West Central Indiana Small Business Development Center

11/05/2024

📣 Calling All Santa's Helpers! 🎅✨

Join "Santa" Owen for a special holiday sewing event – Sewin' with Owen! 🎄✂️

Owen is one of our youngest entrepreneurs in the Wabash Valley and he is leading his organization with a Servant Leadership's Heart to give back! But he needs your help!

You can also purchase a tote to be made and donated!

Help spread holiday cheer by sewing handmade tote bags for young patients spending the season in the hospital. Together, we can make a difference one stitch at a time!

🧵 Event Details: 📍 Location: Joann Fabrics, 5705 US HWY 41, Terre Haute, IN (Next to Kohl’s) 📅 Date: Saturday, November 9, 2024 🕘 Sessions:

Session 1: 9:00AM - 12:00PM ET
Session 2: 1:00PM - 4:00PM ET
Session 3: 5:00PM - 8:00PM ET
🔹 Important:

No Drop-ins! Limited seating, so make sure to register!
Participants must be at least 8 years old and have a signed waiver.
No charge for these sessions – come and join the fun for a good cause!
🌐 Register Now: sewinwithowen.weebly.com

Let’s make this holiday season brighter for those who need it most. 🎁❤️ Sign up and be a part of this heartwarming mission.

11/05/2024

ATTN: SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS!! Time is running out for this limited opportunity!! Take advantage today!

Unlock the power of Quickbooks and take control of your finances! Join our upcoming workshop and learn how to streamline your accounting processes. Reserve your spot now: bit.ly/3ZcKOVx

11/04/2024

🎉 CLIENT SUCCESS STORY – Busy Bee Café 🎉

In Spencer, Indiana, Andrea Davis and Jen McCart turned the word "community" into a lifestyle with their beloved Busy Bee Café! Andrea and Jen view every customer as family, creating a welcoming space for locals to enjoy good food and genuine connections. What started as a dream for a food truck quickly grew into something bigger—a café where the community could feel right at home.

With guidance from the West Central Indiana Small Business Development Center and funding from the Owen County Revolving Loan Fund, Andrea and Jen brought Busy Bee Café to life. The grand opening on March 27, 2024, saw an amazing turnout, with 40+ community members showing up to celebrate! 🐝

Like true “busy bees,” they’ve worked tirelessly through challenges, always focused on customer satisfaction and community connection. Their efforts recently earned them the "Entrepreneur of the Year" award from the Owen County Chamber of Commerce!

Stop by Busy Bee Café at 374 IN-46, Spencer, IN, and be part of a place where good food and great company come together.

11/04/2024

TIME IS RUNNING OUT! Sign up today!

Ready to take your business to the next level? The Brand.Market.Expand Small Business Marketing Conference is your chance to gain powerful insights from area marketing experts and connect with other business owners/entrepreneurs from the community! With 12 marketing sessions to choose from, you’ll leave with fresh strategies to grow in the coming year!

It’s the only event of its kind in the area—packed with value, all in one day! This conference will be held on Wednesday, November 20 - and seats are limited, so register today at https://isbdc.ecenterdirect.com/events/16872

Your Success is our Business!

11/02/2024

As they close their Grand Opening Day at 4:00 pm, they will open the very first pallet that was unloaded and give away everything on it!! Come by, check out the warehouse at Dad and Son liquidation pallets , get a ticket for the 4pm drawing!! 😁😊

11/01/2024

Congratulations to Game On Productions on their ribbon cutting from the Clay County Chamber of Commerce!

10/31/2024

Earlier this week, we hosted a workshop for local childcare providers to help them understand local zoning ordinances and give them potential options for growing their business!

Thanks to the City of Terre Haute and Vigo County administrators for joining us and providing clarity on the rules, and how their offices can help.

Additional thanks go to Chances And Services for Youth for hosting the workshop and our local Child Care Resource and Referral team for providing additional resources for these providers!

10/29/2024

Sullivan County Business Owners: Tomorrow is the day and we want you to JOIN US!

Power Networking Event!

The West Central ISBDC and the Sullivan County Chamber of Commerce are teaming up to bring you a Power Networking Event that will introduce local business owners to the resources and support available to help your business thrive! Sullivan County Chamber of Commerce

💼 What is the Indiana SBDC?

The Indiana Small Business Development Center (SBDC) provides expert, no-cost guidance for current and future business owners. Whether you're just starting or looking to grow, we offer personalized business advice, assistance with planning and strategy, funding opportunities, market research, and much more!

📊 Some of our services include:

Personalized business mentorship
Business planning and strategy support
Access to funding opportunities
Market research and analysis
Marketing and sales strategy guidance

This is your chance to network with fellow entrepreneurs and learn how the West Central ISBDC and Sullivan County Chamber can support your business success!

Register today: https://isbdc.ecenterdirect.com/events/16913

10/28/2024

Tomorrow is the day!

Join us for our FREE workshop on zoning compliance for childcare providers. Learn how to streamline your business operations and ensure compliance with local regulations.

Date: Tuesday, October 29th
Time: 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Location: Chances and Services for Youth

Last-minute registrations are still available! ➡️ https://isbdc.ecenterdirect.com/events/16910

10/24/2024

Ready to take your business to the next level? The Brand.Market.Expand Small Business Marketing Conference is your chance to gain powerful insights from area marketing experts and connect with other business owners/entrepreneurs from the community! With 12 marketing sessions to choose from, you’ll leave with fresh strategies to grow in the coming year!

It’s the only event of its kind in the area—packed with value, all in one day! This conference will be held on Wednesday, November 20 - and seats are limited, so register today at https://isbdc.ecenterdirect.com/events/16872

10/24/2024

Struggling to manage your business finances efficiently? Our Quickbooks workshop is here to help! Learn insider tips and tricks to maximize your accounting software. Register now: bit.ly/3ZcKOVx

10/22/2024

We are just a couple of days away from this awesome workshop! Don' t miss out! Sign up today!

🚀 Attention Small Business Owners! 🚀

Are you ready to take your business to the next level? 📈 Join us for an exclusive virtual workshop designed to boost your sales and transform your business through the power of storytelling! 🗣️✨

In today’s market, it’s not just about what you sell – it’s about how you connect with your customers. 💡 Learn the art of storytelling and discover how sharing your unique business journey can build trust, create loyal customers, and increase sales!

What you’ll learn: ✔️ Craft a compelling business story that resonates with your audience
✔️ Techniques to turn your story into sales
✔️ How to stand out in a crowded market using your unique voice

Don't miss this opportunity to level up your marketing strategy and increase your revenue! 🚀 Let your story be the reason your customers choose YOU.

RSVP now and secure your spot! https://isbdc.ecenterdirect.com/events/16912

10/22/2024

Don't miss out!

Only 7 days left until our FREE workshop on zoning compliance for childcare providers. Learn how to navigate local regulations and ensure your business is operating smoothly.

Date: Tuesday, October 29th
Time: 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Location: Chances and Services for Youth

Register now! ➡️ https://isbdc.ecenterdirect.com/events/16910

10/22/2024

Recently, Senior Business Advisor, David Bittner, had the incredible opportunity to lead a business startup workshop inside a correctional facility, and the energy was inspiring! ✨

Entrepreneurship isn't just for those with access to fancy schools or big bank accounts—it's for anyone with the passion, drive, and vision to create something new. It’s a path that breaks through traditional barriers and opens doors for a second chance, financial independence, and empowerment.

Seeing these individuals taking steps toward their own businesses is a reminder that potential exists in all of us, no matter our past.

Here’s to creating opportunities where they’re needed most and empowering future entrepreneurs to rebuild, innovate, and thrive. 🙌

10/22/2024

Check out this awesome success story of one of our Small Business Owners! Congratulations Patti and Opie on a successful find! CdE Scent Detection Dogs - Missing Pet Locating Service

Sterling's Story

Here are details of last night's walk up find.

It was almost dark when we arrived at the Pet owners' home to begin our search.

Opie led us to an embankment that was too steep for humans to go down. At the bottom was the creek.

After a rocky ride in Evan's side-by-side, we arrived at the bottom of the hill and parked next to the creek.

Opie trailed along the creek all the while the day grew darker.

After a bit, Opie reversed direction, eventually crossing the creek at a shallow point. Evan following close behind with his headlamp on.

Opie's gait speeds up and he is pulling hard in his harness. He suddenly stops, sits (his alert) and starts barking toward the other side of the creek.

All I see is a dark splotch and I think it is a raccoon but Evan says "that's my dog." I'm doubtful because it is so rare to have a walk up find. But Evan is insistent and wades into the water. Sterling is sitting on a sandbar!

As the darkness envelopes Opie and myself I hear Sterling's soft whimpering and then Evan's gentle joy of being reunited with his beloved pet.

Sterling had already spent 1 night out in the cold. I'm so glad we were able to locate him. Yesterday's photo with his family is misleading - Sterling is only 10 lbs if that and no bigger than a minute.

10/21/2024

Zoning can be confusing, but it doesn't have to be!

Join our FREE workshop on Tuesday, October 29th from 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM at Chances and Services for Youth ([Location address can be added here, if available]) to learn everything you need to know about zoning compliance for childcare providers in Vigo County.

Topics covered:

State and local zoning differences
Understanding zoning permits and variances
Tips for successful zoning applications
Register today and take the stress out of zoning! ➡️

https://isbdc.ecenterdirect.com/events/16910