Central Indiana SBDC

10/01/2026

Meet the 2026–2027 MOBI 5 Cohort! 🎉

Butler University’s Lacy School of Business and the Central Indiana Small Business Development Center are excited to welcome this year’s group of Central Indiana business owners to MOBI 5!

Representing a variety of industries and communities, this year’s cohort brings together an incredible group of entrepreneurs ready to connect, collaborate, and continue moving their businesses forward.

Meet the businesses of MOBI 5!

09/29/2026

This week’s Small Business Spotlight is Mandi’s Empanadas, led by Amanda Lopez! 🥟

Inspired by culture, community, and a love for bringing people together through food, Amanda has built Mandi’s Empanadas into a growing Indianapolis-area business serving handcrafted empanadas with flavors influenced by cultures from around the world.

From local events and catering to expanding where customers can find Mandi’s Empanadas, Amanda continues to grow the business while staying rooted in what started it all: creating great food and meaningful connections.

We’re excited to spotlight Amanda and the story behind Mandi’s Empanadas as she continues building what’s next.

Content produced in partnership with Four Lane Digital.

09/16/2026

Looking back on the evening MOBI 4 celebrated finishing their cohort. Fellow business owners, Fellows, and community supporters all came together at Butler University to mark the moment, a well-earned celebration after a year of real growth. 🎓

09/04/2026

Interested in buying a business? Butler's ETA certification course can help you develop the skills to evaluate opportunities and structure a purchase. Take a look!

Build the Expertise to Acquire, Lead, and Grow a Business Buying a business is one of the most significant financial and professional decisions you’ll make—but with the right preparation, it can also be one of the most rewarding. This certification program goes beyond introductory concepts, guid...

08/31/2026

Behind every business is a story, and for thousands of Hoosier entrepreneurs, that story starts with a desire to care for others.

From home healthcare and counseling to private practices and other care-based services, small businesses play an important role in supporting the health and well-being of communities across Indiana.

Care takes many forms. So does entrepreneurship.

Source: U.S. Small Business Administration, 2025 Indiana Small Business Profile.

08/25/2026

This week’s Small Business Spotlight is Plate It Up! Catering, led by Chef Felicia Grady!

For Chef Felicia, food is about more than what makes it onto the plate. It’s an opportunity to bring people together, create memorable experiences, and make an impact.

Through Plate It Up! Catering, Chef Felicia brings her creativity and culinary expertise to weddings, corporate events, celebrations, and gatherings throughout the Indianapolis area. Her work has earned recognition across the culinary industry, including being named the American Culinary Federation’s 2022 Chef of the Year and competing on the World Food Championships stage.

Beyond catering, Chef Felicia is an author, educator, and mentor who is passionate about introducing young people to the culinary arts and helping the next generation build skills and confidence in the kitchen.

We’re excited to spotlight Chef Felicia and Plate It Up! Catering and to see the continued impact they’ll make through food, entrepreneurship, and community.

📍 Plate It Up! Catering
Indianapolis, Indiana

Content produced in partnership with Four Lane Digital.

08/04/2026

This week's Small Business Spotlight is Perasma Book Company! 📚

Located in the heart of Broad Ripple, Perasma Book Company is a new independent bookstore built around the idea that books are invitations into the wider world. Founded by Sara Shelley, Perasma brings together thoughtfully curated books, travel-inspired experiences, and a welcoming space where reading, conversation, and community come together.

Whether you're looking for your next great read, planning to join a book club, or simply searching for a place to unwind and spend an afternoon, Perasma offers an experience that extends well beyond its bookshelves. With its dedicated Club Room and thoughtfully designed space, it's quickly becoming a place where stories spark conversations, inspire exploration, and bring people together.

If you're in the Broad Ripple area, stop by and discover one of Indianapolis' newest independent bookstores. Congratulations to Sara and the entire Perasma team. We're excited to see the impact you'll have on our local community!

📍 Perasma Book Company
6531 Ferguson St.
Indianapolis, IN 46220

Content produced in partnership with Four Lane Digital.

08/03/2026

Take control of your business finances with our QuickBooks Online Showcase!

In this one-day workshop, you’ll learn how to confidently set up and use QuickBooks Online in a way that actually makes sense for your business. We’ll cover everything from choosing the right version and customizing your Chart of Accounts to managing transactions, capturing receipts, and running reports.

You’ll also gain a better understanding of the bookkeeping principles behind the numbers so you can make more informed business decisions.
Registration is required to attend. Register here: https://isbdc.ecenterdirect.com/events/17449

📍 Location:
Lacy School of Business at Butler University
625 Butler Way, Indianapolis, IN 46208
Suite 130 (First floor, to the right of the elevators)

Parking:
Please park in the Sunset Avenue Parking Garage, located just north of 46th Street behind Clowes Memorial Hall. Dugan Hall is about two blocks from the garage and faces Clowes Hall. It’s the newer building with a large window banner that reads, “Changing what it means to be a university.”

07/27/2026

Small businesses don't just strengthen our economy. They create opportunities for our neighbors, families, and communities.

In Indiana, more than 1.2 million Hoosiers are employed by small businesses, representing 43.2% of the state's workforce.

Whether you're opening your first business or growing an established one, your impact extends far beyond your storefront.

Every small business contributes to a stronger Indiana.

Source: U.S. Small Business Administration, 2025 Small Business Profile

07/21/2026

Indiana's reputation as the "Crossroads of America" isn't just a nickname, it's reflected in our business landscape.