Is being your own boss overrated?
Freedom and flexibility are long-term goals for many entrepreneurs, but getting there is anything but easy.
Small Business
Articles
Indianapolis tech companies seeded by big ’90s success
Money and experience have flowed to a number of firms from Software Artistry executives.
LEADING QUESTIONS: Design guru abides in rocky economy
Why does the owner of A2SO4 Architecture believe a 20 percent drop in billings is a victory? Just how cutthroat has the design field become? What's the significance of moving the firm into a church? Sanford Garner has answers.
IU launches $250K student biz-plan competition
A group of 10 investors created a $1.1 million fund to support $250,000 in annual prize money to Indiana University students in Bloomington who submit the best business plans for an Internet or software company.
Columbia Club nudges aside one foundation, forms second
The Columbia Club has formed a not-for-profit, the Columbia Club Historic Preservation Foundation, to preserve its 1924 building on Monument Circle. The 28-year-old Columbia Club Foundation already exists for the same purpose, and its fate is now unclear.
State Fair tragedy drives demand for crisis PR planning
Local agency heads said that sector of their business had grown even before the Aug. 13 stage collapse.
Classes emphasize connection between artists, entrepreneurs
Universities and other not-for-profits are ramping up business training for artists and art students—in the form of workshops, classes and counseling—in hopes of making “starving artists” a thing of the past.
INSIDE DISH: Willard builds on family-dining plan
Franklin's neighborhood brew-and-pub-food palace—with roots in the community reaching back to 1860—has boosted sales through a shift in strategy following a city smoking ban.
Critics: Patent overhaul could hurt startups
When the Senate passed legislation last week overhauling the U.S. patent system, large multinational corporations like Eli Lilly and Co. rejoiced. But small-business advocates cried foul, saying the changes would put innovative startups at a disadvantage.
TechPoint adds to Indiana Entrepreneur Bootcamp
Annual program put on in conjunction with Ice Miller law firm will offer more workshops on business fundamentals.
Landscape architect stays small by design
Landstory, Joann Green’s landscape architecture firm, is a snug four-person company that has designed exterior spaces for some major Indianapolis projects, such as the JW Marriott, Lucas Oil Stadium and Indiana University’s Melvin and Bren Simon Cancer Center.
ALTOM: Is your company’s website worth the money, effort?
Too many websites for small and medium-size businesses that don’t sell online are a waste of time and money.
Not-for-profit seeks purchase that would aid Easter Seals
Crossroads Industrial Services Chief Operating Officer Curtiss Quirin has a certain sense of urgency as he looks to buy a business to add revenue to the not-for-profit contract manufacturer, because Crossroads provides jobs for people with disabilities, and generates a surplus that feeds the revenue-starved parent organization, Easter Seals Crossroads.
Should city do more to aid small biz?
Both candidates in the Indianapolis mayor’s race have promised to help small businesses as part of their economic development efforts—to different degrees.
Early buyer of Web domains venturing into software
Chad Folkening’s latest venture, domain-management software called Domain Power, turns blank sites into a miniature business in a few minutes.
Car customizer Kenny Brown resurfaces in Chicago
Brown, who closed his local operation in 2005, has partnered with suburban-Chicago-based Heidts Automotive, which makes street rod and muscle car components.
Defender Direct rolls out HVAC business
The home-security and satellite installer is pushing into the construction trades.
Mayoral foes see different paths to boost business
Both candidates for Indianapolis mayor are touting a host of ways to improve the city’s business climate. Incumbent Greg Ballard champions improving the city’s amenities. Challenger Melina Kennedy focuses on recruiting entrepreneurs to the city.
Angie’s List faces challenges in bid to go public
The company said in its initial public offering that it has lost money since its inception. But it still could be attractive to prospective investors, said a local lawyer who helps companies go public.
INSIDE DISH: Pizzeria novices hit their stride, watch sales rise
The duo behind Brozinni Pizzeria in Greenwood didn't know much about dough in the beginning, but they're making a lot of it now.