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Plainfield: A vibrant town named after its “plain” settlers

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Plainfield: A vibrant town named after its “plain” settlers

By Ben Lashar

LOCATED IN HENDRICKS COUNTY, THE EARLY settlers of Plainfield were largely Quakers. The Quakers would prove to have a long-lasting impact on the town as the name “Plainfield” came from the residents’ “plain” Quaker characteristics. To this day, Plainfield High School’s mascot is the Quaker. 

Unlike most towns, Plainfield residents actually designated their home as a town twice. The first time was a failed attempt in 1839 after which residents decided Plainfield would be better designated as a township. Then in 1904 locals incorporated Plainfield as a town again, the way it’s stayed since.

Since then, Plainfield has constantly been the most populated town in Hendricks County. Today Plainfield boasts over 30,000 residents. Arguably the largest force in the town’s economy is its 45-million-square-foot warehouse district near Indianapolis International Airport. Plainfield’s warehouse district is so large it contains around 50% of all of Central Indiana’s warehouse jobs. 

ATTRACTIONS

Splash Island

Grab your family and your swim trunks for more than four acres of aquatic fun. Bravely face the water park’s two-and-a-half-story tall waterslides or calmly float through its 900-foot-long lazy river. Either way, the park offers fun ways to get outside without the summer sun overwhelming you.

Splash Island

651 Vestal Road

317-839-7665

splashislandplainfield.com

Gilley’s Antique and Decorator Mall

It doesn’t matter if you’re looking for something big, something small or don’t know what you want. With its selection of furniture, antiques and knick-knacks, Gilley’s Antique and Decorator Mall has the perfect item to pull a room together. It’s only a matter of finding it.

Gilley’s Antique and Decorator Mall

5789 E. US Highway 40

317-839-8779

gilleysantiquemall.com

Sodalis Nature Park

Sodalis Nature Park provides a chance to take a breath of fresh air and get some steps in while doing it. Named after the endangered Myotis sodalis, also known as the Indiana Bat, Sodalis Nature Park has over three-and-a-half miles of trails, picnic areas and a five-and-a-half-acre pond. 

Sodalis Nature Park

7700 S. Hendricks County Road E.

317-718-6188

hendrickscountyparks.org

ACCOMODATIONS

Baymont by Wyndham Plainfield 

Located 10 minutes from the Indianapolis International Airport, the Baymont by Wyndham Plainfield bills itself as the perfect place to stay for both business and vacation trips. Business travelers can appreciate the business center and the free shuttle to the airport, and vacationers can relax at the spa or hot tub. Both can enjoy the free breakfast. 

Baymont by Wyndham Plainfield 

6010 Gateway Drive

317-203-9321

wyndhamhotels.com

Homewood Suites by Hilton Indianapolis-Airport/Plainfield

The Homewood Suites’ location allows visitors to enjoy the charm of Plainfield while only being 15 miles from downtown Indianapolis. In addition, two-bedroom suites that include pull-out sleepers allow families of up to six to comfortably sleep through the night (or sneak down to the 24-hour convivence store for a midnight snack if they can’t sleep).

Homewood Suites by Hilton Indianapolis-Airport/Plainfield

2264 E. Perry Road

317-839-1900

homewoodsuites3.hilton.com

Indianapolis Airport Suites 

As the name implies, Indianapolis Airport Suites offers easy access to the Indianapolis International Airport with its free shuttle service and parking. The hotel offers single king or double queen rooms along with a variety of board and conference rooms, making it accessible for any businessperson on the go.

Indianapolis Airport Suites 

6014 Gateway Drive

317-279-2394

indianapolisairportsuites.com

DINING

Oasis Diner

Originally constructed in 1954 New Jersey and shipped to Plainfield by train, the Oasis Diner can feel like a time machine. Once on Indiana Landmarks 2010’s 10 Most Endangered Indiana Buildings list, the building was restored in 2014 and continues the classic diner tradition through its selection of breakfast food, burgers and ice cream.

Oasis Diner

405 W. Main St.

317-837-7777

oasisdiner.com

India Bistro

New meets old in this modern take on traditional Indian cooking featuring curry, naan, tandoori and more. Customers can either order from a menu or serve themselves buffet style, so the only trouble ordering should be deciding what to get. 

India Bistro

130 N. Perry Road

317-742-7300

indiabistro.net

Black Swan Brewpub

The word “pub” is in the name, but Black Swan Brewpub is friendly for all ages. Children can enjoy a “Wee Bits” meal and crayons on every table, and adults can enjoy dark, hoppy and malty beers alongside an ever shifting menu of pub food. I

Black Swan Brewpub

2067 E. Hadley Road

317-838-7444

blackswanbrewpub.com

A tax talk for tech start-ups and techprenuers

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A tax talk for tech start-ups and techprenuers

By Brittany Sabalza

THE TECHNOLOGY INDUSTRY IS CONSTANTLY growing and evolving, offering unique opportunities to start a tech business. Whether you perform data analytics, build computers, design software programs or work in tax technology, tech skills are in demand. As a result Indiana tech startups, techprenuers and tech companies are thriving and growing fast. It’s more likely that a techie try to keep up with all things tech but probably not all things tax. Even if you’re thinking of getting started or already running one, below are some things a techie should know about taxes and their business. 

The Jump Off!  Business start-up and organizational costs, licenses and permits

When starting a business there’s so much to do and so much red tape to get through. Business start-up and organizational costs are generally tax deductible for the tax year paid. Start-up costs include any amounts paid or incurred in connection with starting your business or investigating the start-up or acquisition of existing business. Organizational costs include the costs of creating a corporation or partnership. You can elect to deduct up to $5,000 of business startup costs and $5,000 of organizational costs up to $50,000. The cost of business licenses, zoning, sign permits and other federal, state and local licenses and permits are also deductible. 

Knowledge is Power: Work-related education counts

As you master your profession, grow your business and expand your current skillset, you will find that education is key. The need to educate yourself and your staff is critical to evolve with day-to-day practices and stay up on the latest industry trends. Any smart business owner takes continuing education very seriously. Why? Because knowledge is power but in this case, if you meet the education requirements, it’s tax deductible too. 

Research and development:  Make the world a better place Starting or running a tech company often requires a fair share of research and development (R&D). And the R&D tax credit shouldn’t be overlooked. Techies are often developing services and products with new technology or working to improve the old. Testing a software’s unit integration, analyzing data for improvements or evaluating program performance are an example of qualifying activities. The cost related to R&D such as salaries, payments, product prototypes and patents for your product, along with any rented equipment, materials and supplies needed are qualifying cost for the credit. Research is valuable and is how we start to develop anything and everything but the expense can be pretty hefty. So hefty that the IRS created the R&D Credit and the Indiana Department of Revenue created Indiana’s Research Expense Credit as a tax incentive to encourage innovative business owners in their research. As a result of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, businesses are still able to claim the IRS R&D credit for the tax year paid but after Dec. 31, 2021 these expenses will be deducted over a period of five years. 

Location! Location! Location!  Office expenses

You’re running your business from somewhere. Regardless of whether you work from home or in a brick and mortar office, expenses such as rent or mortgage, utilities, repairs and décor can be tax deductible. If you work from home regularly, in a workspace exclusively dedicated to your business, home office expenses are something that you’ll want to know more about. In a brick and mortar location, you can deduct the expenses based entirely on your business unlike home offices that can deduct based on the percent of expenses proportionate to business use.  Also keep track of any other office-related expenses as they may likely be deductible as well. 

Hear Ye! Hear Ye!  Advertising, marketing and promotion

Getting the word out about your products and services is how you get clients and start making money.  Business cards, digital marketing, flyers, direct mail, posters, websites, social media marketing or events are just a few of a million ways to promote your business. Luckily, if you have any cost directly associated to marketing, advertising and promotion they are generally deductible.

Auto and mileage deductions 

As a business owner, you make the moves to make things happen. Unfortunately, all the movement can wear down your car. Often driving to the store for materials and supplies, to events and meetings put a business owner’s vehicle to the test. It’s important to keep up a log of auto expenses. Expenses can include repairs, registrations, gas, tolls even oil changes, routine maintenance and more. The trips can add up, so keep track of your mileage too. If your driving is business related, your auto expenses can be deducted on your taxes. 

Now check this out

IRS Publication 583: Starting a Business and Keeping Records is a great way to familiarize yourself with your business’ tax obligations and can be found at IRS.gov. The Indiana DOR offers various tax for Hoosier business owners. For more information on state tax credits such as the Indiana Research Expense Credit, Hoosier Business Investment Credit, Indiana Net Operating Loss Deduction or the Coal Gasification Technology Investment Credit visit IN.gov/dor.

Brittany Sabalza is director of Continuing Education and tax columnist at Pro Tax Solutions, Indianapolis.

The next great techpreneuer could be from Indiana

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The next great techpreneuer could be from Indiana

By Oseye Boyd

I don’t consider myself a techie, but I do love technology. I love my smartphone (I’m a dedicated Apple fan so the only smartphone I’ve ever used is an iPhone). When you think about the way smartphones revolutionized communication and connectivity in such a short period of time, it’s nothing short of amazing. If I forget my phone at home, I turn back around to grab it. I cannot not have my phone. Twenty years ago I didn’t have this dependence on my phone. Twenty years ago I still had a pager. I just had to laugh at that memory. That was instant communication back then.

The smartphone is but one example of how technology has changed in recent years and continues to evolve. Technology such as Google Hangout, RingCentral Meetings and Zoom have transformed meetings as we no longer have to be in the same physical space to have a meeting. I’ve participated in meetings while attending my daughter’s track meet or while sitting in my den paying bills online. I didn’t have to choose one or the other. I could multitask, and as a busy mom that’s always a plus. Other tools such as Slack and Basecamp improve project management, workflow and communication between colleagues.

Not only can technology be used anywhere, it can be created anywhere. You no longer have to be located in Silicon Valley to found a tech company. Indiana is home to many techpreneurs and even a technology nonprofit, TechPoint, that cultivates tech startups, helps tech people network and find employment. TechPoint posted 2,000 jobs in 2018. Yes, there is more than corn in Indiana. The average salary for tech jobs in Indiana is $70,902. The average salary for someone working in cybersecurity in Indiana is even higher —$82,233.

Let’s just stay at cybersecurity for a moment. This is a field that has unlimited growth potential right now and job security. Think about how many instances of hacking you’ve heard about — or know about firsthand. I know the number of letters alerting me to a possible leak of my information has increased recently. I believe I’ve received two such letters in the last six months. Currently, Indiana has 8,124 cybersecurity professionals. That sounds like a good number until you learn we still need another 2,280 to fill open positions. Earlier, I talked about the difference 20 years made in communication technology. I know I didn’t know cybersecurity jobs existed or would exist at the capacity those jobs do now 20 years ago. As we move into an age where all of our personal data is kept on servers or “in the cloud,” having trusted individuals who can stay ahead of hackers is imperative. 

We focused on education in the last issue of Indiana Minority Business Magazine. Science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) courses prepare today’s students for tomorrow’s jobs. Software development, apps that solve everyday problems and entertainment such as games are all various types of technology that people in Indiana are creating right now and will continue to create. We’re known as a manufacturing state, but the technology has even changed the landscape for manufacturing positions. One constant complaint I hear from manufacturing managers is not having enough employees with the skills needed to work with current technology. Parents can guide their children toward a career in technology and feel good because these jobs offer stability and growth. The salaries earned in these high-paying jobs fuel the local and state economy and that’s a win for everyone.

While everyone can’t be Steve Jobs, Larry Page, Sergy Brin or Mark Zuckerberg, Indiana could be the home of the next game-changing techpreneur. Wouldn’t that be awesome?

Great founders are leaders with a vision

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Great founders are leaders with a vision

By Mike Asem

Great founders are cult leaders.

Cult leaders have a supernatural ability to compel groups of people to follow them into the void. Like Thanos from the Marvel universe, there is inevitability about them and their movement. In the same way that Jim Jones, Charles Manson and David Koresh (Howell) were able to convince hundreds to leave their homes, lives and families to follow them on a promise of something greater, great founders are able to recruit the best of us — turning us from strangers to community to family in pursuit of their ever-distant but brightly shining north stars.

Great founders don’t need vast resources or even unmatched intellect to pull people together and lead them as they do. They’re able to do this solely from their disproportionate amounts of charisma, purpose, passion and gravitas. They’re able to recruit the investor to not only invest money but to have a desire to serve on their board. They’re able to recruit the talented engineer or executive to not only join their company but also take a below-market salary with the promise of a fractional piece of their visionary pie. They’re able to recruit early customers and industry partners to commit to what the product could be not what it is today.

Great founders recruit hopeful innocents to dive deep into their visionary abyss — with smiles on their faces and eyes shining brightly from the reflection of their north star.

Great founders are truth seekers, even when the truth looks bad

 When the Indianapolis-based Socio team started, they were chasing down a bad idea. They were trying to help students connect faster on social media with an app. But, after realizing users couldn’t get any value unless everyone else already had the app, they started seeking the truth about whether this was actually the billion dollar idea they thought it was.

What the Socio guys did next was look at what they’d built and ask themselves some questions. They asked questions focused around who had a problem that was both painful and something they were well positioned to solve. Soon, this led them to seek the truth about whether event organizers and attendees could use technology to optimize their events and unlock the black box of data of what’s happening.

Once great founders have an idea, they seek to find the truth about it — no matter what comes up. If the truth is good, they keep moving forward. If the truth is bad, they can’t help but chase it down — break it down into its most basic parts, and see what opportunities lie within. If they can turn the bad to good, then onwards they go. If the truth is just bad … they ask “what’s next?”

The team is still seeking the truth about Socio today, but right now the truth looks good. With just a handful of employees not much more than a year ago, explosive revenue growth and excited investors have Socio’s headcount now pushing 30 — likely to be 60-plus by the end of the year.

Great founders keep their eyes downfield.

Great founders are like great quarterbacks in that no matter what is happening around them — they always keep their eyes downfield.

Oftentimes early-stage startups are presented with a choice. Increase expenses and risk going out of business in order to grow fast and hit milestones, or keep expenses low and continue to do low hanging fruit that’s easier or less risky but barely moves the needle.

Like a quarterback, the founder could find himself or herself either making big leaps forward at the risk of throwing an interception, or consistently hitting the check down pass and getting the safe yardage.

The context that I think should be applied here, though, is that most early-stage ventures don’t have the benefit of a full game. Rather, most founders trying to build truly disruptive companies in spite of large incumbents and other competitive market forces need to realize their context is actually four minutes left in the game, down by 10. It’s here that great founders keep their eyes downfield. Through preparation and instinct they know when to take the check down, and when to take the chances that could break the game open for their vision to come to life.

Great founders don’t settle for the safe plays that lead to inevitable mediocrity and participation trophies, but always have their eyes downfield to take shots to win against odds and achieve true greatness. I

Mike Asem is the director of  M25 Group, a micro-venture capital investment firm.

Board Room Briefs

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Board Room Briefs

Ironworks Hotel Indy gets AAA rating

Ironworks Hotel Indy, the first boutique hotel on Indianapolis’ north side, has earned the AAA Four Diamond Rating for the first time since opening in 2017. Ironworks Hotel Indy is the eleventh in Indiana to receive the Four Diamond rating. Only six percent of hotels in the United States, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean receive this accolade from AAA. The hotel also received the Inspector’s Best of Housekeeping Award, which recognizes rated hotels for cleanliness and condition.

“We’re thrilled to receive this renowned rating in our first eligible year since opening the hotel,” said Amy Isbell-Williams, general manager of Ironworks Hotel Indy. “This rating is a direct reflection of our staff’s unwavering commitment to providing an exceptional and memorable experience for all our guests.”

Oak Street Health teams up with Aetna

Oak Street Health and Aetna announced a network agreement in Indiana and Michigan. Aetna Individual Medicare Advantage members and retirees who receive coverage through Aetna Group Medicare Advantage plans will now also have access to Oak Street Health’s primary care centers.

“Expanding our partnership with Aetna will bring our proven model of preventive, personalized care to Aetna’s members in Indiana and Michigan,” said Rafe Petty, division president of Oak Street Health.

Aetna, a CVS Health business serving an estimated 39 million people, joins a health care provider in Oak Street Health that has used measures such as 24-hour access to a physician and community health events to reduce Medicare hospitalizations in other Oak Street facilities by more than 40 percent.

“By working together with Oak Street Health, we will be able to collectively help deliver improved outcomes and a superior experience to our Medicare members, meeting them in their communities where many of the conversations between patients and providers occur,” said Gregg Kimmer, executive director and general manager for Aetna Great Lakes Individual Medicare Advantage plans.

Verizon retailer employees 

give back to community

TCC, a Verizon retailer based in Carmel, announced in April its employees have provided more than 13,000 backpacks filled with school supplies to students across the state and donated more than 1,000 supply kids to Indianapolis-area nurses, teachers, veterans and animal shelters. TCC in 2013 launched Culture of Good, a company-wide movement that encourages employees to invest in their communities. TCC launched its philanthropic arm, TCC Gives, in 2016.

Cummins to expand along I-65

Cummins announced in May it plans to expand its presence along the “Cummins Corridor,” which stretches along I-65 and includes Indianapolis, Greenwood and its headquarters in Columbus. As part of the plan, Columbus will be the primary North American manufacturing center and corporate hub for the Electrified Power Business with a significant presence at the Columbus Engine Plant.

Cummins, which currently employs over 10,000 people, will have a new office building for digital and information technology employees in Greenwood, and it’s in the process of building additional space at its Distribution Business headquarters in downtown Indianapolis.

“Today is a significant milestone and a day of immense celebration as we commemorate 100 strong years of Cummins operating in the Hoosier state and look forward to 100 more,” said Gov. Holcomb. “Cummins has from their beginning been a major force to Indiana’s strong advanced manufacturing sector, and we are so grateful for their commitment to continuous education and training for employees, particularly helping prepare workers for the jobs of the future.”

Memory centers gets superior designation

American Senior Communities honored eight memory care centers in Indiana with Purple Butterfly Memory Care Centers of Distinction, which designates centers that have become top providers. Those centers are: Rosegate Memory Care Center in Indianapolis, Country Meadows and Heritage Park in Fort Wayne, Salem Crossing in Salem, Westview Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Bedford, Cypress Grove Rehabilitation Center in Newburgh, East Lake Nursing and Rehabilitation in Elkhart and Lake Pointe Village in Scottsburg.

Memory care centers provide 24-hour residential care to those with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. Centers must meet state and federal standards, but these eight centers surpassed those standards.

New arts organization in Indianapolis

Aurora PhotoCenter announced it will launch this summer in Indianapolis with a community workshop and exhibition by tintype artist Keliy Anderson-Staley. Aurora, founded by photographers Adam Reynolds, Craig McCormick and Mary Goodwin, will serve as a bridge between artists and the greater photographer community. Its founders hope Aurora can be a place where artists meet, share work, create and find inspiration. Aurora will spend its first year focusing on photography as a form of art and expression.

“Photography was once a medium permanently documenting history, family and places,” McCormick said. “Today it is a momentary medium ruled by innuendo. Through Aurora, we hope to explore how photography becomes art in fast and slow times.”

Indiana Humanities awards grants 

to 18 nonprofits

Indiana Humanities awarded nearly $45,000 in grants to 18 nonprofits across the state, including libraries, schools and museums. Action Grants offer up to $3,000 to support nonprofits that sponsor public humanities programs such as exhibitions, workshops and lectures. Historic Education Preservation Grants provide up to $2,500 for programs that educate citizens about historic places and the need to protect them.

“Funding a wide range of thoughtful and creative programming that connects so many Hoosiers to the depth and breadth of the humanities is core to our mission,” said Keira Amstutz, president and CEO of Indiana Humanities. “We are encouraged, every year, by the innovative programs proposed by the grantees and the opportunity to touch the lives of residents all over Indiana.”

Foster youth nonprofit changes name

Indiana Connected By 25 is now known as Foster Success. The nonprofit, which serves foster youth, changed its name but reaffirmed its mission to support Indiana foster youth who age out of foster care without permanent families. The organization also moved to 16 Park Community Center, 546 E. 17th Street, in Indianapolis.

“The one thing staying the same is our commitment to ensuring foster youth transitioning out of care are educated, financially stable, employed and supported,” said Brent Kent, CEO. “Our name may change, but our positive impact on those who need us will not.”

Hoosier startup expands

Synapse Sitters, an online network for families of children with special needs to find qualified sitters, announced in April it has expanded into Lafayette and South Ben-Mishawaka. The company was launched in April 2018 in Indianapolis. Synapse Sitters connects specialized sitters with families that have children on the Autism spectrum and those who have Down syndrome, ADHD, Asperger syndrome, sensory processing disorder, cerebral palsy or other behavioral and emotional needs.

“I started the company after I had trouble finding a qualified sitter to watch my young son with autism,” said Marie Maher, founder of Synapse Sitters. “Sitter after sitter would either turn down the job or just never come back. I knew there had to be a better way to get a break and practice self-care, while ensuring my son was safe and well-cared for. When I couldn’t find one, I created one.”

Neighborhood improvement

Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) Indianapolis hosted its third annual Love Thy Neighbor Awards in April and gave $15,000 to projects that are developing their neighborhoods to make them more desirable places to live, work, learn and play. The award winners were: Indy Urban Acres, The Build Fund, HAND’s Home Place Gardens and Starfish Initiative. Each was awarded $2,500. Those at the event also voted for an additional project, Brookside Community Play, to receive $5,000.

Diversifying the tax industry

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Diversifying the tax industry

By Brittany Sabalza

EVERY YEAR, MILLIONS OF TAXPAYERS FILE their income tax returns, as a civil and legal obligation. Though taxes are a big headache, income taxes are very necessary. The roads, schools, even federal, state and local governments are supported by our tax dollars. Our tax system is how we support the many “moving pieces” of this country and the tax industry is made of fearless tax professionals who take on taxation one tax code at a time. 

From tax preparer to enrolled agents, tax pros are the backbone of the tax industry. Tax pros provide a variety of tax services such as tax preparation, tax resolution, tax planning, tax consulting and internal audits, covering areas such as tax compliance or tax consultancy. 

A tax career can be a very rewarding, as there are a variety of paths one can take to advance his or her career. To make your big break into the tax industry, consider starting your tax pro journey as a tax preparer. Becoming a tax preparer is a great way to jump start your tax career. Tax preparers are the frontline of tax preparation. Answering taxpayer questions, organizing documents and preparing tax returns based on tax regulations, tax preparers assist individual and business taxpayers understand their tax situations and remain compliant with their tax obligations. And since nothing in life is certain except death and taxes, I think it’s safe to say that a tax career can be considered pretty stable.

Getting your feet wet in tax preparation is the perfect way to introduce yourself to the tax code, while you gain hands on tax preparation experience and get your foot in the tax industry door.

Some employers offer on-the-job tax training for new hires. You can also take seasonal tax courses at a local tax chain or through an online course. Check to see if the course provider is an approved IRS continuing education provider on the IRS website. Tax preparers are not regulated by the IRS, meaning there is no required certification but voluntary tax certifications exist if you want to have a competitive edge. Tax training is necessary to be knowledgeable as a tax preparer and a knowledgeable tax preparer is very valuable. A comprehensive tax course will teach you to prepare basic individual tax returns. Tax certifications offer a deeper understanding of tax and expand the scope of returns that the preparer can handle. To file taxes a preparer should obtain a PTIN (Preparer Tax ID Number), which can be obtained through the IRS.

Though you may start seasonally, it’s a great way to earn cash full or part time. Further advancing your tax knowledge can lead to year-round tax employment. The tax industry offers tremendous growth potential. A degree in taxation, accounting or finance is highly regarded in the tax industry but a career can be created even without a degree. Many tax pros receive a series of certifications after completing their degrees but most people don’t realize you don’t need a degree to obtain the majority of these certifications. The tax industry is a place where your tax expertise and experience alone can win you a leading position, making this a great career for those non-degree holding professionals, looking for a growth-oriented career. As a tax pro you could have opportunities with government agencies, tax firms, or you can open your own tax business.

According to Data USA, the average tax preparer salary is $54,089 and growth is predicted to be 10.8 percent among tax preparers over the next 10 years.

The tax industry, as well as the accounting industry lack diversity, and minority tax pros are in demand. Of tax preparers approximately 30 percent are a minority with 10 percent being African American but we often become preparers and go no further in tax. The tax and accounting industries significantly lack racial diversity across the board and certain firms are working to increase diversity. According to the National Association of Black Accountants (NABA, nabainc.org), the United States had less than 1 percent of African-American CPAs when the association was founded in 1969. Four decades later, barely 3 percent of CPAs are African Americans; 4 percent of CPAs are Asian, while 1 percent are Latino. You can be the start of diversity while pursuing your dream career. Large and small tax firms are working to diversify staff, while more and more minority taxpayers are looking to support minority tax businesses and tax professionals.

Consider a career in tax, make money and make a difference all at the same time. I

Brittany Sabalza, enrolled agent, is director of continuing education for Pro Tax Solutions Indianapolis and a tax columnist.

One Indianapolis school prepares students to be global citizens

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By Brittany King

Elizabeth Head

When Elizabeth Head graduated from University of Northern Coloradowith a degree in Spanish, she set her sights on Costa Rica.

“The plan was to be there for two months,” she recalls.  “But then I realized I was staying next to an international school and went to be a teacher. I thought I’d just teach for a little while, but one thing turned into another and I ended up staying for 20 years.”

During her two decades in Costa Rica, Head came to know and love international schools. Most recently, she served as the general director of Pan-American School San Antonia de Belen in the central valley of Costa Rica. Prior to that, she was Pan-American School’s vice principal of primary and preschool. She also co-owned and cofounded Lighthouse International School in Guachipelin, Costa Rica. The school opened successfully with full enrollment in grades Pre-K through 12 in 2008. 

Head loved her time in Costa Rica, which made the decision to move with her two children to Indianapolis all the more difficult. But as she began to learn more about the International School of Indianapolis (ISI) and the diversity of the student body and faculty and staff, she realized it was a place where she and her family could thrive.  

On Jan. 2, 2019, Head became the International School of Indianapolis’ first female head of school in its 25-year history. Head plans to increase awareness about the school across the state and the Midwest, unite all of the students on one shared campus and continue providing language immersion and International Baccalaureate (IB) programs for ISI’s Pre-K through 12th-graders.

Top of mind for Head is getting the word out about the benefit of getting an ISI education. Currently, all 550 students are part of the IB program, a curriculum that helps students develop strong academic, social and emotional skills. All of ISI’s students are also part of a rigorous language immersion program where classes are taught in both English and one of the three language tracks (Spanish, French or Mandarin). ISI is the only school in Indiana to offer education options like this and one of a handful in the Midwest. Most schools reserve the IB program for their brightest students, but ISI believes all students are capable of the challenging coursework, allowing them to be better prepared for college well before their peers who may not have access to an IB curriculum until their junior year of high school. 

The school also focuses on diversity and inclusion, which Head wants to continue during her tenure. All of the language teachers are natives from a country that speaks the language they are teaching and more than 50 nationalities are present between the students and staff. This is what helped Head make the decision to take the position at ISI, diversity and inclusion is woven into the school’s fabric.

“Global mindedness is simply part of a functioning society. This isn’t something special that a school should be doing,” she says. “Children have to see the world as this way, they have to see diversity as just life. The way we function and the way we live is by being part of an international society. It’s essential for life skills that all children need to grow up with to be successful in the future.”

Beyond marketing the school and its programs across the state, ISI is currently having a capital campaign to unite the two campuses into one campus on Michigan Road where the middle school and high school are currently housed. The school has a goal of raisingmoneyto build a lower school by 2025. Head and her staff are also participating in a listening tour to help shape the strategic objectives she will oversee.

“I’m thrilled to be at ISI and I’m looking forward to the future and the legacy that we’re building here,” she says. “I’m honored and excited to be part of building that future because of the impact this school has on children’s lives and the Indianapolis community.”

Mentors catalyze learning outside the classroom

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Mentors catalyze learning outside the classroom

By Gisele Garraway 

One of my first (and favorite) bosses often sagely pronounced:  “People rise to the level of your expectations for them.”  We owe all kids, especially kids growing up in poverty and adverse circumstances to set high expectations for their academic success. My personal experience demonstrates adult mentors  — caring supporters outside a child’s family — can have a durable and transformative effect.

I was blessed with parents who took my academic development very seriously. Every day after work my father would ask: “Did you get your lesson?” He’d grown up in the segregated South being forced to drink from separate water fountains and attend separate and unequal schools; so, he desired a different future for me. 

During my grade school years, my dad religiously attended PTA meetings and rose to become president of the Virginia state PTA to fight for quality education in our small town. Meanwhile, my mother worked part time to ensure she was home to oversee homework. She often lamented her career options were limited without a college degree; she wanted a different future for me.

My parents’ involvement and high expectations spurred academic success for me. They ensured I had perfect attendance and devoted time to study; so, consequently my report card was littered with As. At the end of one marking period, I informed them that since a classmate’s parents paid them a cash bounty for every A and every B grade, they owed me a hefty sum. They scoffed that it was my JOB to learn. Equally important to these unabashed high expectations, was the learning that happened outside of home and school. Several mentors from my community stepped up to invest in me and provided invaluable life lessons beyond “book” learning.  

One mentor exemplar was Mrs. Bessie Williamson. In the sixth grade, I was one of the final two in the city spelling bee but ultimately lost to Tommy Maddox, a kid from the wealthy side of Petersburg. The next Sunday morning at St. Stephen’s Episcopal, parishioner Bessie Williamson approached me saying she’d read in the newspaper that I lost to “that boy” and that it was “a shame” because she was certain he wasn’t smarter than me. I had my doubts. Her hypothesis was that I wasn’t prepared. She told me to have my mother bring me to her senior living center every Friday afternoon. For several months, Williamson drilled me on spelling concepts and made me read everything. The following year in seventh grade, I again found myself on stage next to Tommy Maddox as a spelling bee finalist, but this time it was I who took home the trophy and advanced to the state competition. My failure was an opportunity for a mentor to step in and develop my potential.    

There’s not enough space here to relate anecdotes of countless community members who encouraged me and mentored me. Hearing their words of admonishment and confidence buoyed my efforts for years when I was away working to maintain my college scholarship. Knowing I had a community of folks back in Petersburg who believed in me (some who didn’t look like me!) gave me great hope when I encountered difficult college and career challenges.

Today, I have the good fortune to work for Starfish Initiative. We prepare, inspire and encourage academically promising, low-income teens to college and career success. We match every teen with a college-educated mentor. Ninety-eight percent of our scholars enroll in college. While there are indeed gaps in educational opportunities in wealthy vs. lower income zip codes, there is no substitute for a community of mentors ready to speak hope and to pour into young people. Mentors can provide extracurricular experiences and character building opportunities to practice intra- and interpersonal skills. The National Mentoring Partnership reports that youth who are mentored are 55 percent more likely to enroll in college, 78 percent more likely to volunteer regularly and 130 percent more likely to hold leadership positions. 

We can all do our part like Mrs. Bessie Williamson and help unlock the potential in the teens in our neighborhoods. Become a mentor!

Gisele Garraway is president and CEO of Starfish Initiative.

The state’s future workforce

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The state’s future workforce

By Chrysa Smith

Diversity is a significant buzzword these days. In every employment sector, leaders have signed on to provide more opportunities for more people. Not only is it a suggestion for inclusion, but in some cases, a mandate. At colleges such as Indiana University-Purdue University (IUPUI), it is becoming more ingrained into the education system

 “Research tells us that the greater the diversity of an institution, the higher the level of employee satisfaction, better classroom outcomes and greater campus engagements — and students who leave with degrees and experiences that have prepared them to work across multiple differences,” according to Karen Dace, Vice Chancellor of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at IUPUI.

The university, recognized as an urban public research (and academic health services) school of higher education, boasts an enrollment of about 29,000 students and is a six time Heed Award Winner (Higher Education Excellence in Diversity). The award is given out from Insight into Diversity magazine, a 40-year-old publication with a focus on intercultural engagements. The university’s mission, according to the institution, is “to advance the state of Indiana and the intellectual growth of its citizens to the highest levels nationally and internationally through research and creative activity, teaching and learning civic engagement.” 

 What this has translated into is learning about the histories, cultures and contributions of communities around the world. 

“Through the Diversity Speaker Series, students, staff, faculty as well as Indianapolis community members have the unique opportunity to engage nationally and internationally recognized experts including Kimberle Crenshaw (professor and civil rights advocate), Winona LaDuke (writer, environmentalist, economist), Maria Teresa Kumar (American political rights activist) and Wes Moore (author and CEO of New York’s largest anti-poverty organization),” Dace says.

Moreover, the Social Justice Book and Lecture Program invites authors to meet with first-year students. And, they have instituted a White Racial Literacy Project in order to improve race relations. Heritage month celebrations, culturally based student organizations and a multicultural center add to the mix.

As for their faculty Dace says “Multiple semester and year-long programs provide intensive leadership trainings. Three-and-a-half day intensive discussions are available through the Office of Intercultural Literacy, Capacity and Engagement through the Inter-Group Dialogue (IGD) Program, which offers facilitated discussion on challenging issues.”

IUPUI is on the list of top 200 national universities, as ranked by U.S. News and World Report, is in the top 30 graduate nursing programs and the number one school of philanthropy in the world. From 2002-2017 the percent of total students of color rose from 20 percent to 26 percent. The one-year retention rate for all students of color rose 3 percent from 2010-2016. The four-year graduation rate rose 7 percent for students of color from 2008-2013 . And the number of doctoral degrees rose over 16 percent from 2007-2017 for the same population.

Their prediction for future workers looks promising. According to a recent study, IUPUI grads fare well in their chosen career and salary, with a 91 percent retention rate for grads staying in Indiana and 65 percent in the Greater Indianapolis area. Their diversity training is extensive. And that’s great news for Indiana’s future.

Boardroom Briefs

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Boardroom Briefs

Horizon Bank donates to women’s shelter

Horizon Bank in Michigan City donated $7,500 to Stepping Stone Shelter for Women, an emergency shelter for women and their children who are victims of domestic violence or sexual assault. The shelter will use the money to offset the cost of everyday expenses that can sometimes be an obstacle of its services. “Horizon is happy to provide financial assistance for the Stepping Stone Shelter, to help with operational costs,” said Jim Neff, president of Horizon Bank. “This organization is an invaluable resource in supporting women and children in our community. Their assistance helps save and improve lives every day.”

Franciscan Alliance, Adult and Child Health announce partnership

Franciscan Health Indianapolis and Adult and Child Health have partnered to better address the needs of people in Central Indiana. As part of the partnership, Franciscan Health, which provides faith-based health care, will transfer ownership and operation of a health clinic it has managed since 1997 to Adult and Child Health. Beyond the transition of the health clinic, Franciscan Health and Adult and Child Health will still work to improve communication and coordination of care for their shared patients, with the hope of closing health care gaps in underserved and low-income communities.

Indiana Wesleyan receives accreditation

The business and accounting degrees within the DeVoe School of Business at Indiana Wesleyan University-National and Global (IWU) recently received accreditation from the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP). The accreditation will last for 10 years. ACBSP accredits programs that have at least one graduating class, have collected data and assessed the program for three cycles and meet accreditation standards. In addition, the Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Accounting programs also received a separate accreditation from ACBSP.

Facility undergoing renovation

Aspire Indiana/Aspire Indiana Health’s federally qualified health center in Anderson is currently undergoing a $1.35 million reconstruction update. The health center will be partially closed, but services won’t be interrupted throughout the renovation. The project will reconfigure the interior of the building with a streamlined layout. 

New resource for Hoosiers with disabilities

AWS Foundation created the Indiana Disability Resource FINDER, a free online program developed with the state of Indiana and nonprofit organizations to connect those with intellectual, developmental or physical disabilities, their families and caregivers to services and programs to support them. FINDER gives 24/7 access to almost 2,000 service providers across the state.

Fitch gives highest rating to Community Justice Campus 

The Indianapolis Public Improvement Bond Bank’s two Community Justice Campus (CJC) bonds received a AAA rating, the highest rating possible, from Fitch Ratings Service. The bonds, 2019A and 2019B, total more than $623 million and will fund the consolidated adult detention facility and courthouse and an assessment and intervention center, which will be built on a 140-acre site.

Indy Rainbow Chamber of Commerce hires new executive director

Indy Rainbow Chamber of Commerce hired Joey Amato as the new executive director. Formed in 2002, the bi-partisan Indy Rainbow Chamber is an organization for LGBTQ business owners, employees and allies. The organization promotes Indianapolis and Central Indiana as a welcoming place to live, conduct business and visit.

Oak Street Health partners with Lyft

Oak Street Health has partnered with ride-sharing service Lyft to improve access to health care for Medicare recipients in Indianapolis. The service will be available at all four locations in the city. Oak Street Health already has complimentary transportation for patients to get to and from their appointments, which over half of the clinic’s patients use, but when those vans are in high demand an employee can schedule a ride through Lyft. A pilot program began in September 2018 and more than 100 patients used the service in January. “Partnering with Lyft ensures that accessibility will never be a barrier for Medicare beneficiaries in the Indianapolis community seeking quality primary care,” said Brian Clem, president of Oak Street Health Indiana and Ohio. “Lyft shares our commitment to improving the lives of others, and we’re excited to keep seeing a positive impact with the program.”

DeKalb Health, Parkview Health become partners

DeKalb Health and Parkview Health announced a strategic partnership that will expand health care services in DeKalb County. DeKalb Health is a 56-bed, acute health care facility that will benefit from the much larger Parkview Health that serves northeast Indiana and parts of northwest Ohio. “The decision to affiliate with Parkview Health will allow us to carry on our mission in a time where the health care industry is radically changing,” said Tasha Eicher, president and CEO of DeKalb Health. “We are looking forward to partnering with a health system that has demonstrated their commitment to high quality care and lives out their mission to provide excellent care to every person, every day. We believe the affiliation will strengthen our ability to provide high quality care to DeKalb County and preserve our service to the community for many years to come.”

Steel Dynamics acquires Texas company

Steel Dynamics in Fort Wayne acquired United Steel Supply, which is headquartered in Austin, Texas, and is a leading manufacturer of flat roll steel used for roofing and siding. Steel Dynamics purchased 75 percent of the equity interests of United Steel Supply for $134 million and has the option to purchase the remaining 25 percent in the future. “We enthusiastically welcome the employees and customers of United Steel Supply into the Steel Dynamics family,” said Mark Millett, president and CEO of Steel Dynamics. “… We look forward to growing with United Steel Supply and to providing our high-quality flat roll steel directly to this important market segment.”

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