Greater Muncie Chamber of Commerce Business Education Series – October Session: Money Safety for Your Staff

Innovation Connector is pleased to serve as the venue sponsor for the Greater Muncie Chamber of Commerce Business Education Series. The October session will focus on an important topic for businesses of every size: recognizing financial scams and protecting personal and business information.

October 20th Session: Money Safety for Your Staff

Date: Tuesday, October 20, 2026
Time: 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Location: Innovation Connector, 1208 W. White River Blvd., Muncie, IN 47303
Pricing: FREE for Members

No one is completely immune to financial scams or identity theft. With financial fraud becoming an ongoing concern for individuals and businesses alike, knowing how to spot suspicious activity is an important part of protecting your finances. A little awareness can go a long way toward preventing information from falling into the wrong hands.

At Money Safety for Your Staff, representatives from Old National Bank will share insights into how scams work, what warning signs to watch for, and how to make safer decisions when handling financial and personal information. Attendees will also learn practical ways to help protect their workplace and reduce the risk of fraud-related losses.

Old National Bank works with individuals, families, and businesses to support their financial goals through banking services, educational resources, and community involvement. This session offers an opportunity to learn from their experience and gain knowledge that can be useful both at work and in everyday life.

Business owners, managers, and employees are all encouraged to attend and build their understanding of financial safety.

Register for Money Safety for Your Staff  HERE

 

Soup Crawl Raises More Than $27,000 for Second Harvest

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Innovation Connector to Serve Pineapple Chili at Soup Crawl on October 1st

Innovation Connector is getting ready to take part in this year’s Soup Crawl in Downtown Muncie on Thursday, October 1st. The event is sold out, but if you have a ticket, be sure to stop by our station during the evening!

Soup Crawl, presented by PrimeTrust Federal Credit Union and Second Harvest Food Bank, brings together local restaurants, caterers and nonprofits for an evening of soup tasting throughout Downtown Muncie. Attendees can visit participating locations, sample different soups and cast their vote for the People’s Choice award.

Innovation Connector will be serving Pineapple Chili inside MadJax. Ticket holders can use the event map to find our station and plan their stops throughout the evening.

Beyond the food and friendly competition, the Soup Crawl supports Second Harvest Food Bank and its work to provide food and resources to people throughout our community. Since the event began over a decade ago, Soup Crawl has helped provide more than 467,000 meals. This year, proceeds will benefit The Big Idea, a Second Harvest initiative focused on helping families build a stronger foundation for their children and future.

We’re proud to be part of an event that brings local organizations and the community together for a great cause. We look forward to seeing everyone downtown on October 1st!

 

Innovation Connector’s Business Impact Masterclass Helps Businesses Put Technology to Work

By: Ted A. Baker, CEO, Muncie Innovation Connector

Technology is changing nearly every aspect of running a business. For many business owners, however, the challenge is no longer recognizing that change is happening. The challenge is determining which technologies matter, where to invest limited time and resources, and how to use new tools to achieve meaningful business results. On October 22, Technology That Grows Your Business brings together regional and statewide experts to help business owners use technology, automation, AI, and cybersecurity more effectively.

The Innovation Connector is addressing those questions at its upcoming Business Impact Masterclass: Technology That Grows Your Business, scheduled for Thursday, October 22, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Innovation Connector, 1208 W. White River Blvd., Muncie. The program aims to move the technology conversation beyond buzzwords and toward practical application. Throughout the day, participants will explore emerging technology trends, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, technology purchasing decisions, and real-world experiences from business leaders who are using these tools. 

Technology in Business Today and Tomorrow

The day begins with welcome and opening remarks from Ted Baker, CEO of the Muncie Innovation Connector, followed by “Technology in Business Today and Tomorrow,” presented by John Wechsler, founder of Launch Fishers and Fishers IoT Lab, and founder and President/CEO of Spokenote in Fishers. Wechsler will explore how technology is reshaping how businesses operate, compete, and connect with their customers. The session will also look ahead, helping business owners better understand today’s key technology trends and what to consider now as they prepare their companies for what comes next. 

Technology Tools – The Role of AI

Artificial intelligence has quickly become one of the most talked-about technologies in business, yet many owners are still determining where it can deliver genuine value.
David Colgan, founder of Colgan Technology Services, and Ryan Hunter, Technology & Education Director for the Innovation Connector, will lead a session on AI’s role in business. Participants will learn how AI can save time, increase productivity, enhance customer experiences, and support better decision-making. The session will also explore how these tools can help businesses identify and create new growth opportunities, rather than simply adopting AI as a trend. 

IT & Business Systems Security and Protection

As businesses grow more dependent on technology, protecting it becomes increasingly important. Sara Turner, Chief Technology Officer at First Merchants Bank, will lead a session on securing IT and business systems. Turner will focus on practical steps businesses can take to safeguard their data, systems, customers, and day-to-day operations. The discussion will address cybersecurity threats, technology failures, and other risks that can disrupt operations and undermine the value of technology investments. 

Following the morning sessions, participants will have an opportunity to continue conversations and build relationships during a lunch and networking period from 12:30 to 1:00 p.m.

Peer Perspective Panel Discussion

The day’s final major session will bring the technology conversation down to a real-world level through a Peer Perspective Panel Discussion. Panelists include Dr. Huseyin Ergin, a Computer Science Professor at Ball State University; Remal Salim, an Independent AI Specialist; and Brian Bunner, retired from the Indiana State Police Forensics Investigation Division. The panel will share the technologies they use, lessons learned, and challenges encountered along the way. The candid discussion aims to give participants practical insights into what has worked, what has not, and what the panelists wish they had known before making technology investments. 

Building Your Business Technology Stack

With thousands of technology products competing for a business owner’s attention and budget, deciding what to buy is a challenge in itself. John McDonald, President & CEO of the Northeast Indiana Innovation Community in Fort Wayne, will present “Building Your Business Technology Stack: What Should I Buy & What Should I Skip?” Rather than treating technology as a collection of individual purchases, the session will encourage participants to think strategically about building a technology stack that fits their businesses. McDonald will emphasize selecting tools that work well together, support future growth, and avoid unnecessary costs and complexity. 

Together, the five sessions are designed to help business owners view technology not as an isolated IT issue, but as an increasingly important part of business strategy.

The October program is one of four Business Impact Masterclasses powered by the Muncie Innovation Connector. Each Masterclass is a standalone program, allowing business owners to choose the topics most relevant to their needs or attend all four for a broader business-growth experience. The series addresses four areas that directly influence business performance: Marketing, Technology, Financial Intelligence, and Business Resiliency. In addition to Technology That Grows Your Business, the series includes Marketing Mastery: Marketing That Drives Growth; Financial Intelligence for Business Owners; and Growing a Resilient Business. 

The programs also support the Innovation Connector’s broader emphasis on equipping entrepreneurs with the knowledge, resources, and connections needed to build and grow successful businesses.

Registration Information

Technology That Grows Your Business will be held Thursday, October 22, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Innovation Connector, 1208 W. White River Blvd., Muncie. Registration is $49 per Masterclass and includes lunch, Masterclass materials, business tools and resources, take-home templates and guides, and a certificate of completion. First Merchants Bank is the title partner for the Business Impact Masterclasses. Register at BusinessImpactMasterclasses.com.

Sign Up Early! First 15 Secure a Spot for Just $29!

Innovation Connector CEO Ted Baker Guests on WMUN’s Taking Flight: Chapter 2 with Dr. Jeff Bird

This September, Innovation Connector CEO & Executive Director Ted Baker joined Dr. Jeff Bird as a guest on Taking Flight: Chapter 2, a local weekly radio show on Woof Boom’s WMUN Radio (92.5 FM). During the conversation, Ted shared insight into his role at Innovation Connector, the organization’s history and growth, and the work happening today to support entrepreneurs and growing businesses across East Central Indiana.

Ted also reflected on his childhood in Decatur, Indiana, his experiences growing up in a close-knit community, and the path that led him to a career in business and entrepreneurship. The conversation provides a look at both Ted’s personal journey and the evolution of Innovation Connector over the years.

Want to hear more about Ted’s journey and the story behind Innovation Connector? Tune in to the full episode below for the complete conversation with Dr. Jeff Bird. And be sure to check out Dr. Jeff Bird’s recent Muncie Journal article, which highlights key points from the conversation.

Dr. Jeff Bird: The Innovation Connector Fuels Business Growth and Entrepreneurship

By Dr. Jeff Bird—

MUNCIE, IN—The Innovation Connector plays a vital role in supporting business and entrepreneurial endeavors in Muncie and East Central Indiana. Its mission and vision are to support and assist new entrepreneurs with truly unique business ideas to turn their dreams into reality.  The IC supports these efforts in a variety of ways with ongoing education, workshops, physical space, legal and financial support, and a collegial atmosphere of support and networking. 

The Innovation Connector is led by Ted Baker, who serves as the Executive Director and CEO of the Center. Baker has been with the IC since 2010.  The IC originally grew out of a relationship with William Skinner in 2002 and was originally located in a house on Marsh Street in Muncie adjacent to and donated by Ball State University.  The first business moved into the IC in 2004, and the facilities grew to 3 houses on Marsh.  An integral, parallel and associated occurrence in 2004 was the property that was the former Aero Forge becoming designated as a Certified Tech Park by the State of Indiana. 

That property was developed over the next several years as the Forge was demolished, and Pathologists Associated and Whitinger and Company built new facilities in the Tech Park.  Meanwhile, the IC moved to an interim facility in downtown Muncie in 2006 and soon thereafter the IC board of directors approved plans for the construction of a 15,000-square-ft facility to be located at the Ontario Place Certified Tech Park.  The new facility was ready in 2009, and Baker came on board as the Executive Director in 2010.  The building expanded in 2013 by adding The Landing Zone as a dedicated co-working space.  This expansion was supported by the Community Foundation.  The IC now serves hundreds of businesses annually with a staff of 5. 

The Innovation Connector has special programs to support local schools in its TechWise program, and support STEM learning for grades K-12.  These students learn skills applicable to today’s work environment in high-tech subjects, preparing the students for college and the new job markets.  Multiple partners support the work of the IC, including Ball State University and local philanthropic foundations. 

Baker grew up in Decatur, IN as one of several siblings.  His father was a businessman.  He was active in many activities in high school, including swimming, and when he graduated from high school, he matriculated to Ball State to study business and marketing and joined the swimming team.  He recalls his college years fondly and had a great experience at BSU.   

After graduation, he held many jobs in business, first with American Design and Engineering, where he met and was mentored by a hero in his professional life, James Amos.  Baker stayed in that company for 15 years in multiple roles.  He then transitioned to a role with Ray Boltz Music for 8 years and concurrently founded Worldwide Technologies LLC and also began the Baker Business Group, eventually owning 4 Sports Clip franchises in Muncie, Fishers, and Ft. Wayne.  He transitioned to the East Central Small Business Development Center in Muncie in 2008 and moved to the Innovation Connector in 2010 to become its Executive Director. Baker has also been an Instructor of Entrepreneurship at Ball State University since 2011 in the Miller College of Business. He is also involved in many local boards. 

Baker and the Innovation Connector offer a unique opportunity to grow small businesses and entrepreneurship locally with innovative approaches and a support network to help our economy grow and flourish. 

Greater Muncie Chamber of Commerce Business Education Series – September Session: Creating Videos That Connect

At Innovation Connector, we’re proud to continue serving as the venue sponsor for the Greater Muncie Chamber of Commerce Business Education Series. As video continues to play an important role in how businesses connect with their audiences, September’s session will give local business owners practical ways to use video to build trust, strengthen their brand, and connect with customers.

September 4th Session: Creating Videos That Connect

Friday, September 4, 2026 | 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Location: Innovation Connector, 1208 W. White River Blvd., Muncie, IN 47303
Pricing: FREE for Members

Video has become an important tool for businesses looking to reach new customers and tell their story, but creating content doesn’t have to mean investing in expensive equipment or producing highly polished videos. The right approach starts with understanding what your audience wants to see and how video can support your overall business goals.

During Creating Videos That Connect, attendees will explore how different types of video content can help businesses create stronger connections with customers. The session will also cover where to share video content and how to create authentic, effective videos using the resources you already have. Whether you’re new to video marketing or looking for ways to improve your current content strategy, this workshop will provide practical ideas and actionable steps you can begin using right away.

The presentation will be led by Mikey Skoglund, owner and creative director of OrangeWave Creative Media, a Muncie-based video production and marketing company. Since 2009, Mikey has worked with businesses and organizations to create video content that tells their stories, builds trust, and strengthens their brands.

Whether you’re trying to introduce your business to new customers, showcase what you do, or create stronger connections with your audience, this session is a great opportunity to learn how video can become a valuable part of your marketing strategy.

We encourage Chamber members and members of the local business community to join us at Innovation Connector on September 4th for this free educational opportunity.

Register for Creating Videos That Connect HERE

Innovation Connector CEO Ted Baker Highlights Upcoming Marketing Mastery Session on WMUN

On August 26th, Innovation Connector CEO Ted Baker joined host Steve Lindell on Delaware County Today on WMUN to share the latest updates from Innovation Connector and highlight the upcoming Business Impact Masterclasses.

During the conversation, Ted discussed the first masterclass, Marketing Mastery: Marketing That Drives Business Growth, and what attendees can expect from the new four-part Business Impact Masterclasses series designed to provide business owners and professionals with practical tools to help their organizations grow.

Business Impact Masterclasses

The Business Impact Masterclasses are a series of four full-day sessions focused on specific topics that can make a meaningful impact on businesses. Unlike a traditional workshop, these sessions are designed as deep dives into each subject, giving attendees the opportunity to learn from experts, participate in discussions, and take away practical tools and resources they can put to work.

The first session, Marketing Mastery: Marketing That Drives Business Growth, will take place on September 24th at the Innovation Connector.

The session will cover a variety of marketing topics, including:

  • Building a Brand That Builds Your Business, presented by Greg Zirkle of Ball State University
  • Customer discovery to customer acquisition
  • Building a marketing strategy that works and drives business growth
  • Marketing tools, including AI tools
  • A peer perspective panel discussion

Ted emphasized that the goal is to give attendees more than information—they’ll leave with tools and resources they can use to take the next step in growing their business.

Who Should Attend?

Marketing Mastery is open to a wide range of professionals and organizations. Depending on the size and structure of a business, attendees could include owners, managers, sales or marketing professionals, etc. The session is also open to nonprofit organizations, which can benefit from many of the same marketing strategies and tools used by businesses.

Register for Marketing Mastery

Marketing Mastery: Marketing That Drives Business Growth will take place on September 24th at the Innovation Connector, located at 1208 W. White River Blvd., Muncie, IN 47303.

To learn more about the Business Impact Masterclasses and register for Marketing Mastery, visit BusinessImpactMasterclasses.com.

For Ted’s Muncie Journal article about Marketing Mastery, visit HERE

Stay Connected

Ted joins Delaware County Today on WMUN around 8:00 AM on the last Wednesday of each month to share updates from Innovation Connector and discuss topics impacting entrepreneurs and business owners throughout the region.

Be sure to follow Innovation Connector and watch for future coverage in The Muncie Journal for additional announcements and updates.

Listen to the full Delaware County Today episode:

Innovation Connector Launches Business Impact Masterclass Series with “Marketing Mastery”

By: Ted A. Baker, CEO, Muncie Innovation Connector, Inc.

For many business owners, marketing can feel like a collection of disconnected activities, such as a social media post here, an advertisement there, an occasional email campaign, or a new website. But effective marketing is much more than simply getting a business noticed. Done well, it creates a system for attracting customers, building trust, generating opportunities, and ultimately driving growth.

That is the focus of “Marketing Mastery: Marketing That Drives Growth,” the first session in the Innovation Connector’s new Business Impact Masterclasses Series, scheduled for Thursday, September 24, 2026, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Innovation Connector, 1208 W. White River Blvd., Muncie.

The Business Impact Masterclasses are designed to provide entrepreneurs, business owners, managers, and organizational leaders with practical business education that goes beyond the traditional workshop format. “This is not a normal workshop where you sit for an hour, take a few notes, and then go back to your business wondering what to do next,” said Ted Baker, CEO of the Innovation Connector. “We designed the Business Impact Masterclasses to go deeper. Marketing Mastery will give business owners access to experienced professionals, practical strategies, and tools they can apply in their businesses. Our goal is for people to leave not only knowing more about marketing but also better prepared to make marketing decisions that produce measurable business growth.”

The September 24 Masterclass offers a deep dive into the marketing topics that can make the greatest difference for a growing business. Participants will explore strategic marketing, branding and positioning, digital marketing and social media, customer engagement, content strategy, lead generation, AI-powered marketing tools, and marketing analytics. Rather than relying on a single presenter or perspective, the day will feature a blend of local and regional subject-matter experts, giving participants access to professionals with experience across various areas of marketing and business growth.

The day begins at 9:30 a.m. with opening remarks from Baker, followed by a series of focused learning sessions. One featured topic, “Building a Brand That Builds Your Business,” presented by Greg Zirkle of Ball State University, examines how effective branding can build customer trust, increase sales, and contribute to long-term business growth. Additional sessions throughout the day will delve deeper into the strategies, tools, and approaches businesses can use to make their marketing more intentional and results-driven.

The format is a key part of what makes the Masterclass different. Rather than trying to cover a broad subject in a short introductory seminar, the extended format allows time to examine individual marketing disciplines in greater depth, hear from experienced practitioners, connect ideas across multiple sessions, and consider how those concepts apply to an attendee’s own business.

Just as importantly, participants will not leave with only a notebook full of ideas. Each attendee will receive take-home materials and practical resources as part of a marketing toolkit designed to help turn what is learned during the Masterclass into action after the event. The Business Impact Masterclasses model emphasizes practical tools, templates, guides, resources, and implementation strategies that participants can apply within their organizations.

That emphasis on application reflects a broader objective of the Innovation Connector: helping entrepreneurs and growing businesses develop the competencies needed to become stronger, more sustainable organizations. The Innovation Connector’s current strategic direction calls for specialized workshops and training programs that equip entrepreneurs with the skills, knowledge, mentorship, and resources to overcome challenges and grow.

Marketing as a Growth Strategy

For a small or growing business, marketing decisions have consequences far beyond advertising. A strong brand can influence whether a customer trusts a company. A clear marketing strategy can help a business determine where to allocate limited resources. Improved customer engagement can strengthen retention and referrals. Digital tools and AI can improve efficiency, while marketing analytics can help an owner understand what is and is not producing results.

Marketing Mastery is the first of four independent Business Impact Masterclasses at the Innovation Connector in 2026. Future sessions will focus on Technology That Grows Your Business on October 22, Financial Intelligence for Business Owners on November 19, and Growing a Resilient Business on December 10.

Participants can attend one Masterclass tailored to their immediate needs or attend all four for a broader business growth experience. The registration fee for Marketing Mastery is $49, which includes lunch. Participants also receive Masterclass materials, business tools and resources, take-home templates and guides, and a Certificate of Completion.

For Baker, the broader purpose is straightforward: create educational experiences that help local businesses move from information to implementation. “Business owners don’t need more information just for the sake of having information,” Baker said. “They need knowledge they can turn into decisions and decisions they can turn into action. That is what we want these Masterclasses to deliver – practical strategies, meaningful connections, and resources that help businesses become stronger and grow.”

The Innovation Connector is grateful to our community partners for making the Masterclasses possible. These include the Title Partner, First Merchants Bank; Prime Trust FCU; Shafer Leadership Academy; R & R Engineering Co., Inc.; Muncie-Delaware County Black Chamber of Commerce; Whitinger & Company, Inc.; City of Muncie; and Spotted Monkey Marketing. 

Marketing Mastery: Marketing That Drives Growth will be held on Thursday, September 24, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Innovation Connector, 1208 W. White River Blvd., Muncie. Registration is $49 per person and includes lunch and Masterclass materials. To register, visit BusinessImpactMasterclasses.com.

Greater Muncie Chamber of Commerce Business Education Series – August Session: The Neuroscience of Sales & Relationships

At Innovation Connector, we are proud to continue serving as the venue sponsor for the Greater Muncie Chamber of Commerce Business Education Series. For August’s session, entrepreneurs and business professionals are invited to explore the connection between neuroscience, sales, and the relationships that help businesses grow.

The Neuroscience of Sales & Relationships:

Tuesday, August 18th | 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Location: Innovation Connector, 1208 W. White River Blvd., Muncie, IN 47303
Pricing: FREE for Members

Strong business relationships are built on more than a good sales pitch. Understanding how people respond, communicate, and build trust can play an important role in creating meaningful connections with customers and turning those relationships into long-term business opportunities.

This workshop will take an interactive approach to exploring what happens during sales conversations and relationship-building. Attendees will examine how trust and a sense of safety can influence interactions, how to better understand the concerns behind a customer’s objections, and how these insights can shape the way you approach sales conversations.

Rather than simply listening to a presentation, participants will have the opportunity to work through real questions and leave with actionable strategies they can apply to their own businesses. The session is designed to provide practical tools for strengthening customer relationships, improving communication, and approaching sales from a deeper understanding of how people connect and make decisions.

The workshop will be led by Neal Phalora, a four-time entrepreneur, mindset and wealth coach, and host of The Noetic Effect — From the Mind of Neo. Drawing from decades of coaching and experience working with entrepreneurs and business leaders, Neal brings a unique perspective on the connection between neuroscience, mindset, relationships, and business growth.

Whether you’re an entrepreneur building your customer base, a sales professional looking to strengthen your approach, or a business leader focused on developing stronger relationships, this session offers an opportunity to look at sales and connection from a different perspective.

We encourage Chamber members and members of the local business community to join us at Innovation Connector on August 18th for this interactive educational opportunity.

Register for The Neuroscience of Sales & Relationships HERE