HEADSHOT MARATHON
Stop by the Innovation Connector and participate in our HEADSHOT MARATHON. February 17th from 9 am – 4 pm Foto Therapy will be taking headshots for the affordable price of $75. Registration here.
Save the Date: Entrepreneur Showcase Week is Back 2023!
In November 2022, the Innovation Connector hosted the first annual Entrepreneur Showcase Week to learn, network, and celebrate with the community’s entrepreneurs. The week was a huge success. Entrepreneur Showcase Week will return in 2023 with an exciting new theme of “Empowering Entrepreneurs”! Mark your calendars for November 13th – 17th for a fun, educational, and empowering week for entrepreneurs and future entrepreneurs. Stay tuned for more information over the coming months about what’s in store for Entrepreneur Showcase Week 2023. Learn more
Providing Excellent Client Experiences
Join us for a free insightful workshop on providing excellent customer service and client experiences. Instructor Ted Baker, CEO and Executive Director of the Innovation Connector will be providing meaningful tips and methods to help in your customer experience journey.
By participating in this session, you will receive tools and resources utilized by Disney to help turn customer complaints into happy and returning customers.
When:
Friday, February 10th from 9:00 – 11:00 AM
Where:
Innovation Connector | 1208 West White River Boulevard Muncie, IN 47303
If you have any questions, please reach out to Natalie Smith, at nsmith@innovationconnector.com, or call 765-285-4900.
To register: click here
Resident Client Spotlight – Judy Porter
Judy Porter was hired as the Administrative Assistant for the East Central Indiana Small Business Development Center in May 2015. She is primarily responsible for database management, scheduling training events, connecting new clients with Business Advisors, as well as other various tasks.
The East Central Indiana SBDC engages with small business owners through no-cost, one-on-one support and community workshops that facilitate connections to people, tools, and resources that help clients start, grow, finance, innovate, and transition their businesses. We are proudly hosted by Ball State University.
For more information about the East Central Indiana SBDC, please visit our website at isbdc.org or call 765-282-9950.
Coding Connector: Registration Now Open!
Coding Club is back and ready for new students to indulge in all things coding!
The Coding Club meets every Thursday from 5:30-6:30 pm (K-2nd grade) and 7:00-8:00 pm (3rd-5th grade) at the Innovation Connector.
Classes start January 12th and run till April 13th, with no classes on March 9th or March 23rd. Students with little to no experience are welcome as students who are interested in learning more.
Register your student(s) to learn more about a variety of coding topics and practices like programming, robotics, game design, and more.
Mastering the Basics of Excel
If you are interested in an introductory Excel course, or if you simply need to refresh your memory on the software program, this is the training for you! Master the basics of Excel in this 3-hour live workshop powered by Innovation Connector Inc. Snacks and drinks will be provided.
When:
Tuesday, January 31st, 1:00-4:00 pm
Where:
Innovation Connector
This is an interactive course. Please bring your own laptop/device.
Our instructor, Amy Logan, will have you walking through Excel like a boss on your next project.
When you are finished with these sessions you will be able to:
- Navigate Excel so you can find everything you need
- Use basic formulas to make calculations more reliable and quickly
- Spruce up your work with formatting, borders, and charts
The registration fee for this 3-hour course is $99 per person. Service fees may apply.
If you have any questions, please reach out to Natalie Smith, at nsmith@innovationconnector.com, or call 765-285-4900.
To register: click here
Resident Client Spotlight – Mitch Isaacs
Mitch Isaacs was named Shafer Leadership Academy’s Executive Director in May 2015. In this role, he works closely with the organization’s board of directors to fulfill the mission of the organization. He is responsible for creating vision, connecting with stakeholders, administering program offerings, and leading the organization in meaningful ways. Mitch is an active member of the Muncie community. He is committed to enhancing the leadership skills of the community and dedicated to Shafer Leadership Academy’s mission to ensure that individuals who have the desire to demonstrate leadership have access to world class leadership training close to home. Find out more about the Shafer Leadership Academy at www.shaferleadership.com.
Power Questions for Leaders: A Four-Week Course
Impact Leadership requires authenticity, humility, and balance.
Purpose: The goal of this class – To equip you with powerful questions that will help you lead with authenticity, humility, and balance.
Foundation: The Foundational Beliefs – Everyone is leading someone. Your most important leadership work is within yourself.
Agenda:
Session 1 – Authenticity & Humility
Session 2: Stress & Security
Session 3: Balance
Session 4: Impact Leadership
Prerequisite: Before you take this class – It is not required for you to know your number. However, taking a simple test before class will help you narrow down and confirm your number as we work through the class.
Here is an inexpensive, simple test which may help you narrow down your number consideration: Enneagram Institute – www.enneagraminstitute.com $12.
Registration:
Price $149 total for all 4 sessions. Please register on this website (Eventbrite) to attend the workshops. By registering here, you are registering for the whole course – the price includes all 4 sessions.
Questions?
Please email Jennifer Stanley at jenstanley1213@gmail.com or contact nsmith@innovationconnector.com.
Announcing the Inaugural 2022 Entrepreneurs of the Year Award Winners
By Ted A. Baker, CEO/Executive Director, Muncie Innovation Connector, Inc.—
MUNCIE, IN—Since May of this year, the Innovation Connector has been planning and preparing for Entrepreneur Showcase Week in Muncie. As a reminder, this event is unique to the Muncie community, and no other community has attempted anything like this. Entrepreneur Showcase Week comprises twenty workshops, panel discussions, discussion groups, and networking groups during one week – all at the Innovation Connector facility. Because of our very supportive sponsors, all but one event is FREE.
Why should you attend part of or all of the events during Entrepreneur Showcase Week? Because there is something that can benefit all entrepreneurs and business owners. I know that most business-minded people consider themselves “life-long learners.” There is always more to learn, knowledge to share, and data to keep up with. Over fifty Muncie area business owners, entrepreneurs, and business leaders will participate as presenters and panelists that will highlight topics such as:
- Creative Marketing
- Computers, IT, and Security for Businesses
- How to Start a Business & How to Start/Grow a Restaurant
- Developing a Startup Tech Business
- Continuing Educational Opportunities for Business Owners
- Mental Health Awareness and Work-Life Balance
- Makers as Entrepreneurs
- Funding Opportunities
- Bookkeeping and Accounting
- Starting a Side-Gig
- Providing Excellent Customer Experiences (from the Disney model)
- And more
Additional sessions include a Tailgate Celebration for all entrepreneurs and business owners, a Women’s Brunch to celebrate International Women’s Entrepreneurship Day, and the Opening Kickoff Celebration to start Showcase Week at 8 am Monday, November 14. Join us for a Mayoral Proclamation of Entrepreneur Showcase Week, donuts and coffee with Mayor Ridenour, and the Entrepreneurs of the Year Awards presentation.
The 2022 award winners include a special group of talented entrepreneurs in the Muncie community. Each award winner contributes their success to others who have worked with them as their businesses started and grew. So, in the true Spirit of Entrepreneurship, we are thrilled to announce the first-ever Entrepreneurs of the Year, and congratulations to each winner.
2022 Technology Business Entrepreneur of the Year
Kurt Harrington, Founder
OEM Combustion Service LLC
2022 Life-Style Business Entrepreneur of the Year
Bernisa Elliott
BE’s Beauty Inc. & Elliott Property Rentals
2022 Restaurant Entrepreneur of the Year
Lynn A. Moore
Café at the Crossing
2022 Community-Impact Entrepreneur of the Year
Tiara Hicks
Rosebud Coffee House
2022 Legacy Mentor Award
Peggy Cenova
East Central Indiana Small Business Development Center
Please join us during this Kickoff Celebration to celebrate the winners’ impact on our community. If you plan to attend, RSVP to nsmith@innovationconnector.com so we can ensure we have plenty of donuts!
Now is the time to celebrate entrepreneurs and business owners. And now is the time to register to attend events during Entrepreneur Showcase Week – go to www.showcaseweek.com. For additional information, contact the Innovation Connector at 765-285-4900 or by email: at nsmith@innovationconnector.com.
Provide Your Clients with Excellent Customer Experience with this NEW Class
It’s almost time for Entrepreneur Showcase Week! We’ve got 20 great events in one week for those of you wanting to learn more about what it takes to be a successful entrepreneur. Our newest added class, Providing Excellent Customer Experience, will be a practical session for all business owners and entrepreneurs discussing various aspects of excellent experiences and ways to implement them into their daily business. Join us for this FREE class on Thursday, November 17, 2022 from 6:00- 7:30 PM. You don’t want to miss this incredible event. You can register now at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/newly-added-providing-excellent-client-experiences-tickets-449427258027 See you there!