November 30, 2012
Jean WojtowiczThe horror stories are sobering: Dun & Bradstreet reported earlier this year that businesses with fewer than 20 employees
have only a 37 percent chance of surviving four years and just 9 percent will be around 10 years.
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June 30, 2012
Ellen KobeCo-working sites—shared office spaces designed to give entrepreneurs, free-lancers and consultants the tools they need
to get the job done as well as the chance to interact with other professionals, sans cubicle—are gaining popularity
nationally and, finally, in Indianapolis.
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May 26, 2012
Andrea Muirragui DavisGood mentors can make a world of difference to up-and-coming entrepreneurs. Countless business owners find themselves in need
of a gut check from time to time and, these days, mentors are an essential part of their toolkit.
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April 14, 2012
Hayleigh ColomboParticipation at Business Ownership Initiative-led training sessions is up nearly 30 percent so far this year as more Hoosiers
start businesses of their own. Executive Director Julie Grice is looking for more counselors and money.
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February 24, 2012
Jean WojtowiczA recent study from Credit Suisse found that over $15 billion of small commercial mortgages (under $5 million) are coming
due in the next few years.
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January 14, 2012
Andrea Muirragui DavisSmall businesses like KnowSweat Workouts increasingly are adding products and services to keep revenue flowing during tight
economic times.
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December 19, 2011
Jean WojtowiczPrepare to talk in detail about your business, the plans you are making and the reasons for expanding before you show the
banker the facts and figures.
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September 23, 2011
Jean WojtowiczDuring these difficult times, small-business lenders are looking harder at intangibles—including a borrower’s
character.
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July 1, 2011
Jean WojtowiczProperty tax billing and collection were at their most confusing during the recession, when businesses were experiencing lost
revenue, poor projections and, in general, toughing it out as best they could.
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June 3, 2011
Jean WojtowiczNew law allows banks to refinance existing real estate and equipment debt through the U.S. Small Business Administration 504
loan program.
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May 21, 2011
Connie ShepherdExpensive personal credit undermines credit scores and ultimately the odds of more traditional lending.
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April 9, 2011
In a question-and-answer forum, leaders weigh in on topics ranging from tech transfer to the future of Aprimo.
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February 15, 2011
Sean MorrisonJulie Grice, a 10-year veteran of the Greater Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce and former business owner, began her tenure
as executive director of the not-for-profit Business Ownership Initiative of Indiana on Sunday.
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December 6, 2010
Jean WojtowiczSmall-business owners looking for working capital would be well-served to do their research in advance and can ask their bankers
about several approaches, including financing based on assets.
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December 3, 2010
Mason King
The owners of Jockamo Upper Crust Pizza had seen other local eateries sink after expanding. They weighed
many risks before pulling the trigger.
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November 15, 2010
The winner, StatsSquared, now will compete against other winners from cities worldwide in an online contest for the overall
top prize.
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November 9, 2010
Scott OlsonUnlike past events in Indianapolis, this one features a panel of judges who will select a winning business idea, enabling
a team to compete in a global online contest against other winners from cities worldwide.
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August 27, 2010
Jean WojtowiczThis may be a golden opportunity for small-business owners to lock in a low rate to finance expansion. But make sure you understand
the loan agreement.
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May 26, 2010
Mason King
Jean Wojtowicz, whose firm has helped fund more than 1,200 Indiana companies, recommends the "front-page test,"
looking seriously at expanding, and pulling the trigger quickly on toxic employees.
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May 5, 2010
Mason King
Marketing
pro Lorraine Ball suggests a test for when it's time to ditch the corporate gig, plus tips for networking
and
public speaking.
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April 9, 2010
CJ McClanahanThe more I deal with e-mail, the more I believe that, despite these extremely valuable benefits, e-mail is hurting our ability
to effectively grow our businesses.
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December 26, 2009
Lorraine BallAs the year winds down, it is a great time to think about your marketing plan and budget for 2010. For small-business owners,
this is particularly important, because we do not have the marketing budgets of large firms.
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November 28, 2009
Jean WojtowiczBuying a building for your business is still possible in a tight lending market, but bankers will review real estate purchases
carefully.
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October 24, 2009
CJ McClanahanTo improve the productivity of your management team, it’s critical to have an objective plan for measuring performance.
That means clear job descriptions, goals, and key performance indicators to track progress.
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August 29, 2009
Lorraine BallThere are plenty of “low-tech” companies exploring ways to build social media into their marketing strategies
with outstanding results.
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Can IBJ please stop referring to this property as "Kessler Mansion"? What a ridiculous title for the biggest, bloated, blight in our city. It's not a mansion. At best, it's an ideal site to shoot low-budget porn. Ahhh! Another business use!
Its stories like these that prove that a Ball State diploma is worth less than the paper that its printed on. A real institution of higher learning would have taken care of this long ago. No way should this crap be taught in a SCIENCE class.
It is such a shame that King Ballard has made Indianapolis into Chicago south with all of the rampant corruption.
How many of these 1,259 bills were actually heard and voted on on the floor vs how many were shot down in committee?
When a an arrogant young guy with essentially no experience and no qualifications for the job, was dropped into an Administrator position out of nowhere by his "mentor" in the Mayor's office things seemed fishy. Sometimes things are what they seem.