Alysa Liu’s gold-medal performance at the 2026 Winter Olympics might seem unattainable, but her attitude offers a valuable lesson in finding joy in our work. Business leaders in the Region understand this way of thinking. Their ideas and actions have led to a renaissance in regional growth.
Our annual Best of Business winners also know this kind of joy. They have overcome obstacles and managed success with a passion for their customers and communities. Their employees matter too. One company even opened an office in Colorado to accommodate a manager who moved away. Winner Joe Skibbie says it best. He wants his staff at JRS Mar/Com to “have more fun in 2026.” That sentiment reminds me of a certain Olympic champion!
Other stories in our April/May issue feature joy in work and play.
Organizations are finding new ways to train trades workers. Perks include apprenticeships that pay students to learn, allowing them to skip the high cost of student loans. Plus, youth just might find a career that brings them joy and dependable cash flow.
Entrepreneurship is another way to find meaningful work, but a grand idea isn’t always necessary. Buying a longtime small business can be the door to prosperity too. Erin Corbett knows this. She is lucky to have found a business that will allow her to pursue her passion for model horse collecting.
Companies also find joy in projects good for the environment — and for their bottom lines. Nexus W2V is building a plant to turn food waste into synthetic natural gas in La Porte County, and the University of Notre Dame’s Alumni Hall has a green roof, which saves heating costs.
But joy is most evident at youth sports events, an increasing driver of economic development in the Region. From beaming parents to exuberant athletes, sports venues and organizations bring tourism dollars home.
We also feature leader Blessing Mene, who has fallen for the Region’s charm after moving here from Nigeria. Great Lakes Communications takes pride in answering phone calls for businesses, even in emergencies. Elkhart Brass’s glow-in-the-dark firehose nozzle earned the state’s Coolest Thing prize. At the Northwest Indiana Reinvestment Alliance, its leaders find joy in helping residents find and keep housing.
Plus, Don Babcock shares his love of math and its role in creating economic prosperity for all. Now that sounds joyful to me. Enjoy this issue!
— Heather Pfundstein, publisher/editor
Read more stories from the current issue of Northwest Indiana Business Magazine.
Count way to success
Big on housing
Nozzle worth noting
Answering the call
Essential adviser
Economic power of play
Sustainable prospects
Lots of buyers out there
Trending careers in trades
2026 award winners
