State Honors Young Entrepreneur

nwi-sbdcIn this issue, we are celebrating the statewide recognition of our Young Entrepreneur of the Year as we look forward to this year's Entrepreneurial Excellence Awards!

We also are introducing additional adviser availability at a new location. Business Adviser Gary Brownlee will be meeting one-on-one with business owners at the Valpo Chamber offices.

We also revisited one of our clients who we first met in a Success Story in 2009. See what Wilhelm Klarer is up to in our "Where are They Now?" feature!

STATE SPOTLIGHT

Young Entrepreneur of Year honored Wade Breitzke, the NW-ISBDC's Young Entrepreneur of the Year, is being recognized in a statewide spotlight. The president of 27 Entertainment and We Create Media has been named SBA's Indiana Young Entrepreneur of the Year, building on the 2012 Entrepreneurial Excellence Award honor.

"Obviously, it's a big deal and we are really excited to know we are heading in the right direction and making strides to be recognized at such a level," Breitzke said. "It inspires us to do more and be better and bring us up to the next level. We want to be held at this type of standard at all times. It is just the beginning for us."

E-DAY ANNUAL EVENT

Nominations due Sept. 10

Our annual E-Day event is Wednesday Nov. 6 at the Radisson Hotel at Star Plaza in Merrillville.

The annual Entrepreneurial Excellence Awards honor region small business owners and champions of the business community.

We recognize entrepreneurs who are making a mark in categories such as Small Business Person of the Year, Small Business Advocate and Emerging Small Business.

The 2013 keynote speaker is Scott Albanese of Albanese Confectionery. He will share what has helped build and sustain the confectioner for the last 30 years.

We are in the process of updating our Web site, www.edayleaders.com, and will have sponsorship opportunities and nomination packets available online soon. Nominations are due Sept. 10. Contact our office at (219) 644-3513 for details.

PARTNER SPOTLIGHT

Adviser offers hours at Valpo Chamber

The Northwest ISBDC is expanding its adviser availability with the addition of set counseling hours at the Valpo Chamber offices.

NW-ISBDC business adviser Gary Brownlee will be available to meet with current and potential entrepreneurs the second Tuesday of each month at the chamber, 162 W. Lincolnway.

He is launching his availability Tuesday July 9 with hours from 1 to 4 p.m.

To schedule a 30-minute appointment, contact Brownlee at gary.brownlee@purduecal.edu or at (219) 644-3024.

CLIENT SPOTLIGHT

Where are they now?

We first spotlighted Wilhelm Klarer and his new business back in 2009. We checked in with Klarer to see what is new at Klarer Automotive as part of our "Where are They Now?" feature.

In December 2009, Wilhelm Klarer was just launching his business, Klarer Automotive, and looking forward to a future as an entrepreneur.

"From Day 1 I wanted to start my own business - that was my ultimate goal," Klarer said at the time. "But I was always afraid."

Northwest ISBDC

9800 Connecticut Dr, Crown Point, IN 46307 P: 219-644-3513 F: 219-644-3682 E: northwest@isbdc.org