Readers select their top choices in multiple categories
The votes were cast and tallied and the results are in for Northwest Indiana Business Magazine’s Best of Business survey for Northwest Indiana and Greater South Bend and Michiana. Beginning in February, magazine subscribers participated in the survey which listed a variety of areas of business.
These awards celebrate the extraordinary service of local businesses in the community. “It’s a survey that gives our readers a voice and the opportunity to say to businesses ‘you’re doing an amazing job, keep up the good work,’ says Northwest Indiana Business Magazine Publisher Troy Linker. “It’s a great feeling to inform businesses that they’ve been selected as a Best of Business, in their category. Everyone enjoys appreciation for the service they provide and it’s a great morale booster for business owners and their employees,” he added.
Northwest Indiana Business Magazine congratulates all 2018 award recipients for Best of Business!
Banking/Financial
Best bank for obtaining a business loan
Northwest Indiana
Winner: Centier Bank
Runner-up: Horizon Bank
Greater South Bend/Michiana
Winner: Centier Bank
Runner-up: Horizon Bank
Best wealth management advisory firm
Northwest Indiana
Winner: Oak partners
Runner-up: Lakeside Wealth Management
Greater South Bend/Michiana
Winner: Kotys Wealth Professionals
Runner-up: Lakeside Wealth Management
Best accounting firm
Northwest Indiana
Winner: McMahon & Associates CPAs
Runner-up: Swartz Retson
Greater South Bend/Michiana
Winner: Kruggel Lawton CPAs
“Being named the Best Accounting Firm in Greater South Bend and Michiana is a great honor for Kruggel Lawton”, says Barry Hall, Managing Partner. “It means even more knowing that our clients, business partners, and the community voted for us and felt we were deserving of the title. Being in a service profession, relationships are what matter the most. All of our nearly 100 employees have played an integral part in the firm receiving this recognition. It is very rewarding to know that we are hitting the mark by staying true to our core values of integrity, excellence, innovation, balance, and respect.”
Runner-up: Crowe Horwath
Best business investment firm
Northwest Indiana
Winner: Lakeside Wealth Management
Runner-up: Oak Partners
Greater South Bend/Michiana
Winner: Great Lakes Capital
Runner-up: Edward Jones Investments
Best credit union
Northwest Indiana
Winner: Tech Credit Union
Runner-up: Teachers Credit Union
Greater South Bend/Michiana
Winner: Teachers Credit Union
Runner-up: Notre Dame Federal Credit Union
Best bank for customer service
Northwest Indiana
Winner: Centier Bank
Runner-up: Horizon Bank
Greater South Bend/Michiana
Winner: Centier Bank
Runner-up: Horizon Bank
Best bank for business
Northwest Indiana
Winner: Centier Bank
Runner-up: Horizon Bank
Greater South Bend/Michiana
Winner: Centier Bank
Runner-up: Horizon Bank
Business/Services
Best employee staffing firm
Northwest Indiana
Winner: Staff Source
“There is a great sense of satisfaction when we help someone find a rewarding career and in helping our client companies with finding people who become integral members of their staff and the success of their company”, says Kari Marich, Founder & CFO, Staff Source.
Runner-up: Express Employment Professionals
Greater South Bend/Michiana
Winner: Staff Source
Runner-up: Express Employment Professionals
Best commercial printer
Northwest Indiana
Winner: Miss Print
Runner-up: BoyConn Printers
Greater South Bend/Michiana
Winner: Zipp Printing
Runner-up: Insty-Prints South Bend
Best graphic/web design firm
Northwest Indiana
Winner: Group 7even
Runner-up: Safari Marketing
Greater South Bend/Michiana
Winner: Blackwood Creative
Runner-up: Vala Marketing
Best information technology consulting firm
Northwest Indiana
Winner: Chester, Inc.
Runner-up: KINETIC IT Solutions
Greater South Bend/Michiana
Winner: US Business Systems
Runner-up: KINETIC IT Solutions
Best local telecommunications firm
Northwest Indiana
Winner: Midwest Telecom of America
Runner-up: NITCO
Best place to purchase office furniture
Northwest Indiana
Winner: HDW Commercial Interiors
“The HDW team offers a little extra spark to all of our projects. I feel this award reflects that effort”, says Rita Bacevich, President, HDW Commercial Interiors. Our driving force is always to bring cost effective, functional options to any size or type of project but our team takes special pride in thinking outside the box. In any commercial setting, we welcome the opportunity to bring design suggestions to the table – paint, flooring, and fabric choices can truly set the tone for a productive work environment.”
Runner-up: McShane’s – Kramer Leonard
Greater South Bend/Michiana
Winner: Office Interiors
Runner-up: HDW Commercial Interiors
Best ad agency/marketing firm
Northwest Indiana
Winner: Group 7even
Runner-up: Safari Marketing
Greater South Bend/Michiana
Winner: Vala Marketing
Runner-up: Spearhead Marketing
Best place to purchase office equipment and supplies
Northwest Indiana
Winner: McShane’s – Kramer Leonard
Runner-up: US Business Systems
Greater South Bend/Michiana
Winner: US Business Systems
Runner-up: Adams Remco, Inc
Best local Internet provider
Northwest Indiana
Winner: NITCO
Runner-up: Midwest Telecom of America
Greater South Bend/Michiana
Winner: Comcast
Community/Education
Best woman owned business
Northwest Indiana
Winner: HDW Commercial Interiors
Runner-up: VIA Marketing
Greater South Bend/Michiana
Winner: Martell Electric
Runner-up: Specialized Staffing Solutions
Best minority owned business
Northwest Indiana
Winner: Chicagoland Popcorn
“Mogda and I are honored for our team to be recognized this year”, says Dwayne Walker, owner, ChicagoLand Popcorn. “We see this honor as a harvest off of seeds sown. We try to keep things simple. We value our employees, embrace our suppliers, and insist on expressing appreciation and gratitude to our customers. We look at our business just like farmers might view their fields and crops. Every time a guest interacts with a member of the ChicagoLand Popcorn team, whether in one of our stores or at an event in the community, we have the opportunity to plant seeds of excellent customer service, appreciation, and some great popcorn flavors.“
Runner-up: Rueben’s Mexican Grill
Greater South Bend/Michiana
Winner: 7Gen Construction
Runner-up: WBBS, LLC
Best veteran owned business
Northwest Indiana
Winner: Veteran’s Cafe and Grill
Runner-up: JM2 Marketing
Greater South Bend/Michiana
Winner: Indiana Whiskey
Runner-up: INVOLVED Cleaning
Best company to work for (employee vote)
Northwest Indiana
Winner: Centier Bank
Runner-up: Horizon Bank
Greater South Bend/Michiana
Winner: Centier Bank
Runner-up: Horizon Bank
Best university to attain an MBA
Northwest Indiana
Winner: Indiana University Northwest
“We’re honored that IU Northwest has been chosen as the best university in Northwest Indiana to earn an MBA”, says, Cynthia Roberts, Dean of the School of Business and Economics, Indiana University Northwest. “As an AACSB-accredited program featuring award-winning faculty, we pride ourselves in offering a quality, affordable, and flexible program having weeknight and weekend options. Most importantly, we are committed to preparing our students for professional success.”
Runner-up: Purdue University Northwest
Greater South Bend/Michiana
Winner: Notre Dame University
Runner-up: Valparaiso University
Best university online degree program
Northwest Indiana
Winner: Indiana University Northwest
Runner-up: Purdue University Northwest
Greater South Bend/Michiana
Winner: Indiana University – South Bend
Runner-up: WGU Indiana
Best university for a technology degree
Northwest Indiana
Winner: Purdue University Northwest
Runner-up: Indiana University Northwest
Greater South Bend/Michiana
Winner: Purdue Polytechnic South Bend
Runner-up: WGU Indiana
Construction/Real Estate
Best engineering firm
Northwest Indiana
Winner: DVG Team
Runner-up: Global Engineering
Greater South Bend/Michiana
Winner: Lawson-Fisher Associates
Runner-up: Abonemarche Consultants
Best commercial real estate firm
Northwest Indiana
Winner: Commercial In-Sites, LLC
Runner-up: McColly Real Estate
Greater South Bend/Michiana
Winner: Holladay Properties
Runner-up: Commercial In-Sites, LLC
Best commercial landscaping firm
Northwest Indiana
Winner: Lakeshore Landscaping
Runner-up: Tim’s Landscape Services
Greater South Bend/Michiana
Winner: Pemberton Landscaping
Runner-up: Milestone Fence
Best commercial construction firm for remodeling or expansion
Northwest Indiana
Winner: Larson-Danielson Construction
Runner-up: Chester, Inc.
Greater South Bend/Michiana
Winner: Larson-Danielson Construction
Runner-up: Chester, Inc.
Best commercial architectural design firm
Northwest Indiana
Winner: Shive-Hattery Inc
Runner-up: Chester, Inc.
Greater South Bend/Michiana
Winner: Epoch Architecture + Planning
Runner-up: Chester, Inc.
Best residential real estate firm
Northwest Indiana
Winner: McColly Real Estate
Runner-up: Prime Real Estate
Greater South Bend/Michiana
Winner: Cressy & Everett Real Estate
Runner-up: Prime Real Estate
Best residential home remodeling construction firm
Northwest Indiana
Winner: Pressel Enterprises Inc.
Greater South Bend/Michiana
Winner: Danamike General Builders Inc.
Best residential home construction firm
Northwest Indiana
Winner: Olthof Homes
“We are humbled to receive this award from Northwest Indiana Business Magazine” says Todd Olthof, Owner, Olthof Homes. “Our staff, building trades and associates work hard to create exciting communities and build beautiful high-quality homes. We’re proud to be a part of the Northwest Indiana community.”
Runner-up: Pressel Enterprises Inc.
Greater South Bend/Michiana
Winner: Olthof Homes
Runner-up: Steiner Homes
Best commercial construction firm for new construction
Northwest Indiana
Winner: Larson-Danielson Construction
“We are very pleased to again be recognized as the leading commercial contractor in Northwest Indiana by the readers of NWIBM”, says Tim Larson, president, Larson-Danielson Construction. “Our employees work hard every day to produce quality construction and we appreciate this recognition for their efforts and accomplishments.”
Runner-up: Chester, Inc.
Greater South Bend/Michiana
Winner: Larson-Danielson Construction
Runner-up: Chester, Inc.
Health/Wellness
Best healthcare facility for orthopedics
Northwest Indiana
Winner: Franciscan Health
Runner-up: Community Hospital
Greater South Bend/Michiana
Winner: Beacon Health
Runner-up: South Bend Orthopedic
Best fitness/wellness facility
Northwest Indiana
Winner: Franciscan Health
Runner-up: Valparaiso YMCA
Greater South Bend/Michiana
Winner: Franciscan Health
Runner-up: Beacon Health
Best healthcare facility for cancer treatments
Northwest Indiana
Winner: Franciscan Health
Runner-up: Community Hospital
Greater South Bend/Michiana
Winner: Beacon Health
Runner-up: Goshen Health
Best healthcare facility for mental health
Northwest Indiana
Winner: Franciscan Health
Runner-up: Porter Hospital
Greater South Bend/Michiana
Winner: Oaklawn
Runner-up: Franciscan Health
Best healthcare facility for physical/occupational therapy
Northwest Indiana
Winner: Franciscan Health
Runner-up: Community Hospital
Greater South Bend/Michiana
Winner: McDonald Physical Therapy
Runner-up: Michiana Orthopedic & Sports Physical Therapy
Best healthcare facility for urgent/immediate care
Northwest Indiana
Winner: Franciscan Health
Runner-up: Community Hospital
Greater South Bend/Michiana
Winner: Franciscan Health
Runner-up: Physicians Urgent Care
Best hospital/hospital group
Northwest Indiana
Winner: Franciscan Health
Runner-up: Community Hospital
Greater South Bend/Michiana
Winner: Beacon Health
Runner-up: Franciscan Health
Best healthcare facility for cardiology
Northwest Indiana
Winner: Franciscan Health
Runner-up: Porter Hospital
Greater South Bend/Michiana
Winner: Beacon Health
Runner-up: Franciscan Health
Legal/Insurance
Best insurance agency for business health & life coverage
Northwest Indiana
Winner: Pinnacle Insurance Group
Runner-up: General Insurance Services
Greater South Bend/Michiana
Winner: 1st Source Insurance
Runner-up: The Healy Group
Best insurance agency for business property & liability coverage
Northwest Indiana
Winner: Pinnacle Insurance Group
Runner-up: General Insurance Services
Greater South Bend/Michiana
Winner: 1st Source Insurance
Runner-up: The Healy Group
Best law firm for business acquisitions and mergers
Northwest Indiana
Winner: Burke Costanza & Carberry
Runner-up: Krieg DeVault
Greater South Bend/Michiana
Winner: LaDue Curran & Kuehn
Runner-up: Tuesley Hall Konopa
Best law firm for corporate law
Northwest Indiana
Winner: Burke Costanza & Carberry
Runner-up: Hoeppner Wagner & Evans
Greater South Bend/Michiana
Winner: Barnes & Thornburg
Runner-up: LaDue Curran & Kuehn
Best law firm for estate-planning
Northwest Indiana
Winner: Burke Costanza & Carberry
Runner-up: Eichhorn & Eichhorn
Greater South Bend/Michiana
Winner: Tuesley Hall Konopa, Runner-up: Eichhorn & Eichhorn
Best law firm for litigation
Northwest Indiana
Winner: Burke Costanza & Carberry
Runner-up: Eichhorn & Eichhorn
Greater South Bend/Michiana
Winner: LaDue Curran & Kuehn
Runner-up: Eichhorn & Eichhorn
Runner-up: Krieg DeVault
Meeting/Entertainment
Best event planner
Northwest Indiana
Winner: Happy Days Event Company
Greater South Bend/Michiana
Winner: Michael Angelos Events
Best golf course for charitable/business events
Northwest Indiana
Winner: Valparaiso Country Club
Runner-up: Innsbrook Country Club
Greater South Bend/Michiana
Winner: Blackthorn Golf Club
Best caterer for events
Northwest Indiana
Winner: Dimitri’s Catering
Runner-up: Progressive Dining Group
Greater South Bend/Michiana
Winner: Bistro 933
Runner-up: LaSalle Grill
Best meeting site for large groups
Northwest Indiana
Winner: Avalon Manor
Runner-up: Blue Chip Casino
Greater South Bend/Michiana
Winner: Gillespie Conference & Special Event Center
Runner-up: Four Winds Casino
Best meeting site for small groups
Northwest Indiana
Winner: Inn at Aberdeen
Runner-up: Gino’s Steakhouse
Greater South Bend/Michiana
Winner: The Inn at Saint Mary’s
Runner-up: The Brick
Best photographer for events
Northwest Indiana
Winner: Photography by Pete Doherty
Runner-up: Bailey Warren Photography
Greater South Bend/Michiana
Winner: Peter Ringenberg Photography
Best restaurant for business entertaining
Northwest Indiana
Winner: Gamba Ristorante
Runner-up: Gino’s Steakhouse
Greater South Bend/Michiana
Winner: Bistro 933
Runner-up: LaSalle Grill
Click to read more from the Apr-May 2018 issue of Northwest Indiana Business Magazine.
