Earth + Fire is a small mother-daughter business that specializes in unique, handmade art and jewelry.
Run by Tami Highbaugh-Abdullah and her daughter Krystal Highbaugh, the creative team behind Earth + Fire work with a variety of mediums — such as metal, clay, wood, resin, crystals and gemstones — to create wearable art and jewelry.
All gemstones at Earth + Fire are ethically sourced from local minority, holistic, new-age shops as well as gem shows and special events where specialty items can be sourced. Once a stone is selected, the creative team gets together on “Family Fridays” to assemble bracelets, necklaces and more by hand.
Earth + Fire operates as an online shop and can be found at pop-ups and festivals around Indianapolis and First Fridays at the CCIC. For more information about the business, upcoming events and products, visit earthandfire.shop. To get in touch, contact earthfireindy@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!
Tired of the typical club or bar scene? Want to elevate nightlife? Look no further, Midnight Breakfast Club has you covered. Catered but not limited to young adults who are looking to have a good time, Midnight Breakfast Club provides a different atmosphere with a unique aspect of brunch late at night.
Ball State Alumni Jaylen Moore and Jason Holland have brought a twist of brunch culture to the Indianapolis scene through the Midnight Breakfast Club. The concept of “midnight breakfast,” which fueled the company’s creation, was introduced to Moore in his freshman year of college.
“Originally, it started as an event that was introduced to me my freshman year. One thing that I had came to find out is that midnight breakfast is nationally known.” Said Moore.
Moore decided a midnight breakfast was how he wanted to celebrate his July birthday last year. After pitching the idea to Holland, the duo decided to turn the idea into a highly anticipated event: the Midnight Breakfast Club.
“I feel like we’ve always been more of the idealistic tandem. We had done some things in college and high school on the event side, and this was a way to tailor that more to us now being adults.” Said Holland.
In 2022, the duo hosted the first event, selling around 60 tickets. This year, they held the event again, and ticket sales nearly tripled. Holland said that the Midnight Breakfast Club’s growth has been the most rewarding part of hosting the event.
“The most rewarding part has been the growth and also the newfound audience and following we have.” Said Holland.
The group will introduce another feature event Sept. 23: the Midnight Breakfast Art Gallery. Moore had an epiphany when listening to Art Talk by Larry that drove him to add this feature not only to elevate the event but also to give local artists a platform to showcase their work.
“Not only could it bring the more upscale vibe, but it can also give artists within our city that may be overlooked the exposure to present and sell their work.” Said Moore.
Artists such as Ezekier Breaziel III, Kinshasa Renee, Madison Ivory and more will be featured during the event.
The upcoming event will be held at the Irvington Event Center and will start at 9 p.m. Tickets are available now and can be purchased here. To stay updated on Midnight Breakfast Club’s next moves, follow them on Instagram @MidnightBreakfastC.
This minority business highlight was composed by Multimedia Staff Reporter Braxton Babb at the Indianapolis Recorder, who can be reached at (317)762-7854 or via email at BraxtonB@IndyRecorder.com. If you would like your business highlighted in the Indianapolis Minority Business Magazine, click here!
RS Elite Security Enforcement Inc. is a full-service security company located in Indianapolis. The company was founded in 2019 by Rodney Stanback, who has over 30 years of experience in security and law enforcement. Stanback also served in the military, which amplifies the skills necessary to excel at RS Elite.
RS Elite Security Enforcement offers a wide range of security services, including access control, commercial security, crowd control, residential security, school security, building searches, risk management, video surveillance and more.
The company’s officers are carefully screened and undergo rigorous training and continuous professional development. RS Elite Security Enforcement is licensed, bonded and insured.
The company’s founders, Rodney and Roderick Stanback, are both former members of the United States Military and Police Departments. They are committed to providing their clients with the highest level of security and safety.
RS Elite Security is located at 6137 Crawfordsville Road, Suite F236, Indianapolis. RS Elite can be reached at (317) 992-7088 or via their website.
This minority business highlight was composed by multi-media staff writer Noral Parham III at the Indianapolis Recorder, who can be reached at 317-762-7846 or via email at noralp@indyrecorder. If you would like your business highlighted in the Indianapolis Minority Business Magazine, click here!
Hoosier Security, a commercial security integration company, was awarded as the Certified Vendor of the Month for September 2023. The company has been designing, selling, maintaining and implementing security systems for business, schools, multifamily properties and industries for 11 years in its two Indianapolis and Detroit locations.
“We are honored to be named the Certified Vendor of the Month for September 2023,” said the CEO of Hoosier Security, Armando Perez. “This recognition is a testament to the dedication of our team to provide the best security systems and services to our clients. We are committed to helping businesses, schools, and communities stay safe and secure and do our part to help improve public safety in Indianapolis.”
Hoosier Security offers advanced camera systems, access control systems, fire and burglar alarm systems and AI-driven video monitoring systems. They have also developed a video monitoring platform called Site Watch: Active Security that turns camera systems into digital security guards.
They are the largest provider of B*Link Camera in Indianapolis and manage over 50% of the city’s camera systems. Additionally, the company is committed to fighting child abuse and human trafficking through various partnerships and sponsorships. Hoosier Security recently pledged to donate all profits from their Motorola Radio sale to kNot.
“Hoosier Security is not just an innovative local business, they’re also a key partner in the City of Indianapolis’s public safety strategy,” said Mayor Joe Hogsett. “And as a local minority-owned business, they are representative of our city’s diverse and thriving economy.”
For more information, contact Hoosier Security by phone at 844-224-6759 or by email sales@hoosiersecurity.com.
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 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.
Lesley Saligoe Botanicals is a one-stop shop for all self-care needs.
Owned and operated by Indy-based herbalist, energetic hygienist and sound healer Lesley Jean Saligoe, the store is a single-maker small business and offers a wide range of products for self-care — from hand-poured candles to physical and energetic hygiene products, such as room sprays, hand and body washes, lotions, dried herb bundles and more.
As a self-proclaimed “homebody,” Saligoe said she views the home as a sacred space and believes cleansing it and charging it with positivity is essential to one’s health. Through her business, Saligoe offers items that aim to “keep your skin soft, energy high, and life elevated.”
As an herbalist, many of Saligoe’s products are plant fortified and all natural, placing special emphasis on healing the body, energy and life.
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.
JL the Label is an online boutique for young women who love themselves, love to go out, love to vibe and love to look like a vibe.
After she was sent home from college in spring 2020 due to the pandemic, Jaden Payne used aid provided by her school and her unemployment check to invest in JL the Label.
While working in retail for four years, Payne was often asked to help style customers. Her friends noticed how dedicated she was to styling and started asking for styling assistance as well. Running around town and scavenging all over the internet for pieces to put together for others made Payne realize that instead of making bigger brands money, she should curate her own brand.
“I had gotten to the point where I wasn’t about to make these big brands money off all the people who are asking me for help; I’m about to get out here and do it on my own,” said Payne.
Payne went on to fulfill this goal; however, starting a business at a young age had some challenges, such as money management.
“I was young when I started, so money management was not something I really knew about. I didn’t know how to manage money in a proper way. I didn’t look at this as something I would do full-time, so when I did start, all my money got reinvested back into my business,” said Payne.
She said that in the beginning of her business venture, she also had social anxiety but eventually overcame this and noticed marked growth in her brand.
“When I started, I had social anxiety. I wasn’t big on talking to people. So, I had this idea that everything was going to grow naturally, but I had to realize, no, you have to talk to people; you have to market yourself and make your brand a part of your identity,” said Payne. “As I have grown a business, I’ve matured as a woman.”
Payne’s long-term goal is to further grow JL the Label through incorporating sister brands – brands under JL the Label with a different identity.
Currently, she is focused on adding cozy, chic clothing items to the fall collection that meet her customers’ needs.
“I took a poll, and the girls said they wanted sweater dresses, sweaters, jumpsuits, sweatsuits, jackets and sweater sets. That’s what they said, so that’s what I’m going to try to give. I try to give the girls what they didn’t know they needed.”
To shop JL the Label’s catalog, click here. If you want to keep up with the brand, you can follow @JLtheLabel on Instagram
In today’s rapidly evolving business landscape, diversity and inclusion have emerged as key drivers of success for companies aiming to thrive in a competitive marketplace. Central to this effort is the advancement of women in the workplace. Investing in women not only aligns with principles of social justice and equality but also offers substantial benefits to companies themselves. Fostering an environment that promotes career advancement for all employees, irrespective of gender, is a strategic imperative that many Indy businesses are overlooking.
Before delving into strategies for cultivating career advancement for all employees, it’s crucial to understand why investing in women makes sound business sense. Numerous studies have shown that gender-diverse companies tend to outperform their less-diverse peers. McKinsey’s Delivering Through Diversity report found that companies with greater gender diversity at the executive level are 21% more likely to outperform in profitability. Furthermore, diverse teams bring a wider range of perspectives, which can lead to more creative problem-solving and innovation—critical assets in today’s complex and fast-paced business environment.
The path to gender diversity and equitable career advancement is often hindered by deeply ingrained biases and structural obstacles. To address these challenges, companies must be proactive in dismantling barriers that hinder women’s progress. This involves:
Ensuring equal pay for equal work. Women continue to earn less than men on average, and closing the gender pay gap is essential for advancing gender equity. As recently reported, in 2017, for every $1 a Central Indiana man made, a Central Indiana woman made 79 cents.
Offering flexible work arrangements—including remote work options and flexible hours—that benefits women, particularly those with caregiving responsibilities.
Creating mentorship and sponsorship programs specifically aimed at women.
Conducting training programs to raise awareness of unconscious biases to help create a more inclusive workplace. (The Inclusion Consultant Network is a great place to start for training needs)
Transparency in promotions and pay decisions can also help eliminate bias and ensure that women have an equal shot at career advancement.
Establishing formal mentorship programs that pair junior employees with experienced leaders to provide guidance and support during career progression.
Offering opportunities for employees to develop skills in areas like negotiation, public speaking, and project management can boost their confidence and readiness for leadership positions.
In Indiana, the significance of investing in women and fostering career advancement for all employees extends beyond individual companies—it contributes to the economic growth and prosperity of the state as a whole. By promoting diversity and inclusion, businesses in Indiana can attract top talent, enhance their reputation, and create a more vibrant and inclusive business environment. This, in turn, impacts our state’s perception—attracting new businesses and investments, fueling the state’s economic development.
Corporate investments in women also extend well beyond the office building. By supporting initiatives like Women’s Equity Brunch (also known as WE Brunch Indy) companies are helping to cultivate spaces where women can unite to access mentorship, career advancement resources, and support for the various hats they wear in every aspect of their lives. As we prepare for the September Happy Hour at Maven Space, we’re still accepting sponsorships. Learn more about that via the website.
When women feel encouraged and supported by their workplace, they are less likely to leave, therefore reducing costs in turnover and hiring. Embracing diversity and inclusion isn’t just a choice; it’s a competitive advantage that Indiana-based companies are wisely harnessing to thrive in the 21st century. Let’s show the world that women are a critical and valued component of Indiana’s workforce.
Through his foundation KG’s Kids, Indianapolis Colts tight end Kylen Granson recently gave six first-year teachers a library of culturally diverse books for their new classrooms at a school on the Far Eastside. The origins of Granson’s philanthropic endeavors reveal a tale of love, punishment, literacy, brotherhood and legacy.
Widely known for setting a record of 14 touchdowns in a single season at Southern Methodist University (SMU), Granson grew up in Austin, Texas; however, he was born in DeMotte, Indiana, and his charitable efforts are centered in Indiana.
KG’s Kids, founded in 2020, adheres to a mission of “emphasize education, starting with reading, to create opportunities for all students to be successful in school,” according to the organization’s official site.
“It all started with a punishment when I was in first grade,” Granson said, sharing the inspiration for KG’s Kids. “My drive to play video games was strong, and this drive inevitably would get me into trouble. Testing how far I would go to play video games, my mom decided to challenge me by implementing a new rule. The new rule was a simple one: for every minute that I read a book, I could earn an equal amount of time to play video games.”
Indianapolis Colts tight end Kylen Granson (83) attempts to catch a pass as Dallas Cowboys safety Malik Hooker (28) defends during an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 4, 2022, in Arlington, Texas. Dallas won 54-19. (AP Photo/Brandon Wade)
Driven by his experiences with reading, in 2020 Granson adopted a classroom for the entire school year, providing mentorship and donating books and supplies. This initiative eventually turned into KG’s Kids.
“As an educator, I always emphasized to Kylen how important it was to read, become smart and work hard at school,” said Heather Granson, executive director of KG’s Kids and Kylen Granson’s mother. “We wanted to go into [schools] and show them that they are loved, cared about and supported by KG’s Kids.”
Pat Lumbley, former principal at James Russell Lowell Elementary School #51, experienced this first-hand. In 2020, KG’s Kids sponsored a minimum of two books of their choice for every student at the school.
“I can honestly say without a doubt that KG’s Kids has been such a difference maker, and what a blessing that KG’s Kids and the Granson family has been,” Lumbley said.
Initially, KG’s Kids included Texas football standout and Columbia University wide receiver Jackson “Joker” Coker. Both Coker and Granson attended Westlake High School in Austin, Texas. Coker served as partner of the organization and planned to help increase the foundation’s reach in the New York area.
Sadly, Coker died in a car accident on March 11, 2021, while on his way to train with Granson for the 2021 NFL Draft.
Since Coker’s passing, KG’s Kids has vowed to “carry on his memory today,” ensuring it continues to fulfill its mission and carries forth the legacy Coker and Garson began.
Kylen Granson shared why it is important for KG’s Kids to continue to fulfill its goal of increasing access to books.
“While there are the research-based benefits, such as increased knowledge and vocabulary, improved memory, better analytical skills, and improved writing, the best benefit to reading, in my opinion, is the FUN that it brings,” said Kylen Granson. “Each page is a new adventure that allows you to access different worlds and places that one may never travel but within the pages.”
Contact multi-media staff writer Noral Parham III at 317-762-7846 or via email at noralp@indyrecorder.com. Follow him on Twitter @NoralParham. If you would like your business highlighted in the Indiana Minority Business Magazine, click here.
Home of the “buttered” drink, everybody is talking about Indy’s “best-kept secret” hemp-infused coffee, teas and dispensary at PharmFree Life. PharmFree Life CBD Dispensary & Cafe, located at 5361 E. 82nd St., shows its guests how to incorporate plant-based wellness into their everyday lives. They offer in-store shopping, curbside pickup and delivery.
PharmFree Life has a variety of stock, including gummies, food, tinctures, topicals, bath and massage and sprays.
Guests can treat themselves to a variety of hemp-infused foods, including gluten-free, keto and vegan options at the cafe.
Hoosier companies receive first priority on their shelves. PharmFree Life also emphasizes supporting minority- and women-owned businesses when possible.
Outside of their public hours, the space can be rented for private events. PharmFree Life is open Monday – Saturday from 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Visit their website at pharmfreelife.com. Contact them at 317-842-4223.
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.
