Running a business is no easy task – and growing that business can be even more challenging. That’s why Chase is committed to helping entrepreneurs along their business journey through its Coaching for Impact program.
Launched in 2020, Coaching for Impact is a complimentary consulting program for established businesses, providing guidance and tools to help entrepreneurs in historically underserved neighborhoods manage and grow their businesses.
The program helps match small business owners with a Chase Senior Business Consultant, a financial services industry veteran. There are 74 Senior Business Consultants in 35 U.S. cities. Recently, Shellie Vernon joined the team as Chase’s Indianapolis Senior Business Consultant, bringing with her 12 years of experience in the financial industry. Question: To start off, tell us a little about you. What brought you to Indianapolis?
Shellie Vernon: I’m a Hoosier at heart. Since I was three years old, I’ve lived in Indianapolis on the westside. Being a Senior Business Consultant in the place I call home inspires me to bring my best every day to serve those in my community. I’ve seen firsthand how Indianapolis has transformed and I’m committed to helping our small businesses grow with it.
Question: How would you describe your role as a Chase Senior Business Consultant?
Shellie Vernon: As a Chase Senior Business Consultant, my job is to build trust and deepen relationships with local business owners. I do this by meeting with them one-on-one to get a sense of their goals and any obstacles they’re facing over 2-4 months. Together, we come up with a plan to tackle specific issues like access to capital, customers, networks and other resources needed to grow and scale. I’m here to help businesses at any stage because we know when our local businesses succeed, we all succeed. I’m so proud to serve Indianapolis entrepreneurs. Question: Who is eligible for the program and where can business owners go to get more information?
Shellie Vernon: There is no cost or formal criteria to participate in the Chase Coaching for Impact program – you don’t even have to be a Chase customer! While the program focuses on working with established businesses who have been in business for 2+ years, entrepreneurs at every stage can learn more about the program at Chase.com/CoachingforImpact. For informational/educational purposes only: Views and strategies described may not be appropriate for everyone and are not intended as specific advice/recommendation for any individual. Information has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but JPMorgan Chase & Co. or its affiliates and/or subsidiaries do not warrant its completeness or accuracy. Deposit products provided JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. Member FDIC. Equal Opportunity Lender.
PitchFeast, a transformative competition designed to empower Black and Brown entrepreneurs, held its competition Oct. 10 at the Collaboration Hub in Hamilton County. The night wrapped up with four entrepreneurs receiving thousands of dollars in funding.
The Shark Tank-style event provides a platform for ten innovative businesses to showcase their visions to a panel of investors, competing for much-needed startup capital.The top prize is $25,000, alongside additional funding awards of $15,000 and $10,000 for second and third place respectively.
Founder and Executive Director of PitchFeast Kendrea J. Williams believes the event went off without a hitch.
“PitchFeast is pivotal to the Indiana business landscape because traditional banks often neglect or intentionally disregard Black and brown entrepreneurs who are seeking startup capital,” Williams said in a statement. “Offering easily accessible funding is just one concrete measure Central Indiana can take to support Black and brown founders in launching new and successful businesses in this region.”
The top prize was taken home by Lux Beauty Spa. Second place honors went to Sweetie’s Candy Boutique and Emporium. Third place went to T Street Eatz.
Owner of The Mental Health Spa Cydaria Cooke could hardly contain her excitement following the win.
Additionally, an audience’s choice prize of $5,000 was awarded, reflecting the community’s engagement and support. The Mental Health Spa took home the Audience Choice Award.
Cydaria Cooke, owner of The Mental Health Spa, giving her pitch during PitchFeast on October 10, 2024 in Hamilton County, Indiana. (Photo provided/PitchFeast)
“There is a stigma surrounding mental health,” Cooke told the Indianapolis Recorder. “This funding is going to help eliminate that stigma and push the community forward.”
Among the other participating businesses that pitched this fall are a diverse range of ventures.
From “Scents N Wicks,” a company specializing in handcrafted candles, to “Feel Better Naked,” a wellness brand focused on body positivity, each entrepreneur brings a unique vision to the table.
Other participants include Integrate School, aimed at enhancing educational opportunities; “Sunnie Side Up, a plant-based food service that provides farm-to-table meals, and Objects of Essence, showcasing the rich diversity of ideas and solutions that these entrepreneurs represent.The impact of PitchFeast extends beyond the immediate financial rewards. It cultivates a sense of community and shared purpose among participants. Owner of Sunnie Side Up Sunnie Davis believes PitchFeast is a good outlet for startups of color.
Owner of Sunnie Side Up Plant-based Meals Sunnie Davis giving her pitch during PitchFeast, held on October 10, 2024. (Photo provided/PitchFeast)
“PitchFeast provides entrepreneurs that look like me a fighting chance at leveling the playing field when it comes to business,” Davis said.
Contact multi-media & senior sports reporter Noral Parham III at 317-762-7846. Follow him on X @3Noral. For more news from the Indiana Minority Business Magazine, visit our homepage.
Owned by Ebony Ligon, Compassionate Senior Care provides in-home care services and solutions for elderly clients.
Ligon grew up with a profound love and respect for the elderly. Driven by her close relationship with her grandmother and family matriarch, she was inspired to create a homecare agency that would prioritize the health and well-being of senior citizens.
Compassionate Senior Care treats each client with dignity and respect, as if they were family, allowing clients to maintain an enriched and independent lifestyle.
Ligon’s mission is to build trusting relationships with her clients, fostering a community where seniors feel cared for and respected through services such as homemaking and companion care, physical disability support, dementia and Alzheimer’s patient support, medication management, American veterans care connection, meal preparation, hygiene services and light housekeeping.
Those interested in Compassionate Senior Care may book a free 30-minute consultation or a free one-hour assessment to get started.
Compassionate Senior Care is located at 5023 E. 56th St. For more information about services or scheduling, visit indyseniorcare.com/hometo get in contact, call 317-449-4857 or email Info@indyseniorcare.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.
Bohemian Virtue is a Black-owned, woman-owned business based in Indianapolis that provides a unique mix of spiritual wellness products and services.
Founded with a focus on holistic healing, the business provides a range of items like healing crystals, intention candles, manifestation oils and jewelry. Their service includes yoni steams, a practice aimed at feminine wellness, facilitated by founder Cheyenne Hayden, who brings expertise and warmth to the experience.
Additionally, Bohemian Virtue offers doula services, smoke accessories and wholesale options, all crafted with the intention of uplifting and healing.
The brand caters to customers seeking personal growth, spiritual alignment and a touch of luxury through its carefully curated products. Whether it’s the soothing effects of a yoni steam or the empowerment brought by using their healing crystals, Bohemian Virtue delivers an experience that merges health with a sense of uplift. Their products and services emphasize self-care, manifesting abundance and embracing inner strength.
a photo of Bohemian Virtue owner Cheyenne Hayden. (Photo via Facebook)
Hayden’s leadership shines through the tailor-made touch in everything Bohemian Virtue offers, ensuring that clients not only purchase products but are guided through transformative experiences.
Contact multi-media & senior sports reporter Noral Parham III at 317-762-7846 or via email at noralp@indyrecorder.com. Follow him on X @3Noral. If you would like your business highlighted in the Indiana Minority Business Magazine, click here.
Specializing in products for women of color, Luxe Locks Curls is a hair care line that is all about celebrating every curl, coil and wave and helping women learn to love their natural hair.
Why choose these hair care products instead of others? According to their website it’s for several reasons: for purity, for safety, for quality, for health, for gentleness, for children and for fun.
Pina Co-lotta Leave In by Luxe Locks Curls. (Photo via/Luxe Locks Curls website)
The company prides themselves on using natural and organic ingredients, all of which are listed on their website and have been tested for skin and hair safety. Their products are based on science and avoid toxic chemicals found in other hair products and are never tested on animals.
Founder Genesis Noelle says her journey began with her own hair struggles. Facing hair loss and damage, she set out to make her own products that were safe, nontoxic and empowering.
In her journey, she not only found out that natural ingredients work best to grow healthy hair, but that hair products marketed towards Back women were linked to cancer and infertility.
Noelle offers a wide array of products like the Pina Co-lotta Leave-In and the Cotton Candy Gel-O, both fresh takes on traditional Black hair products with natural ingredients. Luxe Locks Curls also offers curl defining cream, African Black Soap shampoo, fruit punch refresher spray, hair growth oil, deep conditioner, brushes, scrunchies and more.
While most products are sold online, customers can find their products at The Maxx Beauty & Supply Co. in Indy. For those unsure on what products to buy for their hair, the Luxe Locks Curls website has a built-in quiz to determine the perfect fit.
All of the products are safe for children, and the website has sampler products, tutorials and review videos for those who are looking to buy.
For more information and to browse available products, visit luxelockscurls.com.
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.
LaMont Melson, head chef and owner of Unks Private Chef & Catering, has been cooking professionally since the age of 18, picking up diverse knowledge and culinary skills from local restaurants and kitchens — including a Greek fine dining restaurant and Hyatt hotel kitchens.
As a private chef, Melson caters for a variety of private parties and events, fine dining experiences, BBQ and chef’s table dining. His menus include a wide selection ofbreakfast, lunch and dinner options that feature country biscuit sandwiches, potato hash, soups, salads, land and sea, lobster mac and desserts.
Additionally, Unks Private Chef and Catering offers a reception tastings menu with bruschetta, mushroom caps, veggie sliders, carving station, pasta station, charcuterie boards and an extensive grill and BBQ menu with sides and nonalcoholic drinks.
Unks Private Chef & Catering is based out of Indianapolis. For more information or to book Chef LaMont, visitunksprivatechefandcatering.com. To get in contact, call 502-417-7429 or email unkskybbq382@gmail.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.
Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey, a brand that’s taken the spirits industry by storm, is more than just a whiskey producer. It’s a Black-owned business with a remarkable history that intertwines the legacy of African American distilling expertise and entrepreneurship.
Launched in 2017 by CEO Fawn Weaver, Uncle Nearest is dedicated to honoring Nathan “Nearest” Green, the formerly enslaved man who taught Jack Daniel the art of whiskey distillation. This brand not only celebrates Green’s contributions to American whiskey-making but has also become one of the fastest-growing independent spirit brands in U.S. history.
Nathan “Nearest” Green was a master distiller who perfected the Lincoln County Process — filtering whiskey through charcoal before aging it, which distinguishes Tennessee whiskey from other types of bourbon. Green’s knowledge and craftsmanship played a pivotal role in the development of Jack Daniel’s whiskey, but his legacy was overlooked for over a century. Fawn Weaver’s commitment to restoring Green’s rightful place in history drove her to found Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey, a brand that proudly carries forward Green’s tradition of excellence.
Uncle Nearest offers a range of premium whiskeys, including its 1884 Small Batch, 1856 Premium Aged, and the Master Blend Edition. These award-winning spirits are made using the same meticulous process Green used, and the brand is celebrated not just for its taste but also for its quality. The company has won numerous awards, including the title of “World’s Best Tennessee Whiskey,” and it has been recognized as one of the fastest-growing whiskey brands worldwide.
Under Weaver’s leadership, Uncle Nearest has made significant strides in empowering minority communities. In addition to restoring Green’s historical legacy, the brand is heavily involved in social impact initiatives. The Nearest Green Foundation, established by the company, provides scholarships for Green’s descendants and other initiatives to help African Americans gain leadership roles within the whiskey industry. These efforts underscore the brand’s commitment to economic empowerment and the advancement of Black entrepreneurs.
Uncle Nearest’s success has been extraordinary, reaching over $100 million in sales by 2023 and expanding to global markets. Despite its rapid growth, the company remains committed to maintaining the quality and craftsmanship that define its products. Weaver’s vision has turned Uncle Nearest into a symbol of excellence, resilience and a celebration of overlooked contributions to American whiskey-making.
Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey can be found at multiple retailers across the globe, including right here in the Circle City.
Contact multi-media & senior sports reporter Noral Parham III at 317-762-7846. Follow him on X @3Noral. If you would like your business highlighted, click here.
Indianapolis business owner LaMar Holliday, CEO of the Holliday Collaborative Agency, received the Rising Star award from the National Small Business Association (NSBA). The award recognizes “individuals relatively new to advocacy who are making an impressive impact” according to the NSBA’s official website.
Holliday sat down with the Indianapolis Recorder’s Editor-in-Chief Camike Jones to talk small business advocacy and what this award means to him.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
Camike Jones: Can you talk about how you began your involvement with the NSBA and what was your motivation to get involved?
LaMar Holliday: Their mission of advocating for small businesses is the reason why I wanted to be a part of it. It really shed light on advocacy and ensuring that small businesses have the support that they need to kind of navigate laws and ordinances and regulation.
As a small business owner, you’re doing everything. Not only are you providing the services of your industry, but you’re also the marketing director and the chief financial officer. So, wherever we can get support, we take that. It’s an honor that I am able to use my expertise to help those small businesses in that endeavor.
LaMar Holliday stands outside the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. (Photo/The Holliday Collaborative)
Jones: What are some of the unique challenges that small businesses face?
Holliday: Most times small businesses are not up to date on what’s happening either at the local, state or federal level that impacts them. When we find out things that impact our day-to-day operations, now we have an added layer of duties and tasks to advocate for ourselves and unfortunately, we don’t have the staff or the capacity to advocate for ourselves. That’s why organizations like the NSBA are so crucial.
Across Indiana and other states, over 90% of businesses are small businesses. When people say that small businesses are the backbone of our economy. That is the absolute truth. We are the backbone of every economy – local, state and federal.
“We are the backbone of every economy — local, state and federal.”
Holliday Collaborative CEO LaMar Holliday and Public Relations Strategist Konah Williams visit the office of U.S. Representative. (Photo/The Holliday Collaborative)
Jones: How does the NSBA assist small businesses with growing and building partnerships to expand their capacity?
Holliday: When I was out in Washington, D.C. we were able to network with other businesses that are part of NSBA. Knowing that we can support one another with different opportunities is one way that small businesses can help sustain themselves.
Another way that NSBA has been really helping small businesses is helping them navigate the federal contracting process. It is not easy to navigate those spaces, and sometimes we’re talking about millions and millions of dollars in contracts that could be monumental for small businesses.
One of the things that NSBA has been advocating for is a better or streamlined process for small businesses to participate in that contracting process. These are opportunities that we’re always looking for to help scale and sustain.
That’s where the NSBA comes together as well as other small businesses come together and we go to Capitol Hill like we did and we advocate (with) our lawmakers to say ‘There’s got to be an easier process for us.’ We lobby for that. We advocate for that and it’s a beautiful thing to see.
Jones: What has been one of the highlights for you as far as helping other small business owners share the professional services they offer?
Holliday: When we talk about the local and state level, every minority business is encouraged to get certified, whether that’s through the city or through the state. Once we go through that process, the local and state agencies send out opportunities.
Unfortunately, many of those opportunities are centered around construction. What happens is that a lot of the professional services are left out of potential opportunities. We’re always being encouraged to partner with a main contractor who then sub-contracts out work.
But sometimes the small businesses want to be the main contractor. If the XBE is in public relations or in accounting, there are really no opportunities when a lot of the opportunities that are being sent to us are construction-based.
I reached out to the Office of Minority and Women Business Development and had a conversation with Director David Fredericks to say I would love to sponsor a professional services workshop where we bring in city agencies and state agencies that have professional services opportunities and share those opportunities with small businesses in that sector. We held that event back in February at Martin University.
We had city agencies and state agencies who were very intentional about professional service opportunities and how to network with those agencies. It was a networking event, so it opened doors to those professional services to give us the hope that there are opportunities out here for us.
As small business owners we need to be a little bit more intentional about building those relationships with the city and state officials to let them know that ‘we’re here and we’re ready to work.’
Konah Williams and the LaMar Holliday at the U.S. Capitol. (Photo/The Holliday Collaborative)
Jones: Do you have any tips on how to start building those professional relationships? How can small business owners get started?
Holliday: There are always networking opportunities across the city. The Office of Minority Women Business Development has an email list that you can join. They’re always sending out networking events throughout the year with the state through the Indiana Department of Administration.
Jones: How did it feel to be recognized on a national level for your advocacy work?
Holliday: It was an honor. It was a blessing. But, and I know this may sound cliche, I don’t do it for the awards. It is nice to be recognized and be honored in that way. I can’t tell you how excited I get when I work with small businesses, and we as an agency can make those connections that eventually make an impact in our community. That to me is the award.
But I am so appreciative to the National Small Business Association for the recognition and that they see what we do here at the Holliday Collaborative Agency to really help advocate for small businesses whether at the local, state or on a federal level. We’re doing our part to ensure that small businesses amplify their mission and their message.
For more information on the National Small Business Association, visit nsbaadvocate.org. To learn more about the Holliday Collaborative Agency, visit hollidaycollab.com.
Indianapolis food lovers are in for a treat as His Place Eatery, known for its soul food classics, opens its second location in the city. With a growing reputation for serving up comforting favorites, the new spot offers another opportunity for locals to indulge in the homestyle flavors they’ve come to love.
The original location at 6916 E 30th Street opened in March of 2009 to elevate the world of soul food in the Indy restaurant scene.
“The inspiration was mainly to take soul food and make it chef-inspired soul food,” said James Jones, chef and owner. “People have this image of soul food restaurants being one person in the kitchen laboring over all these different dishes…and I wanted to take that image and let people know that you can have consistency with soul food.”
The second location, 1411 W 86th Street, opened its doors in July and is intended to be a copy of the first His Place Eatery.
“The goal of the second location was to basically keep the His Place eatery experience and keep the food the same but build a facility that was very welcoming and very efficient,” Jones said.
The must have item for visitors, according to Jones, is the chicken and waffles. With options like the churro chicken and waffle, a deep-fried waffle drizzled in cinnamon sugar, caramel drizzle and whipped topping and the peach cobbler chicken and waffle, a waffle with a slice of peach cobbler and ice cream, the dish has many varieties for even the pickiest of eaters.
The menu at His Place Eatery is centered around elevated soul food. (Photo via/His Place Eatery website)
“We’re known for taking soul food and putting our own spin on some of the dishes, so we have things like the fried chicken po’ boy and a fried chicken pot pie,” Jones said.
The expansion will continue in the future, Jones said. Their goal has always been to have multiple locations, it just boils down to making sure the fit is right.
“One of the challenges (in expanding) is to make sure that things are still delivered and taken care of at the other locations that you have and making sure that the customer experience doesn’t alter because we’re growing,” Jones said.
While the location offers Jones and his team a new space, they offer the same excellent service and soul food twists.
“I think both locations are unique to themselves while providing the signature His Place Eatery experience,” Jones said.
For more information and to view hours of operation, visit hisplaceeatery.com.
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.
Unique Designs by Michelle specializes in one-of-a-kind, handmade jewelry.
The family-owned business got its start while on vacation in Tennessee, when Michelle Avant wandered into a beading shop and fell in love with making bracelets by hand.
All of the designs offered are handmade by Avant using real silver, gold, metals and gemstone beads. Jewelry is able to be customized for gifts, holidays and special events. Designs start at $5 and increase based on material, time and design.
Currently located in Avon, Unique Designs by Michelle also partners with the family-owned bakery business Marsha’s Specialty Desserts and Tierney’s Catering. Both vendors participate in festivals, markets and pop-up events around Indianapolis, including Juneteenth Foodways Festival, the French Market, Avon Gardens Flower Fest, Circle City Classic Tailgate Fan Fest and more.
Unique Designs by Michelle is located at 10834 E. US Highway 36 in Avon. For more information, or to order a piece of jewelry, visitmichellesjewelry.net. To get in contact, call 317-271-8300 or email michelle@michellesjewelry.net.
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.
