It wasn’t until I became an adult that I finally understood what my parents were trying to instill in me and my four brothers as children: compassion and service. Not as an extension of what you have, but in spite of what you don’t have. The wisdom of my parents’ lessons and my inclination to help intersected once I became a facilitator with the State of Nevada’s Division of Child Family Services. As a facilitator, I was tasked with the responsibility of reunifying children with their families.
For me, it was like getting a glimpse behind the curtain. I was shocked at the number of factors that potentially play a role in a family’s collapse. Whether it was finances, addiction, mental and physical health problems, violence, or any number of outside influences they had no control over, it became glaringly obvious that people needed help — and helping people felt natural to me. So I dug in deeper! Looking for a way to help more people, I lobbied for a representative position in Nevada with the United States Senate under Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid.
In this role, I dealt with constituent services and monitored federal legislation, which essentially meant I was working within the community, listening to their wants and needs and relaying that information back to the Senator. Working in the community, I became an advocate for a number of causes and began volunteering regularly on a wide array of community projects. Whether managing the Minority AIDS Initiative for the State of Nevada, participating in the annual Nevada homeless counts or hosting a community-centric television show called “Neighbor to Neighbor,” I got involved. It was during this period that I became interested in health care and, in particular, Anthem.
After regularly meeting Anthem employees and seeing their booths and advertising at many of the events where I volunteered, it was clear that health care and working in the community were deeply linked at Anthem. This wasn’t health care as an extension of what you have; this was health care in spite of what you don’t have. This was creating solutions before problems arose, and I wanted in. I helped families and communities throughout the State of Nevada for 12 years and in April started my newest adventure as a marketing director for Medicaid business at Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Indiana. Helping people within the community became a part of my DNA years ago. I am fortunate to work for an organization that follows the same approach. In addition to the thousands of community events we host each year around the state, another way we help those in need is through the Healthy Indiana Plan (HIP) 2.0, which was implemented earlier this year. In February, thanks to the efforts of Gov. Mike Pence and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), adults ages 19 to 64 with income up to 138 percent of the federal poverty level, would qualify to receive health care coverage.
This was a big moment for the people of Indiana. It means more than 289,000 additional Hoosiers now have health care coverage thanks to HIP, which includes 125,000 residents that receive their coverage through Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Indiana. HIP offers members a Personal Wellness and Responsibility (POWER) account within HIP Plus, which allows individuals to make contributions to cover their health care costs. Contributions are based on a sliding income scale and bring additional services such as vision, dental, prescription drug coverage and maternity services.
It also helps people learn how to better manage their care. Now people are more involved, better informed and more proactive in managing their health. And the results have been powerful. Nearly 89 percent of those with POWER accounts are satisfied with their health care, and three-fourths of our members have been selecting HIP Plus. I would be remiss in not sharing a member story of someone I met at one of our events. She is a single mother of two children with disabilities, and she had not had insurance for quite some time. When she qualified for HIP, she went to the doctor and found out she was diabetic. This member was able to get her diabetes under control and also received new dentures. She told me that HIP has made her a better person and a better mom. Now that I’m here in Indiana, I’ve enjoyed getting to know the diverse communities in the Hoosier state. Much like my days working for the Senate, I’ve spent a great deal of my time learning the intricacies of the state, listening to what people need and running that information back to the office to determine how we can help. In the coming year, I look forward to getting settled in, possibly joining a local rugby team, being of service personally and professionally through Anthem Indiana Medicaid and, most importantly, making my parents proud.
Marcus White is the medicaid marketing director for Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Indiana.
The fourth quarter issue of Indiana Minority Business Magazine will hit the newsstands in October! Check out our special sneak peek of our Work Style photoshoot. This issue is all about the health and beauty industries in Indiana.
Ambre Ashley-Crockett, founder of Ambre Blends and IMBM makeup artist prepare for the photoshoot.
Clothing for the first scene of Work Style.
Dr. Antoine Leflore, emergency medical physician at Eskenazi Health prepares for the photoshoot.
Alicia Pillow, owner and founder of F.I.T.WITHRENEE shows off her muscles will getting her makeup done.
IMBM Newsroom Manager Victoria T. Davis and Ashley-Crockett.
The fourth quarter issue of the 2015 Indiana Minority Business Magazine will hit newsstands this October. As a preview to our issue all about the health and beauty industries, we recently covered the grand opening of Ulta Beauty at The Shoppes on County Line Road. Ulta Beauty is is the largest beauty retailer in the United States and the premier beauty destination for cosmetics, fragrance, skin, hair care products and salon services.
Indiana University Health plans to open the first three in a series of urgent care clinics to be built across Central Indiana in the next two to three years. Located in Greenwood, Lawrence and Brownsburg, the new centers will provide Hoosiers with immediate, affordable access to expert treatment.
Urgent care continues to grow, with an estimated 10,000 sites across the U.S. and more than 100 in Indiana. “While consumers have options when it comes to urgent care, IU Health is uniquely positioned to offer the most highly skilled team of physicians, physician assistants and nurse practitioners,” said Ron Stiver, president of Indiana University Health system clinical services. “Our network of urgent care centers is yet another important investment that we’re making to ensure Hoosiers have convenient access to nationally recognized care.”
The first three locations and opening dates include:
1 – Greenwood (opening September 9)
996 S. State Road 135, Suite P
Greenwood, IN 46143
2 – Lawrence (opening September 23)
9165 Otis Avenue, Suite 112
Lawrence, IN 46216
3 – Brownsburg (opening early November)
90 E. Garner Road
Brownsburg, IN 46112
The new urgent care clinics will be staffed by board certified family physicians Dr. Christopher Kimmey and Dr. Sathish Perumal, as well as Dr. Elizabeth Brater. Dr. Kimmey, a graduate of Indiana University School of Medicine, is skilled in treating the kinds of minor injuries and illness seen in an urgent care setting, including everything from ear aches and allergies to sprains, strains and fractures. Dr. Perumal graduated from University of Mysore Medical School in Karnataka, India, and did his residency at the University of Illinois College of Medicine. In addition to seeing patients on a daily basis, Dr. Perumal serves as Medical Director for IU Health Urgent Care in the Indianapolis region. Dr. Brater became a physician in 1997 after already having had a successful career as a registered nurse and is experienced in treating hospital emergency room patients, whose ailments range from ear aches to severe trauma.
On-site care will be available Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. Conditions treated range from severe sore throat, ear infections or fever to minor cuts, simple fractures or sprains. Preventative services such as flu shots and physicals will also be available. No appointment is necessary.
IU Health’s urgent care clinics are not intended for major emergencies. If you are experiencing a life- or limb-threatening situation, please dial 911 or go to the nearest hospital emergency room.
Marion County residents and visitors can now make short point-to-point trips throughout Indianapolis without spending a penny on gas. BlueIndy today put into service the first 50 of an eventual 500 electric vehicles that provide convenient, cleaner transportation with the swipe of a membership card.
This is the first-of-its-kind electric car sharing service in the U.S. by the Bolloré Group of France, which already operates car sharing services in several other cities, including the world’s largest EV sharing service: Autolib’, in Paris.
“Indianapolis is the perfect home for our first venture into the American market”, said Cédric Bolloré, Vice President for Development. “Indy has a vibrant downtown, thriving neighborhoods, and a population that demands innovation and cleaner alternatives to car ownership, and transit options.”
The Bluecars run on Lithium Metal Polymer (LMP) batteries developed by Bolloré and have a range of 120 miles between charges. They create zero emissions, and integrate innovative technology to make their use convenient, safe and simple.
“Indianapolis is home to a growing tech sector, arts and cultural attractions, first rate medical and educational institutions, and thriving neighborhoods”, said Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard. “I am delighted to welcome BlueIndy as a clean, affordable transit option to help connect visitors and residents with all that Indy has to offer.”
As of today, 125 parking spaces are equipped with charge points. Reserved parking spots mean no need to look for parking. As BlueIndy builds out across the city, customers will be able to take advantage of up to 1,000 parking spaces in 200 BlueIndy stations outfitted with charging infrastructure and easy-to-use customer kiosks. With a membership card in hand, drivers will simply swipe their card across the BlueIndy car windshield. The car will automatically unlock and welcome the driver back to BlueIndy with their own favorite radio stations stored from previous trips. The standard BlueIndy membership costs $9.99 per month. Members pay four dollars for the first 20 minutes they use the car, and 20 cents for each minute thereafter. Membership can be obtained via BlueIndy’s website (www.blue-indy.com) or at BlueIndy enrollment kiosks. A BlueIndy smartphone app is also available. Memberships may be purchased for a day, a week, a month, or a year.
“Based on our experience in Paris, Bordeaux, and Lyon, we expect the average car sharing transaction to be about 20 minutes”, said Bolloré. “Indianapolis will benefit from technology and processes proven in Paris for the last four years. Now Indy will be the model for North America.”
BlueIndy expects to provide up to 100 full-time jobs through the end of 2016, as skilled union trades workers install electrical and telecom infrastructure in dozens of neighborhoods and commercial centers. An additional 100 full-time employees will work for BlueIndy in time as ambassadors, dispatchers, and service technicians.
BlueIndy’s car sharing service is a perfect complement to the city’s long-term public transit strategy, which includes expansion of IndyGo and bicycle lanes. BlueIndy will also help attract professional talent to the city’s employer base, and help central Indiana move more quickly away from fossil fuels as an energy source for public transportation.
Indiana University Health President and Chief Executive Officer Daniel F. Evans, Jr. announced his plan for retirement. Evans will relinquish his role as president but will continue to serve as the statewide health system’s CEO until May 1, 2016. As part of the succession plan, current IU Health Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Dennis M. Murphy will be promoted to president of the organization, effective immediately, and become CEO as well on May 1, 2016. Murphy will continue to serve as COO until a successor is named.
A historic legacy of growth and expansion
In his 13 years as the system’s president and CEO, Dan Evans has overseen the expansion of the IU Health system from three hospitals in downtown Indianapolis to a unified statewide health system of nearly 20 hospitals and health centers that treat more than 2.5 million patients a year. Throughout his tenure, IU Health has consistently been included in the prestigious U.S. News & World Report’s annual Best Hospitals rankings, which also recognizes IU Health as the No. 1 hospital in the state of Indiana. Other milestones include the opening of the world-class IU Health Melvin and Bren Simon Cancer Center, the IU Health Neuroscience Center and the Riley Hospital for Children Simon Family Tower at IU Health.
Evans has been an enthusiastic proponent of the recently announced plan for a regional academic health campus in Bloomington and helped lead the development of the Strategic Research Initiative (SRI), a five-year, $150 million collaboration between IU Health and IU School of Medicine that was created to advance research and produce innovative treatments for patients with cancer, cardiovascular disease and neurological disorders.
Evans is a well-known presence in both the federal and the state public policy communities as an advocate for health and wellness programs and high-quality, accessible healthcare. He has been deeply involved in numerous legislative healthcare matters and advocated for the renewal of the Healthy Indiana Plan (HIP), which provides access to affordable healthcare for more low-income, working Hoosiers. Evans also pushed for continued government funding of the Graduate Medical Education (GME) program to support the education and training of much-needed future physicians.
More recently, Evans announced a $1 billion investment in a new adult academic health center in downtown Indianapolis, which will serve as the system’s principal referral center for patients with severe illnesses and complex cases, serving as a major part of IU Health’s statewide organized system of care.
“Under Dan’s remarkable tenure as CEO, IU Health has evolved into one of the finest hospital systems in the country and one that is steadfastly devoted to providing Indiana residents the highest possible standard of care,” said Michael A. McRobbie, Ph.D, president, Indiana University. “The deep partnership between Indiana University and IU Health is vital to both institutions—as well as to the state of Indiana—and Dan’s determined leadership and commitment to creating a world-class academic health enterprise has been critical to our combined success.”
Throughout his tenure, Evans has also been faithful to IU Health’s relationship with the United Methodist Church and facilitated the addition of United Methodist leaders to hospital boards throughout the system. He led fundraising efforts resulting in an endowed Evans Center for Religious and Spiritual Values, and recently secured significant funding for the Indiana Conference of the United Methodist Church to support important health, wellness and psychological services for the church’s clergy, which enables them to better lead their parishioners.
“One of Dan’s lifelong passions has been the United Methodist Church,” said Bishop Michael J. Coyner of the Indiana Area United Methodist Church. “His board leadership during the formation of Clarian Health and his executive leadership as CEO of IU Health have deepened and sustained the health and welfare mission of the Indiana Conference of the United Methodist Church in remarkable ways. I look forward to working with Dennis Murphy going forward. He, too, deeply appreciates the religious roots of our medical mission and will be an excellent partner on this journey.”
“Dan’s vision and leadership have built IU Health into one of the most respected and skilled healthcare systems in the nation,” said Anne Nobles, chair, IU Health Board of Directors. “We are grateful for his sustained leadership and positive influence on the organization. During this transition period, Dan and Dennis will work together to continue the momentum they have created to keep IU Health strong and able to deliver on our mission of improving the lives of our patients, families and communities.”
A vision for innovation and success
Evans’ successor, Dennis Murphy, is also a highly experienced healthcare leader. Murphy joined IU Health in 2013 as its executive vice president and chief operating officer after serving in a similar role at Northwestern Memorial HealthCare in Chicago. There, he led the implementation of key systemwide initiatives, which resulted in consistent multi-year improvements in patient satisfaction, cost reduction, clinical program mix and key clinical quality initiatives. Murphy worked extensively across its medical school, practice plan and affiliated private physicians to ensure the long-term development of key clinical, research and education programs, and was responsible for the opening of a 328-bed, $507 million replacement women’s hospital.
Previously, Murphy held leadership positions at several of the nation’s top hospitals and academic health systems, including the University of Chicago Medicine and a 10-year stint at Johns Hopkins Hospital.
“The board is confident that Dennis is the right leader to continue our transformation as the preeminent leader in clinical care, education, research and service,” said Nobles. “Dennis has tremendous career experience from other healthcare systems and has a history of delivering impactful results. At IU Health, he has built a reputation for collaboration and, in a time of ferocious industry change, he is leading major system operational improvements so IU Health can meet the needs of our patients and the communities we serve.”
“We sought Dennis out because of the breadth and depth of his experience, his track record of innovation and success, and his proven leadership skills,” said Evans. “I’ve grown even more deeply impressed with him as we’ve worked side-by-side for the past two years. We are indeed fortunate to have a nationally recognized leader like Dennis to lead IU Health into the future.”
Evans added that he is “grateful for the thousands of colleagues and team members I’ve worked with over the past 13 years; we’ve accomplished a lot as we worked together to provide our patients with the best possible healthcare experience.
“Much more remains to be done,” continued Evans. “I leave knowing there is no one more capable or better positioned than Dennis to lead IU Health into the future and to the next level of success.”
Since joining IU Health, Murphy has been responsible for leading the design of IU Health’s new organizational structure and process improvement efforts that will enable the system to fulfill its mission in a dynamic, ever-changing healthcare environment. He’s also been instrumental in the expansion of IU Health Plans and its application of the population health model of care, which enhances the relationship between patients and their providers and seeks to keep patients healthier by better managing chronic conditions and overcoming obstacles to improved health.Additionally, Murphy has been working closely with IU School of Medicine Dean Jay Hess, M.D., Ph.D, to enhance alignment between the two institutions for the benefit of patients.
“During his time at IU Health, Dennis has proven to be an outstanding collaborator who has worked extremely well with the leadership at the IU School of Medicine to promote our shared vision of how best to positively affect health outcomes across the state,” said McRobbie. “His impeccable background as a health administrator and demonstrated success as COO of IU Health make him an ideal choice to lead this critically important institution during a time of dramatic change, and I look forward to working closely with him in the future.”
“I am honored to have been selected for this incredible opportunity,” said Murphy. “I am eager to continue the work of bringing groups of committed individuals together so they can grow to know and trust one another as they collaborate to find solutions that help to improve the health of the patients and communities we serve.”
Experts like psychologist and Nobel laureate Daniel Kahneman say the key to entrepreneurship is one’s state of mind. While factors such as the type of business, products and services offered play a significant role in the success of a company, experts contend the owner’s mindset is what will prove most beneficial in the long-term.
Most experts also agree that a successful entrepreneur must have willpower. Willpower is what will initially give an individual the courage to step out on faith and execute the idea formulated in their mind. Willpower is what will give someone the courage to continue despite a low initial return on investment. And when that budding entrepreneur is feeling discouraged and frustrated, willpower is what will bring them out of that dark state and into the light.
There has been on-going debate in the business world about entrepreneurs and it can be summed up in one question: Are entrepreneurs born or made? I tend to believe the latter. There is no mistake about it; there are some entrepreneurs who have an innate ability to succeed. It is a characteristic they are born with and such distinctive gift has proved well for them professionally. But being born void of “the gift” does not prevent someone from becoming an entrepreneur.
I dare to say that not having an innate ability makes a person that much more determined to succeed because, perhaps in a small way, they think the odds are stacked against them. One’s personal circumstances can also help them determine whether or not they would like to pursue entrepreneurship. I have a friend who lives in an incredibly competitive city, and though she is highly qualified, securing permanent positions that utilized her vast skills was difficult.
So, instead, she set out to form her own education consulting business. For her, failure was not an option. She had to succeed because her life and the lives of her two young daughters depended on the success of her company. Four years later, she is more financially-comfortable and personally-fulfilled than she has ever been. My friend’s success as well as the success of other entrepreneurs I’ve encountered can be contributed in large part to willpower.
Nearly all of them said there were times they almost threw in the towel, but their determination to stay on the course kicked in, resulting in a vengeance that made them even more motivated. Willpower is significant. It can erase doubt, combat naysayers, inspire investors and stimulate growth. Willpower is a tool and should be used as such.
This issue of Indiana Minority Business Magazine features entrepreneurs who used willpower to not only launch their companies, but also to help navigate them through challenging times once their businesses got off the ground. You will learn each entrepreneur’s road to success, some bumps in the road they experienced, as well as advice they offer burgeoning entrepreneurs.
Whether you’re looking to start your own business or find pleasure in climbing the ladder of pre-existing companies, having willpower will help you accomplish your goals. I hope you find this issue of IMBM as compelling and motivating as our staff does. Here’s to you finding and utilizing your sheer determination to succeed!
Just 50 miles east of Chicago, the city of Valparaiso offers a range of entertainment, educational and business resources to its community of about 30,000 residents. The city is also home to the nationally acclaimed Valparaiso University, which has repeatedly been rated a top university in the Midwest. Other universities such as Purdue and Notre Dame are headquartered nearby.
Also known as “Valpo” and the “Vale of Paradise,” Valparaiso has a plethora of parks, golf, courses, bike trails and city fairs to enjoy. Following is an overview of some of the options Valparaiso has to offer.
ATTRACTIONS
Chicago Street Theatre: Celebrating its 61st season of producing first-class live theatre for Valparaiso and the greater Northwest Indiana region, Chicago Street Theatre is an award-winning company that seats 130 people. The theatre has welcomed productions such as “Beauty and the Beast,” “Frankenstein,” “A Charlie Brown Christmas” and many more.
First Thursdays: The first Thursday of each month from 5-10 p.m. is a time for local residents and visitors to please their palate while enjoying a stroll through the streets of downtown Valparaiso. Over 10 restaurants and bars offer $5 food and drinks specials.
Music lovers are invited to enjoy the sounds of the summer at the Rhapsody Music Festival beginning every Thursday in July at 7 p.m. in Central Park Plaza. Attendees are encouraged to bring their picnic baskets, blankets or chairs and music-loving family and friends. Admission is free.
Thirty-seven years and counting, the Valparaiso Popcorn Festival has been named the “Best Festival of the Region” by The Times newspaper and continues to offer family-fun activities for all ages. The festival hosts over 250 arts and crafts vendors, over 30 food booths, kids’ games, two live music stages and the nation’s first Popcorn Parade. This year, the event will be held September 12 from 7 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.
The Fall Harvest Festival held in downtown Valparaiso is a two-day event full of costumes, tricks, treats and more for the entire family. The event will begin on October 16 from 4–6 p.m. with Trick-or-Treating. The following day Valpo Parks Department’s 3rd Annual Monster Dash 1K will take place.
In 1995 this 1850s home was remodeled to include 11 spacious suites with king or 2-queen beds, Jacuzzi for two, fireplace, lazy ceiling fan, patio or balcony and over-sized private bath. A three-course breakfast is served during the morning hours, dessert is served in the evening and unlimited snacks and beverages are available. An 18-hole championship golf course surrounds the Inn, salon spa and restaurant adjacent.
3158 S. State Road 2, Valparaiso, Ind. / (219) 465-3753. / Innataberdeen.com.
Pikk’s Inn
With a rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars, Pikk’s Inn is conveniently located at 62 West Lincolnway above Pikk’s Tavern in historic downtown Valparaiso. The two guest rooms offer king and queen beds, flat screen TVs, hardwood floors and room service. With a close proximity to Valparaiso University, this bed and breakfast is perfect for family, friends and business professionals visiting the institution.
With five suites, fireplaces for winter enjoyment and double-sized whirlpools this bed and breakfast is located to the east of downtown Valparaiso. A hot country breakfast is served in the sunroom overlooking the woods, with the sounds of songbirds and feathered friends serenading and entertaining guests as they dine. Songbird Prairie also offers massages, reflexology, botanical body treatments and facials to accommodate wellness needs.
174 North County Road 600 W, Valparaiso, Ind. / (219) 759-4274. / Songbirdprairie.com.
DINING
Restaurante don Quijote
Experience Spanish cuisine at Restaurante don Quijote. The restaurant’s two chefs, natives of Spain, offer a wide variety of items such as grilled shellfish, swordfish steaks, skewered pork, Castilian style roast lamb, two versions of paella, calamares, octopus, Galician stuffed meat pastries the traditional Spanish potato omelet and much more. This eatery is complete with Spanish outdoor-style seating and European murals.
Looking for food and drink specials? Pikk’s Tavern has plenty. Tini-Tuesdays offer $5 martinis, Wednesdays has select alcoholic beverages are $3 and Thursdays, drafts on tap are half price. The menu consists of items such as Gulf shrimp, fresh oysters, Irish nachos, gumbo, seafood chowder and many more.
62 W. Lincolnway, Valparaiso, Ind. / (219) 476-4755.
Uptown Café
Uptown Café is a specialty coffee, tea and soda bar with cuisine set in a fusion of modern and classic designs. Not only are the ever-popular lattes, cappuccinos and mochas available, customers can enjoy Italian soda, white hot chocolate, sweet chai, frappes and gelato shakes. The food menu consists of breakfast burritos, flatbread pizzas, salads, soups and other snacks.
1400 E. Lincolnway, Valparaiso, Ind. (219) 246-2526.
Valley Kitchen & Bar
“Have you tasted fresh food lately?” is the question Valley Kitchen & Bar poses to all of their customers. This establishment believes the best food to eat is the food grown close to home. Valley Kitchen & Bar has a seasonal soup of the day, fried pickles, Truffle fries, a variety of entrees and several sides served family style. The dessert menu serves fried Oreos and Southern Pig Pickin’ Cake.
55 Franklin Street, Valparaiso, Ind. / (219) 531-8888.
Valpo Velvet Ice Cream Company
It all began as the Valparaiso Home Ice Company in 1920, but today most people know this establishment as Valpo Velvet Ice Cream Company. Since then the Brown family took ownership and has been operating the ice cream shop for three generations. Valpo Velvet Ice Cream Company serves up old-fashioned ice cream, hand-dipped malts and milkshakes, smoothies, gourmet sundaes and more. Over 50 flavors of ice cream, frozen yogurt, sherbet and sorbet are available.
55-57 W. Monroe Street, Valparaiso, Ind. / (219) 464-4141.
By definition, an entrepreneur is “a person who organizes and operates a business or businesses, taking on greater than normal financial risks in order to do so.” What many Hoosiers in the State of Indiana have learned over time is not only do those challenges cause owners to haul over financial hurdles, but mental and social ones as well.
For those who unlock the code to the glory of entrepreneurship, they discover an indescribable reward they couldn’t have found outside the walls of their typical nine to five job. Entrepreneurs discover the freedom to choose with whom their business engages with, how to master branding and marketing, hiring quality staff and most of all being “the boss” of their own masterpiece.
From major names and brands like Madame C.J. Walker who created her own hair products and John Schnatter, the creator of Papa John’s Pizza, to the sister duo of Just Pop In, Carly Swift and Mandy Selke, Hoosiers are ready to create their own and share their talents with the world. These individuals have inspired others to take risks, make mistakes, learn from their doings and most of all–flourish.
Entrepreneurship, from the outside looking in, seems to be a path encompassing many things people desire—freedom from the ball and chain of cubicles, time clocks and bosses, being at the top of the list—yet forego upon realizing the enormous responsibility that comes along with self-employment.
The most recent data on American entrepreneurship from Gallup shows the U.S. currently ranks 12th, falling behind countries like Hungary, Denmark and Finland in terms of new business creation making this the first time in the past three decades business deaths outrank business births in America. This decline is not due to a lack of passion, or lapse in creation but rather an economic hurdle as many new business owners have trouble securing financing and rely primarily on their personal savings to get going and stay afloat.
Despite the nation’s oftentimes troubling financial landscape, independent business ownership may soon experience a much needed resurrection by way of new minority-focused entrepreneurship initiatives from the Small Business Administration.
The SBA has innovation clusters akin to Silicon Valley popping up in places like Cincinnati, Montana, and even rural Indiana, as well as primetime television competition shows like “Shark Tank.” For the brave souls—like Billie Dragoo of RepuCare, Michael Lopez of Actin Inc., and sisters Mandy Selke and Carly Swift of Just Pop In—who have taken the reins of success in their own hands to venture into uncharted territory, the experience however daunting, is one full of rewards, triumph, and an expanded wealth of knowledge.
The iconic Steve Jobs of Apple Inc., said it best with this quote on independent journeys, “It’s more fun to be a pirate than to join the navy.” And while the aforementioned assemblage wouldn’t necessarily associate themselves with Bluebeard or Captain Hook, there is something to be said about the shared characteristics between the two. Like any pirate worth their weight in gold, a strong entrepreneur must be a resourceful tactician, have the ability to navigate tough terrain, and the fortitude to capture spoils by any means necessary.
You have to have blind faith
“You have to be a risk taker, be confident and have sort of a blind faith,” said Dragoo, the founder and CEO of RepuCare, a medical staffing company based in Indianapolis. Dragoo knows a thing or two about faith. In the late 80s she owned a small retail shop in her hometown of Franklin, Ind. Sometime later the then divorced single mother of two enrolled in a local community college and then went to work as a corporate headhunter for Century Personnel. Although she excelled in that position, Dragoo believed she could do even more.
In 1995 she along with a partner, started RepuCare out of her home. “I wanted to go down a different avenue and provide for my kids, I put both of them through college. I wanted to be in control of my own destiny so to speak,” she said. “I think all entrepreneurs have some sort of apprehension, you have no clue where your next check is coming from…a lot of business owners use their own savings or credit cards. It’s very difficult to get a business loan when you’re new to this, fortunately I had a very good business plan and a lot of business owners don’t. That’s their biggest mistake.”
The company, whose name is a nod to the strong reputation it has of providing quality care, benefitted from Dragoo’s excellent planning. RepuCare grew enormously in its early years but was dealt a series of nearly crippling blows not even the most prepared person could foresee. “In 1999 there were regulatory changes in the arena. I lost 87 percent of my business,” she said.
In an effort to stifle the hemorrhaging, Dragoo laid people off and spent her personal assets to buy out her partner and keep the company afloat. Then in 2006, her chief operating officer died suddenly. “It was sudden, he wasn’t sick. He had just turned 40 years old,” she said. “When someone dies, you start to peel back the onion – he had done some very bad things in my company, that cost us $750,000.”
Following the double whammy of loss, RepuCare was hit once again in 2009, 2010 and 2011 as the entire country experienced an economic recession. Despite the veritable three-piece jab, straight right and left hook circumstance had dealt them, Dragoo and her team embodied Ali’s famed rope-a-dope technique and emerged like true champions—stronger, wiser, and ready to keep going on. Just last year, RepuCare’s spinoff company, RepuCare OnSite, acquired comprehensive wellness provider Spectrum Health Systems—another woman owned Midwest based entity.
The company, now known as Verve Health, is spearheaded by Dragoo’s husband Gerry Erb. “Our acquisition of Spectrum Health Systems expands our employer health service offering, enables us to offer a continuum of comprehensive wellness and clinic services and positions the company as the only worksite health provider in Indiana offering wellness capabilities with proven health outcomes,” said Erb, in a released statement following the acquisition.
In 2014, Dragoo added two more kudos to her long list of public honors as she was awarded the Mentoring Women’s Network “Pass the Torch for Women Lifetime Achievement” Award and was also recognized by the Central Indiana Business Hall of Fame Junior Achievement for her business success and dedication to important civic causes. “An ‘a ha’ moment came when I was awarded a $12 million contract from Anthem/WellPoint in 2006 and another big contract with the Indianapolis Airport Authority in 2004,” said Dragoo. “I was very proud we were able to get those based on our reputation. You have to evolve and change, you have to figure out ways to throw that negativity into a different direction so you can survive and thrive.”
Find your niche and take off running
Beautiful images captured on film develop in darkrooms. Lotus flowers grow in mud. The mythical phoenix is lauded for its ability to be reborn again and again out of fiery ashes. The theme of using the universe’s offering of lemons to conjure up lemonade sweetened with ingenuity and determination are the items winning tales are made of.
Michael Lopez
In other words, you’ve got to use what you have to get what you want. Against the historically troubled economic backdrop of northwest Indiana, Michael Lopez, the founder and president of Actin Inc. has done just that. “I worked for a large industrial waste company and they were merging with another company,” he said. Lopez alongside his childhood friend and business partner John Hurubean identified an immediate void and seized the opportunity to secure their first contract with the local steel mills.
In 1980, the pair founded Actin. “You always have apprehension, it’s like rolling dice but I knew a lot of people and I built on those relationships. We found our niche along the lake here and kept moving and maintaining ever since.” Actin, which has been in business for over three decades, provides demolition, waste management and environmental services for large corporations while also handling municipal duties for cities across the region.
“What I’m most proud of is the fact that we’re dealing with Fortune 500 companies. The ArcelorMittal’s of the world, the U.S. Steel’s, Praxair…we are involved in work that affects a lot of people,” said Lopez. “We keep a lot of folks working and we keep a lot of money in the community. We struggle at times, like when some of the steel mills closed. It affected us, but we survived and we’re still here on the map.” Lopez’s commitment to quality work as well as his connection to his community is what garnered him the title of East Chicagoan of the Year in 2002.
The former Marine Corp sergeant, who currently serves on the board of the Lakeshore Chamber of Commerce, sees civic leadership as a necessary piece of the enterprising puzzle. “I do a lot of community work. I volunteer and am involved in various education foundations,” he said. “We don’t get lost in what we do, we get out and participate in the community, I am very community minded.”
Lopez also uses his platform to not only employ but to inspire future generations of minority business leaders. “I think it’s important to set examples for other minorities. The door is open and you’ve got to go through those doors but frankly you have to be able to fulfill those obligations.”
Allow passion to guide you
Carly Swift
Twin sisters and business partners Mandy Selke and Carly Swift are the creative minds behind one of the Circle City’s hippest exports, Just Pop In popcorn. The pair has found a way to infuse their passion for family, creativity, and popcorn into a lucrative, growing business. “The idea of popcorn was important to us. We would pop it with our grandfather at our grandparents house.
It was something very nostalgic to us and something that brought our family together,” said Swift. In their hometown of Crown Point, Ind. the sisters were exposed to entrepreneurship at a young age. Their parents owned a lumber company together and at one point their mom ran her own small apartment development company. “Our grandfather owned a bar that mom helped at but he made her quit because she was about to give birth to twins,” Swift said laughing.
She said those early experiences taught her and her sister how to build a successful business life that included loved ones. Unlike many people who forego formal schooling to instead take up a family business, Selke said college was an expectation for them. “Going to college wasn’t a choice, it was embedded in us,” said Selke, who shared she originally had intentions of pursuing a career in fashion design. “I ended up graduating with a degree in pre-med and now we are in the popcorn business—part of my education in chemistry helps with flavor development. I help create the store’s recipes,” she said.
Swift, who attended Indiana University in Bloomington alongside her sister followed an unconventional path as well. “I had a double major in speech communication and African-American studies. I originally started in business and found my passion in both of these areas,” she said. “With African-American studies, as a young girl I was really interested in the civil rights movement—there were so many moments that were defining to me. I wanted to learn as much as I could to help as much as I could.” Following a corporate career in sales at Automatic Data Processing (ADP), where they were office mates, the two went on to make small business ownership a reality. “The success of working our corporate job taught us the things we needed to know and the foundation gave us the freedom to start this business,” said Selke.
Mandy Selke
Just Pop In opened its initial flagship location in the heart of Broad Ripple Village located in Indianapolis in 2003. Today, the many varieties of the delicious snack can be found at several shops across the state and at the Indianapolis International Airport.
Their shared compassion for people and community has led to partnerships with the Damien Center, a nonprofit agency that caters to HIV/AIDS prevention and care; Sun King Brewery; the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, and many more. “I think the evolution of our company from 2003 until now, so much of it has to do with our staff and our culture. The other piece has to do with the constant creativity we get to experience every day,” said Swift. Of course, as most things go, the sisters’ success is not without challenges. “The challenging parts are in the growth methods and trying to figure out how to not put the cart before the horse,” said Selke. “Of course there is so much we want to do but with a small business, finances are always an issue and Carly and I are still investors so we don’t have any outsider support in that way. So launching our new ideas in a way that won’t capsize the business is challenging.”
Yet even through obstacles, Selke advises aspiring business owners to keep their eyes on the prize and the haters at bay.
“Block out the naysayers and the negatoids. There are always going to be people trying to tell you that you may be making a mistake but it’s so important to follow your gut and your passion.”
Billie Dragoo’s 7 Life Lessons
Hold a healthy disrespect for the impossible.
Don’t follow your dreams, lead them!
Make use of the one thing you can control; the power to define yourself and to use your power.
Find a way into the room. If there is one thing we must accomplish over the next decade, it is finding a way into the room; the board room, the U.S. Congress, in leadership positions within our communities.
Choose wisely whom you spend your time with.
Understand the power of reciprocity.
Failure isn’t falling down, it’s the staying down that is true failure. By virtue of being an entrepreneur you are going to fail, in fact you will probably fail often and fast.
