BOI Success Stories

BOI tAnnounce Affiliation with Develop Indy

NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release

Develop Indy Expands Small Business Focus
Marion County's economic development organization forms strategic alignment
with Business Ownership Initiative and launches small business guide

INDIANAPOLIS (Nov. 21, 2011) -Develop Indy announced today it will broaden its focus on small business assistance by forming a strategic alignment with Business Ownership Initiative of Indiana (BOI) and launching a small business development guide to city services.

"Develop Indy's heightened emphasis on assisting small businesses enhances our ability to provide crucial services to those companies poised for growth and make it easier for them to expand in Indianapolis," said Mayor Greg Ballard.

Founded in 1997, BOI operates the Central Indiana Women's Business Center (CIWBC), funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration. BOI assists Central Indiana residents in starting and growing businesses by providing one-on-one business counseling, mentors, workshops, business plan development assistance and access to capital, in part through its Glick Micro Loan Fund. BOI/CIWBC's services and programs are offered at low- or no-cost to business owners based on income.

"In today's economy, entrepreneurship isn't merely the option for those naturally wired to be their own boss. In many cases, business ownership is the only realistic option for an individual and their family. Everyone in Central Indiana should be encouraged that our Mayor and civic leaders recognize the importance of small business to our economic vitality," said Julie Grice, executive director of BOI.

In the past 14 years, BOI has assisted more than 10,000 individuals and businesses, including Stage Ninja, Harloh's, and the Perk Up Café.

Under the new agreement, BOI's four employees will relocate to the Develop Indy office at Chase Tower, effective Dec. 1. BOI and CIWBC will continue to operate under their current brand names and will decentralize workshop and counseling services into area neighborhoods through partnerships with community organizations.

In addition to these new services, Develop Indy also is launching a guide to help businesses navigate the permitting and zoning process and avoid unnecessary delays in their development projects. The guide is available immediately at www.developindy.com and www.indy.gov/smallbusinessguide. Printed copies may be obtained free of charge through Develop Indy and the City of Indianapolis Department of Code Enforcement (DCE).

Earlier this year, Develop Indy and DCE teamed up to provide communication, outreach, and education to the business community relating to the permitting process so permits may be obtained quickly and efficiently. The initiative is headed by Mark Fisher, director of engagement for Develop Indy.

About Develop Indy
Develop Indy is Marion County's local economic development organization. Develop Indy is dedicated to attracting new businesses, retaining and expanding existing businesses and serving as a catalyst for capital investment and quality job growth in Indianapolis/Marion County.

About Business Ownership Initiative
The mission of Business Ownership Initiative of Indiana and its Central Indiana Women's Business Center (CIWBC) program is to help men and women start or grow their own businesses by providing knowledge, skills and access to financial resources. The CIWBC program is widely recognized by small businesses and entrepreneurs throughout the nine-county Central Indiana region and is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the Small Business Administration. For more information, visit www.sba.gov.
Media Contact:
Melissa Todd, (317) 808-3272 or mtodd@developindy.com

Self-Healing Path Leads to New Career in Midlife

Richard Cornell worked 29 years in General Motors running machines, building airplane and train parts, using his mind and body in an environment that many would describe as physically and emotionally challenging. By the time he was in his 30’s his neck and back had stiffened with arthritis, making ordinary movements painful. To ease the discomfort, Richard took Karate classes, a low impact martial art, and quickly discovered that it was a perfect sport for him, combining health and fitness for adults. He soon became interested in the underlying philosophy of martial arts – to study, learn and teach others to heal themselves.

Over the next few years, he took many classes from a variety of teachers becoming certified in specialized martial arts such as Tai Chi for Health in Arthritis; Chi lei Chi Gong, known as medical Chi Gong, and Healing Touch. As he approached early retirement, Richard decided to open a small consulting business to incorporate all he had learned and teach others the healing arts in which he had become proficient. That’s when he found Neighborhood Self-Employment Initiative (NSI now named Business Ownership Initiative). Richard sought help elsewhere but BOI was the first place that seemed to understand the next steps he needed to take to reach his goals. He took classes and met with a business counselor and was on his way to launching Alliance for Health, his new home-based business.

Fast forward to 2010. Richard’s business has established working relationships with St. Francis Hospital, Inner Path, the Walker Career Center, Hornet Park Fitness Center, The Hermitage and most recently, Altenheim Exceptional Senior Living Center. He is gratified to see his clients improve; as he puts it,“ I have clients who tell me that they feel stronger, healthier and have increased the quality of their lives. That makes me feel so good.”

BOI played a significant role in Richard’s career transition to the healing arts. He said, “The biggest gift from BOI was the life coaching classes I took which gave me courage and the benefit of working together with a group of classmates committed to the same goals. We grew together and wanted to overcome the negative things from our past lives in order to move forward. BOI’s classes are all great but it was life skills that helped us overcome the emotional challenges that could have prevented us from being successful in our businesses.” He went on to add, “Listening to others had a great effect and the facilitator’s encouragement really helped us heal – we were able to use the tools and support she gave us to heal ourselves. I will never forget those classroom experiences.”

Advice to Entrepreneurs

Richard advises others to be sure and take care of themselves physically, “Get enough sleep, eat well, and don’t neglect yourself because being your own boss can be stressful. When you are not feeling well you can make poor decisions and feel under pressure all the time.” Richard also recommends that entrepreneurs develop and rely on a support system – don’t be a loner. He states, “Get involved in the community and give your time to causes you believe in – you will meet like- minded people and find a lot of support and networking opportunities to help grow your business.”

Loving and Caring Begins at Home

It was 2003 and Beverly Johnson’s parents were ill. She and her sister struggled to make the difficult decision to place their parents into a nursing home. A spiritual person, Beverly began what she would eventually describe as a “walk of faith.” Praying to God daily, asking for help, and seeking a way to care for her parents herself rather than place them into the hands of strangers.

In 2006, Beverly attended a workshop and learned about an organization called BOI. The following year, she took a “ton of BOI workshops”, received lots of information and support, and eventually wrote a business plan for a company she called “Loving and Caring Homes.” The concept included the purchase of a home that would be used to care for her parents and a few other people, so that Beverly could take care of them herself. She applied for, and received, the status of an adult foster care provider, passing all inspections and receiving full approval.

In 2008, she continued working her day job while devoting the rest of her time to caring for her parents and one other person in a home she opened a short distance from her own home. She employed one caregiver, offering free room and board plus a small salary, during the week, while on weekends and evenings Beverly and her husband provided care. Sadly, her mother passed away later that same year, leaving behind Beverly’s dad.

In July, 2009, she quit her full time job and added a second home, allowing her to serve 29 clients. Her staff grew to 21 caregivers. From 2008 to 2009, her company grew significantly. Characteristically, Beverly credits her success to “the Lord who took me, an ordinary person, and enabled me to build my business on the backs of me and my husband. I am so grateful.”

Advice to Entrepreneurs

As Beverly puts it, “BOI was wonderful to me; I worked with my business counselor, Tricia, and called her often. I received good advice, and she instilled confidence in me that I could actually make my vision become a reality.” She continues, “BOI has great workshops and they help people learn many things about starting and running a business – I think I took most of them and I highly recommend them to anyone thinking about self-employment. Roll up your sleeves and do your homework on the industry in which your business will be engaged – don’t expect someone else to do it for you. Remember that no one cares about your business as much as you do – so give it your best effort in the same way that you have given your best to an employer- you are own boss.

Custom Wedding Gowns Evolve from Dressmaker's Dream

Caren Lewis has owned and operated ccElaine Bride Chic, a boutique for custom wedding gowns, since 1996 when she lived in Atlanta; after moving to Indianapolis in 1999, she felt she was starting over so she took classes at BOI, known as Neighborhood Self Improvement, or NSI, then, and opened her first store in the city in 2001. The Business Beginnings class gave her self-confidence and helped her get organized. Her subsequent service on the NSI board was an “awesome learning experience” that helped Caren develop and appreciate the benefits of having a team to work with as she grew her business. She also built relationships that were helpful to her on many different levels. She looks back with pride to note how NSI grew into the larger, organized and well run BOI that offers so many services today to small business owners and entrepreneurs.

Caren has recently added a partner, her cousin, Kim Stewart, whose background and experience in marketing and advertising has proven invaluable. Kim’s responsibilities include the oversight of the daily operations of the store and participation in strategic planning of the business. Those plans now include a partnership with an overseas factory that takes Caren’s spec sheets and designs, makes patterns, provides the fabrics and produces the gowns which are shipped to the store. Her most recent collection is a “Plus size” line because, over the years, brides wearing larger sizes have complained that there were too few gowns available. Each of her collections will be promoted by a sales team in trunk shows across the United States. Initially, Caren is focusing on regional sales.

Caren has continued to work on her business, seeing it through lean times, because she loves it. It is her passion, in fact, that drives her perseverance. “I feel I have to do it because I love it so much, and that’s what keeps me working hard at succeeding, “she states. Her advice is to “find the business that you have a passion for and you will find your drive and your commitment to succeed.”

More Than a Salon

Ronald Phillips II opened his Xcentrix Style Studio near downtown Indianapolis in 2003, offering an eclectic array of art, clothing and home furnishings on consignment in addition to salon services. The name he chose had multiple meanings: To Phillips, "X" represented both the turn of the century and the X Generation. "My whole idea is to be more than a salon," he explains. "We encompass a relaxation area and image consulting. We're a venue for local artists and designers."

The entrepreneur went to BOI after he opened his innovative style studio for affirmation that his idea could work. BOI helped him focus the business and erased his sense of isolation: "They helped me know that I wasn't the only one out here doing it by myself. Being a new startup, it was nice to hear other people's ideas."

Phillips notes that his studio has evolved with growth on the "boutique" side of the business by adding different artists. "I feel like I'm getting stable," he says. "The first three years were more of a learning experience. Since then, I've pushed it into full gear and expanded." The full-time owner and manager now has five employees and he’s moved to a new location, just down the street from his original site. But he still applies a lesson he learned as a shy young employee at an innovative startup company called Shoe Carnival, "I'm trying to incorporate a fun atmosphere. When it feels like 'work,' productivity drops," Ronald said.

As an entrepreneur, Ronald admits that he’s struggled to learn how to balance work and life. He makes time to get away from his business now in order to stay healthy and innovative whereas in the early years, he seldom took vacations or time off. He advises others interested in owning their own business to “be disciplined, make sacrifices and stay focused on your business plan. If you do these things, you will be successful.”

Not-for-profit offers transitional services for abused women

As President of the Board and Executive Director of Transitional Life Connections, Inc., Amaryllis Lewis' work reflects her life experiences. TLC, a not-for-profit organization, provides housing and support services to women in transition and crisis. Amaryllis, a Bronx, New York native, was herself in a domestic violence situation when she moved to Indianapolis with her two young children. That experience led her to found TLC and become a leader in transitional services for women.

A Martin University graduate with a Master of Social Work from Indiana University, Lewis leads programs at two centers, Vivian's Place which opened in 1999 and Martha's House which opened in 2004. The centers are named for inspiring women who were change agents in the communities they served, Amaryllis said. She is proud of TLC's growth. Despite the fact that the organization has no grant money, and is supported by fees from clients and church donations, it has been able to help 250 women as of 2010.

Small Business Training Was Her First Step

Lewis enrolled in the Business Ownership Initiative’s Business Beginnings course. At the time, she was working with a client who was interested in starting a business, so the two of them enrolled together in the BOI course. It covered such topics as goal setting, business planning, marketing, legal forms of business, insurance, product and service pricing and financial management. "The course taught me to be more business like. The course presenters were inspirational. When you finish the course you have a tangible business plan," Amaryllis said.

At first thought it might seem that she is out-of-step with other BOI graduates who have started for-profit businesses. But, Amaryllis believes otherwise. "I'm a business woman. Business is business. I'm accountable for these clients. I have liability. I work in a professional manner. We plan our day. We have a vision statement. It's the same thing."

Future Plans

Amaryllis would like to expand her efforts to help women and families in crisis. She would like to start a for-profit business that would be staffed by clients in transitional housing facilities. She has also recently returned to BOI to complete another course, and plans to open a for-profit venture, quite different from TLC – she wants to own and operate a tow truck business.

Based on her experience in starting a not-for-profit organization, Lewis offers sound advice to potential entrepreneurs. "Keep reinventing yourself. Embrace entrepreneurship and find your passion. Then give yourself permission to pursue that passion and make it your lifework.”

From Unemployment to Employing Others

Al Gibson was 50 when, in 2005, he was laid off from his 20-year position as a powder-coatings supervisor. Sandra, his wife, had previously left her job as an instructional assistant with the Hamilton Southeastern School System and, suddenly, they were both unemployed. Al began the search for another supervisory position in the powder-coatings business, but feared the prospects at his age weren’t good.

Through the Christian Employment Association, Al met with a group of businessmen who helped people find employment for people who were laid off, downsized or outsourced. After he introduced himself to the group and told them about his work experience and the kind of work he was seeking, one businessman suggested that with his background and knowledge, Al should be seeking to form his own business instead.

The Gibsons decided to explore the idea and have never looked back. Al worked temporary jobs and scouted equipment and potential locations. Sandra went online to search for business resources, discovered the Business Ownership Initiative of Indiana and signed up for the Business Beginnings course. Things began to fall into place and soon they had a business plan and were close to making a commitment.

Then, an industry salesman Al knew invited him to take a ride out to McCordsville, Indiana, to visit an established powder-coatings business, Advanced Finishing Corp. During their visit, the owner told them he had just decided to sell his business, but hadn’t yet advertised the decision. The facility was perfect!

“It was a Godsend,” Sandra says. “It might have taken us 20 years to build a business to the point where this business already was.” So they bought the equipment and signed a five-year lease on the building with financing arranged through National City Bank. Their first request for a loan had been turned down, but Sandra learned through her BOI course not to be discouraged and to keep trying.

Crown Coatings, LLC, opened its doors with five employees, including Al’s brother, the couple’s 20 year old son and three others who stayed on through the transition. They have since grown to 7 employees today and are in the midst of building a new plant in the area. They are building because they have been unable to find one they like in the same area.

They have learned a lot in the time they have owned the business and Sandra gives this advice to entrepreneurs, “Stay as liquid as possible. Avoid unnecessary debt and spending because it’s tempting to spend once you are profitable. For example, we recently bought a used forklift, rather than a new one.”

Owning your own business “is exciting, tiring and consuming but it feels good to employ people, and treat them the way we’d like to be treated – with respect, of course, but also the little things that mean something to them.”