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.

Register here

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

NOVEMBER 7, 2022

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!

Enneagram 101 – A Free Introductory Course

Maybe you’ve heard a lot about the Enneagram? Maybe you’ve even taken an online test?  But, what’s the real use and benefit of the Enneagram and knowing your number?

Join us for this free introductory workshop that will not only introduce you to the history, structure, and benefits of the Enneagram but also help you begin to truly discover your Enneagram number. This workshop will be led by Jennifer Stanley, an Enneagram guide and founder of Living Well. Jennifer is a relatable, fun, and knowledgeable teacher who will help you take practical steps toward number discovery and why it matters in your life, business, and relationships.

This workshop will be held on October 31st from 8-10 am and also on November 8th from 6-7 pm at the Innovation Connector located at 1208 W White River Blvd, Muncie, IN 47303.

RSVP at nsmith@innovationconnector.com.

 

Resident Client Spotlight – Tisha Gierhart

 Tisha Gierhart was hired as Shafer Leadership Academy’s first Program Director in January 2014. She is primarily responsible for all activities related to the development, delivery, and assessment of leadership programs presented by Shafer Leadership Academy. In this role, she focuses on building collaborative relationships with Shafer Leadership Academy’s participants and partners. Her work reflects her passion for making a difference, building relationships, and motivating others. She believes in leading by example and developing purposeful connections. Find out more about the Shafer Leadership Academy at www.shaferleadership.com.

Why Entrepreneur Showcase Week?

OCTOBER 11, 2022

By Ted Baker CEO/Executive Director, Muncie, Innovation Connector, Inc.—

MUNCIE, IN—With about one month to go before the Innovation Connector engages in the most extensive series of events for businesses and entrepreneurs in its history, I was recently asked the question, “Why is the Innovation Connector doing this?”  I thought that was a really good question, and I want to share my answer with you.

Over the past twelve-plus years of being at the Innovation Connector, I have met with many entrepreneurs and business owners who requested a need for training, services, or connections.  Being a business owner is difficult and oftentimes very lonely.  Understanding where to get a question answered about a business issue or how to make the best decision for a business is not easy to do.  While one part of the Innovation Connector’s mission is to serve the technology-based entrepreneurs with offices in our center, we also believe it is important for us to serve the businesses of the greater Muncie community.  We have done this over the years by coaching business owners, hosting workshops and educational opportunities, and partnering with other entrepreneurial service organizations.  The East Central Indiana Small Business Development Center and Bankable are organizations we have teamed with to provide these services.

As I have highlighted in previous articles, the Innovation Connector’s mission is “To see job creation by providing guidance and entrepreneurial resources for individuals seeking to start or grow businesses in East Central Indiana,” Our Vision Statement further states, “Our passion is to see that each person who has a dream to start or grow a business has every resource to be successful and the economy of East Central Indiana flourishes.” Entrepreneur Showcase Week is aligned with both our mission and vision and over the past years, our organization has served hundreds of entrepreneurs and business owners.

Entrepreneur Showcase Week will be a platform to expand our services, partnerships, and reach in the entrepreneurial community. There will be twenty separate events in one week at the Innovation Connector about various topics and best practices that we have observed as needs of entrepreneurs and business owners.  Entrepreneur Showcase Week is not “about” the Innovation Connector.  It is about the people we serve daily – business owners and others who want to start businesses. It is about providing resources and answering questions that we have been asked over the past years.  Entrepreneur Showcase Week is about networking with like-minded people. Those who dream like us and have big plans like us.  The workshops, panel discussions, and events are mostly led by business owners and entrepreneurs in our community. Entrepreneur Showcase Week is about learning together how we can make our businesses more successful, more profitable, and sustainable.

Entrepreneur Showcase Week is also a celebration.  A celebration of business owners who are successful, a celebration of entrepreneurs with dreams and aspirations of starting a business someday, and a celebration of a community that supports local business owners.  The Innovation Connector’s theme for this year is “Celebrating Entrepreneurs in 2022,” which is what we will continue to do.

This week would not be possible without the support of amazing sponsors and participating businesses.  Again, because of our generous sponsors, nearly all of the events are FREE to attend.  Thank you, sponsors, for investing in the Muncie business community.  A listing of all sponsors, as well as a complete listing of all events and descriptions, can be found at www.ShowcaseWeek.com.  If you plan to attend any of the events during Entrepreneur Showcase Week, please register at the same link.  Space is limited for most of the events, so register early to secure your place.  Since opening registrations on September 19, we have received many registrations, and events are filling up quickly.

Please come and celebrate with us – with your community.  Entrepreneur Showcase Week, November 14 – 19.  Visit www.showcaseweek.com, or call the Innovation Connector at 765-285-4900 for more information.