July Summer Classes Recap

As July comes to a close, the Innovation Connector wrapped up its summer camps with the Lego Tech Camp and the Tech-Spark Weekend.

Lego Tech Camp

 

The Lego Tech Camp, led by the Coding Connector, challenged the middle school students with various STEM activities designed around space missions. They worked in groups of 3-4 to create Lego Mindstorm EV3 Robots and use code
in order to solve problems with the space station.

 

Tech-Spark Weekend

This year’s Tech-Spark Weekend happened from July 22nd-July 24th and was centered around tech entrepreneurship. This free tech weekend introduced the middle school students to the basics of starting a business using the three P’s: Plan, Prototype, and Presentation. At the end of the weekend, the student’s families were invited to come and watch as each student presented their start-up business idea.

Two Entrepreneurs – Different Paths

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

MUNCIE, IN—The Innovation Connector’s vision 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.” This vision is being fulfilled every day at the Innovation Connector.

Throughout my career, I have worked with hundreds, maybe thousands, of entrepreneurs wanting to either know what needs to happen to start a business or how to grow a business. These entrepreneurs have come to me with various wild, crazy, unique, and creative ideas. They have taken different journeys to get to their destinations. For some, it is a dream to start a business; for others, it might be a passion project. Many have created businesses out of necessity to earn a living and support families. I have learned a lot about “side-gigs” – a way for someone with a business idea to start a business without giving up the day job. The one thing that is constant through all of my work with entrepreneurs is that I have never met two entrepreneurs who are alike. Maybe similar, but different in some aspects. I’ve heard it said, “If you’ve met one entrepreneur…you have met one entrepreneur.”  Wow, is this statement true!

This article will focus on two entrepreneurs I have worked with, assisting with their business needs. Both are on different paths, but with one central focus – to own and operate their own business. This work excites me and is why I love what I do at the Innovation Connector.

Lathay Peagues, founder and co-owner of JohnToms BBQ, has been in business since 2006. Lathay spent several years working in television and radio broadcasting, including a time with the Muncie Star Press. Lathay’s grandfather was known in the Muncie community for his BBQ sauce concoction. He made his special sauce for family and friends, but no one knew his secret recipe. So when Lathay’s grandfather passed away, so did the recipe for his BBQ sauce.

Hoping to duplicate the secret recipe, Lathay worked five years to replicate what his grandfather created because he missed it and wanted to “get that taste back.” Through this process and his grandfather’s inspiration, Lathay chose to remake his grandfather’s recipe with his added twist to “make it his own.” Thus, JohnTom’s BBQ sauce!

While working as a reporter for a Milwaukee television station, the station closed down. Lathay knew this was the perfect time to launch John Tom’s BBQ as a business – with a big vision and little money. Lathay contributes his early success to his dream and extreme drive. Lathay observed, “Everything is going against you when you decide to start a business – people and situations telling you why you shouldn’t be doing it. All I knew was I had to keep going!” The business’ first break came when Rick’s Café Boatyard in Indianapolis signed on as a client. Lathay thought, “If Rick’s Café Boatyard believes in this product, maybe we have something special here.” Lathay further said that a pivotal point in the business journey came when Ball State University signed on as the first college/university customer. “This was huge for us and forced us to think differently about our distribution and operating model.”  Since then, other universities such as Notre Dame, Indiana University, and others currently use JohnTom’s sauces.

While the business has continued to grow, so have the challenges. Lathay is very clear, “I love what I am doing. From the beginning, I sensed that God somehow was involved in this business and that I am part of that process.” For those who would like to turn their dreams into businesses, Lathay has a few words of advice. “First of all, do a self-inventory. Know who you are, and be honest with who you are. Recognize your personal strengths and weaknesses. Above all, be honest.”  He continued, “Starting a business is extremely hard work. It may not yield immediate results, so you must be ok with delayed gratification.”

JohnTom’s BBQ can be found in local grocery stores, online on Facebook, @johntomsbbq, www.johntomsbbq.com, and on Amazon. JohnToms is my personal favorite BBQ sauce, and I give it my full endorsement.

Please meet Dafina Kirk. Dafina is a mother of seven children, ages from 17 years old to 8 months old, who has more energy and ideas than 99.5% of all other humans I have met in my time at the IC. Dafina has seen the challenges of African American men and women attempting to start businesses and not understanding the resources available to guide them. She has seen many startup failures and businesses not making it, and she knew she could help! Her company, Adeedee Solutions, LLC, is serving emerging business owners by filling in the gaps in their business foundations, including business structure and proper accounting procedures. Adeedee provides analysis and internal audit services to identify gaps and shortcomings that hinder business growth. Dafina states, “Most businesses cannot even begin to apply for resources because their businesses do not have the proper business structure. My goal is to help these businesses advance. For example, many minority-owned businesses missed out on the federal Payroll Protection Program (PPP) due to not having the proper financial records or not having a local banking relationship. I can help people through these issues.”

Dafina’s journey as an entrepreneur has had many twists and turns. Starting as a cosmetologist, she learned the basics of business. Through the pandemic, she saw many black-owned companies struggle to stay in business, so she created Adeedee Solutions to answer this need. To get to know clients and for clients to know her, Dafina spends a lot of time networking in the Muncie community. One example, she hosted a free Informational Share titled, “In all thy doing, do good business” at the Muncie Library Kennedy Branch on July 15. More such discussions will take place in the future. To directly reach Dafina, please email her at adeeadeesolutions@gmail.com.

Lathay’s and Dafina’s paths, while different, are indicative of the journey of an entrepreneur. Both continue their journeys with emotion and passion for what they do, each with unique challenges to overcome. Determination is their guide, and having the willpower to succeed is a must. While Lathay and Dafina are highlighted in this story, they are somewhat typical entrepreneurs. Both are examples of people who are pursuing their dreams for the future.

If you have thoughts, ideas, and dreams about starting a business or need assistance growing your business, the Innovation Connector is a great place to start. Please feel free to contact us at 765-285-4900 or by emailing tbaker@innovationconnector.com. Next month’s article will unveil a special week of entrepreneurial celebrations that will take place at the Innovation Connector in November.

 

 

1208 W. White River Blvd.
Muncie, IN 47303
(765) 285-4900
https://innovationconnector.com

Resident Client Spotlight – Karen Lloyd

Karen Lloyd is a business advisor at the East Central Indiana Small Business Development Center (SBDC), which is proudly hosted by Ball State University. In her position, Karen 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.

If you are interested in learning more about the East Central Indiana SBDC and its services or would like to schedule a meeting, please visit isbdc.ecenterdirect.com/signup or call 765-282-9950.

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 2-day, 3-hour live workshop powered by Innovation Connector Inc.

When:

Tuesday, August 30th 1:00-2:30 p.m.

Thursday, September 1st 1-2:30 p.m.

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 2-Day course registration fee 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

The Headshot Marathon

Join Foto Therapy for the Headshot Marathon, happening at the Innovation Connector this Friday.

When: Friday, July 15th from 9 am – 5 pm

Cost: $50 per person for a 15-minute session

Details: Arrive with your hair and makeup done

Reserve your timeslot HERE.

 

 

Resident Client Spotlight – Mark Slusher

Mark Slusher founded Endpoint Creative in 2014, a media production and digital marketing company that provides solutions to build their client’s image and brand awareness. Mark has over 20 years of experience in marketing, communications, and management for businesses, organizations, and government agencies.

Endpoint Creative focuses on professional media production including live streaming, corporate productions, podcast production, and more.

Mark moved Endpoint Creative to the Innovation Connector after outgrowing his workspace at home.  The space, the staff and services they provide have been pivotal to the growth of Endpoint Creative.

Need someone to produce your next video or podcast? Call Endpoint Creative at (765) 273-3231.

Coding Club Camp Recap

The Coding Club held two summer camps from June 6 – June 10 for grades K- and grades 3-5. The students had a blast learning about the basics of robotics and game design.

   

During the first day, they covered the basics of coding and robotics, covering all of the foundational work. Then on the second day, they jumped into game design with Scratch/Scratch Jr., a coding game builder software for kids.   

On the third and fourth days, the students learned about robotics and got to work with their hands designing functioning robots    

On the final day, the students put together all the skills that they learned to complete a passion project where they chose what to design and presented it to the group.

 

Ted Baker at the INT’L Conference on Business Incubation

Our very own Ted Baker represented the Innovation Connector at the INT’L Conference on Business Incubation in Atlanta, Georgia. Ted taught courses on Fostering Your Entrepreneurship Center’s Role in Your Community,  Building Profitable Programs That Serve Entrepreneurs, The Work-Life Balance for Entrepreneurs – A Look at Mental Health in Your ESO, and Leading Ecosystem Development in Your Region. At the INT’L Conference, Ted was able to share and teach others about the process of entrepreneurship and the steps to take to become a successful business owner. With these courses, aspiring entrepreneurs learned how to thrive in a competitive startup market, practices to develop services that are relevant to their target client audience, and how to create a healthy balance between work and life to avoid burnout to maintain a healthy state of mind. To learn more about the INT’L Conference on Business Incubation, visit click here.



Entrepreneurs: Truth, Myths, Uncertainties

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

As the Innovation Connector continues to spotlight entrepreneurs in the Muncie community during 2022, it is crucial to understand who entrepreneurs are, what makes them do what they do, and how they are an integral part of the business ecosystem? I have worked with hundreds, maybe even thousands, of individuals who claim to be entrepreneurs. Last month I wrote about the origins of entrepreneurship and submitted that an entrepreneur is “one who undertakes a new venture.” While this is a broad definition, it does cover the wide range of the experiences of people I work with daily.   According to the Conference on Entrepreneurship, USA, the scope of entrepreneurship narrows to:

“Entrepreneurship is the attempt to create value through recognition of business opportunities, the management of risk-taking appropriate to the opportunity, and the communicative and management skills to mobilize human, financial and material resources necessary to bring a project to be fruitful.”

Keywords to point out in this definition include attempt, create value, business opportunities, risk-taking, and fruitful. I tend to think the correct definition lies somewhere in the middle, and we can recognize there are aspects of being an entrepreneur that are often misunderstood and cause confusion. Here are a few myths that I have encountered over the years.

  1. Entrepreneurs are extreme risk-takers and would resemble a Las Vegas gambler putting an entire life’s savings on “black” with the hopes of doubling the retirement fund. While some entrepreneurs display risky behavior, best practices indicate that successful entrepreneurs are “calculated risk-takers.” Research and validation should be part of any pre-startup business routine. Is my product/service needed in the marketplace? Will others spend money to buy it? Who is my ideal customer or market demographic that my product/service is trying to reach? An entrepreneur can alleviate much risk before launching the business by answering these questions and more. Are there risks with starting a business? Yes, of course? But by understanding proper risk management, an entrepreneur will not needlessly waste funds or take valuable time away from the development process.
  2. Entrepreneurs are rich. I am not rich so I cannot start a business. We can easily debunk this myth by observing those you know who have started a business. Rarely in my years of experience helping entrepreneurs, there have only been a few who have not needed some financial assistance or startup capital. When presenting or teaching on this topic, I explain it this way:

“If you ask 100 entrepreneurs what they need the most, 99 will immediately (and without any hesitation) say, MONEY! The one who did not respond this way wasn’t paying attention or did not hear the question.”

Sure, funds are needed to start or grow a business, but I have worked with many entrepreneurs who have started with very little cash and then figured out ways to make their business work. This method, often called “bootstrapping,” can be challenging and rewarding at the same time. Having cash can make things easier, but starting with little cash forces the entrepreneur to stay focused on the business and take care of details that matter the most.

  1. I have a business idea and a passion for starting a business – this will be easy!

There is definitely nothing easy about starting or growing a business. Being an entrepreneur is difficult. While having a good business idea is essential, being an entrepreneur entails understanding and executing nearly every aspect of business ownership. An entrepreneur must have a solid knowledge of the product/service, the market, marketing aspects, customer service, accounting, human resources, and more. Simply said, just because you are a skilled mechanic does not qualify you to be an entrepreneur or business owner. I have started and grown several businesses. And while I eventually was able to surround myself with capable team members, it was my ultimate responsibility to execute the business plan. Being successful or failing rested solely on my shoulders.

We can talk about other entrepreneurial myths, but I think the three I have shared are very important. I have worked through these myths with many entrepreneurs. While there are risks involved when starting a business, and available cash can be challenging, or the road might not be easy, it is important to understand that these issues are some of the very reasons that make entrepreneurs who they are. In next month’s article, we will interview two local entrepreneurs who have walked different journeys and yet still are successful.

If you want to know more about how to start a business or learn what the Muncie Innovation Connector can do to help you along this journey, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our office (765-285-4900) to arrange a time to meet. Our community is fortunate to have excellent services to help existing businesses and business startups. Please remember,  you don’t have to take this journey on your own.

Ted A. Baker

Summer Classes are Back!

Innovation Connector is once again hosting unique and innovative programs for kids in Delaware County who are interested in working with technology in the future. In past summers, with the help of experts from TechWise Academy, Innovation Connector has offered workshops where kids have been able to learn about things like 3D printing, drone programming, app development, robotics, electrical engineering, and product design. We hope to have another productive summer helping the kids of our local community pursue an educational journey down the many avenues in the world of technology.

If interested, call Innovation Connector at (765) 285-4900 for more information about scholarships that are available for some of these programs. The schedule for this summer is as follows: 

Monday, June 6 – Friday, June 10 – 

  • Coding Club Camps: $165/student 
    • Register here for Grades K-2, 9 am – noon – 10 students 
    • Register here for Grades 3-5, 1 pm – 4 pm –  10 students 

Tuesday, July 5 – Friday, July 8 – 

  • Lego Tech Camp: $165/student
    • Maximum 24 students
    • Middle-grade students (Grades 6-8) 
    • Register here

Friday, July 22 – Sunday, July 24 –

  • Check out Tech SparkIT Weekend (Free)
    • Middle-grade students (Grades 6-8) 
    • Maximum 30 participants
    • Friday: 5 pm – 9 pm
    • Saturday: 9 am – 7 pm
    • Sunday: noon – 5 pm
    • Register here