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Small Business
SMALL BUSINESS PROFILE: MATRIX LABEL SYSTEMS INC.: Label maker manufacturing growth - again Fourth expansion project set to
open this summer
March 24, 2008
Jennifer WhitsonSMALL BUSINESS PROFILE MATRIX LABEL SYSTEMS INC. Label maker manufacturing growth - again Fourth expansion project set to
open this summer Within a month, Plainfield-based Matrix Label Systems Inc. will break ground on a fourth addition to its
central Indiana facility, adding nearly 17,000 square feet of warehouse space and potentially more workers. That's just the
latest growth spurt at the 23-year-old company that started out of a garage and now has 50 employees and $15 million in annual
revenue....
MoreFarm Fresh clients pay a premium to support local growers, organics
March 24, 2008
Jennifer WhitsonMatt Ewer and his wife, Elizabeth Blessing, launched Farm Fresh Delivery LLC in July. With nearly 500 subscribers already,
the organically- and locally-grown-groceries delivery business is blooming in a segment where many large, mass-market retailers
failed during the dotcom bust.
MoreVOICES FROM THE INDUSTRY: New tax break makes Indiana more attractive than ever
March 17, 2008
Cedric D\'hueRapid growth in the high-tech fields of biotechnology and life science has made Indiana a shining example of how promoting
emerging industries can transform an agricultural and manufacturingbased economy into a national leader in innovation. It
has done so by creating an environment in which knowledge-based businesses can thrive. Building on this success, Indiana continues
to position itself as a leader in emerging technologies. A new tax law that took effect this year will present another major
step toward this...
MoreInventors wary of reform bill: Radical changes to U.S. patent law may be hindrance to small players
March 17, 2008
Scott OlsonA federal bill expected to receive a vote from the Senate this year would trigger the most radical changes to the U.S. patent
system in more than 50 years. Supporters of the Patent Reform Act of 2007 want to switch to a "first-to-file" system that
would grant patent rights to the first person to file an application. The United States is the lone country still using a
"first-to-invent" system that rewards an inventor who first conceives the innovation, even if...
MoreFirm that sells sunglasses for large heads lands Wal-Mart deal
January 28, 2008
Jennifer WhitsonIn March 2006, USA Today picked up a local newspaper's profile of Indianapolis-based Fatheadz Inc., the company Rico Elmore
and two partners founded in 2005 to sell eyeglass frames for larger heads. That eventually led to the company's big break:
A Wal-Mart Stores Inc. executive read the article and ordered buyers to track down Fatheadz to make a deal.
MoreFans give dancing a whirl: Many studios report seeing a boost in enrollment, younger students
January 28, 2008
Jennifer WhitsonAs millions of television viewers have been swept up in the twirl of the ABC reality series hit "Dancing with the Stars,"
local studios are cashing in on the craze as everyday folks try to learn to dance like fall winner Helio Castroneves. Dance
studio owners said they've seen a surge in business since the television program debuted in 2005, and the tempo has picked
up with each new season. Simply Ballroom owner Romaric Cansino said he surveys all new...
MoreVIEWPOINT: Improving health: more than a January fad
January 21, 2008
Julia TanneyAs I waited in line at the cafeteria just into the new year, I watched the man in front of me. It would be easy to assume
the salad and wrap station would provide patrons with a healthful lunch option. Yet I saw a generous portion of fried chicken
in a spinach tortilla topped with a pile of cheese and several servings of salad dressing. The man might have started with
good intentions, but in a matter of seconds a...
MoreCommunity education keeping up with business: Lawrence Township, other districts making classes more convenient
January 14, 2008
Scott OlsonThirteen years ago, long before the current commotion over escalating property taxes in Marion County, a local public school
superintendent became embroiled in a similar uproar. Residents of Lawrence Township in 1994 challenged former district leader
Bernard McKenzie to rein in what they perceived as excessive spending of taxpayer funds. He responded by creating the Lawrence
Township Community Education Program as a testament to the citizens and their support. Today, it has grown to serve about
6,000 people annually and...
More' Set the bar high': LESSONS LEARNED KEVIN TEASLEY President, GEO Foundation CEO, 21st Century Charter Schools
December 31, 2007
-Andrea MuirraguiKEVIN TEASLEY President, GEO Foundation CEO, 21st Century Charter Schools Kevin Teasley didn't have clear-cut expectations
when he and a small group of reform-minded dreamers opened 21st Century Charter School in 2002. The publicly funded-yet-independent
schools were brand new in Indiana, and no one really knew what came next. Would 21st Century's one-room schoolhouse approach
draw talented teachers? Would students respond to a different kind of education? Organizers had high hopes, to be sure, but
they operated more on instinct...
MoreSMALL BUSINESS PROFILE: RIPPLE BAGEL & DELI LLC: Now for something completely different Retirees sell medical-supply firm,
try deli business
December 31, 2007
Tammy LieberSMALL BUSINESS PROFILE RIPPLE BAGEL & DELI LLC Now for something completely different Retirees sell medical-supply firm, try
deli business Often, when retirees aren't ready to really retire, they line up consulting gigs or take a part-time job in
their industry. When Ken and Susan Richman sold their locally based medical-supply distribution business, Fulfillment Plus,
to employees in 2002, they decided to start a business in an entirely new industry-one known for a high failure rate. The
Richmans had no...
MorePROFILE: AimFire Marketing: Job hopping led marketer to become her own boss AimFire's specialty: Optimizing Internet search engine results
December 24, 2007
Gabrielle PoshadloAimFire Marketing Job hopping led marketer to become her own boss AimFire's specialty: Optimizing Internet search engine results
Little more than three years ago, Susan Young's custom Brownsburg home had two extra bedrooms, and the daily commute to Synergy
Marketing Group in Indianapolis kept her home and office in separate worlds. Today, Young has two new babies: her 7-month-old
daughter, Elaina, and her young business, AimFire Marketing. One of those once-empty rooms is now the heart of her six-figure
career....
MoreIndesign LLC: Engineers designed firm after losing corporate jobs Ownership stake gave workers even more motivation to succeed
December 17, 2007
Marc D.Eleven years ago, AT&T/Lucent Bell Laboratories announced it was closing its wired consumer product design division in Indianapolis
and consolidating operations in New Jersey. That left about 90 employees here with a choice: Move or find another job. Most
went or joined other companies. But 34 decided to stick together and start their own business here-Indesign LLC. Today, the
high-tech electronic design and development company near Fort Benjamin Harrison is a $6 million-a-year business with 53 employees
and clients that...
MoreWomen business PAC: Committee raising funds to promote female owners' agenda
December 10, 2007
Emily GroenLocal women business owners are trying their hand in politics heading into the 2008 campaign season. Launched in February,
the Indiana Woman Business Owner's Political Action Committee will raise money to promote political candidates who champion
femaleowned businesses. "The purpose is to support candidates ... that seek to protect and develop women-owned and minorityowned
business," said PAC Chairwoman Billie Dragoo, founder and CEO of Indianapolis-based medical staffing company Repucare. Its
mission is simple, she said: "to advance the agenda of...
MorePROFILE: Stitches & Scones: Entrepreneur sews together her enterprises Yarn-store owner finds ways to keep doing what she
loves
December 10, 2007
Jo EllenStitches & Scones Entrepreneur sews together her enterprises Yarn-store owner finds ways to keep doing what she loves Mollianne
Cameron took a page from the book of successful businesses with her current business, Stitches & Scones, and two planned ones:
Crafty Capers and The Amish & Antique Quilt Store. Each retail venture marries business to Cameron's passion for knitting,
crocheting and hand stitchery. The lesson: Do what you love and the money will follow. Growing her own customers was another...
MorePROFILE: Silverback Consulting Group: Consultant helps clients navigate tech jungle Silverback looks to diversify health care,
bank business
December 3, 2007
Ed CallahanSilverback Consulting Group Consultant helps clients navigate tech jungle Silverback looks to diversify health care, bank
business In the jungle that is today's business world, businesses can't survive without information systems. And if they need
help finding their way through all the technological underbrush, a local consulting firm wants to be the 500-pound gorilla
that clears a path for them. Silverback Consulting Group was founded in 1997 to help businesses upgrade their internal computer
and phone systems. Its consultants plan...
MoreVets serve country, customers: Franchises offer breaks to would-be entrepreneurs leaving the military
November 26, 2007
Jennifer WhitsonOn Veterans Day this year, retired U.S. Air Force Tech Sgt. Robert Flores didn't attend parades or reminisce with friends.
Instead, he worked from open to close at his Little Caesars Pizza store at 11530 Westfield Blvd. "I've been here every day
since we opened," Flores said, who debuted the Carmel shop Oct. 31 after receiving assistance from a Little Caesars program
created to help veterans become franchise owners. As part of the program, Flores, 45, received a discount of...
MoreFull incubator widens reach: Tech center to help non-tenants
November 26, 2007
Scott OlsonThe "no vacancy" sign hanging at an Indiana University business incubator has prompted officials to launch a program in which
startup companies can gain access to support services without renting space. IU's Emerging Technologies Center, on West 10th
Street near the Central Canal, houses 25 companies in about 44,000 square feet of space. The center has been operating at
full capacity the past two years and has a waiting list of four companies. For those who can't get into the...
MoreNiche firms thrive despite anonymity: Some small businesses don't need storefronts to keep customers coming
November 26, 2007
Marc D.Whimsical Whisk isn't your neighborhood bakery. Pastry chef Clare Welage never wanted it to be. She started the patisserie
in 2004 with plans to differentiate herself from the competition by making desserts from scratch using all-natural ingredients,
designing items specifically for the customer and-just as important-going without a storefront. "I've always felt that if
you open up a storefront and you have a specialty product, something somewhere gets compromised," Welage said. "Ultimately,
it's the quality of the product or it's...
MoreDog walker throws leash around new career
November 26, 2007
Emily GroenAmanda Briggs weaves in and out of the bustling lunch crowd in downtown Indianapolis, keeping a close eye on her canine clients
Griffen and Isabella. Briggs, 25, continues her walk through the busy streets, heading to the American Legion Mall and some
much-needed grass. Such is the life of a professional dog walker and pet sitter.
MoreFine arts programs prepare students for real world: Artists taught how to deal with galleries, market work
November 5, 2007
Jennifer WhitsonMost fine arts students used to exist in a bubble-running to class in paint-splattered clothing and practically living in
their studios, channeling their muse and honing their craft. Once they graduated, those who were driven enough to try to make
a living off their talent still had a lot to learn about running a business. But now many universities are doing more to make
sure art students graduate with the business skills they need. Local photographer Ginny Taylor Rosner graduated...
MorePROFILE: Roundpeg: Narrowing its focus helped Roundpeg find the right hole Networking also makes a difference for marketing
firm
November 5, 2007
Marc D.Roundpeg Narrowing its focus helped Roundpeg find the right hole Networking also makes a difference for marketing firm Lorraine
Ball is a human energy bar who seems to have more ideas than there are minutes in a day. She left her job as vice president
of creative services for Conseco Inc. in early 2002 to start her own business focusing on team building and strategic planning
for large companies-only to discover that in the post-9/11 world, big companies weren't investing...
MoreRETURN ON TECHNOLOGY: Is your Web site a cost or an investment?
October 29, 2007
Tim AltomI don't particularly like to shop, but I like seeing how other people shop, especially online. There are always so many surprises.
Of course, the big research is in e-commerce, where buyers spend money online. Studies show the number of people willing to
buy online is growing steadily. The Census Bureau shows a consistently upward trendline through August 2007 (www.census.gov/mrts/www/ecomm.html).
Most experts seem to believe that not only are more people throwing down their plastic electronically, but established shoppers
are...
MoreFeds OK women's biz centers: Program wins affiliation with SBA; details on set up, funding to come
October 29, 2007
Jennifer WhitsonAfter a 19-year run as a pilot program, a national initiative aimed at helping women start businesses finally has earned a
seal of approval from the federal government. As an official U.S. Small Business Administration program, the Women's Business
Center concept gains the stability that supporters had been seeking for nearly two decades. And that's good news for women
like Krista Bermeo, an Indianapolis artist who makes melted glass jewelry in her namesake Fountain Square studio. Bermeo sought
help from...
MoreClinton's 401(k) proposal receiving mixed reviews: Experts disagree on whether plan can spur savings
October 29, 2007
Scott OlsonRepublican presidential candidate Herbert Hoover promised a chicken in every pot and a car in every garage, leading everyone
to believe they would be prosperous under his administration. Fast-forward 80 years and a candidate from the other side of
the aisle, Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., is offering an incentive more fitting for the new millennium: a match on workers'
401(k) contributions. Time will tell whether Clinton becomes president and ultimately fulfills the pledge, but what prompted
it is Americans' reluctance...
MorePizza parlor, dog groomer among those going mobile
October 15, 2007
Jennifer WhitsonNeighborhood Pizza, which operates out of the back of a souped-up box truck equipped with a pizza oven and other necessities,
is among a growing number of startups that are hitting the road--literally.
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Saw the Indy Men's Chorus "Music of Gilbert & Sullivan" at the Indiana Historical Society on Sunday evening.
Temporary workers are not "tools" they are people and companies that keep large amounts of temp staff are cheating.
I miss having them around. I hope one of their stores is in the general Meridian/86th Street area. I will make good use of it.
The Fringe! Plus, the simple fact that there are so many local faves in such close proximity to each other.
I remenber, watching the toll road, being built, through South Bend, when I was 10 years old. I believe, back then that it was estimated, that the toll road, would be paid for in 20 years and then it would be free. I am now 71, what happened? Since the power is in the people, by that, I mean that, we the people are in total control of everything. I, suggest that no one ever use the toll road again, let it go broke. We the people can control the price of everything, from groceries to gas, if we would just do it. If we don't pay the asking price, the sellers will lower the price and if we wait awhile, they will lower the price to what we accept as reasonable. I would like to know why a highway like interstate 94, is so well maintained, a much better highway, than the toll road, but has no tolls. I would also like to know why, a sitting governor, with a term limit, maximum of eight years, can lease, public property, for 75 years. Even though I have transponders in both of my trucks and will not be affected by the increase, I have been and will contine to avoid using the toll road. I make many trips from northern Indiana to Chicago, every year, and I prefer the better highway, I94!