ISB Expo Gives Hope to Indiana Small Business Owners

The 2022 Indiana Small Business Expo will be held again on Sept. 16 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, in downtown Indianapolis and a portion of the proceeds go to Indiana Veteran Business Owners and to mentorship programs for boys without role models.

The event will bring together businesses statewide of various industries for networking, workshops and Keynote Speaker, Norma Lawrence Unser and Al Unser Jr., will participate.

This is a passion project for Hoosier Realtor Kelly Sparks, and she believes that the power of divine connection and generosity has helped her survive and thrive. Kelly knows the value of working hard as an entrepreneur and the importance of collaborating with other entrepreneurs to grow and to pivot in business.

Ms. Sparks has proven that by taking a leap of faith with the goal of entrepreneurship and serving others along the way that she was able to come out of poverty while overcoming many oppositions.

Ms. Sparks has had challenging circumstances as a single mother with her two sons, one of which has had major heart surgeries and the other nearly died from an unexpected illness. Kelly shares, “We’ve been burglarized; homeless, car-less and inundated with medical bills and one adversity after another, but I never gave up on helping others, while being my sons’ hero which was always my focus!”

While Ms. Sparks was serving her networking group it led her to take a leap of faith in rebranding and revitalization of Indiana Small Business Expo in 2020, she funded it herself and created successful networking events. “I believed in my entrepreneurial dream so much that I knew it could help other entrepreneurs to believe in their dreams and to hold on through Covid.” The Indiana Small Business Expo provides return on investment with new client connections generated, and the venue has grown even larger and gained many Sponsors that want to be involved.

“I was fortunate that I had the opportunity of attending both the June and November [2021] Indiana Small Business Expo’s. Besides the fact that I got to meet new small business owners, I generated a $6,000 return on investment and have gained several new clients,” shared Delaram Moghaddam of Delaram Art & Design.

What is the outlook for small business in Indiana? We’re still navigating the post-2020 changes and pivots, sometimes almost daily. But one thing remains constant – small business is the backbone of the Hoosier heartland and only thrives when we all come together to support each other.

Norma Lawrence Unser, Small Business Owner, Executive Director of Wings and Wheels Foundation will deliver a Keynote Talk. Al Unser Jr. will join her.

Additional Speakers include Global Speaker, Coach, Author and Trainer, Hazel Walker of BNI. Author, Small Business Owner, India Brown of PM Phase. Speaker, Brand Expert, Author, and Coach, Yolanda Smith of Branding 4 Success. President of International Chambers Group, Ron Chambers.

An Official Sponsor for Indiana Small Business Expo is Rainmakers. Nancy Sunshine, owner and CEO of The Sunshine Group Inc., Rainmakers and Thrivent.

There are still booth and sponsorship opportunities, just go to www.indianasbc.com/expo for more information.

All networking groups and entrepreneurs, at any stage of their business are encouraged to attend and support this wonderful cause and create new connections. All attendees have a chance to win door prizes.

Learn more and get tickets at www.indianasbc.com/expo