is history. When COVID hit, I needed to figure out how I was going to keep my business going,” Tucker said. “We needed some new equipment. I learned about Kiva, applied, and it all happened so fast! My funding happened in just a few days. We were able to purchase the equipment needed to keep the business going.”

Sarah Heredia, owner of Sovereign DFW, reflected on the challenges the COVID-19 pandemic created for her business. “I signed the lease for building space two weeks before the COVID shutdown. The lease was only for the space and not the full interior build-out we needed to occupy. We also needed to pay for the signage required on the building and the pylon sign.” Heredia was able to cover the cost of the new sign with the Kiva loan. “When the Kiva loan happened, we funded and were able to pay for our signage. The whole process was quick and painless.”

Heredia said the best thing about the KIVA funding was, “Seeing people from all over the world learn your story and believe in you enough to invest in you through a loan. Seeing people you didn’t know invest in you is amazing.”

Connecting the Pieces Playroom Founder and Owner Christiane Rogers used her loan to build inventory, pay rent, and payroll. “I would recommend Kiva to any business owner needing a financial boost, building business credit, or needing financial help. The best part of the process was watching lenders come in daily and then completing the funding within a few days. One of the most challenging parts of the process was deciding who I was going to ask for initial help or funding, especially during the pandemic.”

“I see my business evolving into an entity with no boundaries, making a difference in the lives of all those who come to enjoy the experience of Connecting the Pieces Playroom sensory gym.”

All in One Cakes and Events is a full-service event company founded and owned by Tee Cook. “My Kiva loan helped me to purchase new equipment and renew my Board of Health certification. My family keeps me going. As a mom of all boys, it’s important to show them resilience, ambition and that no matter how hard it gets, never give up,” said Cook.

“I recommend Kiva Northeast Indiana and share about the benefits of a KIVA loan with many others. Crowdfunding worked well for me, and it was quick. Luckily, I have a few great people who support me. Getting funded was the best part of the process! It was like accomplishing a big goal for my business.” Cook plans to open a brick-and-mortar location this year.

These are some examples of businesses funded through Kiva Northeast Indiana. “Kiva loans strengthen families and benefit our community. It was an honor to help the 10 businesses receive the funding needed to further their dreams. We look forward to helping many more,” said Jami Thomas, Grants Compliance Specialist and Kiva Capital Access Manager, The NIIC.

“We appreciate the support and collaboration among our partners to help make this program possible, including The City of Fort Wayne, SEED, and the Indiana Economic Development Corporation, ” said Thomas. Kiva Northeast Indiana is part of a global network of microlending centers.

Cutline:

Sarah Heredia, the owner of Sovereign DFW, is one of 10 small businesses in Northeast Indiana that received a crowdsourced microloan through Kiva Northeast Indiana since the program began nine months ago.

About Kiva

Kiva is an international nonprofit founded in 2005 in San Francisco, with a mission to expand financial access to help underserved communities thrive.  We do this by crowdfunding loans and unlocking capital for the underserved, improving the quality and cost of financial services, and addressing the underlying barriers to financial access around the world. By lending as little as $25 on Kiva, you can be part of the solution and make a real difference in someone’s life. 100% of every dollar you lend goes to funding loans. Learn more at niic.net/kiva-northeast-indiana/.

About The NIIC

499 new products launched, 196 patent applications submitted or granted, and 2,351 jobs created—that is what entrepreneurs have achieved through The NIIC since its inception two decades ago. The NIIC has also connected Northeast Indiana companies to attract $100.4 million in grants and capital.

The NIIC is a non-profit, vibrant entrepreneurial community designed to advise entrepreneurs to plan, launch, and grow successful business ventures. The NIIC bolsters innovative companies to move ideas into action. The NIIC is located in a designated U.S. Small Business Administration HUB Zone. In April 2018, Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb designated The Northeast Indiana Innovation Park Campus as an Opportunity Zone through the U.S. Treasury. The NIIC is the country’s only ISO9001:2015 registered business incubation and acceleration program. Additionally, the International Business Innovation Association (inbia.org) recognized the NIIC as the 2020 Entrepreneur Center of the Year – Mixed-use and awarded it one of the two prestigious industry awards – the 2020 Dinah Adkins Award. TheNIIC.org. Click here for The NIIC press kit.

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03.07.21

Supply disruptions test resiliency

Excerpt

Butler experts offer advice for postpandemic future

Finding the new normal for businesses has been difficult during the COVID-19 pandemic.

One way for businesses to deal with such disruptions as the pandemic is building a strong supply chain.

Butler University supply chain experts Matthew Caito and Janaina Siegler spoke Wednesday on the importance of resilience and sustainability in business from a managerial perspective. The presentation was part of a Livestream Lunch and Learn hosted by the Northeast Innovation Center through its Women’s Business Center EmPWR Program, which stands for Equity & Prosperity for Women Reimagining their Businesses.

Both Caito and Siegler offered ways for organizations to use many different resources and to take initiative in building relationships with team members in the chain, both now and in the postpandemic future.

Siegler defined resilience as the capacity to overcome disruption, a key word throughout the presentation that is especially relevant as many businesses are experiencing a universal struggle. She also added that resilience should be a valuable skill to add to the business toolbox.

“You bend, but you do not break,” Siegler said. “Disruptions are going to happen all the time. It’s not a matter of if. It’s a matter of when.”

There are four main factors to consider for a supply chain to become resilient: flexibility, velocity, visibility and collaboration, according to Siegler. Those things can give business leaders an edge in their careers, and implementing just one of the four points will provide an advantage, Siegler said.

The focus should be on recovery moving forward, not the risks at hand, a mindset Siegler called a “dynamic nature.”

Accommodation is, by now, familiar territory for many businesses that have created access to carry-out orders, curbside pickup and limited capacity to sustain their careers during the pandemic, Caito said.

To build resilience and sustainability, Caito stressed the importance of having such things as “Tuesday afternoon conversations” between leaders within an organization. In addition, business leaders planning ahead of a possible disruption who are equipped with flow charts and checklists will be more prepared when it is time to face the challenge.

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02.15.21

Build a Resilient Supply Chain Livestream, Butler University Experts to Lead Discussion

February 15, 2021, Fort Wayne, Ind. Effective, resilient supply chain management is vital to business venture growth and success. The disruption of the global supply chain this past year affected a wide range of businesses across many sectors of our economy. Join The NIIC on March 3, 2021, 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m., for a Livestream lunch and learn to discuss how to Build a Resilient Supply Chain. Supply Chain experts Matthew Caito and Dr. Janaina Siegler from the Butler Lacey School of Business will lead the discussion. Register here.

“Many businesses are seeking answers about ways to prevent some of the challenges faced during COVID-19 Pandemic from happening again. The NIIC Women’s Business Center EmPWR Program engaged experts to lead this lunchtime discussion and to develop a new NIIC Navigator® Online Learning Toolset course focused on Supply Chain Resilience,” said Sarah Lance, EmPWR Program Manager. The NIIC Navigator® content is available through The NIIC.

The Livestream discussion will include managerial perspectives for supply chain leadership, with particular attention given to preparation and resilience. Practical tools and techniques will be provided for handling supply chain risks, disruptions, and recovery in today’s dynamic environment.

While all companies operate within a supply chain of one sort or another, not all companies think about what makes their role in a supply chain unique to them. Understanding what is unique to a company will help managers consider what is important to their supply chains.

Matthew Caito is the Faculty Instructor—Operations and Supply Chain Management and Business Analytics and Data Modeling. He works closely with undergraduate and graduate students to help develop the leadership and business skills needed for success in today’s competitive operating climate.  In addition to his work at the university, Caito is passionate about helping established entrepreneurs and leaders develop their organizations.

Working closely with The NIIC and supporting its mission has proven to be a good fit for Caito and is an additional opportunity to share training and more resources with innovative companies throughout Indiana. When asked about NIIC’s EmPWR Program, Caito said, “It’s a responsibility and privilege to work together to build solid home-grown Hoosier businesses.  The innovation and resilience shown by our state’s entrepreneurs and their willingness to work hard together to achieve meaningful goals make stronger communities for our children and us.”

Dr. Janaina (Jane) Siegler, Ph.D., is Assistant Professor Operations and Supply Chain Management. “I have been an entrepreneur myself for many years before coming to academia. I have some great memories and some very challenging ones, which I chose to address through the EmPWR Program supply chain content. One, as it relates to the knowledge and ability to efficiently manage our inventories and all the costs related to them. And the second is about the importance of understanding our environment, our suppliers, and how our relationship with them can strategically help us or hinder our business development and growth,” said Siegler.

Learn more or register here. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/build-a-resilient-supply-chain-tickets-141138339573

About WBC EmPWR Program

The Women’s Business Center (WBC) EmPWR Program is funded by the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Office of Women’s Business Ownership and serves clients in 83 Indiana counties through May 2021. The EmPWR Program brings together the experts, the resources and the tools business builders need to get back on track from COVID-19. We specifically serve women-owned businesses – from individual entrepreneurs to businesses with many employees and multiple locations. We will work with anyone who needs our support. For more information, visit https://niic.net/empwr/.

About The NIIC

499 new products launched, 196 patent applications submitted or granted, and 2,351 jobs created—that is what entrepreneurs have achieved through The NIIC since its inception two decades ago. The NIIC has also connected Northeast Indiana companies to attract $100.4 million in grants and capital.

The NIIC is a non-profit, vibrant entrepreneurial community designed to advise entrepreneurs to plan, launch, and grow successful business ventures. The NIIC bolsters innovative companies to move ideas into action. The NIIC is located in a designated U.S. Small Business Administration HUB Zone. In April 2018, Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb designated The Northeast Indiana Innovation Park Campus as an Opportunity Zone through the U.S. Treasury. The NIIC is the country’s only ISO9001:2015 registered business incubation and acceleration program. Additionally, the International Business Innovation Association (inbia.org) recognized the NIIC as the 2020 Entrepreneur Center of the Year – Mixed-use and awarded it one of the two prestigious industry awards – the 2020 Dinah Adkins Award. TheNIIC.org. Click here for The NIIC press kit.