Is it hard to build a thriving company in Indianapolis?
Local entrepreneurs sometimes sell promising companies early because Indy is too small of a market, goes one explanation. But the market’s size might not be the real reason.
Small Business
Articles
Chop the SBA?
Members of Congress are asking the SBA to look for efficiencies. How any fallout will affect lending is up in the air.
Entrepreneurs plan microbrewery for Fountain Square
A group of entrepreneurs plans to open Fountain Square Brewing Co., possibly this summer, in a former carburetor-repair shop.
Lending felt tight last year? You were right
Yes, 2010 was tough, an NFIB study shows. But poor sales and uncertainty were even bigger problems than finding credit.
Wrecker business emerges from sad circumstances
After Tammy and Tony Hanna each lost a parent to cancer, the couple took $175,000 from their parents’ life-insurance policies to start Hanna’s Wrecker Service. It opened in October 2008 with five trucks and 13 employees, and now has seven trucks and 17 workers, and plans to move to a larger site that will allow for additional growth.
Several new restaurants opening in Indianapolis
The new dining spots include a few home-grown businesses that are opening in or near Broad Ripple.
Software startup takes on personal finance heavyweights
MyJibe forces everyday consumers to set savings goals and plan what they will need to spend before they spend it.
INSIDE DISH: Squealers goes whole hog on franchising
Jeff Yater has ushered his meat-lovers concept from the barbecue competition circuit to two Indy-area restaurants. Now he wants to recruit wannabe franchisees with $500,000 and a passion for chicken, beef and pork.
Less rust, more shine ahead for Indy, Midwest?
An academic has compiled a string of reasons the Midwest might be verging on a come back. That should be encouraging to small businesses.
Candy Dynamics expands Nuclear Sludge recall
Carmel-based Candy Dynamics has expanded a voluntary recall of its Toxic Waste brand Nuclear Sludge products because they may contain too much lead.
A better toy for tracking capacity to innovate
An updated Indiana University website shows Hamilton County looking good against some suburban powerhouses but not so great compared to others.
Marketing firm VMS plans growth, new jobs
Event-planning powerhouse VMS Inc. plans to invest more than $1.5 million to expand its Indianapolis life sciences marketing operation and create as many as 102 jobs over the next four years, state officials said Friday morning.
Firms put off paying, despite easing financial pressure
The trend toward small businesses’ delaying payments appears to have leveled off, but it’s still unclear how soon—or even whether—receivables will return to the 30 days that was standard for most businesses before the recession began in December 2007.
Coupon site targets lunch-pail crowd
Robert Baer and Joel Curts spent five months and almost $15,000—mostly on programming their own coupon platform—to launch DailyLunchDeal.com, a coupon site focused solely on dining.
Molecules are moneymakers for software firm Indigo BioSystems
Eli Lilly and Co. spin-off has landed new private investment and may double its work force this year.
Pearson Ford buys wholesale car-parts business
Owner John Pearson recently purchased the parts business of Paul Harvey Ford, which is ceasing operations after more than 44 years.
Gourmet popcorn maker launching IndyCar products
Indianapolis-based Just Pop In signed a multiyear deal with the racing series.
A tax carrot to attract investors
Buy stock in a small company before Dec. 31, and federal taxes on capital gains are forgiven—under the right circumstances.
LEADING QUESTIONS: Inside the mind of Scott Jones
Did the serial entrepreneur really "invent" voice mail? What's his tie to "Dr. Dunkenstein"? Why is lemonade so crucial? The CEO of ChaCha Search has answers.
Poll shows rising optimism; will profits follow?
Americans turned optimistic almost overnight, a new, expansive survey shows.