Meet Hannah, owner of Hannah Hilliard Photography

Hannah Hilliard

Hannah Hilliard Photography (HHP) is an on-location and studio photography company based out of Fishers, Indiana that primarily services Hamilton County residents.  Most clients consist of newborns, kids, families and high school seniors.

Hanah, why did you decide to start your own business?

The main reason I decided to start my own business was because I knew I had what it took to succeed.  I believe in myself, am proud and confident of my skills and my ability to see the big picture.  Sounds silly but it’s sort of ingrained in people and we are wired differently.  My industry is a little different than others as I’m not reinventing the wheel, but providing my own style of art in photography and exemplary customer service.

So, what do you like most about owning your own business?

Photography is powerful.  I love capturing emotion both in the photo sessions and then when delivering the product.  Capturing memories is so important and I love being part of that.

What has  surprised you most about owning your own business?

There is a lot of paperwork involved to maintain a business and also start your business.  I didn’t realize I’d be spending as much time doing clerical work as I do.

As a business owner, what keeps you up at night?

I guess this answer is due to the fact that I still consider myself a stay at home mom.  Editing keeps me up at night!  I typically edit once the kids go to bed and am up until around 2am.  I like to edit a full session at one time and it’s easiest when I’m not chasing two little kids around.  I think I’d worry more about the business side if I didn’t have such a supportive husband who encourages me and believes in me.

What one characteristic do you think successful entrepreneurs must have?

Confidence!  It’s not easy to step out on your own.  At the beginning, you lose the comfort and security of a consistent paycheck but have to remain confident in yourself and why you decided to step out on your own.  If you don’t believe in yourself then no one else will.

Tell us a little know fact about you.

I’m obsessed with antique shopping and addicted to photo props.  Everything I see can be used somehow and someway.  My husband just rolls his eyes and smirks when I come home from antique shopping with a vintage tricycle, old buggy and some milk crates in my car.

Hamilton County Small Enterprise Loan Fund

Hamilton County Small Enterprise Loan Fund (SELF) Available

Hamilton County has been awarded a grant from the USDA. The grant was successful due to the cooperative efforts of the Entrepreneurship Advancement Center, the Hamilton County Convention & Visitor’s Bureau, the Hamilton County Alliance.

Purpose.  The purpose of the Hamilton County Small Enterprise Loan Fund (SELF) is to provide loans to deserving entities that will result in jobs creation or retention and also that will contribute to the economic development or stability of the area.

Eligibility.  The SELF can be utilized by loan recipients for fixed assets, working capital and cash flow in the areas of manufacturing, commercial, retail, agricultural, service or tourism.  Potential borrowers must be located in the rural areas designated eligible by the federal government of Hamilton County and must be clients of the Central Indiana Small Business Development Center.

Limits.  The maximum loan to any one individual or business is $40,000.  Private financing is to be sought first, however, and the borrower must demonstrate at least a 10% investment into the project.

Terms.  The minimum interest rate can be no lower than 4% below the current money center prime rate as quoted by the Wall Street Journal, but not less than 4%.  Interest rates and length of repayment will be decided at the time loans are made and the SELF Board will take second (subordinate) positions on all available assets.

Application Process.  Potential borrowers must have a business plan and adequate projections for purposes of review by the SELF Board and are required to fill out the application as completely and comprehensively as possible.

Ineligible Activities.  Speculative activities such as land banking, and construction of speculative buildings are not eligible for funding from the SELF Fund.  Also, loans which are to assist a borrower in moving from one area to another are not eligible activities.  Loans will not be made for investment purposes in high interest accounts, certificates of deposits or other investment purposes not related to jobs creation or retention.  Loans with “conflicts of interest” will also not be entertained.

Contact.  If you are interested in applying for a SELF loan, please click here to complete an interest form and to find out if your business is in an eligible area. Other inquiries may be directed to Cathy Langlois at (317) 813-5413 or Cathy@goentrepreneurs.org

3rd Annual Business Plan Competition

The Entrepreneurship Advancement Center (EAC) is hosting its 3rd Annual Business Plan Competition to encourage new business creation and existing business growth.

Who can participate? The competition is open to anyone who wants to start or grow their businesses including individuals, families, teams, and existing businesses is invited to develop and submit a business plan.

All participants receive:

• Half-day business planning workshop on April 19 from 8-11:30 a.m.
• Access to an online business plan outline
• Feedback on your business plan from local experts

Winner Receives:

A consulting package to launch or grow their business.

Key Dates:

• April 16:  Deadline to register for the competition
• April 19: Half day business planning workshop
• August 13: Completed business plan due to EAC
• August 31: Finalists announced
• September 20: Final plans due

Register:

The fee for the competition is $50. Click here to register for the competition and the half-day workshop on April 19.

For more information contact Cathy Langlois at cathy@goentrepreneurs.org or at 317-813-5413.

Call for Speakers: 2012 Entrepreneurship Celebration Conference

2012 Entrepreneurship Celebration Conference
Learn, Grow, Succeed

Thursday, October 18
Monon Center East
Carmel, Indiana 46032

Deadline for Speaker Submissions is March 15, 2012.

The Entrepreneurship Celebration Conference is a premier networking and hands-on events for entrepreneurs. Entrepreneurs, business leaders, investors and others make connections as they learn how to succeed in today’s business environment.

Do you have the expertise that entrepreneurs, small business owners, and others can benefit from? Are you seeking more exposure? Complete the Call for Speakers form here and submit it by the March 15th deadline.

We are looking for:

• Dynamic speakers who can share their expertise with a diverse audience
• Topic themes related to entrepreneurship such as building a sustainable business model, women-owned businesses, funding, using social media, etc.

Potential speakers will be contact by March 30.

Meet J. Michelle Sybesma, Professional Skills Consulting, Inc.

Tell us about your business Michelle.

My business name is Professional Skills Consulting, Inc. and my services center around tangible initiatives that transfer skills to make businesses run leaner, more efficiently, more organized, and more productive.  It is about bridging the skills that gap education to the private sector.  These are among the things we consider “Professional Skills”:

Complex Information Analysis, Company Culture, Presentation Skills, Making Optimal Use of Software, Workplace Organization, Decision Making, Time Management, Verbal and Written Communication, Multi-generational Effectiveness in the Workplace, Developing Management Skills, and that’s just a sampling! All of my material is uniquely tailored to the needs of each client. Nothing is canned or re-used, and this makes it surprisingly more cost-effective.

Why did you decide to start your own business?

I’ve always worked for myself in some capacity. I’m an entrepreneur at heart. Twelve years ago, when my daughter was small, I realized there was a market for my services. I was working with my husband’s company, which was being acquired by two different companies.  As we were preparing the office for acquisition, I was taking a lot of calls from clients with various needs, and it occurred to me there was a market for skills training that wasn’t being met. I decided I could more effectively manage my time and transition into workforce intensity as my daughter grew.

What do you like most about owning your own business?

That I’m constantly challenged by new projects and new problems to solve, and that I meet new people every day.

What has been your greatest surprise about business ownership?

The sheer volume and respectability of the clients I work with, that after 12 years I still have this much momentum, and that every day is still as exciting as the last.

As a business owner, what keeps you up at night?

Nothing! I’m exhausted; I’m a business owner, after all.

Seriously, I am intensely protective of my client’s privacy. Most of my training and consulting is based around their needs. So, sometimes it can be hard to protect them while still telling the world what exactly Professional Skills Consulting, Inc. does.

What one characteristic do you think successful entrepreneurs must have? Why?

Adaptability. There will always be changes in both market and mindsets, and because of those changes, the more adaptable you are, the most successful you will be.

Tell us a little-known fact about you.

Dating back all the way to high school, I had two passions: art and business, and I was a not a very good artist. Having chosen to pursue business, I realized that my passion for art was more a passion for finding ways to inspire people— and that exists in business too. In my art classes, I began to see the difference between artistic execution and marketing. Marketing is not something they really deeply address in high school, but I began to understand that the reason I wanted to be in art class was to help inspire people. Now I realize that combining right- and left-brain thinking is what allows people to use their skills most effectively.

Find Michelle

• Twitter: @MichelleSyb
• Facebook: Professional Skills Consulting Inc.
• LinkedIn: J. Michelle Sybesma

January Youth Business Plan Competition a Success!

February Quarterly Connections: Insights from Successful Entrepreneurs

February 15, 2012
7:15 – 9 am

Flexware Innovation
9128 Technology Lane
Fishers, IN 46038

What does it take to get a business started?

How can you fund a new company?

How do you build a desirable culture?

How do you know when and how to grow your business?

Learn insights into these questions and many more from two highly successful local entrepreneurs!

The February Quarterly Connections will feature two of the mature business finalists in the EAC’s 2011 Entrepreneurship Celebration. Through an open discussion and question format, these highly successful entrepreneurs will share their insights in all aspects of starting and growing a successful business especially through tough economic times.

Gregg Gallant, Owner/President/Ceo of Allegient
Company website: www.allegient.com

Gregg has combined his passion for technology and management into an organization that has quickly become one of Indiana’s premier technology consulting firms.

David Decker, Owner/President/CEO of The Affordable Companies
Company website: www.The-AffordableCompanies.com

David Decker took his hobby and turned it into a successful company with a mission of becoming a legacy enterprise consisting of the most desired kitchen, bath and flooring franchisees in the nation.

Register by clicking here.

Registration fee is $15. Register by February 8 and receive a $5 discount! Enter “Early Bird” in the discount code box when registering.

Join us at starting at 7:15 for networking and coffee/pastries. The program will begin at approximately 7:45 a.m.

Cyber Security Risks For Your Company

Cyber Security Risks For Your Company
November 10, 2011
7:30-9:00 a.m.

Baker & Daniels
600 E. 96^th Street
Suite 600
Indianapolis, IN 46240

CEOs and senior leaders are facing growing cyber security challenges every day putting their businesses and customers at risk. Still, information technology decisions are generally made at tactical level, omitting the critical strategic and financial input needed from the top leaders.

This strategic presentation will:

• Identify trends that will impact information technology in the next 2 to 5 years
• Illustrate real-life attack vectors that can damage your business’s productivity and reputation
• Identify how leaders can make better decisions to achieve better results

Presented by Tom Rubendunst, Vice President at Central Indiana ISSA and Solution Consultant at Electronic Strategies Inc.

Entrepreneurship Celebration Breakfast

Entrepreneurship Celebration Breakfast
October 27, 2011
7:30-9:00 a.m

Monon Center East

See the Celebration tab for complete details.

Youth

High School Activities

The next high school business plan competition will be held on January 7, 2012. 

Thanks to St. Vincent Health for hosting the Young Entrepreneur’s Business Plan Competition! We appreciate their support!

2012 Young Entrepreneur’s Business Plan Guidelines 

We have sports boosters. We have music boosters.  Why not become an Entrepreneurship Booster!

Entrepreneurship Boosters support entrepreneurship education activities for high school students. What a great way to support students as they begin to develop in their professional lives. 

EAC conducted a survey of past participants in our high school business plan competition. Here are some highlights of the results:

• 100% were glad they took the entrepreneurship course
• 82% said that the cash prizes offered in the competition were an incentive
• 65% said they plan to open a business in the future
• 35% said they might open a business

My experience at the [business plan] competition taught me a lot about the business world. Things that most high school students rarely learn in those 4 years or even after. You have to be dedicated and passionate about your business in order to put in the time and effort into owning your own business. It prepared me for what could lie ahead.                                                                  -Lee, Sheridan

I enjoyed it [the business plan competition] very much. The feedback that the judges gave was invaluable in revising our plan and the knowledge I gained from talking to the professionals helped me better understand the business world today.             -Matt, Carmel

You can become an Entrepreneurship Education Booster starting at just $50. All sponsors will be listed in the competition program. Sponsors at $500 and above will receive additional benefits. Call Cathy at 813-5413 or click here to email her to learn more.

Become a $50 Booster now by clicking the button below.

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