Small manufacturer’s custom scents amass sizable sales
The handmade products of Indianapolis-based Ambre Blends are racking up big sales gains nationwide among high-end clientele.
Entrepreneurship
Articles
Q&A: Entrepreneur’s fitness firm off to healthy start
Since starting his own personal training business while attending Indiana University, 30-year-old Tyler Davis has helped hundreds of clients stay on top of their game. His new startup focuses on clients who travel a lot.
Home-products e-tailer offers one-stop shopping
Matt Phillips of Zionsville spent 13 years working in retail before leaving the corporate world to launch his own online retailer last year.
Carmel-based enVista helps retailers navigate e-commerce
The rise of e-commerce, technology and big data has brought big changes to the retail industry—and big opportunities for Carmel-based software and consulting company enVista LLC.
University researchers make discoveries count as entrepreneurs
A few influential “serial entrepreneurs” in Indiana universities feel an itch to turn their discoveries into products and companies, over and over again.
IBJ Podcast: Why did a hard-core philosopher start a plumbing company?
After earning a master’s degree in philosophy, Jack Hope took the next obvious step: cementing his part-time gig as a plumber into a full-time business. Hope Plumbing now expects to $6 million in annual revenue.
Naptown Thrift founder, hip-hop artist finds success by blending the two interests
Aaron Marshall has used his passion to fuel his business—and the result is Naptown Thrift, a vintage clothing store specializing in the 1980s and 1990s.
IBJ Podcast: How an IU student turned her beekeeping hobby into a star startup
Ellie Symes, CEO of The Bee Corp., talks with host Mason King about being a young entrepreneur, taking risks and pivoting when you have to to make your company stronger.
Five firms selected for tech accelerator’s fall class
Nationally ranked firm Gener8tor has announced the five participants for its gBeta Indy fall class. They range from a company automating emotion recognition for user experience researchers to a consumer app for organizing, editing, and sharing milestone baby photos.
Rosie’s Place takes cookies and more to Carmel
Debbi and Michael Bourgerie opened Rosie’s Place in Noblesville in 2010. They now also operate a second eatery with the same name in Zionsville and will open a third location in Carmel this fall.
Venture Club’s Innovation Showcase is a go
After InXInnovate LTD suddenly cancelled its local event this fall, the Venture Club of Indiana was forced to hustle to re-schedule their annual Innovation Showcase. With the help of The Heritage Group and other corporate supporters, it’s now set for October.
Q&A: Fishers firm uses plants in pods to battle food insecurity
Jonathan Partlow is founder of Fishers-based ag-tech company Aggressively Organic, a company focused on ending food insecurity by innovating agricultural practices.
Couple sells Zionsville software firm nine years in the making
It took four years for well-known local businesswoman Pam Cooper to develop an app to connect cause-driven shoppers to businesses willing to donate a portion of sales to a charity the consumer chooses. It took her and her husband, tech industry veteran Tom Cooper, another five years to build their company into something formidable. It took them a lot less time than that to decide to sell their firm to a much bigger company earlier this year.
Indiana IoT Lab in Fishers helps small tech firms think big
The new tech venue in Fishers gives companies that specialize in connecting devices to the internet the access they need to hardware, talent and capital.
High Alpha secures more than $100 million for two new funds
Indianapolis-based "venture studio" High Alpha on Monday announced plans to take operations to the next level by adding two funds worth more than $100 million and two new investors with national reputations.
Brackett seeks franchisees for Stacked Pickle expansion
The former Indianapolis Colts is looking to expand a local love for fried pickles and mixed drinks that he’s cultivated through his home-grown sports bar.
U-pick flower farm offers more than bouquets
P&D Flower Farm, in northeastern Johnson County, also offers floral arrangement and an event center for weddings.
Longtime entrepreneur sets sights on storage industry
Longtime local entrepreneur Jim Sapp is revving up for expansion of his latest venture: Commercial Self Storage, a company geared to business customers.
Co-working haven Speak Easy names new executive director
After a period of rapid growth for The Speak Easy, Julie Heath wants to refocus its energies on membership development and providing startups in central Indiana the resources necessary to grow.
2018 Innovation Issue: Mike Pellegrino recommends sometimes ignoring expert advice
Many successful entrepreneurs provided good advice early in my career, but I found a surprising number provided absolutely poor advice.