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Small Business
Articles
Startup aims to take business cards into digital age
Indianapolis entrepreneur Nick Carter thinks he’s found a way to eliminate the “black hole” of marketing data: smart business cards that track how recipients use them.
Sun King brewing another round of growth
After just three years in business, Sun King finds itself the second-largest brewer in Indiana, behind only Three Floyds Brewing Co. in Munster, which produces about 23,000 barrels and also is growing quickly.
Event-planning vet Maribeth Smith has impressive resume
Maribeth Smith’s introduction to the world of event planning sure was a doozy—coordinating the city’s first significant Final Four in 1991. In the 20 years since, Smith has planned some of Indianapolis’ biggest soirees, highlighted this year by several events surrounding the Super Bowl, which helped cement her status as one of the city’s leading meeting planners.
Study: Indiana tax code discourages small businesses
A new study of Indiana's business tax structure suggests the state's tax code discourages the small, home-grown businesses often considered the engines of job creation.
Update: Swimming with sharks can be painful
Indianapolis entrepreneur Derek Pacqué pitched his business idea to potential investors on national TV and walked away empty handed—by choice.
LEADING QUESTIONS: Film fest chief zooms in on fundraising
What "Twilight Zone"-ish connection does the founder of Heartland Truly Moving Pictures have to its new HQ? What tearjerking moment did he share with a major donor? How did he calm an infuriated Hollywood director? Jeffrey Sparks is ready for his closeup.
Hoosier Momma growing sales, ambitions
Seller of Bloody Mary mix adds new concoctions, broadens distribution to seven states.
MillerWhite signs slew of new clients in last six months
Marketing firm lines up almost two dozen clients, most of them based in Indiana.
New rules open door to ads for private placements
In accordance with the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act, the Securities and Exchange Commission will lift the long-standing ban on “general solicitation” of unregistered securities.
IU grad pitches biz idea to TV ‘sharks’
CoatChex founder Derek Pacqué is gearing up for a Friday product launch party that coincides with his appearance on the ABC television show “Shark Tank,” where he pitched his idea to potential investors including serial entrepreneur Mark Cuban.
Game maker Fundex files for bankruptcy reorganization
The once high-flying Fundex is seeking to reorganize under the protection of bankruptcy as the lawsuits against the Plainfield-based company continue to pile up. Fundex lists assets of nearly $1.5 million and liabilities of $8.9 million.
Hoosier Momma growing sales, ambitions
For a company committed to slow-but-steady growth, locally based Hoosier Momma has built some enviable momentum.
Real estate firm’s niche is commercial Hispanic clients
Real estate entrepreneur Kelli Membreno, a bilingual native of northern Indiana, has built a business on helping Hispanic entrepreneurs navigate the barriers of language and American business customs.
New company focuses on making football helmets that reduce concussions
Bill Simpson, famous for pioneering multiple advances in auto-racing safety, has turned his attention to a new sport. His new company, SGH Helmets, is making a football helmet that Simpson hopes will help prevent concussions.
WOJTOWICZ: Lenders need financial statements to protect investment
The bank needs to know how your business is doing right now (usually the most recent 30 or 60 days), rather than rely on your current year’s tax return that may have aged several months.
Carmel ad shop FatAtom prospers by defying norms
In a time when many local, regional and national ad firms have been forced to downsize, FatAtom Marketing has seen its revenue increase from $180,000 in 2008 to a projected $1.25 million this year, CEO Todd Muffley said.
Small firms using social media to tighten ties to customers
More small businesses are turning to technology to connect with clients. Nationwide, over half of firms with fewer than 100 employees use social media, according to a 2012 survey from research firm SMB Group Inc.
Fishers launching business incubator
The town of Fishers is making a bid to keep its entrepreneurs close to home, investing $350,000 to develop shared office space for the startup community. Co-working facility Launch Fishers is slated to open this fall.
Six from Indiana make top 500 on Inc.‘s fastest-growing list
A half-dozen Indiana companies were ranked in the top 500 in Inc.'s annual list of the the nation's fastest-growing private companies, but only two are from Indianapolis.