Casey Ross Jr., also known as Casey The Icon, is the creator and artist behind Icon Studios, a graphic design and marketing company that Ross hopes to make a household name in the future.
He started his business shortly after college when a lot of his friends were starting to make businesses of their own. Ross noticed the need for creative and memorable logos for his friend’s brands, and he knew he had the skill set to create them.
As the business began to grow, he put more effort and time into his design process, becoming more organized about what he was creating and continuously getting better equipment to improve his art.
He currently creates logos, produces mockups of T-shirts and clothing, and designs flyers for various companies. He gets inspiration from different places, including everyday life, the creative style of 70s and 80s, and Black advertisements in movies, products, shows and more.
“Just the fonts they used, the vibe they had would be one of my biggest inspirations,” Ross said.
In the future, he wants to create everything associated with marketing for companies. From Instagram and social media posts to full-blown marketing campaigns with logos, pictures and the company’s creative vision all done by him.
“My plans for the future are to make Icon Studios a full-blown animation, marketing and production company,” Ross said.
To see some of Ross’s work, you can follow him on Instagram @CaseytheIcon, and to contact him for potential work, you can email him at caseyrossjr@yahoo.com
This minority business highlight was composed by Garrett Simms at the Indianapolis Recorder, who can be reached at [317-762-7847] or via email at [garretts@indyrecorder.com]. If you would like your business highlighted in the Indianapolis Minority Business Magazine, click here!
Nestled in the heart of Indianapolis Fountain Square, Black House Café is more than just an average coffee shop. Housed in a historical district near Indy’s southside, Black House Café has transformed its space into an atmospheric haven for caffeine enthusiasts and fans of the macabre.
Last summer, owner Mari Reyes Ramirez put together many pieces for the Black House Café, including its location, theme and spooky menu.
Upon entry, patrons are greeted by brick walls decorated with local artwork, vintage furniture and a warm, inviting ambiance. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee fraternizes with the scent of house-baked pastries, creating a tantalizing experience for the senses that is as enticing as it is morbid.
Black House Café’s menu boasts a handcrafted selection of coffee, teas and specialty beverages. This café has everything from bold espressos and frothy lattes to unique concoctions. Pair your drink with a mouthwatering pastry, like a flaky croissant, decadent brownie or seasonal quiche, and you’ve got yourself the perfect afternoon pick-me-up.
But Black House Café is more than just a coffee shop; it is also a community hub. Local artists frequently showcase their work on the café walls, and the intimate setting fosters a sense of connection and creativity. Whether catching up with friends, working on your laptop or simply seeking a quiet escape, Black House Café provides a welcoming space for all.
The spooky Café is a haven for those seeking a distinctive and slightly spooky experience. The quirky aesthetic adds to the café’s charm and stands out in the Indianapolis coffee scene.
Rooted with Ruby, an Indianapolis-based houseplant nursery, was founded in 2020 by owner, plant lover and product alchemist Ruby Proctor.
The Black- and woman-owned plant boutique is located in east Indy and offers an array of house plants, products and services.
“I’ve come to inner-stand value in the journey of life, plants, nature, growing and being present. All of which are rooted in healing!” Proctor states on her website. “My goal is to share this journey with you, my community as we heal generations current & past and learn to care for ourselves as it relates with plants.”
Rooted with Ruby carries a variety of houseplants from beginner friendly to more advanced care, as well as planter boxes, Royal Roots fertilizer and grow bags.
In addition to plants and plant care products, Rooted with Ruby also offers a variety of plant care services, such as plant assistance and house-calls, residential and commercial plant interior design, and Monstera Mediation, or holistic healing through caring for houseplants and other events.
Rooted with Ruby is located at 6356 Guilford Ave. for more information about products, services or events, visitrootedwithruby.com. To get in contact, email Ruby@RootedWithRuby.comor call (317) 732-8709.
This minority business highlight was composed by CHLOE McGOWAN at the Indianapolis Recorder, who can be reached at 317-762-7848 or via email at chloegm@indyrecorder.com. If you would like your business highlighted in the Indianapolis Minority Business Magazine, click here!
Performance expectations remain high despite labor and inflation challenges
New insight from Innovation Economy leaders finds increased optimism, but concerns around raising capital remain
New York – January 4, 2024 – Following a year marked by banking industry disruption, geopolitical risks and sustained macroeconomic challenges, small and midsize business leaders are sharing a more balanced outlook heading into 2024, while pulling back from previous predictions of a near-term recession, according to JPMorgan Chase’s 2024 Business Leaders Outlook survey released today.
Expectations for a recession, widely held by both small and midsize business leaders at the start of 2023, have moderated following a year of better-than-expected economic growth. In the new survey, 40% of midsize and 51% of small business leaders anticipate a recession in 2024, or believe we’re already in one, down from 65% and 61% respectively, one year ago. However, almost as many midsize business leaders (38%) say they don’t anticipate a recession in the year ahead as those that do, while 30% of small business leaders don’t anticipate a recession.
Amidst mixed economic signals, midsize business leaders are nearly evenly split in their outlook on the national economy, with 31% optimistic, 34% pessimistic and 36% remaining neutral. While this year’s optimism is higher than the 22% reported a year ago, it remains at historically low levels for the survey. When it comes to the local/regional economy, the outlook is rosier but still mixed, with 44% expressing optimism and 35% remaining neutral. For small business leaders, optimism for the national economy slightly dipped from 49% one year ago to 43% today, and perspectives on the local economy followed suit with 46% expressing optimism compared to 50% previously.
Optimistic
Neutral
Pessimistic
Middle Market Business Leaders
National Economy
31%
36%
34%
Local/Regional Economy
44%
35%
20%
Small Business Leaders
National Economy
43%
25%
32%
Local/Regional Economy
46%
29%
25%
“Despite the volatility of 2023, it has been encouraging to see the resilience of US businesses and the firm pace of US consumer spending growth that has contributed to the year’s stronger economic picture,” said Ginger Chambless, Head of Research, JPMorgan Chase Commercial Banking. “Over the last few years, business leaders have not only become adept at managing through tough times and recovering from speedbumps, but confident in their ability to manage and lead through crises given how practiced they’ve become. These learnings will set them up well to weather future uncertainty.”
Business leaders are maintaining upbeat projections for their own companies in the year ahead with more than two-thirds of small and midsize business leaders optimistic about their company’s performance. The majority of midsize business leaders are expecting increased revenue/sales (61%), though these expectations are more tempered compared to previous years. Meanwhile, the 69% of small business leaders expecting increased revenue/sales is in-line with the highest levels recorded by the survey. Both small and midsize leaders anticipate greater profits (66% and 55%, respectively).
Optimistic
Neutral
Pessimistic
Middle Market Business Leaders
Company Performance
67%
24%
10%
Small Business Leaders
Company Performance
69%
21%
10%
Labor and inflation top list of concerns
Small and midsize businesses continue to be vexed by some of the key issues they’ve faced for years, namely labor and inflation, even as they have tried to adapt and solve for these challenges. More than half of midsize business leaders (54%) cite labor-related issues—including shortages, retaining, recruiting and hiring—as one of their most significant challenges, followed by uncertain economic conditions (47%), revenue/sales growth (39%) and rising interest rates (36%). The labor challenges come as 86% of midsize business leaders say they expect to add to or maintain their current headcount in the next 12 months.
“Today’s business leaders are not strangers to the challenges before them, and have remained nimble and primed for opportunities despite continued uncertainty,” said John Simmons, Head of Middle Market Banking & Specialized Industries, JPMorgan Chase Commercial Banking. “The most resilient leaders focus on continuous improvement, iterating with each challenge to make strategic investments in their operations, adopt new technologies and focus on their people to move their business forward.”
More than one-third of small business leaders (35%) report inflation as one of their most significant challenges, with rising taxes (19%) and the ability to grow sales/revenue (18%) also top concerns. The inflation worries persist as 90% of small business leaders say it has had at least some impact on their expenses, and the majority expect rising costs in areas like labor, energy and materials to continue. Despite this, 41% of small business leaders said that inflation will motivate them to accelerate their business plans, rather than scale back on (26%) or maintain (33%) current operations.
“Small business owners continue to demonstrate resilience, proving time and time again why they are the lifeblood of the US economy,” said Ben Walter, CEO of Chase for Business. “Despite nagging inflation and concerns of recession, the majority of small business owners feel like they can weather any storm, and even expect to increase in revenue in 2024.”
Warming up to AI
While businesses’ adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) tools, such as generative AI and language processing software, is not yet widespread, business leaders are giving more consideration to them to support a growing number of functions. Of the 46% of midsize businesses currently using or considering adopting AI, popular applications for the technology include business operations (69%) and internal/external communications (63%). Nearly half are currently or considering using AI for financial management/accounting (48%) and human resources/training purposes (47%).
While small businesses find social media tools, virtual meeting platforms and cloud technologies more essential to their business than AI, it ranks as the technology they’re most likely to add in the coming year, with 46% of small businesses planning to do so.
Innovation Economy companies remain optimistic
US-based founders, CEOs and CFOs of Innovation Economy (IE) businesses were also tapped for their insights. The participating IE businesses consisted of high-growth, venture-backed, founder-led startups and companies in the Technology, Disruptive Commerce & Internet, Life Sciences, HealthTech and Climate Tech industries.
Founders and entrepreneurs are resilient and optimistic by nature, which is reflected in the IE survey findings: 43% are optimistic about the national economy in the year ahead and 50% are optimistic about the local/regional economy. Similarly, IE business leaders are bullish on their prospects, with 74% expressing optimism for their company’s performance.
While the majority of IE business leaders (67%) note that declining tech valuations have had a negative impact on their ability to raise capital, most (54%) are confident they have raised enough capital to hold off on raising additional funds over the next year. Twenty-four percent note they plan to raise new equity in 2024.
Despite this optimism, IE business leaders do anticipate challenges in the year ahead, including the availability of capital and credit (52%). They are also confronting the same challenges as midsize business leaders related to revenue and sales growth (48%) and uncertain economic conditions (46%).
When asked about their long-term vision or goal for their company, 50% of IE respondents say it is to be acquired and 15% expect to go public via an initial public offering (IPO).
Sports Ventures International (SVI) Sportswear is a company based in Indianapolis, IN, that provides clothing for over 120 AAU programs and 100 schools across 14 states. SVI has athletic clients in the NBA and NFL. SVI recently signed a multi-venue deal with Card & Associates to create an official partnership.
As part of this deal, SVI will have office space inside Mojo Up Sports Complex and retail pop-up stores on the weekends. They will create gear for their in-house programs such as Go Time, Showtime, Prime Time, and other athletic and sports programs.
SVI aims to help companies and programs “Create your adventure” in sportswear. They are a certified minority-owned company that is building a family legacy. Anthony Leach is the CEO, and his son Grant Leach is the COO and head of Marketing and Sales.
If you’re looking to create your adventure in sportswear, let Sports Ventures Sportswear help you today!
Sports Ventures Sportswear is a Sports Ventures International (SVI) division that specializes in high-quality, custom sportswear for schools, teams, and leagues. SVI is located in Indianapolis, Indiana, at 10475 Crosspoint Boulevard, Suite 250. They can be reached at orders@svisportswear.com. Follow them at @svisportswear on Twitter and Instagram and on Facebook at SVI Sportswear.
Camike Jones, Indianapolis Recorder Newspaper editor-in-chief, and 2023 Champions of Diversity award winner, Dr. Toby Malichi, stopped by the All Indiana show at WISH-TV to discuss the upcoming awards ceremony. The Champions of Diversity awards celebrate individuals and organizations who have demonstrated dedication to the causes of diversity, equity and inclusion. The event will be held on Friday, Jan. 12, 2024 at the JW Marriott in Downtown Indianapolis.
Jasnee Norwood started baking cookies and desserts during the COVID-19 lockdown when she ran out of things to do. She started mixing different ingredients together, and her treats immediately received positive reviews from family and friends.
From that hobby, Norwood created Sweet Ventures, an independently owned and operated sweets business.
“It just sounded like the right thing to do was start a side hustle. So, we came up with some reasonable prices, people started buying, more people started buying, and then the orders just never stopped coming in. Things just kind of took off from there, and we’ve been rolling ever since,” Norwood said.
Norwood said nothing about being a business owner is easy, but she keeps the original love that started Sweet Ventures alive by remaining creative with her baking and always coming up with new products.
The name Sweet Ventures itself is a play on the journey the company has taken Norwood and her clients on.
“Think of an airport and flights rolling in on a steady basis. That’s how Sweet Ventures started off; everything was non-stop. It’s a first-class taste. Each cookie has its own flavor, and each flavor is based on a destination across the world,” said Norwood.
Join the journey and try Sweet Ventures today! See Norwood’s treats on Instagram @sweeetventures and place an order via email @sweeetventures@gmail.com or phone (317)-679-9969.
This minority business highlight was composed by Garrett Simms at the Indianapolis Recorder, who can be reached at 317-762-7847 or via email at garretts@indyrecorder.com. If you would like your business highlighted in the Indianapolis Minority Business Magazine, click here!”
“’Golden Nuggets Health and Wellness’ presents an excellent opportunity for providers and recipients to reflect on the cost associated with the phenomenal care extended and received by so many,” said Janice Akers-Reinhardt, a nurse who appears as a guest on the show.
With a diverse range of topics and expert guests, the show aims to inspire and educate viewers on holistic well-being. The first segment of the series, “Compassion Fatigue: The Cost of Caring,” addresses the critical issue of compassion fatigue.
This condition affects helping professionals and caregivers who dedicate themselves to assisting others in need. The show will explore what compassion fatigue is and how to identify those at risk, recognize signs and symptoms, and provide actionable steps to address and prevent this debilitating condition.
“Dr. Elect Star is a star in the mental health field, and she is a natural in front of the camera. The combination of talents equates to a great show that will help us all with the mental challenges we face. Her timing in launching her new show is perfect in addressing this country’s mental health crisis,” said Kelly Vaughn with WHMB TV 40.
Star, a licensed mental health therapist, said that before the show, she started noticing a lot of clients were coming to her not understanding how to manage their symptoms or practice self-care.
She started developing strategies for them and thought that she could expand her one-hour sessions to help more than one client at a time through “The Golden Nuggets Health & Wellness” show.
“So, I really felt that it was important to address the population and remind them of the importance of self-care. We talk about compassion fatigue, the signs and symptoms, the population at risk, highlight those folks, then provide a solution,” said Star.
She brings in speakers from various fields to speak about topics on health and wellness.
Pre-recorded episodes will air January, February and March 2024.
Tune in to WHMB TV40 every Monday at 11:30 a.m. beginning Jan. 8, 2024, for a weekly dose of inspiration and insight on mind, body and soul wellness.
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!
Owned and operated by Renita Palmer, Loveable Perfume Shop is an Indianapolis-based fragrance company dedicated to handcrafted eau de parfum.
Loveable Perfume Shop aims to create long-lasting personalized fragrances to help each person “to express themselves” through scent, according to its official website.
Each fragrance is made locally, and the collection includes men’s, women’s and unisex scents, ranging from floral to citrusy to earthy. However, the two most popular fragrances include “Leilani Flowers” and “Loveable Seduction.”
Fragrances come in either a large bottle, purse spray or roller oil.
Loveable Perfume Shop also hosts private events where guests can sign up to learn about the process of making perfumes and then take home their own personalized fragrance. Private events are hosted in either large groups or sessions as small as two.
Loveable Perfume Shop currently operates as an online store but can be found at festivals and pop-ups around Indianapolis. For more information or to shop the collection, visit lovableperfumeshop.online. To get in contact, email Lovableperfumeshop@gmail.com.
This minority business highlight was composed by CHLOE McGOWAN at the Indianapolis Recorder, who can be reached at 317-762-7848 or via email at chloegm@indyrecorder.com. If you would like your business highlighted in the Indianapolis Minority Business Magazine, click here!
Fifth Third Bank announced Rey’s Remodeling, a Latino-owned construction company, as one of the winners of its inaugural “Love, Fifth Third” small business appreciation campaign Dec. 12.
As part of the drive, Fifth Third employees across the bank’s network nominated their favorite small enterprises for an opportunity to win a $53,000 grant. Nearly 2,200 entries were submitted through social media. Rey’s Remodeling was one of the award recipients.
Fifth Third regional president Mike Ash spoke about the significance of Rey’s Remodeling being chosen for the grant. “I am so proud of how our local employees rallied behind small businesses during this campaign,” Ash said. “Rey’s Remodeling provides exceptional service to their customers, and I look forward to seeing how this grant helps them grow their business.”
Rey’s Remodeling, led by brothers David Sanchez and Erick Gomez, specializes in paint, decks, bathroom and kitchen renovations, and more. The business was nominated by personal banker Yajayra Guzman, who praised the business’ dedication to its craft and the families they serve.
“We are truly grateful for this incredible opportunity,” said Sanchez. “This grant will play a vital role in helping us recover from the pandemic and take our business to the next level.
Contact multimedia staff writer Noral Parham III at 317-762-7846 or via email at noralp@indyrecorder.com. Follow him on Twitter @3Noral.If you would like your business highlighted via the Indiana Minority Business Magazine, you can do by clicking here.
