The creative economy is a growth strategy.
Earlier this week, Marty joined leaders from across Indiana to talk about how arts, culture, and place-making drive real economic growth. Because creativity isn't extra, it's infrastructure.
#CreativeEconomy #SouthBendElkhart
Looking to grow your food-based business? The City of Elkhart Development Services is teaming up with CDFI Friendly South Bend and Allies for Community Business to host a free workshop focused on capital access, business readiness, and real connections with lenders and other founders.
A solid opportunity to get clarity on what it takes to move forward tomorrow starting at 2pm.
What is IDEA Week, really? More than an event - it’s a space for founders, builders, and curious minds to connect and move ideas forward.
Chisonga sits down with Marty to break it down.
What happens when the host becomes the guest?
This week, Chisonga puts Marty in the hot seat to talk IDEA Week — who should be there and why it matters.
Check out the full episode at the link in our bio.
What started as making baby food at home turned into something much bigger. In this episode of Rooted & Reaching, Aiye Akhigbe, founder of Sticky Spoons Jam, shares how a personal need grew into a brand built on real ingredients, community, and staying true to what matters.
From first batches to bold flavors, this is what building something from the ground up really looks like.
Watch it now at the link in our bio.
In case you missed it: sometimes the best business ideas start with a personal challenge.
In this episode of Rooted & Reaching, Ujaswin Jain shares how his own fitness journey inspired the creation of @snacknutripop - bringing popped water lily seeds to the U.S. market.
Catch the full conversation at the link in our bio!
The South Bend Awesome Fund is back! Join the group on Wednesday, March 25 at @momentum.sb as they award three $1,000 grants to ideas that help make the South Bend region even more awesome.
Have an idea? Submit by March 18 at 5 PM and share how your project will make a difference.
In the newest episode of Rooted & Reaching, Ujaswin Jain, founder of @snacknutripop , shares the story behind bringing popped water lily seeds to health-conscious snackers in the U.S.
From leaving a corporate role to building a brand from the ground up, Ujaswin talks about taking risks, stepping outside your comfort zone, and introducing something completely new to the market. Along the way, he shares how smart marketing, persistence, and a passion for nutrition helped NutriPop stand out in a crowded snack world.
Tune in to hear how one idea turned into a growing brand at the link in our bio.
Another Proof of Concept Fund Winner Spotlight! Join us in celebrating Rory Staunton, founder of @aurasportscream . Rory's product supports active individuals seeking natural recovery, and this equity-free microgrant will help advance key validation milestones as AURA continues gaining traction.
We're excited to see AURA’s next chapter unfold. Congratulations, Rory!
#StartupSouthBendElkhart #FounderSpotlight #ProofOfConcept #BuildItHere
In case you missed it: entrepreneurship isn’t just about building a business - it’s about building something that lasts. In this episode, Kris Priemer of @momentum.sb talks about why the real goal isn’t short-term wins. It’s creating spaces, relationships, and opportunities that outlive us.
🎧 Check it out @ the link in our bio.
What does it take to build something that truly changes a region?
In this episode of Rooted & Reaching, Kris Priemer shares how his entrepreneurial journey led to the creation of @momentum.sb - a space designed to bring innovators, creators, and builders together in South Bend.
He talks candidly about the setbacks, the wins, and why collaboration isn’t just a buzzword... it’s the foundation of long-term impact.
Check it out at the link in our bio.
In case you missed it… Our latest Rooted & Reaching episode features Ryan Blake of Purely Press Organic, sharing real-world lessons from scaling a local business while staying rooted in purpose.
🎧 Catch up on the episode at the link in our bio.
