2021 Year In Review

Entrepreneurs, colleagues, sponsors, and community members: 

A heartfelt thank you for your support and engagement during this past year of change, challenge and opportunity! 

We enjoyed community support to complete the transition to a neighborhood led 501c3 non-profit, and are thankful to IUPUI, JP Morgan Chase, Nina Mason Pullium Trust, PNC Bank, IU KELLEY School, OfficeWorks, Local Initiative Support Corporation (LISC), and many others for ensuring a successful transition of our people, programs, resources, and an extensive referral network.

We feel particularly blessed that so many of our current and new sponsors, and the local heroes attended a successful Celebration of Entrepreneurship on November 18 at the 16Tech AMP Food Court and Marketplace. 

Entrepreneurs and small business owners – our heroes – were in attendance to tell their story, including:

• Nicole Kearney of Sip-N-Share Wines

• LaToya Johnson of AwayZone

• Natalie Pipkin of Black WorldSchoolers Mobile Book Store

• Maurice Dunn of The Carpenter’s Son

• Karla Nowlin of Angels of Hope Home Health Care

• Marla Rubaclava of GLUTES 317

• Tichina Clark of Taste Buddies

• Daniel Higgs of One of a Find

• Beverly Kane of The Snooty TeaCup

• with others in attendance. 

Sponsorship engagement was at an all-time high, as SOURCE was joined by: Amandula Anderson, AMP, BKD, Bondry, Fifth Third Bank, GrowTheCoach, Insperity, IU KELLEY, IUPUI, KAR Global, Milestone, NEXUS, Nine Twelve Institute, Nubian Contractor Group, OfficeWorks, Pepper Construction, Simon Rugaud, STAR Bank, TAXWright, Vop Osili, and others. 

SOURCE Entrepreneurship Center served over 400 entrepreneurs and businesses with 1:1 counseling, workshops, resource referral and networking experiences during 2021. 

SOURCE’s West Washington Street Small Business grant winners: LaLa’s Café, D’Kashe Barber Shop, and InterCall Services

We completed by year-end the West Washington Street Commercial Business Corridor enhancement initiative, with the generous support of 16 Tech, La’s La’s Café, D’Kache Barber Shop, InterCall Services, and JLS Photography. Special thanks to the INDY Chamber Hispanic Business Council, West INDY Development Corp, and Westside Community Development Corp. among others.

We are excited about 2022 where we anticipate new challenges and opportunities, which will be met with the same energy, enthusiasm and broad-based support enjoyed these past 6 years since SOURCE inception.

And the good work continues… the SOURCE partnership with the INDY Chamber Business Ownership Initiative (BOI) has netted significant results and has the first six months of 2022 scheduled with Business Ownership 101 webinars. SOURCE combines resources with and continuation plans are in the works with the INDY Black Chamber of Commerce. 

We are grateful to all the community leaders, for allowing us to provide a valued leadership role, serving our local entrepreneurs and communities, with high impact resources. 

Thank you, from the SOURCE Entrepreneurship Center, Inc.

BOARD of Directors:

President Tom O’Neil - OfficeWorks

Past Vice President Emily Scott - LISC

Treasurer Madeline Priest - BKD

Secretary Dr. Khaula Murtadha – IUPUI

Karen Young – Attorney at Law

Suzette Sweatt – Sweattboxx Fitness

Phil Powell – KELLEY School

Saidah Pearsall – Shea Bodyworks

Jenn Lawrence – IU Foundation

Aaron Laster – Local Neighborhood Developer & Haughville Strong

Nicole Kearney – Sip-N-Share Wines

Dr. Toya Crain – Neighborhood Advocate

Steve Thrash - SOURCE Entrepreneurship Center, Inc.

2021 Celebration of Entrepreneurship was a great success!

On November 18, 2021, more than 100 of our partners, board members, clients, funders and new connections gathered at the AMP Marketplace at 16 Tech. This event, our first of its kind fundraiser, helped SOURCE raise funds for our programs and allowed our supporters to try food and beverages from the many small businesses at the AMP.

As part of the event, we were able to award three small businesses from the W Washington Street corridor $2000 grants to make improvements to their commercial buildings as part our our 16 Tech-funded West Washington Street business attraction and retention initiative!

Thank you to our sponsors and guests for helping us have a fabulous evening!

Our West Washington Street Small Business grant recipients:
LaLa’s Cafe, Intercall Services and Dkache Barbershop

Photos from the event taken by IJS Portraits, a small business from the Near West side.

Come join in the Celebration of Entrepreneurship November 18th, 5-7 pm!

Join SOURCE Entrepreneurship Center for our 2021 Celebration of Entrepreneurship fall fundraiser

Join SOURCE Entrepreneurship Center for our 2021 Celebration of Entrepreneurship fall fundraiser, where you will enjoy food and drinks from local small businesses in the AMP Artisan Marketplace at 16 Tech, connect with SOURCE staff and board members, and learn about the work SOURCE does to serve entrepreneurs in Indianapolis. A short program will occur at 5:45 pm where SOURCE small business clients will share their experiences, and staff and board will share new program partnerships and goals for the year ahead.

Registered guests will receive one drink voucher to redeem at Hiatus Bar in the AMP and $10 worth of food vouchers to redeem at any of the food vendors in the AMP. Additional food or beverages can be purchased by guests at the event if desired.

Proceeds from this event will be an important contribution to support our programming as we plan for 2022. As a small 501(c)3 nonprofit, your support is crucial to helping us play an important role in the entrepreneurial ecosystem.

To limit the risk of COVID-19 at our event, we encourage all guests to wear a mask when not eating or drinking and practice social distancing whenever possible. I understand that my participation is voluntary. I understand the potential risks of gathering in-person and that the event organizers cannot promise I will not be exposed to COVID-19.

To learn more about the SOURCE Entrepreneurship Center 2021 Celebration of Entrepreneurship and to purchase tickets, go to Eventbrite.

SOURCE West Washington Street Award winners announced!

SOURCE Entrepreneurship Center, Inc., a non-profit headquartered on the near west side of Indianapolis, will recognize award winners of the West Washington Street business revitalization grant program this Thursday, November 18th, during the SOURCE Celebration of Entrepreneurship.

SOURCE, in partnership with several local business support organizations including the West Indianapolis Development Corporation, INDY Chamber Hispanic Business Council, Local Initiative Support Corporation (LISC), Westside Community Development Corporation (WCDC), the City of Indianapolis, DIP-IN, and the Hawthorne Community Center as Community Convener, received several applications. Funds were available to support the location, re-location, and/or renovation of commercial businesses in the West Washington Street business corridor. 

With the support of these local organizations, and with the generous funding support of local 16Tech, businesses participated in a competitive application process to help support and revitalize businesses located on West Washington Street between Belmont and Tibbs.   

Tom O’Neil, SOURCE Board President, owner of Indianapolis based Office Works Inc., and a founding member of the INDY Chamber of Commerce Hispanic Business Council, will present checks to the 3 successful businesses:

• LaLa’s Café, LLC, 2236 W. Washington Street, Indpls, 46222

• D’Kache Barber Shop, LLC, 2613 W Washington Street, Indpls 46222

• InterCall Services, LLC, 2615 W Washington Street, Indpls, 46222

Special recognition and thanks go to local community organizers Phyllis Usher of Usher’s Funeral Home and local entrepreneur Sabrina Medina.  

For more information about the SOURCE Entrepreneurship Center 2021 Celebration of Entrepreneurship and to purchase tickets, go to Eventbrite.

SOURCE Heroes

About Sweattboxx Wellness Center

Our trainers take your weight loss and wellness goals seriously. We understand that losing weight and gaining muscle can be challenging, and our goal is to help you overcome hurdles and reach your goals. We analyze your body type, BMI, and metabolism, to create your individualized fitness plan. Our Indianapolis gym specializes in bounce fitness.

A Philanthropic gift from LUCAS OIL

Charitable Giving and Corporate Philanthropy

SOURCE is pleased to announce a philanthropic gift from LUCAS OIL to help enhance access to SOURCE business services in the Near West community neighborhoods of Haughville, Hawthorne, Stringtown and We Care. "LUCAS OIL recognizes the importance of being a good community citizen and corporate partner; serving as an advocate for SOURCE and the areas' small businesses.

They understand how a little support, inserted at critical junctures during the entrepreneur's business journey, can have significant impact" stated Steve Thrash, SOURCE Director. "Hats off to LUCAS OIL for putting their money and resources where it can have an immediate impact, supporting our Near West families and entrepreneurs.

SOURCE Entrepreneurship Center has been serving area entrepreneurs since 2017. Your direct and continued support will help empower our local entrepreneurs and community. Join the Team!!

Madeline Priest, BKD, elected to SOURCE Board

Message from the SOURCE Board President, Tom O’Neil

SOURCE River West becomes SOURCE Entrepreneurship Center, Inc.

SOURCE name change

A local Near West resource for aspiring entrepreneurs and small businesses is undergoing significant change in 2021. Seeded in 2016 by IUPUI through its Office of Community Engagement, SOURCE has served as a critical component to the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) facilitated by the Great Places neighborhood strategy and Quality of Life Plan. IUPUI set out to create, reinforce, and enhance an environment where local individuals can learn, start, and grow their business.  

SOURCE, IUPUI, and sponsors celebrated achieving a major milestone this past December… where since its inception, SOURCE has served over 1200 individuals, who gained and supplemented their business knowledge and expertise through training and workshops, business coaching, program resource navigation, application assistance, and valuable peer-to-peer networking opportunities.   

“Ensuring local access to entrepreneurial resources in the neighborhoods of Haughville, Hawthorne, Stringtown and We Care, and later expanding to all Indianapolis neighborhoods, SOURCE local presence was critical to achieving the goals and objectives laid out in the Great Place Neighborhoods comprehensive strategy”, explained Steve Thrash, Director of SOURCE since mid-2019. “Area entrepreneurs and support organizations are grateful to IUPUI for affording this opportunity to launch, and now successfully graduate, this valuable community resource to become the locally owned and self-directed resource as was intended from the beginning."

SOURCE continues to serve numerous aspiring and existing entrepreneurs and small businesses, of which over 70% represent the black and Latinx communities, and over 62% are women. Program design and delivery are developed and managed both directly by SOURCE staff, and through long-standing partnerships with the INDY Chamber of Commerce, Business Ownership Initiative (BOI), the Westside Community Development Corporation, the US Small Business Administration, and others. 

During 2021, SOURCE is undergoing expansion and enhancement of its’ local Board leadership (see related article)

2021 plans are also underway to increase local outreach, enhance services and networking among the Hispanic community, and bring new innovative programming in now virtual format, broadcast via Facebook live-stream. New and enhanced collaborations are being built, and announcements will follow, including joint programming with the INDY Black Chamber, 16Tech, PITCH Feast, BOI, and many others.

SOURCE Board Expansion Underway

Announcement: New community board members elected

Increased outreach and community impact is in the forefront of the SOURCE Entrepreneurship Center Board expansion. As part of the transition to an independent local 501c3, SOURCE leadership identified key individuals who would bring additional cultural sensitivity, expertise’ and business ownership experience to the Board level. SOURCE is pleased to announce the following individuals have been duly elected to serve on the 2021 SOURCE Board of Directors:

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Suzette Sweatt is the co-owner of the SweattBoxx Wellness Center with her husband Personal Trainer Daniel Sweatt. Together they operate the gym. Suzette is an Internationally Licensed Kangoo Jumps fitness instructor and teaches both Adults and Children. sweattboxxwellnesscenter@gmail.com 317.800.5657

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Aaron Laster is a 26-year-old entrepreneur who started buying properties with his father in Haughville. He has been hands-on in the process of acquiring, managing & maintaining all of the properties in his portfolio with most acquisitions being distressed assets and subsequently guided to success through rehabilitation. Aaron supports opportunities in commercial real estate development & local businesses that are transforming the way we live, work, and play. aaronlaster@gmail.com  317.507.9395

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Nicole Kearney, is founder owner of Sip N Share Wines. A wine lover for years, Nicole Kearney began her business in 2016 by sharing other wines for private tastings. However, she always made her own sangria, which she bottled in mason jars. Eventually Kearney ditched the mason jars for more traditional wine bottles and became a licensed winery. nicolekearney@yahoo.com  317.724.8926

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In addition, new Board Members elected in 2020 and also announced here include:

Starla Hart

Karen Young

The full Board can be found here:  http://sourceforbiz.org/about-source

Meet three of our local heroes

Entrepreneur Highlights

We are excited to highlight three of our local heroes. Click on their websites to read their stories. Support your local small business.

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Natalie Pipkin

Black Worldschoolers Mobile Book Store

nataliepipkin@ymail.com 

317.441.6230

www.blackworldschoolers.com

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Karla Nowlin

Angels of Hope, Home Agency LLC

angelshocinc@gmail.com 

317.292.3097

www.angelshocinc.com

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Tichina Clark

Taste Buddies, LLC

tastebuddiesllc847@gmail.com 

317.778.2451

www.tastebuddiesllc.com

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Support SOURCE to empower local entrepreneurs

Your contribution will help drive successful creation and growth of business ventures.

Health and Wealth Event a Success

Re-live the first of its kind event!  Watch the live stream that you missed.

Good work and hats off to Ben Rose, Brittany Crone, and all the talent, sponsors, and contributors to this unique and important local event.

Live music was accompanied by Ebony Chappel’s professional facilitation of conversation with local guests sharing health and wealth-building resources. Produced by Ben Rose of the WCDC, activities were available for live streamed viewing through Facebook Live!  and are now available for you to see all the action at  https://m.facebook.com/events/417433749498059.   

SOURCE is pleased to be a participating contributor, and our segment can be found at the 58:40 minute mark.

Grow with SOURCE along your entrepreneurial journey

SOURCE Resources

SOURCE meets you where you are in your entrepreneurial journey. Choose from resources targeted to each stage of development of your business ownership venture.

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We serve…

Entrepreneurs in the ideation to launch stage who are engaged in developing their ideas, acquiring their resources and financial support, and organizing their business.

New businesses in the early startup and growth stage who are in the process of acquiring customers, refining business operations, and executing their plans.

Established businesses in the growth, pivot, and thriving stage who have experience in the marketplace, growing and/or re-positioning themselves, and continuing to succeed and contribute in the community.

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We offer…

Pre-launch services:

One-on-One Virtual Counseling

Resource navigation and matching

Business Ownership 101 Workshop

Peer-to-Peer networking

Early startup and growth services:

10-week Business Accelerator course

Website development

 SBA Virtual Webinar

Pitch Night Competition

Peer-to-Peer networking opportunities

Established business services:

One-on-One Coaching - BOI

Funding application assistance

On-site business diagnosis

Peer-to-Peer networking opportunities

https://www.SOURCEforbiz.org

Recognizing opportunities, aspiring Entrepreneurs retrench, pivot and forge ahead

SOURCE PITCH NIGHT – Where Entrepreneurs “Put It All on the Line”

PITCH Night

Each year at the culmination of the ten-week SOURCE / BOI Business Accelerator, SOURCE Entrepreneurship Center provides an opportunity for course participants to “put it all on the line”, by sharing their business concepts to make their case, in front of a panel of professionals who are well versed in what it takes to start and grow a successful business.

This year’s evaluators represent a cross section of business, banking and education. Mark Harsley, founder owner of KITe Communications served as one of three evaluators. Mark is an alum of the Business Accelerator course and a past PITCH winner. Patricia Gamble-Moore, Senor Vice President of PNC Community Banking represented the financial community and was a key sponsor of the night’s events. Barb Cutillo of Indiana University KELLEY School of Business is Senior Lecturer / Instructor for the IU KELLEY School and is also an experienced business owner in her own right  These three PITCH evaluators made for a very challenging and highly competitive event, where Entrepreneurs put it all on the line. 

Unique this year, and due in large part to the generosity of PNC Bank, all participants received a cash award in recognition of their hard work and preparation for the PITCH Night event. PITCH presentations were provided by:

Daniel Higgs  -1 of a FIND

Beverle Kane – Revisit Your Photos Now

Rachael Cieslak – RC Calligraphy

Tyrone Chandler – Urban Youth Entrepreneurship Academy

Pamela Feist – Crematory Services with Love

Tichina Clark – Taste Buddies

Natalie Pipkin – Black Worldschoolers Mobile Book Store

Marla Rubacalva – Glutes 317

Charlotte Brown – Me Too Chronicles 

Each participant is to be congratulated and recognized for their hard work, as they each pursue their Entrepreneurial Journey.

Contact SOURCE Entrepreneurship Center www.SOURCEforbiz.org to learn of the next Accelerator and PITCH opportunities.

SOURCE PITCH Night Competition Winner

Natalie Pipkin, owner of Black Worldschoolers Mobile Bookstore

Natalie Pipkin was recognized as one of the top winners in the recent SOURCE PITCH Night Competition, sponsored by the KELLEY School of Business and PNC Bank. Natalie founded and owns Black Worldschoolers Mobile Bookstore. We exist to create/promote: 

•  Access to stories that are too often left off the shelves. 

• Excitement and engagement around reading. 

• Empowering, joyful, culturally relevant libraries within homes and youth centered organizations. 

"Sharing our stories.  Shaping our world." 

While 2020 was a wild ride, it definitely ended with a bang!  Within the last 30 days of 2020 I completed the SOURCE River West: Dream It. Start It. Grow It course, launched phase 1 of my bookstore, and won $1000 in the SOURCE virtual pitch contest! The prize money will help us begin phase 2 of the bookstore launch which is renovating our shuttle bus and going mobile this spring/summer! Yes, a walk on, sit back, and read bookstore on wheels that will also serve as mobile learning hub! 

The 10 week SOURCE River West course offered a wealth of detailed information to help actualize my dreams that will in turn, allow me to effectively serve the community.  Extremely grateful for the opportunity to learn, share and grow with a beautiful cohort of entrepreneurs.  

You can visit the store online at http://www.blackworldschoolers.com and email at blackworldschoolers@yahoo.com. Follow Black Worldschoolers Mobile Bookstore on Instagram and Facebook.

SOURCE Pitch Night Competition winner

Rachael Cieslak, owner of Rachael Cieslak Calligraphy

Rachael Cieslak of Rachael Cieslak Calligraphy is the KELLEY School of Business winner in the virtual Fall 2020 SOURCE Pitch Night Competition held for graduates of the SOURCE Entrepreneurship Center “Dream It. Start It. Grow It. – Business Accelerator” course in partnership with the INDY Chamber Business Ownership Initiative (BOI).

Rachael makes art out of words through her traditional copperplate calligraphy, which elevates the sophistication of envelopes, certificates, awards, and other luxury paper products. She offers fully customized recipient envelope addressing and spot calligraphy in pointed pen (this involves a nib, holder, and an inkwell) for bridal customers and special occasions. Corporate entities could utilize this craftsmanship with employee recognition awards, performance certificates, and years of service acknowledgements. Intimate holiday team-gatherings or larger sales meetings where nametags, seating cards, and other paper products don't typically turn heads become an opportunity to impress when handwritten with style.

She offers complete etiquette suggestions and solutions having a background in corporate marketing with companies: White House Black Market (FL), Wolverine World Wide (MI), PGT Industries (FL). She has gained bridal expertise from being a team member at Oliver's Twist Paper, a luxury bridal stationery shop in Carmel, Indiana. 

"My approach is always thorough. I like to digest details before making decisions. Before I could transform my calligraphy talent into a business, I needed actual business advice and guidance. Steve Thrash from the SOURCE Entrepreneurship Center and Sarah MacInnis, the Director of Business Coaching Services of the Indy Chamber were great co-teachers helping us entrepreneurs examine our ideas with the goal of formulating solid market-ready business plans over the ten-week course.

The course work really came together for me when we worked through the Business Model Canvas and identified our Value Proposition and the who, what, when, where and why of turning it into a profitable business. I appreciated working virtually with a class of passionate people with such varied and valuable ideas.  

I'll be using my online presence to help my business grow but also to share my experience of starting my own business. Please find a way to connect with me on www.rccalligraphy.com or at rachael@rccalligraphy.com and let's get to work together!"

Watch SOURCE Pitch Night on Facebook LIVE!

Thursday, December 10, 2020 | 6:00 - 8:00 pm | Virtual

Raven Carter, Fall 2019 Pitch Fest winner with Class

Graduates of the SOURCE ten week Business Accelerator course will have the opportunity to pitch their business concepts to a panel of professional business experts and Accelerator alumni, and win $2000 first place, $1000 second place awards.

Special thanks to the IU Kelley School of Business and PNC Bank for their recognition of the importance small business plays in our economy, and for their generous sponsorship support.

This year's competition is virtual and the public is invited to view the process and help celebrate the event. Tune in Thursday December 10, 6pm - join via Facebook live using this link: https://www.facebook.com/indychamber/live/. Feel free to forward this link to your friends, family, and acquaintances. It should be a one of a kind great event!

Winners will be announced later this month!

Shop these local SOURCE small business clients

Support small businesses and SOURCE services in 2021

SOURCE Entrepreneurship Center exists to provide support for small and emerging businesses, with a focus on Near West neighborhoods in Indianapolis. This next year will be crucial for SOURCE's sustainability much in the way that it will be for the entrepreneurs and small business it serves. Now more than ever, we must commit to supporting small businesses by shopping small but also ensuring that they have access to technical assistance programs intended to help them recover, grow and be financially sustainable.

Suzette and Daniel Sweatt are owners of Sweattboxx Wellness Center and have a passion for connecting others with healthy living. Sweattboxx was a recipient of Source Seed Funds which helped them purchase equipment to expand their youth and adult fitness programs.

Stay active with SweattBoxx this Small Business Saturday

Maurice Dunn, owner of The Carpenter's Son, was a recipient of the Source Business Accelerator Pitch Fest. The Carpenter's Son is a full-service construction management and general contracting firm providing quality work in the construction industry.

 Work with The Carpenter’s Son on your next big project

Sip & Share Wines is a boutique winery producing a diversity of handcrafted vegan wines. Founder and Winemaker Nicole Kearney was named one of 40 African American Tastemakers, and her Conjure Zinfandel was featured in Forbes Magazine as one of the ten drinks for the summer of 2020. Sip & Share was among Source’s first clients.

Take a sip with Sip & Share Wines this Small Business Saturday

KiteMail is a web and mobile application to easily compose and send professionally-printed postcard messages to isolated loved ones, including incarcerated individuals. Mark Harsley, Founder of KiteMail, con nected to grant funding at Source as well as other entrepreneurs to help his business grow.

Stay connected with KiteMail on Small Business Saturday

Through SOURCE's accelerator series, workshops, social media/website services, and one-on-one coaching, it has served more than 282 entrepreneurs and small business thus far in 2020. In response to Covid-19, it has significantly expanded one-on-one consultations for small business owners who need advice on everything from applying for the Paycheck Protection Program to evolving their business plans and changing cashflow projections. Your financial support will help SOURCE continue to offer these services in 2021. Donate Here.

ENTREPRENEUR SPOTLIGHT

Maurice Dunn, owner of The Carpenter’s Son

We are excited to announce Maurice as our next entrepreneur for the “Entrepreneur Spotlight Series.” We have been interviewing past clients to hear their story and get some advice from them.

Business Website: https://www.buildtcs.com

What is your business?

“My company is called The Carpenter’s Son. We are a construction manager and a general contractor. We basically manage a construction job from start to finish.”

How did you get started?

“I started out working for the District of Columbia as a construction leader and from there I met people along the way that taught me so much and I eventually decided to start my own business.”

How has SOURCE impacted your business journey?

“SOURCE has been a great opportunity for us because when I first started with SOURCE I had just finished business coaching with SBA. SOURCE helped me open my eyes and think about business in a different way which helped me to switch from doing the job to teaching someone else how to do the job.”

Since coming to SOURCE and receiving the Pitch Fest Award, Maurice has been able to get his business off the ground and moving along. He and his team have done some great projects on buildings around the city, including Harris & Ford and the Indianapolis International Airport.