Coronavirus forcing small businesses to rethink strategies
At some small businesses, the spread of the coronavirus is forcing owners to change the fundamental ways they work.
Small Business
Articles
Filmmaker peddles Spanish wine in the United States
When Indianapolis outdoorsman and filmmaker Eddie Brochin was asked to lead adventure tours on a Mexican ranch in 2013, he had no idea it would lead him to import and distribute wine.
McCammon’s Irish Market acquires Brownsburg garden center
Greg and Lisa Frazee, who opened Frazee Gardens in 2008, will continue to own and operate Brownsburg Landscape Co., which they founded in 1987.
Many U.S. firms waiting for products to ship from China in coronavirus delay
Many U.S. small business owners are facing a shortage of products or components because suppliers, who closed for the weeks-long New Year holiday, remain shut due to the virus that has killed more than 1,100 people.
Hamilton County key to hemp supply chain
Hemp-processing companies are investing millions of dollars into refineries across Hamilton County to close a gap in the state’s CBD supply chain.
Startup’s solution to back pain gaining traction with auto industry
Comfort Motion Global has five patents on a software-based system that uses algorithms to make periodic micro adjustments to automobile seats.
Global scale-up accelerator expanding presence in Indy
Endeavor, which helps companies access talent and capital but takes no equity, is hunting for six to eight companies for its second Midwest cohort, an eight-month mentoring program which begins April 23. Endeavor officials want at least of those companies to come from central Indiana.
Carmel startup uses technology developed by NASA in 1960s
Ian Hamilton launched Atlas Energy Systems LLC in 2013, repurposing the space-race technology into thermionic energy converters.
New year brings changes for small businesses
Among other adjustments, there are higher minimum wages for many states, new federal overtime rules and new W-4 forms.
Got a big head? Fatheadz has you in its sights
Starting out in 2005 with just four sets of sunglass frames, the eyeglass company now offers five lines for men and women with more than 100 frame styles.
Holidays bring phishing scam surge aimed at small business
While cybercriminals strike at any time of the year, they’re particularly active during the holiday and income tax filing seasons when computer users expect to see more emails.
Salesforce analyst jumps into matchmaking fray with new dating site
Dating web sites are notorious for being clogged with questionable characters exhibiting bad online behavior. Aeyai Saengkeo is launching Good Apples Dating to address that problem.
Local children’s shoe store ready to call it quits after 58 years
The owner of longstanding local retailer Keen Children’s Shoes says she’s closing the store because it has become too difficult to compete in a changing retail landscape.
Self-funded firms take all the risk, all the rewards
Venture capital is supposed to be the lifeblood of fast-growing tech startups. But a handful of Indianapolis-area companies are defying that widely embraced mindset.
Tech firm FuseMe could make paper resumes obsolete
The company, which has created software that allows job candidates to forward recruiters their resume and other information by simply holding their smart phones next to each other, recently closed on a seed round of funding and is planning a national expansion.
Q&A: Nick Hubbard on what’s hot—and cold—in coffee
Nick, the son of Hubbard & Cravens Coffee and Tea co-founder Rick Hubbard, went into banking after graduating from Miami University of Ohio in 2003 and thought he’d stay there. Now he’s president.
Hendricks County Icon grows in tough newspaper times
In the wake of the May closure of The Hendricks County Flyer, Grow Local Media is expanding its own Hendricks County paper.
App’s success leads Don Brown to embrace consumer market
After building and selling three companies and starting a fourth, Dr. Don Brown thought he had seen it all. Even so, he still gets an occasional surprise.
Noblesville mom sells gluten-free snack mix nationwide
Jennifer Wiese’s gluten- and dairy-free bakery Bee Free makes Warrior Mix, which can be found in 4,000 stores across the country, now including Walmart.
Elevate Ventures’ startup investments at pivotal point
After nine years of managing the state’s investments in startups, the not-for-profit Elevate Ventures has had some wins, but more losses—as measured by the number of companies that paid back at least as much as they took in.