How has Smaller Indiana helped your business?

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Permalink Reply by Jon D. Speer on June 18, 2009 at 11:30am

Since discovering Smaller Indiana, my network of contacts and friends has grown substantially. I've had the chance to meet first virtually, and then face to face dozens of people who have similar interests. I believe Smaller Indiana is a cornerstone of economic development in Indiana. It's tough to assess because so many of the benefits are intangible.

I do have a more tangible example, though. About a year and half ago, I posted a question about email marketing on Smaller Indiana. The responses and advice I received were wonderful. One respondent stood out for me. That person was Brooke DeRam of Tomato Fish Marketing. We met face to face soon after that online "discussion". Within a short time, I hired TFM to provide emarketing services to Creo Quality. Their TFMail service has been a great asset to my business. And Brooke and I have strengthened our relationship and would consider TFM and Creo Quality to be strategic partners.

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Permalink Reply by Matt Zentz on June 18, 2009 at 11:40am

Pat,

We've had several direct opportunities originate through Smaller Indiana, United Senior Advocates being the most recent that I can think of.

I don't proclaim to be any sort of social media guru but I can claim that I get a lot of thoughts, ideas, and recommendations related to social media and other new technologies that come straight from Smaller Indiana and its community.

New business? Yes. New key relationships? Absolutely.

Matt Zentz
Founder/CEO
Marketpath

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Permalink Reply by Pat Coyle on June 18, 2009 at 11:51am

Awesome, Matt. Thanks for sharing.

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Permalink Reply by Cissi Sherlock on June 18, 2009 at 3:10pm

Thanks, Nancy!

Thank you all so much for your support.

I am sitting here tearing up!

It is such an honor to get so much support from people that you have never even met face-to-face.

With the support and prayers of by brothers and sisters of Smaller Indiana, I will continue to grow!

Thanks, Pat and Everybody!

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Permalink Reply by Nancy Lee on June 18, 2009 at 3:12pm

My name is Nancy Lee, and I own nDesigns Jewelry and Objects, a handmade jewelry and sculpture business. Through connections I made in Smaller Indiana, I was able to find the support and talent I needed to get my new small business off the ground when I lost my job in construction management last fall. Erik Deckers was the first person to suggest joining SI, and he has helped me with advice on developing my website, ndesignsmetal.com, on managing photographs, finding outlets for my work, and helping me write a grant. I met Wug Laku, who helped by offering me studio space to do make and sell my handmade jewelry and small sculpture during art openings. I met Bonnie Ramirez and several other artists who have supported my creative side, as well. The Creative Commerce group I belong to even hosted a very successful art show called Elegant Funk last August.

Nancy Lee
317-937-1652

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Permalink Reply by Pat Coyle on June 19, 2009 at 8:28am

Nancy...hope to see you at Bigger Ideas or 6,000 party!

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Permalink Reply by Anita Sloat on June 18, 2009 at 3:22pm

I have written several small business insurance policies because of Smaller Indiana. The 1st client belonged to a group I joined and called me about her insurance. She has since referred 2 other people to me to write their insurance.

Anita Sloat
317-205-2560

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Permalink Reply by Pat Coyle on June 19, 2009 at 8:28am

Glad to hear it, Anita.

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Permalink Reply by Annie Sever-Dimitri on June 19, 2009 at 6:45am

SI has created friendships, referrals, and visibility. It has also given me the opportunity to learn and invest in our community in ways that simply wouldn't have been available otherwise. People recognize me wherever I go from my picture on SI--I think I am the only one with a red background---you can't miss me! I love it. Thanks, Pat, for putting the effort into SI. I really appreciate it and look forward to finding more ways to support our community.

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Permalink Reply by Pat Coyle on June 19, 2009 at 8:30am

You think it's the red background? I always thought it was the Cheshire grin :-)

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Permalink Reply by Mike Seidle on June 19, 2009 at 10:10am

Smaller Indiana has helped two of my companies: Indiana Business Network (and the Chocolate Business and Blues festival) and Professional Blog Service capture mindshare. Even more valuable than Smaller Indiana have been resident trolls here.

They can be counted on to take your message and in attacking it create tens of thousands of impressions that follow the ensuing arguement post by post - all in a bid to get attention for themselves by trying to tear down their fellow Smaller Indiana members.

We probably got an extra 300-400 people to Chocolate Business and Blues thanks to trolls attacking the integrity of the even organizer's son and drawing more attention to the event than I could have done by giving Pat & team $thousands in advertising money. Thank you Pat for creating the forum, and thank you to the trolls for spewing your user generated love here.

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Permalink Reply by Lorraine Ball on June 19, 2009 at 10:27am

At roundpeg, we have at least 3 web design projects which are direct results on conversations on Smaller Indiana. Those are the obvious ones. The less obvious, are all the amazing connections which have indirectly led to many, many more projects, great conversations and opportunities

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