In the Spotlight: Some inspiring women entrepreneurs from “The Hoosier State”
#IndianaWomenInBusiness #InnovativeEntrepreneurs #EmpoweringWomen
Women entrepreneurs in Indiana, affectionately known as “The Hoosier State,” are creating waves. They are breaking barriers and redefining success across industries. What sets them apart is their unique approach to innovation & a strong emphasis on entrepreneurship education. From startups in cutting-edge technology to advancements in agriculture – women-led businesses in Indiana are really proving to be dynamic forces of change.
Hoosier Women Entrepreneurs: Innovators and Trailblazers Redefining Success
Indiana’s women entrepreneurs thrive thanks to a powerful ecosystem that fosters growth and collaboration. Programs like the Indiana Women’s Business Center, powered by the Small Business Administration, provide invaluable resources such as – capital access, mentorship & networking opportunities. Beyond that, organizations like the Indiana Women’s Economic Development Alliance play a vital role in promoting economic empowerment and leadership among women.
What truly distinguishes women entrepreneurs from Indiana is their resilience and collaborative mindset. Not only are they launching successful businesses but are also paving the way for others to follow – fostering a sense of community and shared success. With a rising number of female-founded startups and a growing influence in traditionally male-dominated sectors, Indiana’s women entrepreneurs are indeed, setting a national example for innovation, empowerment and leadership.
Here we are spotlighting some inspiring women entrepreneurs from Indiana.
> Dr. Danee Pye, Founder & Organizational Strategist of Common People United
Dr. Danee Pye, Founder and Organizational strategist of Common People United, feels the path is difficult (like many female entrepreneurs share as they venture into business ownership). The stresses of entering a corporate world traditionally dominated by men is daunting to many women, but over time, she has noticed some of the challenges are becoming easier.
Incidentally, the growing success of her venture helped her overcome the initial stress and intimidation of female entrepreneurship!! A remarkable fact is that across the US, female entrepreneurs have been making major strides in the male-dominated corporate world.
> Stephanie Martin, Owner of A Chance Re-Employment and Training Agency, LLC
Stephanie Martin, owner of A Chance Re-Employment and Training Agency, LLC, shared that navigating the world of entrepreneurship was difficult, when she had started her business.
Stephanie Martin is the Founder and Owner of A Chance Re-Employment and Training Agency, LLC. Her agency provides services that are aimed at helping individuals find employment and acquire new skills. They offer job training programs, career counseling, and placement services to assist clients in achieving their employment goals. They may also focus on workforce development, vocational training, and job readiness programs to support individuals in overcoming employment challenges.
The biggest challenges for her were finding out all the governmental guidelines needed to make sure she stayed in compliance and didn’t get fines, as well as time – management. Plus she is a single mom who is managing a full worklife and home.
Instead of letting these obstacles discourage her, she got community and financial support – to make her work easier and more cost-effective.
> Kayla Davis, Co-founder, Patchable
Kayla Davis is Co-founder of Patchable, a pet toy company that makes recycled toys out of textile waste. She thinks business in Indiana is bright. You can find some of the most powerful women here making big changes and building a successful future. She hopes to see more young girls exceeding everyone’s expectations and changing the game too!
At Patchable, she is excited about continued growth for the business and getting more people to take part in their mission. Patchable is poised to make a big impact in their community.
In 2022, Patchable won the Innovate Within competition and was inducted into the Society of Innovators. Shelooks forward to growing as a person and finding opportunities that will help her stay on track for a bright future.
> Bahiyah Shabazz, Founder & CEO, Decimalytics
Bahiyah Shabazz, Founder and CEO of Decimalytics, initially took a while to figure out her purpose in life. And it was when she became an adult that she realized that her passion defined her purpose!!
She is the firstborn in her family, the oldest of three and a tenacious overachiever!! Soon, opportunities presented themselves, and she created a path in life. When she was 5 years old, her father gave her a medical encyclopedia. Every day she learned new medical terminology and studied words from the dictionary. But she did not become a medical doctor! She is also drawing from her 20 years in the financial industry to run Decimalytics in Merrillville. She helps business owners break down numbers to rebuild for profit – through planning and investing.
She sees her role as more than a financial adviser. She advises women who want to
start businesses to have a passion and sell a solution to a problem.
Sip & Share Wines, owned and operated by Nicole Kearney, is a boutique winery producing a diversity of handcrafted vegan wines. She had grown up in a family passionate about crafting their own wines, which actually sparked her love of wine.
As an adult, she deepened this passion by traveling and exploring wine tastings across the country. With encouragement from friends, she took a bold step into entrepreneurship, obtaining her license for Sip & Share Wines. By 2019, she proudly launched the brand’s first collection, featuring seven distinctive bottles.
She remains passionate about creating community with wine, especially for wine lovers often overlooked and underrepresented by the wine industry, and today, Sip & Share Wines is really thriving. They are currently available in seven states.
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