Forget the glass ceiling … how about the ‘pink ghetto’?
What do you make of the criticism that there’s a "pink ghetto" of women-owned firms somehow less worthy than the myriad male-led tech startups that garner so much attention and praise?
Small Business
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INSIDE DISH: Gastropub owners get aggressive after big first year
The Local Eatery and Pub in Westfield streaked past break-even point in its first 12 months, leading its relieved but exhausted owners to plan new projects.
Serial entrepreneur builds more than business
Westfield resident Jenn Kampmeier is a CEO—that’s “chief everything officer” in the get-it-done world of startups—who prefers an even-loftier title: Mom.
Angie’s List expected to continue financial losses
The Indianapolis-based company should post a loss of 11 cents per share when it reports its first earnings as a public company on Wednesday afternoon. But at least one analyst is upbeat about its long-term prospects.
Marketer applies engineering skills to lead creative firm
Kathy Cabello left a lucrative IT career to start Cabello Associates Inc., a marketing consultancy celebrating its 10th anniversary this year.
Startup coaches clients on dating
Miss Pivot is a social-skills training company that offers one-on-one coaching from professional “wing” women, group classes on topics like starting conversations, and now a mobile app that promises users the knowledge they need to “Fire Cupid.”
What’s New: Snappening.com
This week, meet Crystal Grave, who left a corporate marketing career to start event-planning resource Snappening.com.
A morning-after question: Now what?
The Indianapolis community undoubtedly will benefit from hosting the Super Bowl, but no one can just sit back and wait for the payoff. Lots of work remains—especially for small businesses.
DeveloperTown sees sale of first company it helped fund, coach
Daily Lunch Deal sold last month after just a year in business, marking a milestone for its venture-firm mentor.
Techies aim to make money from memories
Two DePauw University graduates are launching a website they hope will preserve the world’s memories, through a virtual bank of shared experiences.
Stout’s Shoes expects website to become its largest ‘store’
After years of failed attempts to create a viable Web presence, Stout’s Shoes has finally plunged into cyberspace using the route experts say many small companies follow: giving the job to a young, tech-savvy family member with an aptitude for social media.
Travel club startup patterned after Ambassadair trying to raise $5 million
A former employee of Ambassadair travel club is trying to raise $5.3 million to finance the first six months of a business created in its image.
Startups vie for Super Bowl exposure
One Indianapolis entrepreneur will spend Super Bowl Sunday huddled with startup guru Scott Case and another corporate combatant, working on a game plan for growth.
Contractor uses ‘process mapping’ to overhaul business
ProClad Inc. founder Brad Hitzfield invested in a 30-year business veteran to help him remake his
specialty construction firm when profits couldn’t keep pace with revenue.
What’s New: Happy Dog Hotel and Spa
This week, meet Bev Schroeder, who opened Happy Dog Hotel and Spa in Carmel last month.
Small businesses angle for piece of the big game
More than 400 companies statewide qualified for this year’s NFL Emerging Business program, an initiative that aims to open doors for minority- and women-owned enterprises seeking a sliver of Super Bowl spending.
House bill would cut barber licensing requirement
Besides no longer requiring barbers and cosmetologists to be licensed, the bill also exempts dieticians, hearing aid dealers, private investigators and security guards.
Indianapolis-area mergers and acquisitions in 2011
A number of acquisitions last year disclosed no sale price. In the Indianapolis area, those deals ranged from MacAllister Machinery’s purchase of a Caterpillar dealership in Michigan to Herff Jones’ acquisition of a Memphis, Tenn.-headquartered maker of cheerleading uniforms.
Indiana deals ranged upward of $800 million
Mergers and acquisitions in 2011 ranged from WellPoint’s acquisition of CareMore to a trucking company merger.
Entrepreneurs take risks without betting the farm
Some small-business owners are taking divergent paths to build revenue during difficult economic times. Some are adding products and services, while others are focusing on core competencies. What’s your take on the different strategies?