INDIANAPOLIS – Today, the Office of Minority and Women Business Development (OMWBD) Director David Fredricks and Indianapolis City-County Councilor Brienne Delaney recognized Professional Management Enterprises, a minority-owned (MBE) and veteran-owned (VBE) as the Certified Vendor of the Month for December 2024.
In 2006, Danny Portee, MBA, founded Professional Management Enterprises with a vision for transforming the scope of professional services in the greater Indianapolis area.
(Photo provided/Office of Minority and Women Business Development)
PME works diligently with corporate, commercial and local government clients to identify and hire diverse, qualified employees with valuable skills. They also specialize in information technology staffing solutions, transportation and fleet management and health care and life sciences among other core business competencies. Over the years, Portee and his team have grown PME into industry leader, expanding to satellite offices in Washington, D.C., and South Carolina to service nationwide clients such as the United States Army, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Elevance Health (Anthem).
(Photo provided/Office of Minority and Women Business Development)
“As leaders in our fields and communities, we must embrace our roles to mentor, motivate, and move others. We have a duty to inspire those around us with our actions and words. To renew, refresh, and reset our approaches as needed, ensuring we remain adaptable and resilient in the face of changing circumstances,” said Danny Portee, MBA, founder of Professional Management Enterprises.
Professional Management Enterprises has been recognized for business excellence at the local and national level, having received several awards acknowledging their success as both an XBE and small business. PME’s impact goes beyond their business ventures. As a proud veteran of the U.S. Army, founder Danny Portee channeled his passion for service into the Indianapolis community. PME has cemented themselves as a pillar of community service in our city, working closely with philanthropic organizations such as Habitat for Humanity, the Indiana Pacers Foundation, the American Cancer Society, and Job Ready Veterans.
During the award ceremony, OMWBD Director David Fredricks spoke about his decision to recognize Danny Portee and Professional Management Enterprises during the month of December because of Portee’s extensive community service during the holiday season. Fredricks emphasized the several ways in which PME embodies the core values of the Office of Minority and Women Business Development, and how the business continues to have an powerful and profound impact on the city of Indianapolis.
OMWBD is honored to recognize Professional Management Enterprises as our December 2024 Vendor of the Month because of their dedication to equity inside and out of the workplace.
Monica Warren is the founder of Face Finances, an accounting firm in Indianapolis. She has been in business officially since 2019 but has been self-employed since 2021.
“The business has its ups and downs. I do find that in our community it’s really hard to get people to know the value of having an accountant. I used to own a boutique, and I always say I made way more money from selling fake purses than I have as an accountant,” said Warren.
“That’s because that’s what our community resonates with: buying what we think has value. They won’t spend their money to hire a bookkeeper until they owe the IRA thousands of dollars.”
Face Finances
She understands that this is because a lot of people are not financially literate, and African Americans fall even further under that category.
That is what motivated her to start the business.
On her website, her opening question is, “Are you tired of struggling with your finances? We empower you to become financially free.”
“Seek out the knowledge. I think a lot of people are fearful. So, you have to get over that fear of having a conversation about money. A lot of people think it’s taboo to talk about it or rude. You have to get over that fear in order to gain and get further,” said Warren.
She said people need to understand the importance of investments and savings.
“They buy a fake purse before they put money in a 529 account for their kid. Not having that understanding of saving and then just being mindful of their spendings. You have to have a budget.”
This minority business highlight was composed by Jade Jackson at the Indianapolis Recorder, who can be reached at (317) 762-7853 or via email at JadeJ@IndyRecorder.com.
If you would like your business highlighted in the Indianapolis Minority Business Magazine, click here!
Webster’s dictionary defines a “maven” as an expert or connoisseur.
The term aptly fits Maven Space: an Indianapolis co-working space, event venue and social club created by mavens, for mavens.
Co-owner and CEO Leslie Bailey said the space serves to support entrepreneurs, remote workers, executives, creatives, dreamers and doers. It was created for those who crave opportunities to make connections. Maven Space is for people to find the resources they need to get their big ideas off the ground.
“First, there was Indy Maven, which is our website. I saw a gap in the market when it came to storytelling and news for women. It was really supposed to launch as a website with a newsletter, but women kept asking can they join something, so we added a membership to the website,” said Bailey.
Indy Maven launched in 2019.
Five months after its launch, the pandemic happened.
Indy Chamber’s Women in Economic Development event hosted in the conference room inside Maven Space on September 6, 2023. (Photo/Jade Jackson)
Bailey said connecting women was an initial part of Indy Maven. She remembers hosting numerous one-on-one phone calls with members.
“I didn’t know what it was going to be, but when I think back to the vague general vision I had, I feel like I spoke the space into fruition,” said Bailey.
All Bailey initially wanted was an old building with a new feel. She never thought Maven Space would turn into a tangible location in the heart of Downtown offering members much more.
“The launch of Maven Space has been a labor of love from day one. It happened with my husband’s and my personal savings, my co-founder, Kate Tauton-Rigsby, and a healthy dose of optimism or insanity, depending on how you look at it,” said Bailey in a statement made when launching the space’s IFundWomen crowdfunding campaign.
“Given that only 2% of venture capital dollars go to women, I knew better than to even try that route. And yes, there are small business loans available, but that only increases your overhead and makes it harder to break even.”
According to of 2019 Small Business Administration (SBA) report, only 28% of total SBA loan dollars went to women-owned businesses.
Those loans came with a nearly 10% interest rate.
With a lot of community support and partnerships, Maven Space opened on the first floor of the historic Gibson Building, at 433 N. Capitol Ave. Suite 100.
Along with several other amenities, the space also offers a mother’s room, a private place for women to pump their breast milk that includes a mini fridge for milk storage and complimentary pumping supplies provided by The Milk Bank.
Maven Space’s memberships are open to everyone, and you can find further details on the perks it offers HERE.
The Local Initiative Support Corporation connects local groups across America with capital and technical knowledge to help build inclusive, resilient communities of opportunity.
They invest in overlapping program areas that reach into every corner of community life, such as affordable housing, childcare and early learning, economic development, education and more.
With the mission of “Together with residents and partners, we help forge resilient and inclusive communities across America-great places to live, work, visit, do business and raise families,” they pursue different strategies to successfully accommodate the community. They also have a commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and justice.
“Poverty and other forms of inequity and injustice that LISC works to help redress are largely rooted in this country’s historic and systemic racism, as well as in other forms of discrimination. Pursuing our mission demands that we conceive and implement every aspect of our work through the lenses of equity and anti-racism.”
In 1992, LISC established its local Indianapolis office and became known for their integrated approach to community development- an approach that recognizes the importance of a set of interdependent neighborhood characteristics to the well-being of neighborhood residents and that coordinates investments in commercial and industrial corridors, community facilities, businesses and job creation in Indianapolis’ core urban neighborhoods.
Married for 50 years, Durby Mayfield and Ruth Ellen Mayfield instilled the meaning of support, love and family into the foundation of their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Durby x Ellen Candle Co. began in 2021 as a way to help Rivera cope with the missing her grandfather, who passed in 2010, and accepting the new reality that their grandmother’s Alzheimer’s brought to her family’s lives.
“10% of those sales go to the Alzheimer’s Association. Feedback has been pretty good for sure. A lot of people tend to stock up when they stop by. I would say right now of my signature collection my top seller would be ‘Ol Little Girly,” said Rivera.
“Then for my fall collection, it would be the Cozy Mornings which is an expresso nutmeg vanilla. People tend to like coffee a lot.”
A lot of the candles’ scents pay homage to the memories that she will always hold near and dear.
Rivera is one of 12+ grandchildren of Durby Mayfield and Ruth Ellen Mayfield and recently got into the art of candle making.
She believes it is the science and using her bare hands to create something small that makes a big impact.
This is something that both of her grandparents exuded, as her grandmother was an elementary school teacher and her grandfather was an auto mechanic. This process has been both emotional and therapeutic for Rivera, but deciding to name this business after them is her way of honoring them and cherishing memories that will always be with her.
Durby x Ellen Candle Co.’s fall collection recently launched and features candles, wax melts and reed diffusers.
Their products are vegan, toxic-free and phthalate-free.
This minority business highlight was composed by Jade Jackson at the Indianapolis Recorder, who can be reached at (317) 762-7853 or via email at JadeJ@IndyRecorder.com.
If you would like your business highlighted in the Indianapolis Minority Business Magazine, click here!
Indy Fresh Market, a new grocery store opened up off E. 38 Street and Sheridan Avenue on the city’s east side. Access to a new store brought much-needed relief to one of the biggest food deserts in the city.
Co-owner, Marcus Williams grew up on the east side and said there were more grocery stores when he was a kid, but they have since closed.
“We need food around here,” said co-owner Marcus Williams, “So, this store has been in the planning process for about three years. Kroger’s gone. Safeway is gone. Walmart’s gone. The closest store is five miles away. So, we had to do something to provide for the community.”
The locally black-owned store has been in the works for nearly three years and saw more than 1,000 customers walk through the doors a the soft opening.
Co-owner Michael McFarland said he has known Williams since the 6th grade.
“This is also the neighborhood I grew up in and it feels good to give back. Most of the people we have working here are taking advantage of our second chance opportunity. A lot of them are on probation or house arrest,” said McFarland.
“You might be a stocker today, but you could be a manager or supervisor tomorrow. These are our people. We’re coming back to a neighborhood we grew up in and giving back.”
Indy Fresh Market
The new full-service, 16,772-square-foot grocery store is a collaboration between Cook, IMPACT Central Indiana, Martin University, neighborhood leaders, Goodwill, the City of Indianapolis, the State of Indiana, Michael McFarland & Marckus Williams and national grocery store expert Joe The Grocer.
According to Indy Food Policy over 200,000 Indianapolis residents live in a food desert, and 10,500 live without access to a car or bus to reach grocery stores. To be considered a food desert more than 33% of an urban population must live more than one mile from a grocery store.
With a steadfast commitment to tackling food insecurity, fostering neighborhood ownership, and providing access to affordable, nutritious food, Indy Fresh Market has successfully established a model that will positively impact the community and address its needs.
“Food is a necessity for life. Now, we have access to healthy foods in the community. It feels amazing to get all the great feedback,” said Williams.
This minority business highlight was composed by Jade Jackson at the Indianapolis Recorder, who can be reached at (317) 762-7853 or via email at JadeJ@IndyRecorder.com.
If you would like your business highlighted in the Indianapolis Minority Business Magazine, click here!”
“I hate when people say, ‘Oh, the Eastside is this,’ or ‘I can’t wait to move away from the Eastside.’ It’s like, no. If you have the ability to do so, you need to give back to the community that you were raised in,” said Flowers.
The Herron Academy is a beauty culture school that was created to raise the current standard of education in the beauty industry. The goal is to leave an impact on each student by developing their professionalism in an environment that promotes health of the mind, body and spirit.
The school currently offers cosmetology, manicuring and aesthetics courses under three instructors.
The academy’s programs are designed with beginners in mind but also help experienced students prepare for their goals as licensed professionals.
The Herron Academy of Beauty & Therapeutic Wellness
“It’s not just about teaching them a trade; it’s about making sure that they as a person are ready to work in the industry or create their own business,” said Flowers, who has been in the beauty industry for the last decade.
The school launched in January, and the first classes started in March.
Because the academy is a new beauty school, they are not yet accredited, which means they cannot accept federal funding.
“This means that people cannot get a student loan to come to the school. So, I wanted to make the tuition where people could put down whatever payment they could afford and then make monthly payments based off the rest,” said Flowers.
That is part of the reason why Kaylin Hernandez Granger and Lauren Davis enrolled in the academy for its manicurist program.
Granger, who has been painting her nails since middle school, said she noticed that the tuition for many beauty schools near her starts at $10,000. However, she found Flowers promoting the academy on social media for a little over $3,000.
“It was so affordable, and it feels like Shante is doing something different. She has different plans set up for everybody, which is really cool – follow me on Instagram at BlackCoffeeNails. She is big on us having goals and being able to obtain them,” said Granger.
Davis said she had a bad experience with a nail salon that would not refund her after she said she was not satisfied with their work. This is when she decided to learn how to do her own nails.
“Then a lot of people asked me to do their nails, and I would tell them, ‘I’m not licensed or anything,’ but I got a lot of support because I saw, and they saw, that I was actually good,” said Davis.
Flowers said that many local hairdressers or nail techs in the city are unlicensed and are usually offering services out of their homes.
“A lot of people go, ‘Oh, it’s just a piece of paper.’ I have students in the program who were working without a license before they came to school, and there is so much value in the piece of paper.”
Flowers said a license does not dictate talent, but it does mean that the foundations of beauty have been met.
“There’s no reason why people are applying eyelashes but don’t understand the anatomy of the eye or some don’t know proper sanitation,” said Flowers.
She also said the state board is cracking down on beauty service providers who often advertise their unlicensed services on social media.
“I know some people who are more skilled than teachers at these beauty schools that cost $10,000-$25,000. I still think it’s worth the investment because you’re doing a disservice to your talent by not being licensed; imagine how much further you could go.”
The academy is located at 1515 N. Post Rd, and its current promotional tuition rate is $3,500. This can be paid in a lump sum or divided into monthly payments. In the future, the academy will offer massage therapy and barbering courses in addition to the cosmetology, manicuring and aesthetics courses it currently offers.
This minority business highlight was composed by Jade Jackson at the Indianapolis Recorder, who can be reached at (317) 762-7853 or via email at JadeJ@IndyRecorder.com.
If you would like your business highlighted in the Indianapolis Minority Business Magazine, click here!”
The TLC House and Residential Services LLC is a nonmedical company with compassionate caregivers who have experience caring for the elderly. Some of the services they offer include companions, transportation/escort, housekeeping and attendant care.
With over 20 years of experience as a CNA, HHA and CHPNA, the goal of TLC House and Residential Services is to meet the needs of each patient on an individual basis according to their needs.
“My motto is, everything I do, I do in love. We’ve grown in the last three years as a women’s minority certified company. We service about 180 clients and employ close to 200 employees,” said owner Tamara Brown.
“We’ve built an amazing name in the community because we give back. Everything’s been word of mouth. I don’t really utilize social media, and still the business grew,” said Brown.
Angelique Robinson has been working for Brown for approximately a year and said the environment fostered by Brown at TLC House and Residential Services makes her look forward to going into work every day.
“I have an employer that has a heart for people. I’m glad to work here. I love my job because I’ve gained some skills even while working under her [Brown],” said Robinson.
“A lot of people have problems, and you never know what people are going through. You have to have the heart for it and love people.”
Angela Anderson, who has been working at TLC House and Residential Services for more than a year, also spoke highly of Brown and TLC House and Residential Services.
“Ms. Brown is very dedicated to what she does. She goes above and beyond and takes very good care of not only her clients but her caregivers as well. I have a business on the side, and she supports that. She expects excellence out of us because she gives excellence to the community,” said Anderson.
She said Brown even purchased jewelry from her side business to give to clients.
Along with bringing an abundance of experience to their positions, TLC House and Residential Services workers pride themselves on providing a warm smile, positive view and loving care.
“I worked for a home healthcare before, and it was a lot of mess and foolishness,” said Anderson.
“We’re going to be older one day, and there are people unfortunately who can’t care for their loved ones. Just like a younger child can’t tell you they’re being harmed, so are our seniors. You have to love the elderly.”
Tiffany Howard’s 75-year-old mother has been a client of TLC House and Residential Services for the last two years.
“My mother needed help with personal care, cooking and cleaning because she forgets certain things. I’m there every day with my mom, but the company will call, check up on her and make sure we have everything we need. They really give that TLC,” said Howard.
“They have a text group with caregivers and clients, and every month they give extra money on your caregiver account, and give out gas cards, and I thought, ‘What company does that?’ Clients get gift cards.”
She appreciates how the company calls her mother and her every week to make sure everything is going well.
The company further seeks to help the community through participating in an annual coat drive. Additionally, Brown has taken money out of her own pocket to supply air conditioners for some of her clients who were experiencing overheating in the summer.
“It’s not a job or a business for me; it’s a calling,” said Brown.
A native of Indianapolis, Charlotte Sanders began baking as a hobby, but the hobby quickly turned into a business because of the frequent requests she received for her treats. That is how Sweets by Charlotte was born.
Custom Gucci-themed cake. (Photos provided/Sweets by Charlotte)Custom toolbox cake.
Sanders’ cookies, custom cakes, brownies, pies, parfaits and candies are all made from scratch using high quality ingredients.
She describes herself as “just a girl who decided to go for it.” She has been honing her baking skills for years, trying out new flavors and specialty designs. Sanders has built a loyal fanbase from people who can taste the love and time she puts into each of her desserts.
Custom Jurassic-themed birthday cake. Valentine’s Day cookie gift sets.
Sanders bakes traditional sweets like chocolate chip cookies and old-fashioned pound cake as well as new fan-favorites like banana pudding cake and cookies and cream cupcakes. She also makes custom themed cakes, cookies, and cupcakes for weddings, birthdays, corporate events, and special occasions.
Sweets by Charlotte offers individual-sized treats at local farmer’s markets. (Photos provided/Sweets by Charlotte)
Orders may be placed directly through her website: sweetsbycharlotte.com. You can also contact her via email at contactus@sweetsbycharlotte.com or by phone at 317-932-0094. Like and follow her on Facebook (@SweetsbyCharlotteESanders) and Instagram (@sweetsbycharlotteindy).
If you have a minority owned and operated business you’d like to be featured in the Indiana Minority Business Magazine Directory, visit Indiana Minority Business Directory.
The lifestyle brand We Don’t Run From Adversity (WDRFA) is stepping out of the online realm into the vibrant heart of Indianapolis.
This is all thanks to a pioneering collaboration to give e-commerce entrepreneurs an opportunity to grow through a brick-and-mortar location.
Mayor Joe Hogsett announced the City’s collaboration with WDRFA as the first local business selected for the St’Artup317 Retail Incubator pilot program at the Stutz.
“This is creative economic development in action, and we’re excited to open our first-ever storefront with WDRFA as the featured local business,” said Hogsett.
As part of Hogsett’s downtown resiliency strategy, the City of Indianapolis Department of Metropolitan Development created the first St’Artup317 retail incubator program. It is part of a public-private partnership with the Stutz’s owner and developer SomeraRoad.
“The Stutz is known historically as a place for creativity, innovation, and community which makes it the ideal location for this next phase for St’Artup317. Our goal is to make downtown Indianapolis a place where small businesses can launch and grow, and as a result, we’re evolving our economic development tools to grow the Indianapolis retail economy,” said Hogsett.
Striving to expand Downtown’s retail sector, the program’s long-term goals are to invest and empower historically underrepresented entrepreneurs.
They seek to eliminate empty storefronts and increase local and visitor consumer spending. Gary Patterson and Michael Gillis are the co-owners of WDRFA.
The lifestyle brand that features apparel, headwear, accessories and drinkware and promotes a community that connects people, places and things.The uncle and nephew launched in 2016 and debuted their storefront inside Stutz on Saturday, Aug. 12.
“The conversation with St’Artup 317 started over a year ago. We had done pop-ups at art galleries, coffee shops and different retail spaces since 2016. They liked our vision and the things that we could create,” said Gillis.
“We’ll only be here about nine months max. Then the next business will be coming in. This is the first time that they have a space that they’ll have for years to come.”
Gillis said that the new storefront venture is exciting but also challenging due to many elements differing from e-commerce. They also have to account for the foot traffic in the popular area.
“In Indianapolis, there are a lot of Black owned retail businesses. Most of them are e-commerce just because of the challenges that come with it, like renting properties, and that’s why the program St’Artup 317 is great,” said Gillis.
“In Indianapolis, most landlords want you to sign five- or six-to-ten-year deals where you have to lock in that big commitment of money. This is a great way to get our brand out there and aligns perfectly with what we’re selling.”
Patterson said it was important for them to reach more people with their brand.
“At the time that we started WDRFA, Indianapolis retail hadn’t really taken off yet. It’s something that’s still growing, like the whole city being into fashion and wanting to support fashion that’s not necessarily sneakers and things like that,” said Patterson.
“For the most part, we’ve been a mall-based city, not like boutiques, or knick-knacks, or niche kind of markets. We have a niche store, so for us, being online just made sense.
This program is perfect because it’s not necessarily long-term but enough time for us to touch the people who can check out our quality.”
Located in the Stutz Maker’s Alley, the 500-square-foot St’Artup317 Retail Incubator is located off 11th Street.
If you have a minority owned and operated business you’d like to be featured in the Indiana Minority Business Magazine Directory, visitIndiana Minority Business Directory.
There were few Black vendors at the Indiana State Fair this year, but Gobble Gobble Food Truck has stood the test of time on fairgrounds since opening their business.
“It’s been an honor that I can keep this legacy going that my father started. To be one of the few Black owned vendors, we’ve learned a lot along the way to keep this going,” said Gobble Gobble Food Truck CEO, Alfarena “Alfie” McGinty.
Her father started Gobble Gobble 22 years ago and has been at the state fair ever since. He retired in 2010 and McGinty took over, turning the business into a traveling food truck. McGinty enters the Taste of the Fair competition every year.
To prepare for the competition, she holds a tasting with family and friends to try out new recipe ideas. This year she came up with the “Mac Daddy Empanada,” which is consists of macaroni cheese and pulled BBQ turkey.
In 2021, Gobble Gobble Food Truck won second place. It was coincidentally, on the same day as the 20th anniversary of their company opening. They won with their “BBQ Sugar Mama,” a donut with pulled BBQ turkey.
“People know the truck, and people come specifically for my number one item: the jumbo turkey legs. Everybody’s wanted to try the Mac Daddy Empanada. People come for the fun food, and we appreciate our customers who come and try,” said McGinty.
The food truck is located across from the DNR building and is open Wednesdays-Thursdays during fair hours.
Black vendors at the Indiana State Fair
Knowing that she is only one of few Black vendors, McGinty wants to see more Black vendors in the future.
“I’ve been talking to Leroy Lewis III, the new marketing director at the state fair; we’ve talked about how we can generate and get more African American food vendors into the fair and having them understand how to keep up with the capacity,” said McGinty.
She said vendors need to be able to cook onsite and have staff there through the duration of the state fair, for 12-13 hours at a time to keep up with the volume of customers.
McGinty said it takes a lot of work, commitment and funding to become a vendor; however, she is eager to help any business that is up to the challenge.
“I told him [Lewis] that I’m willing to be a part of any type of training or informational that can be given to future vendors to help them prepare for the fair,” said McGinty.
If any Black business is interested in becoming a vendor, they can apply on their Indiana State Fair’s website.
Contact staff writer Jade Jackson at 317-607-5792 or by email jadej@indyrecorder.com. Follow her on Twitter @IAMJADEJACKSON
Launched in 2020, the EXHALE app is the first emotional well-being app designed specifically for Black, Indigenous and women of color.
“In lieu of everything that was happening in the Black community, the oppression that already exists, was being exasperated. I was frustrated. And I was stressed. I went to search for some well-being apps, and there was nothing for the Black community,” said Katara McCarty, president and CEO of the EXHALE app.
Since launching in 2020, EXHALE has reached 17,000 downloads, with users in 55 countries. This, playing a critical role in filling a gap in the number of available resources that support minority women.
The Indy entrepreneur hosted a free event to celebrate the launch of the new version of her EXHALE app. She also hosted a panel discussion on “The State of Self-Care for Black Women” report.
McCarty, who surveyed over 1,000 Black women for the report, moderated the panel, speaking with panelists Dr. Colette Pierce-Burnette, president and CEO of Newfields, Andrea Hunley, state senator for District 46, and Angela Smith Jones, vice president of diversity, equity and inclusion at Health & Hospital Corp. of Marion County.
“The people that have to do the dismantling are non-people of color, and we don’t hold the power and privilege to do that as a Black community. We can speak to it, we can resist it, but my hope is that EXHALE exists to give a space on how to handle our mental and emotional health,” said McCarty.
Nearly half of the Black women surveyed for the report indicate that stress impacts their daily lives. 25% report being hospitalized or needing medical care due to stress.
An overwhelming 76% of the respondents think there is a prevalence of people who believe Black Women are stronger than most people. Therefore, they should be able to manage more stress than others.
66% of those surveyed say they overexert themselves to excel in the workplace and to take care of personal responsibilities.
While resources to manage stress have become more abundant, the report further confirms that Black women face many barriers in accessing formal mental health resources, with the majority of resources failing to address the unique experiences of Black women.
As a result, 77% of respondents believe there is a need for more tools like EXHALE and resources tailored to support their specific needs.
The EXHALE app had their first panel discussion in New Orleans, Louisiana, at Essence Fest.
They will hold further panels in Los Angeles, California, and New York City, New York.
If you have a minority owned and operated business you’d like to be featured in the Indiana Minority Business Magazine Directory, visitIndiana Minority Business Directory.
The 25-year-old said the name comes from her friends who would say, “edit me” in reference to Dickerson editing photos of them into graphic designs; Lo is short for Lauren and was her college basketball nickname.
“My mom needed an invitation made. I was the one told to make it. I’ve always had an eye for it. In college, I actually thought I wanted to be an engineer, which didn’t work out with my basketball schedule being a student athlete,” said Dickerson.
“I walked into this art building, and I was so amazed at how it looked, and I said this was going to be my major. So, it’s something that I’ve always had a niche for, and I just fell into it.”
Edit Me Lo
She said this is the first year that her company has taken off with clients trusting her skills for their projects.
“We design to tell the story of a business. I believe that you should be able to look at something and feel something,” said Dickerson.
Her goal is for people to recognize her company as a big design agency. She also wants to give college students the chance to work for her agency to obtain graphic design experience.
If you have a minority owned and operated business you’d like to be featured in the Indiana Minority Business Magazine Directory, visitIndiana Minority Business Directory.
What started off as a trip to the doctor’s office six years ago has turned into a Black-owned juicing company promoting wellness and health.
James Long was dealing with high blood pressure and was diagnosed as prediabetic when his doctor suggested juicing as an option to improve his health.
“Doctors usually push medicine on you. My doctor said I should try juicing. I didn’t know what juicing was. I just needed to change my diet and do things to change everything all together,” said Long.
He started researching the benefits of different ingredients. Long experimented with blending different fruits and recipes to create something that tastes good and is good for you.
At the time, he was an educator, and when sharing his juice creations with coworkers, they started encouraging him to sell it to others.
Live Project Juice Company
Live Project Juice Company travels around Central Indiana with their products for customers to buy. (Photo/Jade Jackson)
“Things started snowballing after that. I was selling out of my truck at first. Then I landed at one farmers’ market; one turned into five. Then five farmers’ markets turned into seven gas stations, and now we’re online,” said Long.
He called his business Live Project Juice Company to promote healthy fresh juice with no added sugar and original ingredients.
Talia Bynm has been a loyal customer for a few years. She works Downtown and looks forward to seeing him serve his juices at the Indianapolis City Market.
“He just offered us a tasting, and my hair flew back and everything. So, I was like okay this is my favorite new thing in the world. It’s the taste. It’s the fact that even though it’s healthy it tastes so good, and that’s so hard to find. That’s what I love about it,” said Bynm.
Live Project Juice Company recipes
Live Project Juice Company consists of five main juices:
There are five current juice flavors to choose from with Live Project Juice Company. (Photo/Jade Jackson)
Grandma’s Iced Tea features honey, lemon, orange, iced tea and elderberries. It promises to boost your immunity. Some of its benefits include stress relief, heart health and fighting off a cold and flu, with vitamin C and antioxidants.
Purple Reign features peach, mint, mango, grape, green tea and stevia. Some of its benefits include improved bone health, reduced allergies, fat burning properties, decreased blood sugar and a memory boosting ingredient, with vitamin K.
Sweet Nectar has no added sugar. It uses ginger and turmeric, which provide healing properties. These antioxidants promote eye health and offer benefits against heart disease, Alzheimer’s, depression and muscle pain.
Honey Moon utilizes ingredients that consist of sea moss, raspberries, blue berries, lemon, lime, honey, watermelon juice and spirulina.
Fountain of Youth contains kale, cucumber, spinach, green apples, pineapples, lemon, ginger and orange juice. The healthy green juice serves as a meal supplement, providing great benefits for weight loss and for individuals with diabetes or asthma.
Long said he is going to continue to grow and scale his business, with secret plans for what is to come in the future.
If you have a minority-owned and operated business you would like to be featured in the Indiana Minority Business Magazine Directory, sign up here at the Indiana Minority Business Directory.
Established in 2015 by Joycelyn Wilson, Stepping Stones Therapy Center offers diverse services in Indianapolis. These services include child welfare, family preservation, counseling, supervised visitation, casework, and self-referred services in Indianapolis.
Stepping Stones Therapy Center collaborates with DCS to provide counseling, supervised visitation, casework, and wrap-around services for the Marion County Coroner’s office.
The dedicated team at Stepping Stones conducts clinical interviews to assess clients’ current challenges, strengths and functioning levels. They do this in order to determine the most effective evidence-based treatment.
They offer personalized care and unique treatment plans tailored to meet each client’s needs. The goal is to promote long-lasting mental wellness and building confidence.
In partnership with the City of Indianapolis, Stepping Stones Therapy Center is currently in the process of launching the Clinician Led Community Response Team.
Stepping Stones Therapy Center partnered with Indianapolis to launch the Clinician Led Community Response Team.
Stepping Stones Therapy Center
This initiative aims to address mental health calls received through 911, with the goal of reducing the number of incarcerations and hospital admissions for individuals with mental health needs or substance use disorders.
Mayor Joe Hogsett recognized Stepping Stones Therapy Center as July’s Vendor of the Month, emphasizing their status as a valued local minority-owned business and critical partner to the City of Indianapolis.
Their involvement in the clinician-led 911 response team demonstrates their commitment to assisting the city in effectively responding to mental health crises.
The Vendor of the Month program is an ongoing collaboration between the Mayor’s Office and the Office of Minority and Women’s Business Development in Indianapolis. It aims to bring attention to certified businesses owned by minorities, women, veterans and disabled individuals (XBEs).
If you have a minority-owned and operated business you would like to be featured in the Indiana Minority Business Magazine Directory, sign up here at the Indiana Minority Business Directory.
Peter Lee, the Indy franchise owner of Popcorn World, had their store’s grand opening on 3755 E. Raymond St. at the beginning of April.
The gourmet popcorn shop that originated in Gary calls itself the largest shop, with close to 500 flavors of popcorn. The Black-owned company is expanding its locations, with their newest one being the franchise in Indianapolis.
“It’s been beautiful. It’s been wonderful. We get quite a few people every day. There are almost 500 flavors, but we’re running 85 of our top flavors out of here. Every week, I introduce a new flavor,” said Lee.
Flavors vary from crab leg to ranch Doritos to Oreos. The uniqueness of the popcorn comes from original recipes.
“The flavor’s perfectly correct. It’s not overwhelming or less. If you ask for banana pudding, you get banana pudding. If you ask for peach cobbler, you get peach cobbler, and if you ask for green apple, you get green apple. We remove at least 98% of the husk from the popcorn. That’s the stuff you get stuck in your teeth. It helps people with braces,” said Lee.
Black-owned gourmet popcorn like no other
(Photo/Jade Jackson)
A growing franchise, customers can also order online here.
The brick-and-mortar store is open Tuesday-Saturday from noon to 7:00 p.m.
Customers can request gourmet popcorn bars for corporate work events, receptions and other parties.
They also offer sample bags and regular-sized bags.
“People always ask me which one is my favorite flavor. Most of these flavors are very good to me. Especially the cookies and cream and birthday cake flavors. I like the jerk and the steak, but what I always go back to is the good old traditional cheese popcorn,” said Lee.
He grew up on cheese and caramel-flavored popcorn.
“We use real cheese too. We don’t use powder like everybody else uses,” said Lee.
He said their popcorn could last in their bags for almost two to three weeks without it going bad.
Lee also said they have had offers to sell but they refused.
“It’s a Black-owned company, and we’re trying to make other Black entrepreneurs. We’re not just trying to run-and-gun like others. In history, Black folks have always made phenomenal stuff. What has been the biggest problem? We sold it, or it was stolen from us,” said Lee.
He plans on opening more franchise stores in the next two years.
Contact staff writer Jade Jackson at 317-607-5792 or by email at jadej@IndyRecorder.com. Follow her on Twitter @IAMJADEJACKSON
for more minority business highlights such as Lee’s black-owned gourmet popcorn shop, click here!
Importin’ Joe’s Ethiopian Coffee is one of few minority manufacturers in the city of South Bend and one of three nationally distributed Black-owned coffee companies in America sourcing their coffee from Ethiopia.
When Joseph Luten and his Ethiopian wife, Afomia, would visit her home country, he noticed coffee was weaved into the way of life for the people.
“I actually hated coffee before I came to Ethiopia. When I tasted this coffee, especially with my refined palate, I said, ‘Oh my.’ Fruit and berries and chocolate and all kinds of crazy flavors,” said Luten.
Ethiopia, internationally recognized as the birthplace of coffee, is renowned for its “buna” ceremony. It is a communal tradition involving the roasting, grinding and brewing of beans.
Ethiopian coffee practices
A key aspect of proper social etiquette is to inhale the aroma of the roasted beans before they are ground and to enjoy three cups of coffee in the company of others.
“Buna means coffee. They light frankincense and myrrh. They offer a prayer and roast the coffee over a cold fire by hand in a small pan. Then, they grind the coffee and brew it in this old ancient traditional pot called a jebena,” said Luten.
This sparked an entrepreneurial endeavor that the couple called Importin’ Joe’s Ethiopian Coffee.
The couple brought coffee to Mishawaka, Indiana, introducing the coffee to Indiana grocery shoppers to provide them with a warm way to start their mornings.
They travel to Ethiopia every year and source their coffee exclusively from the country.
“We started in the middle of Covid when I got laid off; ended up cashing out our life savings of $4,000. It ain’t much, but it is what it is. We got to work and built the company from our living room,” said Luten.
He said his wife and he traveled throughout Indiana, Illinois and Ohio to grow the brand at festivals and fairs.
The business grew, with consumers supporting the unique flavor of the coffee.
Importin’ Joe’s Ethiopian Coffee
They are now the primary coffee providers for the University of Notre Dame, north of South Bend.
Meijer, the American supercenter chain that mainly serves the Midwest, introduced the coffee to its shelves last year.
“Our whole purpose for starting the company is to bring awareness to the issue of child homelessness in Ethiopia,” said Luten.
Along with fighting to eradicate childhood homelessness overseas, Importin’ Joe’s Ethiopian Coffee simultaneously invests into the social fabric of marginalized communities in the U.S.
Project Impact, an initiative in South Bend, offers resources to support minority-owned businesses like Importin’ Joe’s Ethiopian Coffee.
Luten acknowledges the company’s dependence on such support to attain its goals, which encompass scaling up to a new 4,200-square-foot facility.
They are working to create a small sustainable community in Ethiopia that would accommodate up to 15,000 orphan children.
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3Bfit Body, Beauty and Brains Meditation and Yoga takes a mind and body approach to conscious discipline and self-regulation. It provides safe spaces where individuals are able to express and promote positive self-awareness.
It was founded by Tiffianie King, a certified meditation and yoga instructor, in 2020. She created the three-tier prevention-focused program that provides evidence-based mindfulness tools.
When applied, mindfulness can enhance the quality of everyday living, help relieve anxiety and stress and increase grades in school, and lower behavioral issues.
She offers adult and youth meditation and yoga classes, family yoga classes, meditative talk sessions and toddler courses on mindfulness.
She also offers Baby N Me yoga classes and a Bike N Bookcamp for free.
King first began meditation in 1997 to relieve her own addictions, anxiety and depression and has since gained 15 years of experience working with youth and families.
She has taken her love for meditation and yoga into classrooms and communities to share the positive experiences these practices can foster.
If you have a minority-owned and operated business you would like to be featured in the Indiana Minority Business Magazine Directory, visit Indiana Minority Business Directory.
Rel Eve Co. (pronounced “re-leeve”) wants to set a new standard for how Millennial and Gen-Z women shop for menstrual care by selling period products that are all-natural and non-toxic.
The products are sourced from top U.S. companies and small businesses. The focus is on highlighting businesses owned by Black and/or women entrepreneurs.
The Millennial-founded company is making it easier to find clean, sustainable period care in America.
“When you go to a drug store or a local Target to pick up a box of pads, there aren’t a lot of options to choose from. They usually have the same five to ten brands but even then, those are not organic or non-toxic,” said Jasmine Bennett, the founder.
Stats and data
According to the U.S. Environmental Protective Agency, long-term exposure to high levels of toxic contaminants called dioxins can cause cancers, reproductive and developmental issues and other health problems.
Dioxins can form when bleach is used on pulp and paper products that go into pads and tampons. Most people are not exposed to high enough levels to cause health problems.
However, these traces can accumulate. The average woman uses approximately 11,000 tampons in her lifetime. So, there is an increased chance that the chemical may actually be absorbed into their bodies according to Tampon Tribe.
The World Health Organization said dioxins are highly toxic. They can cause reproductive and developmental problems, damage the immune system, interfere with hormones and also cause cancer.
After switching to a more holistic lifestyle to heal her body from debilitating cramps, Jasmine Bennett found period products that lowered her premenstrual syndrome (PMS) symptoms. They gave her the relief she wanted.
Bennett soon discovered there was not a central location where she could order all of her products.
“I used to be on a hormonal roller coaster every month until I changed products. There’s Amazon and Target, but there’s only a certain number of products you can get even online. Every month I was tired of trying to search and I said there has to be a better way,” said Bennett.
“But, like certain off brand products and products on Etsy that I was using, aren’t on Amazon. There’s this one company that sells pads infused with CBD,” said Bennett.
She looked online for any store that offered all of the non-toxic products that she used, but she couldn’t find it. So she decided to create it.
She won a $20,000 pitch competition with Elevate Ventures, a venture development organization based in Indianapolis that focuses on supporting entrepreneur growth for the state.
“I was really taken aback by the fact that the number of non-toxic products available in the U.S. weren’t available in local communities. Especially, urban communities,” said Bennett.
She launched her business in March 2022.
She offers pads, tampons, pain patches, holistic pain management, cramp relief oils, yoni soaps, washes, menstrual cups, supplements for balancing hormones, PMS bath bombs, period underwear and menstrual relief shower steamers that help relieve period anxiety.
Bennett is a Christian and named her business Rel Eve Co. because of Eve in the Bible.
“After she ate from the tree, she had to have horrible pain that comes with menstruating before childbirth. So, I said there has to be a better way to relieve the pain and I said ‘Oh! Rel Eve’ when you think of relief and I thought it was cool,” said Bennett.
She wants to scale her business to be accessible across the country with physical locations in urban areas especially.
Her next steps are to open up a warehouse in Indiana or Illinois. She is planning on hosting pop up shops throughout the Midwest.
“I feel like women need a store they can shop at that celebrates and honors what our bodies can do,” said Bennett. “Menstruation is a beautiful cycle and our periods should be a time that we treat our bodies with the utmost care.”
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Nicole Kearney, wine lover and owner of Sip and Share Wines, got her start in 2016 by sharing wines for private tastings and making homemade sangria in mason jars on the side.
Today, Kearney’s winery is one of only two Black-owned wineries in Indianapolis. Sip and Share Wines produces a diverse selection of handcrafted vegan wines from semi-sweet to dry to limited edition.
Kearny’s mission is to create community through wine — especially for winemakers and wine lovers of color who typically are overlooked or underrepresented in the industry.
While she loves making wine to share with her community, Kearny also enjoys educating consumers on wine etiquette, different wine varieties as well as the winemaking process.
In the past few years, Sip and Share Wines released several collections, inducing the 7 Words Wine Collection and the Gem Collection, which includes limited production wines.
Monthly and quarterly wine club memberships are available with Sip and Share Wines, with offerings of two, four or six bottles of sweet or dry — or both — wines right to your door, plus a 10% discount on all other wine orders.
Sip and Share Wines is located at 2202 E. 44th St. More information about SipSperiences, Wine Club and community events can be found at sipandsharewines.com. Get in touch with Sip and Share Wines by email at Marketing@sipandsharewines.com or call 909-747-9463.
If you have a minority-owned and operated business you’d like to be featured in the Indiana Minority Business Magazine Directory, visit Indiana Minority Business Directory.
Contact staff writer Chloe McGowan at 317-762-7848. Follow her on Twitter @chloe_mcgowanxx.
In October 2021, after lending nearly $23 million to Indy’s small business community, the Indy Chamber embarked on a media partnership with the Indianapolis Recorder. Little did we know then, this partnership would yield exponential value in ensuring that small, diverse businesses—navigating a rebounding business climate with ever-changing fluctuations—would prove to be one of the most important vessels for business awareness, resource-sharing and collective corporate calls for equity.
Through our partnership with the Indianapolis Recorder, over nearly the last two years, the Indy Chamber’s marketing and communications team has worked with minority, small-business owners in various industries and communities across the nine-county, Indy region. These individuals have trusted us to help them share stories about their business ownership journeys while also calling attention to the critical resources—capital, coaching and connections to a regional network of businesses—available through the Indy Chamber. At the end of 2022, data showed that through these articles, we’ve reached over 300,000 people (about half the population of Wyoming) across Indiana and beyond. Equally as important, we’ve reached them authentically.
Between 2020 and 2021, the Indy Chamber was immersed in initiatives to advance equity. Develop Indy, the front door to economic development for the City of Indianapolis and Marion County, was already leading equity efforts through inclusive incentives. However, in 2021, the Indy Chamber partnered with the Central Indiana Corporate Partnership (CICP) and the Indianapolis Urban League (IUL) to form Business Equity for Indy (BEI), an initiative fully committed to advancing equity and economic opportunity for the region’s Black residents and other people of color. In addition to that work, the Indy Chamber’s Entrepreneur Services department, which includes the Central Indiana Women’s Business Center (CIWBC), Hispanic Business Council (HBC), Enterprise Corps, the Re-Entry Entrepreneurship Development Initiative (REDi) and Business Ownership Initiative (BOI)—a certified community development financial institution (CDFI), houses an entire team dedicated to ensuring diverse, small businesses have support at every stage of business growth.
As the longest-running African American-owned newspaper in Indiana and the fourth largest in the United States, a partnership with the Indianapolis Recorder was a true dream for our marketing team. Our team, which is tasked with amplifying the impact of our equity work alongside the success stories of our small, diverse members and clients, quickly began working with these individuals to guide their storytelling efforts. While we continue to expand our partnership with the Indianapolis Recorder, we’re excited to announce that we’re also launching a new, free event series to connect a greater number of businesses to storytelling support and opportunities.
A three-part Indy Chamber Masterclass series will take place virtually this summer. Each Masterclass will feature a specific, communications-related topic and invites business owners and community members to log in ready to learn. The first event, which takes place on June 27 from 1-2 p.m., is Storytelling 101 presented by Deana Haworth, chief operating officer with Hirons. Individuals interested in attending are encouraged to register online at IndyChamber.com/Events. The July session will feature Travis Brown, founder and CEO of Mojo Up Marketing, and the August session will feature Jennifer Dzwonar, managing principal of Borshoff. Specific dates and topics to be announced soon.
While we continue to expand our programs and services to support diverse small business owners, we hope to continue leveraging diverse media partnerships to increase the visibility of services, connections with the community and ultimately, the impact that the Indy Chamber has on our regional business community. If you are interested in learning more about services available to support your business, I invite you to learn more at IndyChamber.com/Entrepreneurship.
Casey Cawthon is Indy Chamber’s vice president of marketing and communications.
The name of Toni and Dexter Smith’s restaurant, Open Kitchen Restaurant, is befitting of their mission to create an open atmosphere for customers.
Officially launched in September 2020, during the pandemic they offered carry-out, which performed well with customers. They moved into their brick-and-mortar location at 4022 Shelby St. on the south side of the city in March.
“We focus on comfortability. Anyone can come here, relax and be themselves. We serve American and Italian food. You don’t have to feel uptight,” said Toni Smith.
She said they maintain an upscale beat at the restaurant, but they allow people to come as they are.
“There’s been places and times at the restaurants where we really wanted to try the food, but we didn’t feel like ourselves. You feel like you’re rushed through, or you feel like your money isn’t appreciated and you’re not welcome,” said Smith.
Dajuan Morris prepping inside Open Kitchen Restaurant (Photo/Jade Jackson)
Dexter is the chef, and he offers American and Italian dishes on the menu.
“Italian food is great. It’s so many different flavors and so many different cooking techniques,” said Chef Dexter.
While he has worked as a professional chef for the last five years, he has been working in a kitchen since he was 16. His first job was serving patients at Community East.
“This is nowhere near what I thought I would be doing in the future. I’m a math person. I thought I was going to do actuary for sport, but I love the work that goes into figuring out a recipe to make a dish great,” said Chef Smith.
His math skills come in handy when he is figuring out and experimenting with the right measurements and proportion sizes for each meal.
He changes the menu every season to always offer new items.
Open Kitchen Restaurant is located at 4022 Shelby Street, Indianapolis, Indiana 46227 (Photo/Jade Jackson)
If you have a minority-owned and operated business you’d like to be featured in the Indiana Minority Business Magazine Directory, visit Indiana Minority Business Directoryto register.
You can find Britteny Davidson inside her shop Kurlykoils, off W. 42nd St., tending to the many clients that walk through her doors. The business launched in 2016, with its main styling services focusing on curly hair care.
“I was actually looking for somebody to cut my hair curly. At the time, I couldn’t find any Black women. I did find a white lady, and she was booked out probably four months in advance,” said Davidson.
During her eight years in the beauty industry as a licensed cosmetologist, Davidson had never heard of anyone being booked out that far. She said, at the time, there were two other curl specialists in Indianapolis, but all three women were Caucasian.
Britteny Davidson is the owner of Kurlykoils, a forward-thinking salon with a mission to help people embrace their natural hair (Photo/ Jade Jackson)
“So, I said if I start this business being a Black woman, I know it’s going to do well, and it definitely has,” said Davidson.
Born and raised in Indianapolis, she did not start to venture into natural hair care until she started wearing her own hair natural in her twenties.
When she was younger, she would straighten her hair often.
Kurlykoils: The beginning
According to Davidson, natural hair care is not taught in standard beauty school curriculum. It is considered a specialty training that one has to pursue on their own.
“We’re missing the mark in beauty school. It just focuses on how to straighten the hair and how to cut the hair while it’s straight. So, this is a skill you have to seek to become an expert in,” said Davidson.
She had to travel to take classes that taught her how to perfect the curly craft.
She started serving clients on Lafayette Road inside what used to be Indianapolis Hair Studio. From there, she moved inside the Salon Lofts on College and Broad Ripple Ave.
After becoming a mother, she started the recruitment process to create Kurly Koils in 2017.
Deja Parker, a stylist inside Kurlykoils (Photo/Jade Jackson)
Deja Parker has been a Kurly Koils stylist for almost three years. She grew up around hair stylists, so doing hair came naturally to her.
Kurlykoils: The experience
“I always knew I wanted to do the natural side of hair, but I started second guessing myself because I didn’t see it here in Indiana. Then, when I finally saw Britteny, and I made my appointment with her, she reconfirmed for me to go off and set this as a goal,” said Parker.
She believes that stylists with expertise in natural hair care are scarce in the area but that their numbers will increase over time.
“It hasn’t been a part of the culture for long. Natural hair care is becoming more well known around the country, so I think it’s just taking its time to get here,” said Parker.
It is a journey, and part of her job is to help people navigate along that journey.
She said the working environment is peaceful, and the clients love to come in to enjoy the “realness” that they provide, which makes it feel like a second home.
They serve over 700 clients and style around 25 people on a weekly basis. Their clients return every three months for hair care maintenance.
“The amount of growth has been tremendous, and having stylists here now establishing those relationships and maintaining them has made the biggest difference,” said Davidson.
The goal for Kurly Koils is sustainability and changing the thought process surrounding natural hair.
Davidson wishes more stylists had a better understanding of natural hair and styling it.
“There are more textures than straight hair for sure, so it should definitely be taught in beauty school. It should be a federal guideline. I think it’s nice, especially for our younger clientele, to be able to embrace their hair,” said Davidson.
Contact staff writer Jade Jackson at 317-607-5792 or by email JadeJ@IndyRecorder.com. Follow her on Twitter @IAMJADEJACKSON
Recorder Media Group President and CEO Robert Shegog will speak this week to an international group of women entrepreneurs on how to work with media outlets that focus on Black and brown communities.
The Startup Ladies are hosting the special Startup Study Hall on Wednesday, May 17, from 6-8 p.m.
Roughly a dozen women entrepreneurs from Argentina, Chile, Cuba, El Salvador, Panama, Paraguay, Peru and Venezuela will attend the event hosted by the International Center of Indianapolis.
A similar event was held at the Heritage Group in 2019 before the start of the pandemic. Organizers say this is a great opportunity to meet with leaders from other countries.
One of Shegog’s talking points will cover inclusive advertising. He will advise those in attendance on how to communicate and collaborate with minority groups.
Recorder Media Group, which includes the Indianapolis Recorder and the Indiana Minority Business Magazine, is Indiana’s leading minority-owned communications company. The Recorder staff has won more than 60 journalism awards in the past three years.
COhatch downtown Indy is sponsoring the event located in the Circle Center Mall.
A Good Life Photo Co. is a headshot and personal branding photography studio founded in March 2019 by La’Meshia Hayes of Indianapolis.
Hayes founded the business after reading the book ‘Think and Grow Rich” by Napoleon Hill. Hayes wanted to secure generational wealth for her and her family while exercising a craft where she excels: photography.
La’Meshia Hayes, owner of A Good Life Photo Co. (Photo/Hayes)
Like most entrepreneurs, Hayes attempted many ventures. However, her ability to capture the moment behind the lens sent her over the top online.
Today, Hayes’ photo studio has a package for every event, including proms, graduations, birthdays, holidays and more. Hayes has studio space but does not hesitate to travel to venues that will best capture the moment for a client.
A Good Life Photo Co. is located at 6256 La Pas Trail, Indianapolis, Indiana, 46268. Hayes and her staff can be reached on Facebook and Instagram. For email inquiries, contact Hayes at Agoodlifephoto@outlook.com
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Shirley Milligan and her husband have three daughters which meant they would spend a lot of time in local beauty supply stores.
Often owned by Non-Black people, the family would be disappointed by the lack of customer service they would receive from beauty supply businesses when shopping. That’s how Urban Beauty Supply was born.
Launched in February of 2020 just a month before the COVID-19 pandemic, the new business struggled to sell products curbside, but word of mouth spread and the shop started to get popular.
At Urban Beauty Supply they want you to be your best version. They offer a wide range of high-quality beauty, skincare and haircare products. From deep cleansers to the lightest moisturizers, you can get the most popular looks and brands in their store.
No matter what your skin or hair care needs are, Urban Beauty Supply said they are your one-stop shop to look great and maintain your healthy, beautiful skin.
Contact and hours:
5333 E. Thompson Road Indianapolis, IN 46237
(317) 875-1484
UrbanBeautySuppy1@Outlook.com
Monday – Saturday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
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A group of Indianapolis nonprofits have come together to create the Latino Business Support Network (LBSN). The network is committed to assisting Latino small business owners and entrepreneurs.
The LBSN’s primary focus is on building a stronger Latino business community in the city. Created by Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), along with the other organizations, the network collaborates to provide resources and programs.
“The Latino community is an economically resilient community. As we have attempted to close the racial wealth gap, especially in Black and Latino communities, these are often the most underserved, overlooked and undeveloped,” said Executive Director of LISC, David Hampton.
He said the Indianapolis small business community is incredibly diverse. There are 14,000 Black businesses, 5,000 Latinx businesses and 2,000 Asian owned businesses.
His hope for the network is to create a greater commitment and investment to support the Latinx community.
“Between 2010 and 2020, the Latinx community has grown by 42% and so have Latinx businesses. However, the resources for Latinx businesses have continued to be incredibly limited,” said Hampton.
As the community grows, there is an increasing need for language access and access to capital and services to support.
The start of the network
Four organizations — Hispanic Business Council, La Plaza, Emprendedoras Latinas en Indiana and Indiana Latino Expo — have come together to form a group dedicated to supporting Latino-owned businesses in Indianapolis.
The Director of International & Latino Affairs with the City of Indianapolis, Ruth Morales, said the Latino community is the fastest growing population in Marion County.
Executive Vice President of for External Engagement at the Indiana Economic Development Corporation Salena Scardina said a lot of stories go untold around Latino business, and this network is an opportunity to change that.
“Five years ago, I started a business, and I did not know what resources were available to me here. Latino-based businesses make up the largest minority sector of our entrepreneurship small businesses, and we don’t talk about that enough,” said Scardina.
By collaborating these organizations can provide better support and increase visibility for their work.
It is a simple phrase with a profound meaning: Nap or Nothing.
Etched across clothing inside a storefront on Massachusetts Avenue, owner of the streetwear brand Antonio Maxie said the slogan instills pride within people from Indianapolis.
“’Nap’ is short for Naptown, which is the nickname for the city. ‘Or Nothing’ is about repping to the fullest: Repping your backyard and being proud of where you’re from,” said Maxie. “It’s important for everybody to let people know where you come from and what made you or built you.”
Nap or Nothing has been around for nearly a decade.
Despite the brand’s release of hundreds of different colors and designs, Maxie said he never planned on owning and operating a clothing brand.
Originally a musician, Maxie’s fashion concept arose when he wanted to make a couple of extra bucks performing at shows.
“So, I started putting logos on merch with phrases from my songs and phrases that I say with my friends. It kind of just kept growing, and growing, and growing,” said Maxie.
Maxie said a friend of his opened a clothing store inside Lafayette Square Mall, and the shop ultimately fell into his lap.
The brick and mortar for Nap or Nothing at Lafayette Square Mall launched in 2015. Because the mall is now temporarily closed due to a redevelopment project, the store transferred to online sales before moving to Mass Ave.
From local artists to athletes and everyday people, all his customers rock the brand. Nap or Nothing has always shared space with other Indianapolis streetwear brands.
The organization GangGang culture partnered with Nap or Nothing to open multiple locations around the city in 2023.
“I feel blessed. I feel honored. I feel like I keep putting the work in and doing my due diligence to provide Indianapolis with quality representation,” said Maxie.
The recognition Nap or Nothing has gained over the years has been cool according to Maxie, but he’s even more excited that he can help other people achieve their goals and dreams by incorporating pride into the city.
“I don’t look at it like it’s a ‘me’ thing. It’s a ‘we’ thing. When the doors open for me, they open for others as well. My opportunity is their opportunity. They just have to capitalize as they see fit,” said Maxie.
Nap or Nothing’s goal is to have biweekly drops for products.
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The school is an accredited online university dedicated to making higher education accessible for as many people as possible.
The partnership launched the new program in January.
According to the executive director of the KFC Foundation, Emma Horn. The program seeks to ensure that every KFC restaurant employee feels supported and empowered to be their best selves.
They’re proud to offer employees an opportunity for higher education without the burden of tuition.
“We started working with WGU almost a year ago now. We love that every student is paired with a mentor, so they’ve got that champion that they can lean on. Somebody to cheer them on when things get tough. Also, WGU’s really focused on competency-based education,” said Horn.
We are so excited to be at the statehouse this morning to share all things @WGUIndiana, and talk about our brand new partnership with the @KFCfoundation! Come and see us in the North Atrium if you’re at the capitol building! pic.twitter.com/QQx81iqfoy
The average salary for a KFC employee is $25,207 a year. Black and African Americans make up almost 13% of staff across the country. There are 14 restaurants across the Circle City, which means the program has the potential to reach about 300 employees.
“I think it’s a great opportunity for our team members who really don’t have time to go through traditional college. They can go at their own pace and earn money while they do it,” said Kelsie Ternet, area manager of a Carmel based KFC.
She said the program would be great for working parents.
They can work full-time and take care of their families while getting a degree to further their education.
Knowing that employees enter through KFC’s doors in all stages and phases of life, Horn said it’s their honor as a foundation to take care of them in their current position and to help them reach for their dreams.
“What better opportunity to be able to offer team members than a flexible college degree program that can fit seamlessly into their schedule,” said Horn.
“An employee who works for a participating franchise is qualified on the day that they start employment at KFC to receive full tuition to start or complete any degree,” said chancellor for WGU Indiana and the University’s regional vice president, Alison Bell.
WGU Indiana has a wide range of programs.
Bell said KFC employees working full time can anticipate completing their degrees in two years.
Contact senior staff writer Jade Jackson at 317-607-5792. Follow her on Facebook and Twitter @IAMJADEJACKSON
Katara McCarty is the founder of Exhale, an emotional wellbeing app designed for Black women and women of color.
“It’s more than an app. It’s a movement. Society has ignored the health and wellbeing of Black women for too long, which is exactly why I am unapologetic in my pursuit to create space specifically for Black women,” said McCarty.
The grant from the Nile Capital Fund will allow her to launch a 2.0 version of the app. The new fund from the Be Nimble Foundation is providing revenue-based equity loans and traditional equity investments for Black founders.
Be Nimble is a social enterprise creating fully diverse and inclusive tech ecosystems. They launched the fund in collaboration with Cummins Inc., the City of Indianapolis and IMPACT Central Indiana.
“The Nile is the longest river in the world. It’s a lifeline for Egypt, fueling the economy and diverse ecosystem in Northeastern Africa. It also reflects our vision for Be Nimble and how we serve our community,” said Jeff Williams, co-founder of Be Nimble.
“This fund will serve as a mode of transportation for our existing programs and partnerships, just as the Nile enables communities to flourish. We’re feeding the ecosystem and supporting the entrepreneurs we’re committed to seeing succeed.” The Nile Capital Fund will also allocate funds to companies that have participated in Be Nimble’s other entrepreneurship programs.
Cummins Advocating for Racial Equity (CARE) Executive Director Latonya Sisco said working with Be Nimble, the city and IMPACT leverages the focus area on economic empowerment to create more inclusive communities.
“By joining forces, we aim to create a more equitable landscape for business ownership and growth and support the talented Black founders in our community who may not otherwise have access to the resources they need,” said Sisco.
Mayor Joe Hogsett said the city is proud to have contributed over $725,000 to launch the Nile Capital Fund.
“This partnership adds to our many efforts to continue to foster Black entrepreneurship,” said Hogsett.
Be Nimble said they will continue the legacy begun by Madame C.J. Walker, of Black women-led beauty brands in Central Indiana.
Contact senior staff writer Jade Jackson at 317-607-5792. Follow her on Facebook and Twitter @IAMJADEJACKSON
Dr. Sarita Sharp, a Sherman College-trained chiropractor and lifelong Indianapolis resident, is transforming Indianapolis community health through her woman-owned practice, Alpha Health & Wellness LLC.
The clinic is located at 4201 Millersville Road (Suite MW-13) and offers evidence-based holistic care rooted in personalized patient journeys.
Services tailored to Indianapolis
Dr. Sharp’s practice specializes in:
Chiropractic Care: Spinal adjustments for pain relief, mobility and preventative wellness (treatments from 15–45 minutes; Medicare accepted).
Laser Therapy/Physiotherapy: Non-invasive solutions for inflammation and injury recovery.
Weight Loss-Laser Lipo: Targeted body contouring programs.
Specialized Care: Prenatal, pediatric and auto-accident (PI/MVA) rehabilitation.
More on Sharp’s journey
Born and raised in Indianapolis, Sharp founded Alpha Health in 2017 to address gaps in patient-centered wellness.
“I recognized the need for a place where comprehensive care and compassion meet,” Sharp said on her official website.
Her approach treats each patient as “an individual with unique needs,” prioritizing long-term health over quick fixes. Beyond clinical work, Sharp hosts community meet & greets to educate locals on spinal health resources. She extends her recruitment mentorship work from Sherman College.
Community connection
When not treating patients, Sharp walks her boxer, Tank, explores local restaurants and attends sporting events like the 2025 WNBA All-Star Weekend in downtown Indy.
Walk-ins are welcome; appointments are recommended for specialized services.
Contact Multi-Media & Senior Sports Reporter Noral Parham at 317-762-7846 or via email at noralp@indyrecorder.com. Follow him on Facebook @HorsemenSportsMedia. If you want your business highlighted in the Indiana Minority Business Magazine, click here.
2Hope360 is a minority-owned business that offers digital and print journaling tools centered on self-care, identity and heritage.
Available through its Payhip storefront, the business was founded with the goal of helping people, especially women of color, use journaling as a path toward healing, clarity and purpose.
The store features more than a dozen journals and ebooks, including the “Melanin in Motion” collection, which celebrates Black identity through bold cover designs and affirming prompts. Titles include “Afro & Glasses Journal,” “I Am My Ancestors’ Journal” and “Pineapple & Prayer Journal.” Other offerings include self-guided habit trackers, faith-based prompts, Black history notebooks and affirmation planners. Prices range from $9.99 for digital downloads to $34.99 for printed spiral-bound journals.
The founder of 2Hope360 describes journaling as a daily grounding practice that builds mindfulness and self-awareness.
“With just a few minutes a day of putting my thoughts on paper, I cultivate a deeper understanding of who I am, reduce my stress levels and boost my well-being,” reads a message on the store’s welcome page.
An example of a journal available for purchase from 2Hope360. (Photo via/Facebook)
The journals reflect that personal philosophy, with prompts designed to guide reflection, goal-setting and emotional processing.
While rooted in wellness, 2Hope360 also serves as a platform for representation. Many products feature artwork and affirmations that center Black women and culture. The designs aim to reflect the communities they serve.
2Hope360 is also active on social media, where it shares journaling tips and reflections on entrepreneurship. Posts often explore the intersection of mission-driven business, mental health and storytelling. Customers are encouraged to share their own journaling journeys, creating a sense of community around the brand.
Contact Health & Environmental Reporter Hanna Rauworth at 317-762-7854 or follow her on Instagram at @hanna.rauworth.If you would like your business highlighted by the Indiana Minority Business Magazine, click here.
Pamela Bean of Pamela Bean Enterprises, LLC, does it all — from HR consulting, to event coordinating, life coaching and even podcasting.
Oh, she’s also an independent travel advisor.
Bean is a self-proclaimed “EmpowerNista” — or “ trailblazer dedicated to empowering, uplifting and elevating others.” Pamela Bean Enterprises, LLC is based in Indianapolis and offers a diverse range of services tailored to meet each of its clients’ needs, according to the website.
An Ohio native and current Hoosier, Bean spent her career in corporate America and is now “embracing the entrepreneurial spirit” by inspiring those around her to be their best selves, according to the website.
As a human resources consultant, Bean uses a DEI and leadership lens to help clients identify, create and carry out policies, procedures and action plans. Her services and expertise lie in company culture, recruitment, retention and employee relations.
Bean’s event planning services also fall into the corporate realm, including designing, planning and executing events for organizations and corporations. Bean is also prepared to elevate her client’s next trip through Memorable Moments Travel or help them set goals and develop new habits through #HeadTrash Coaching.
Situationally Speaking: A Podcast with Pamela Bean combines all aspects of Bean’s entrepreneurial spirit, featuring episodes on starting a business, finances, self-care, building a legacy and more. Stream episodes at pamelabean.net/podcast. To get in contact, email pamela@pamelabean.net or call 317-214-0888.
For more information or to book a service with Pamela Bean Enterprises, LLC visit pamelabean.net/home.
Contact Arts & Culture Reporter Chloe McGowan at 317-762-7848. Follow her on X @chloe_mcgowanxx.If you would like your business highlighted by the Indiana Minority Business Magazine, click here.
Forget waiting for an invitation. Tomeka B. Holyfield isn’t just setting a table; she’s building a movement.
The inaugural She’s Got Now Empowerment Luncheon, timed to the electric energy of WNBA All-Star weekend, aims to be far more than a celebration. It aspires to be a healing force and a powerful declaration for women in sports.
“This is going to be a movement,” Holyfield said in an exclusive interview with the Indianapolis Recorder. “It’s one of those events that you know is going to be a movement. That’s what we’re feeling.”
Scheduled amidst record-breaking WNBA viewership and surging female ownership in sports, the luncheon honors legends, current stars, executives and media leaders. Names like A’ja Wilson, Angel Reese, Caitlin Clark, Dawn Staley and Doris Burke are central, with Serena Williams receiving a special recognition award.
Holyfield sees this moment as undeniable.
“Why not now,” Holyfield asked. “Now is the best time, more than ever. Women are the fastest-growing entrepreneur. This year alone, the WNBA will gross upwards of one billion dollars.”
She contrasted historic NBA viewership lows with Clark-Reese matchups, drawing tens of millions.
“The tide is changing. It’s been in the making for two or three years… She’s Got Now spoke to me,” she said. “You have to do it now. It’s not tomorrow. It’s not yesterday.”
Black women focused while building bridges
a headshot fo Tomeka B. Holyfield, founder of the She’s Got Now Empowerment Luncheon. (Photo provided/Holyfield)
Crucially, the event centers on (but is not limited to) Black women, athletes and entrepreneurs who are shaping a historically male-dominated arena. Honorees represent generations of groundbreaking effort. Holyfield highlighted pioneers like Nancy Lieberman and Lisa Leslie, media icon Doris Burke and current moguls like Candace Parker.
“What they’re doing is why this thing is bigger than business and basketball,” Holyfield said. “The ball is the foundation, but it’s helping them get the bag … These ladies are turning over the veil of what they thought they couldn’t do.”
‘A melting pot of hugs’
FILE – In this March 6, 2016, file photo, South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley is shown during the third quarter of an NCAA college basketball against Mississippi State in the Southeastern Conference women’s tournament final in Jacksonville, Fla. Dawn Staley was chosen as The Associated Press Southeastern Conference coach of the year, for the second time in three years, announced Tuesday, March 15, 2016. (AP Photo/Gary McCullough, File)
“My number one goal is that this grows into a networking and meeting place,” Holyfield said. “We could take our Superwoman capes off and just be glad for the next person … We subliminally know what each other is going through.”
She described her hope for “a melting pot of hugs and admiration for each other.”
“I want to make sure that when they leave, they’re uplifted and clapping for everybody else … everybody has something they’ve gone through.”
She sees the luncheon as a catalyst for unity during a competitive season.
“We have to talk about the elephant in the room,” Holyfield said, referencing league tensions. “I’m hoping this is the platform to bring all of them together, collectively despite their dreams, goals, even their scars … I’m hoping their scars turn into celebrative memories.”
Strategic synergy and a call to action
Rose’s Angel Reese (5) waits for to shoot free throw shots during the Unrivaled 3 on 3 inaugural basketball game, Friday, Jan. 17, 2025, in Medley, Fla. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)
Holding the event during All-Star weekend in Indianapolis was deliberate. Holyfield cited the city’s welcoming atmosphere and proven capability to host major events like the 2024 NBA All-Star.
“The numbers are changing … it’s a strategic move,” Holyfield said. “It was a no-brainer.”
While high-profile honorees draw attention, Holyfield makes space for community. Initially focused on corporate tables, her team persuaded her to release a limited number of community tickets.
“I wanted to have company tables and keep it cohesive … but we do have some individual community tickets,” Holyfield said, directing interested parties to the She’s Got Now Empowerment Luncheon website.
Don’t wait, curate.
Indiana Fever point guard Caitlin Clark (22) during WNBA Media Day on April 30, 2025 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, in downtown Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo/David Dixon)
Ultimately, Holyfield’s message extends far beyond the luncheon. It’s a clarion call for every woman everywhere.
“I just want the readers to know we are no longer waiting for a table or to be invited. We curate our own tables,” Holyfield said.
Her challenge is direct.
“Wherever you are, you don’t need to be validated,” Holyfield said. You don’t need to wait for a seat at the table. Create your own table … It’s over waiting for somebody to validate who we are … We make our own tables, we make our own decisions, and we create our own narratives of our lives.”
Holyfield believes this self-validation breeds peace.
“When we begin to do that … that’s when peace and enjoyment come into us … because we have peace within ourselves,” she said.
The She’s Got Now Empowerment Luncheon is the physical launch. But Holyfield’s vision — of women curating their own tables, celebrating shared struggles and triumphs, and forging unity in a fragmented landscape — is the true movement.
As she put it, “This is going to change lives and perspectives.”
Contact Multi-Media & Senior Sports Reporter Noral Parham at 317-762-7846. Follow him on Facebook @horsemensportsmedia. For more news, click here. Visit the Indiana Minority Business Magazine here.
Mattingly Concrete was recognized as the City of Indianapolis’ Vendor of the Month for July 2025 on July 7. The Office of Minority and Women Business Development (OMWBD) presented the award.
OMWBD Director David Fredricks honored the certified Disabled-Owned Business Enterprise (DOBE) at the Indianapolis City-County Building.
Mattingly Concrete is a leading concrete construction company. It has served Central Indiana, Southern Ohio and Northeast Kentucky for over 35 years. The company handles residential and commercial projects.
Fredricks celebrated President Will Mattingly and his team. The award acknowledged their outstanding service as a concrete contractor and their role as community service champions.
The firm emphasizes transforming client visions into reality. It prioritizes exceptional quality and unmatched customer service.
Mattingly Concrete states its core values form its foundation:
Quality First: Using top equipment and materials for lasting solutions.
Customer Satisfaction: Prioritizing client needs with clear communication.
Safety Always: Maintaining strict safety standards for all.
Honesty and Respect: Building long-term client relationships on trust.
Commitment to Excellence: Continuously improving skills and industry knowledge.
Throughout July, OMWBD will spotlight Mattingly Concrete Inc. The focus is on their contributions to Indianapolis and beyond. The company stresses it builds trust alongside concrete structures.
Contact Multi-Media & Senior Sports Reporter Noral Parham at 317-762-7846 or via email at noralp@indyrecorder.com. Follow him on Facebook @HorsemenSportsMedia. If you would like your business highlighted in the Indiana Minority Business Magazine, click here.
Crosspoint Family Dental, a Black- and family-owned dental suite based in Indianapolis promises “comprehensive care” for overall wellness.
Led by Dr. Chari L. Fletcher-Crayton, Crosspoint Family Dental is comprised of a team of professionals committed to “ongoing professional growth.” Fletcher-Crayton received her doctor of dental surgery from Indiana University School of Dentistry and is certified in sedation dentistry and laser surgery to treat periodontal disease.
Under Fletcher-Crayton’s leadership, Crosspoint aims to give patients comprehensive and gentle dental care using the latest techniques and newest technology, according to the website.
“At Crosspoint Family Dental Care, we’ll greet you with a smile and hello and do everything we can to give you the best dental experience you’ve ever had,” the website states. “From preventative care to complex procedures, we begin every appointment by making sure you are relaxed and comfortable. We’ll explain every step of your treatment and answer any questions you may have.”
Crosspoint Family Dentistry specializes in services that help clients “restore or maintain your perfect smile,” including periodontics, endodontics, oral surgery, preventive oral health and sedation dentistry for those with dental anxiety. Crosspoint also offers emergency dental care for cracked teeth and pain in addition to cosmetic and restorative dentistry services such as dentures and veneers, tooth bonding, bridges, crowns and fillings.
Crosspoint Family Dental is located at 9855 Crosspoint Blvd., Suite 144. It is in a network with more than a dozen different insurance plans and offers CareCredit and other dental savings plans.
New and returning patients can schedule appointments with Crosspoint Family Dental by calling 317-486-5841 or booking online at crosspointfamilydental.com.
Contact Arts & Culture Reporter Chloe McGowan at 317-762-7848. Follow her on X @chloe_mcgowanxx.If you would like your business highlighted by the Indiana Minority Business Magazine, click here.
Indianapolis-based pet treat company Three To Four Dogs is making a name for itself with its line of simple, high-quality snacks designed for both dogs and cats. Focused on digestive health, transparency and ingredient integrity, the business offers a growing range of products that appeal to pet lovers looking for healthier alternatives.
The brand’s name reflects its founders’ real-life experience as pet owners, caring for three to four dogs at any given time. That experience drives the company’s mission: to provide high-value, functional treats using ingredients that are easy for pets to digest. According to its website, every product is designed with both flavor and purpose in mind.
Among the brand’s bestsellers are their Beef Liver Chews, made from a single ingredient and suitable for both dogs and cats. The company also offers Fish Jerky, a protein-rich treat that supports muscle development and overall health.
Ronica Owens, founder. (Photo/Three To Four Dogs website)
For pets with sensitive stomachs, the Pumpkin & Peanut Butter Bites are crafted with fiber-rich ingredients that aim to soothe and support digestion. Sweet Potato Chews serve as another gentle option for dogs, offering high fiber content and natural flavor without additives.
A standout item for cats is their Catnip & Fish Donuts, creatively shaped and designed to be served alone or used as a food topper to encourage finicky eaters.
Three To Four Dogs also offers a dog-and-cat-friendly meal topper made from dehydrated meat, intended to boost the nutritional profile and taste of standard pet food. All items are shipped from Indiana, and customers in the U.S. can receive free shipping on orders over $40.
With a growing presence online, including a Shopify storefront and an active Instagram account (@threetofourdogs), the company connects with pet owners across the country. Their website highlights upcoming breaks in shipping or operations, showing a commitment to transparency and customer service.
Contact Health & Environmental Reporter Hanna Rauworth at 317-762-7854 or follow her on Instagram at @hanna.rauworth.If you would like your business highlighted by the Indiana Minority Business Magazine, click here.
Camille Walker, owner of Lamira Wellness, a woman-owned business recognized by the Office of Minority and Women Business Development, offers integrated wellness services.
Walker empowers individuals and organizations throughout Indy. Her approach blends yoga, meditation and breathwork.
Her philosophy centers on holistic well-being. Lamira Wellness combines Eastern and Western healing traditions. Walker addresses physical, emotional and energetic health. She believes everyone possesses innate healing abilities. She supports and guides clients, helping them access their self-healing potential.
Lamira Wellness provides diverse services, including specialized yoga therapy. Meditation guidance and breathwork are also key offerings.
Walker tailors sessions to each client’s unique needs and emphasizes creating a safe, supportive environment. Her work is trauma-informed and client-centered.
She initially studied psychology and social work and later pursued advanced training in bodywork, physical therapy and yoga, which informs her integrative methods. Walker deeply understands the mind-body-spirit connection, and her services reflect that.
A significant aspect is client education. Walker equips clients with practical tools that support wellness beyond individual sessions. Techniques may include breathing exercises or movement practices. She focuses on sustainable self-care habits, and clients learn to manage their well-being actively.
Lamira Wellness serves both individuals and groups. The business offers mobile services for convenience. She brings sessions directly to homes or workplaces. Corporate wellness programs are also available. Organizations can book her for team workshops, which promote stress reduction and team cohesion.
Walker’s mission is clear. She helps clients release tension and reconnect with themselves, fostering resilience and inner peace. Lamira Wellness provides personalized pathways to greater health and supports clients living more balanced, vibrant lives.
Lamira Wellness was recognized by the WNBA All-Star Host Committee as one of Indiana’s “Top women-owned businesses.”
Lamira Wellness is located at 3090 North Post Road on Indianapolis’ east side. Visit their website at lamirawellness.com.
Contact Multi-Media & Senior Sports Reporter Noral Parham at 317-762-7846 or via email at noralp@indyrecorder.com. If you would like your business highlighted in the Indiana Minority Business Magazine, click here.
HerPath LLC, based in Indianapolis, is carving out a distinctive niche in the entrepreneurial landscape.
The firm offers women tailored support as they build compliant and scalable businesses in healthcare and transportation. The firm combines consulting expertise, community support and educational programming to turn business ideas into thriving enterprises.
Founded with the mission to bridge the gap between aspiration and execution, HerPath LLC operates two core divisions: the Care Consultants Division (CCD), focused on home care and health care agency startups and the Driving Force Consultants Division, which guides clients in launching trucking and non-medical transport businesses. These divisions offer hands-on mentorship and industry-specific guidance, addressing challenges such as compliance, licensing and operational setup.
HerPath’s team brings more than 20 years of combined experience. They specialize in Medicaid policy and procedures, trucking authority setup, dispatching, brokerage operations and Class A owner training. Clients can take advantage of offerings such as free eight-hour barter mentorship or comprehensive consulting packages.
HerPath, LLC believes every woman deserves the tools and support to achieve her dreams. (Photo/HerPath LLC)
HerPath LLC’s services include:
Business startup guidance: Helping clients transform concepts into compliant, structured businesses.
Medicaid approval support: Navigating the intricacies of Medicaid certifications for health care providers.
Trucking and transport business setup: From obtaining Motor Carrier Authority to launching brokerage and dispatch operations.
Mentorship programs: Free barter-based and paid packages tailored to client needs.
Beyond technical know-how, HerPath prioritizes community and empowerment. The firm cultivates a “tribe” atmosphere, connecting clients with like-minded women who are also pursuing bold entrepreneurial paths. Aligned with the ethos of empowerment, HerPath hosts networking events, webinars and peer support opportunities, emphasizing that success is not just transactional, it is communal.
Contact Health & Environmental Reporter Hanna Rauworth at 317-762-7854 or follow her on Instagram at @hanna.rauworth.If you would like your business highlighted by the Indiana Minority Business Magazine, click here.
Founded by Alexandra J. Hall, Pretty Smart, LLC is an Indianapolis-based technical assistance provider specializing in early learning and out-of-school-time space.
Pretty Smart connects with newly established childcare providers and educators on the path to licensing or registration to offer essential developmental resources and training. Pretty Smart also assists in improving the quality of childcare program offerings through coaching, mentorship, organizational and funding development initiatives, according to the website.
“We work alongside newly established childcare providers as they prepare to become licensed or registered, the website states. “We listen carefully to providers to gain an understanding of their unique needs and work to develop solutions.”
With a bachelor’s in sociology and linguistics from the University of Michigan and a master’s in human resource management from Marygrove College, Hall’s career spans years in the field of early childhood education — including advocating for equitable access to quality education, early intervention, mental health and family wellness. Hall also serves her own local school district as a member of the Equity Council, STEM Advisory Board, Wellness, Social Media & Academic Calendar Committees, according to the website.
Hall founded Pretty Smart, LLC in 2020 with the hopes of “dismantling systems and removing barriers” that limit equitable access to high-quality education.
Pretty Smart, LLC’s technical assistance services include improving the quality of childcare programs by implementing curricula, ensuring compliance and developing policies and documents. The business also features fund development and communication services as well as initial program set up, which sees a childcare program “from ideation to fruition,” according to the website.
Pretty Smart, LLC is located at 1220 Waterway Blvd. To get in contact, call 317-296-3468 or email info@prettysmartllc.com.
Contact Arts & Culture Reporter Chloe McGowan at 317-762-7848. Follow her on X @chloe_mcgowanxx.If you would like your business highlighted by the Indiana Minority Business Magazine, click here.
