WEOC Women's Business Center

Angola Area Chamber of Commerce hosted us at their June Lunch and Learn in the co-working space at the Steuben County Economic Development Corporation . 🏢✨ The following business owners graciously shared their stories behind buying, selling, and the transition of ownership: 💰Della Kirkman, CPA Kirkman, BEE Business Advisory 🍷Shane Christ , Acres Away Winery 📊@Gary Koester, Koester Metals Hearing from local business owners is essential for our towns to rally around succession planning and encourage the buying a businesses (business acquisition). Over the next 10 years, 12 million privately owned businesses will change ownership or close, dramtically affecting resident attraction and retention to our towns and cities. This phenomenon is often called the “Silver tsunami” (also known as “grey tsunami”,, “silver wave”, “gray wave”) because the current owners are retiring Babyboomers. If you are interested in buying a business or succession planning, contact us to help you get started. Don’t wait. 💼🌟

Frida Kahlo is a world-famous Mexican artist, best known for her Surrealist art. Her disability stemmed from being born with spina bifida. From a feminist perspective, her works challenged beliefs about feminine form and experience. She frequently challenged traditional gender roles, often dressing in male clothing. She disregarded beauty norms by embracing her unibrow and mustache. Frida Kahlo was fearlessly herself, embracing her own identity and telling her own unique story, that in turn supported the rights of women everywhere. We hope to see you at this event celebrating all things Frida and independence. Register today. https://lnkd.in/gPqi5KA2

🌟 Yesterday's Content By Request Workshop 🌟 Sponsored by the WEOC WBC and held at the DeKalb Chamber Partnership , our workshop focused on content creation and planning for all facets of marketing. Here's what we covered: ✅ Why content planning is a critical part of your marketing ✅ How to create a content plan and execute it ✅ The elements of content that converts ✅ How to repurpose content for other marketing mediums We walked away with: 🔹 Real, practical solutions to help us as business owners, managers, and leaders 🔹 Action items to make a difference in our website and marketing efforts 🔹 Resources to help us execute what we learned after the workshop If you missed it, don’t fret! You can receive 1:1 coaching from a coach here at Northeast Indiana Innovation Center or from Christie Browning , owner of Content by Request. Receive the help you deserve today. Contact us! 📩 #ContentByRequest #WEOCWBC #MarketingWorkshop #DeKalbChamberPartnership #NortheastIndianaInnovationCenter

🧠 Monthly Mental Health Tip: Keep Your Cool When Stress is Overwhelming Stress can often feel like more than we can handle, but finding ways to stay calm and collected is essential for maintaining mental health. Enjoy this gift of serenity provided by Mental Health America of Northeast Indiana. 📊 Recent findings by Yael Benjamin, founder of Startup Snapshot, highlight the mental health struggles faced by founders: 🌟 72% of founders struggle with mental health. 😟 37% suffer from anxiety. 😞 36% experience burnout. 😨 10% have panic attacks. 💼 54% are very stressed about their businesses, mainly due to fear of failure. 🤫 81% hide their stress, fears, and challenges from others, and more than half from their own co-founders. 🚫 77% refuse to seek qualified professional help, with younger founders and male founders experiencing greater stigma. 😴 More than 50% lose sleep since founding their companies, especially as they raise more money. 🏃♂️ 47% exercise less, despite the benefits for mental health. 👨👩👧👦 Founders spend significantly less time with spouses, kids, and friends and family, reporting an average loneliness level of 7.6 out of 10. 🔄 Despite these challenges, 93% of founders would do it all again. Let's take a moment to reflect on these findings and prioritize our mental health. Remember, seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness. 💪 #MentalHealthMatters #StressManagement #FounderLife #SerenityNow #MHAofNEI #smallbusinessowners #smallbusinesslife

New on the NIIC Blog! Business Spotlight on Tori Leigh Fitness. Victoria Soto operates a unique business— keeping prenatal and postnatal moms physically fit. And the Northeast Indiana Innovation Center’s Kiva loan program has been instrumental in keeping her business financially fit. Victoria has operated Tori Leigh Fitness since 2017 — initially from a far north side Fort Wayne studio and now from her home. Having been a track athlete at Northrop High School and then at Purdue University, she has concentrated on providing fitness training for expectant and new mothers, having recognized the need for that specialized care after the birth of her first child. Read the rest of the story: https://lnkd.in/ghzKhCiF

We are beyond honored to have Nick Deeter coaching through Northeast Indiana Innovation Center. The sharing of his network and his experience are priceless.

🔑 Attention Business Owners and Aspiring Entrepreneurs! 🌟 Did you know that a staggering $12 trillion in business assets will be up for grabs over the next decade? Whether you're an established business owner or someone dreaming of owning your own company, this is a golden opportunity you don't want to miss. Here's why succession planning should be on your radar: Plan Early, Succeed Later: Succession planning is crucial and should ideally start about 10 years in advance. This gives you ample time to groom the next generation of leaders and ensure a smooth transition. Buyer’s Market: With fewer individuals looking to buy, the market is ripe for buyers. This could mean more opportunities at potentially better prices for those ready to seize them. 🔍 For Business Owners: Ensure the longevity of your legacy by starting your succession planning now. This isn't just about handing over the reins; it's about securing the future of your business and the livelihoods it supports. 🚀 For Aspiring Business Owners: Get ready to dive into a marketplace teeming with opportunities. With careful planning and the right strategy, you could be the next owner of a thriving business. Don't wait until it's too late. Start thinking about your future today! #SuccessionPlanning #BusinessOpportunities #FutureLeaders #Entrepreneurship #BusinessLegacy #BuyersMarket #silvertsunami #graywave https://lnkd.in/gdMjEpDn

The Northeast Indiana Small Business Development Center is offering a workshop next week that we encourage you to consider attending: https://lnkd.in/gkBW_R5z

📣 Attention Business Owners! 📣 If you are like the majority of business owners who manage burnout, stress, and anxiety, check out this 3-minute tip. ⏳ We take mental wellness very seriously at the WEOC WBC and Northeast Indiana Innovation Center. 💼💙 In 2018 and 2019, we partnered with Heather Hunley at The Lutheran Foundation. 🙌 During 2020 and 2021, we partnered with The Society of Black Mental Health Professionals and Live Heal Grow Counseling to provide monthly counseling sessions in our private Facebook group WEOC & NIIC Community. 🗓️🧠 We have partnered with Mental Health America of Northeast Indiana on workshops over the years. We are proud to confirm that they are now providing monthly mental wellness tips right here on our social media handles. 🌟 Stay tuned for more updates and take care of your mental health! 💚 #MentalWellness #BusinessOwners #WEOCWBC #NIIC #MentalHealthAmerica #CommunitySupport #BurnoutPrevention

📣 Attention Business Owners! 📣 If you are like the majority of business owners who manage burnout, stress, and anxiety, check out this 3-minute tip. ⏳ We take mental wellness very seriously at the WEOC WBC and Northeast Indiana Innovation Center. 💼💙 In 2018 and 2019, we partnered with Heather Hunley at The Lutheran Foundation. 🙌 During 2020 and 2021, we partnered with The Society of Black Mental Health Professionals and Live Heal Grow Counseling to provide monthly counseling sessions in our private Facebook group WEOC & NIIC Community. 🗓️🧠 We have partnered with Mental Health America of Northeast Indiana on workshops over the years. We are proud to confirm that they are now providing monthly mental wellness tips right here on our social media handles. 🌟 Stay tuned for more updates and take care of your mental health! 💚 #MentalWellness #BusinessOwners #WEOCWBC #NIIC #MentalHealthAmerica #CommunitySupport #BurnoutPrevention