Two Northwest Indiana businesses are among those honored by the Indiana Economic Development Corp. during 2023's National Small Business Week from April 30 to May 6.
Gov. Eric Holcomb also declared May 1 through 7 Small Business Week in Indiana. The proclamation celebrates the more than 534,000 small businesses in the state.
“This week is all about celebrating the important contribution of an integral part of our state's economy — small businesses,” said Holcomb in a press release. “Hard work, dedication and grit are not just Hoosier values; these are values put into action every day by entrepreneurs across the state to help propel the state's economy forward.”
The IEDC recognized seven small businesses that worked with the Indiana Small Business Development Center, a program that helps entrepreneurs start and grow their businesses.
“Entrepreneurship is one of the most important investments we can make in Indiana’s future, which is why it’s a key pillar of our 5E strategy,” said Indiana Secretary of Commerce Brad Chambers. “Congratulations to these risk takers, dreamers and innovators who are critical to driving our state’s economy.”
Paradise Spreads earned the 2023 Minority-Owned Business of the Year award; while J's Breakfast Club in Gary was named the 2023 Community Impact Business of the Year award. Both were honored May 1.
Emily Edwards began Paradise Spreads in March 2018, but it took her 18 months to develop the final product for mass consumption. She traveled monthly to the department of food science at Purdue University in West Lafayette to perfect the product.
Paradise Spreads, based in Schererville, partnering with Purdue University Northwest, received $20,000 pre-seed investment in 2022 through a statewide pitch competition.
J's Breakfast Club recently expanded with a new 3,000-square-foot restaurant at 2602 Broadway in Gary.
“We are beyond excited to open our doors to a community that has consistently supported us,” said restaurant owner Joslyn Kelly in a press release when the new location opened in February. “We deserve a state-of-the-art, full-service, sit down dining establishment in our city, and that's exactly what we are offering.”
Other winners were: Woman-Owned Small Business of the Year: Indy Power Products (Indianapolis); Innovative Small Business of the Year: ArcticRx – Ultra-Low Temperature Transport Technology (Anderson); Family-Owned Small Business of the Year: Knightstown Locker (Knightstown); Small Business of the Year: WSI Technologies (Indianapolis); and Start-Up of the Year: The HiViz (Sunman).
A two-day virtual summit for National Small Business Week will take place May 2 through 3. It is hosted by the the U.S. Small Business Administration and SCORE.
