Founded by Lisa Hutson in early 2022, The Hiviz is a woman-owned and family-run apparel business that creates high-quality innovative uniforms. Hutson believes in the importance of diversity and individuality when building solid teams, and she made uniforms that could accomplish that. The Hiviz offers customized apparel and uniforms unlike any other, distinguished by a deep commitment to superior customer service. They actively promote transparency and ethical labor practices, striving to set a higher standard in the industry. Even though they are in the early stages of their journey, their dedication to making a positive impact propels them forward, inspiring them to redefine industry norms.
The Hiviz believes in doing business with a purpose, going beyond profitability. They are guided by a larger vision: to use their influence in the industry to create a wave of positive change. They know that every action, every decision, and every policy can make a difference. They aim to make those differences count for their employees, customers, and the environment. They aren't just a uniform company but a team striving for a better future for all.
Hutson has partnered with the Indiana SBDC throughout her growth journey, engaging in manufacturing and export specialty advising, working with Southeast Regional Director Jon Myers on financing and expansion plans, and utilizing the IN-STEP program, under which eligible Hoosier small businesses can apply for reimbursement for export-related activities.
This year, The Hiviz received a Manufacturing Readiness Grant and was awarded funding through the Indiana Technical Assistance Program (INTAP). They also completed the 2023 Export Indiana Accelerator Program and were named 2023 StartUp Small Business of the Year.
ChefsFridge Co. Co-founders Shane Bivens and Stuart Lowry partnered to address food equity. They initially focused on innovative ways to directly connect food producers (farmers, chefs, and local curators) to consumers. ChefsFridge was on the cusp of launching a neighborhood-focused, food-sharing platform when the COVID-19 pandemic made them abruptly pivot.
Recognizing the global need to address vaccine equity, Stuart and Shane put their initial concept on hold to pursue a bold technology leap for cold-chain logistics. ChefsFridge Co. forged a dynamic relationship with thermal engineers from Rolls Royce to create ArcticRx, a passive (no battery or power) stable long-term ultra-low temperature pod for transport and storage. “We knew with deep analytics of Rolls-Royce thermal engineers and our smart manufacturing contacts in the refrigeration industry; we could seize a golden opportunity. We’ve created a phenomenal technology capable of fixing cold-chain challenges, lifting economies, and, by eliminating vaccine waste, saving lives worldwide,” said Stuart Lowry.
"Our team and expertise are the backbone of our ability to create a technology in cold-chain logistics that hasn't been done in over 50 years. ArcticRx has an array of verticals for global product transport and storage. It is always a struggle to start a company, but conceiving ArcticRx has made all the challenges we conquered during our journey worth every ounce of perseverance."
Recognizing speed to market for ArcticRx was critical, ChefsFridge moved from imagination in 2020 to the prototype phas with fantastic success and will now be commercialization-ready in the 1st Quarter of 2024. “Our team and expertise are the backbone of our ability to create a technology in cold-chain logistics that hasn’t been done in over 50 years. ArcticRx has an array of verticals for global product transport and storage,” shared Shane Bivens. “It is always a struggle to start a company, but conceiving ArcticRx has made all the challenges we conquered during our journey worth every ounce of perseverance.”
With ArcticRx, ChefsFridge is creating a new cold-chain transport and storage category to reach any global community and ensure vaccine, health, and food equity in even the most remote regions. ArcticRx requires no power system or battery and maintains stable ultra-low temperatures for weeks, which is a 7 to 10X improvement over anything else on the market. Shane and Stuart continue to explore ways ArcticRx can serve clients interested in the transport of temperature-sensitive medicines, foods, and products.
ArcticRx is gaining momentum as it receives recognition with each milestone. ArcticRx won first place in both the 2021 Crossroads and 2021 Innovator Connector Big Idea Pitch Competitions. In 2022, ChefsFridge Co. completed the gBeta AgBioScience and Export Indiana Accelerator Programs. In 2022, ArcticRx was awarded the Sir Henry Royce Award for technology Innovation, the most prestigious internal award from Rolls-Royce. In 2023, ChefsFridge Co. was a U.S. and Indiana Delegate at the 2023 Global Entrepreneurship Congress in Australia. ArcticRx was named the 2023 Innovative Business of the Year for Indiana. In 2023/2024, ChefsFridge Co. was awarded a Manufacturing Readiness Grant based on the intelligent manufacturing processes for ArcticRx. ArcticRx is a Qualified Indiana Business, offers Venture Capital Investment Tax Credit (VCI), and remains an active Indiana Small Business community member.
Founded by Joslyn Kelly, J's Breakfast Club has been close to the hearts of many since it first opened as a takeout venture in 2015. Kelly's journey has taken her through an initial expansion to include dine-in seating and, most recently, to a new location serving as a community activity hu. The new location is perfectly poised to welcome residents and visitors alike to Gary and serves as a template for future franchising endeavors. Kelly credits her family and her southern roots as the reasons behind her love of food and her experiences traveling around the country as one of the influences that inspired J's Breakfast Club. In addition to previous restaurant experience, Kelly also has an extensive corporate background, a degree from Spelman College, and a master's in business administration and finance from the Keller Graduate School of Management.
Kelly first connected with the Indiana SBDC in 2019 and has engaged with Regional Director Lorri Feldt and specialty advisor Joanne Tica on certification advising, generating market research reports, and general business growth strategy. In 2023, J's Breakfast Club was awarded MBE/WBE certification and was named the Indiana SBDC's Community Impact Small Business of the Year. Kelly plans to open a new location in Indianapolis in early 2024.
In addition to the homecooked breakfast, lunch, and weekend brunch, J's Breakfast Club serves up a venue that can be rented for private events, political gatherings, community organizations, business groups, and more. Kelly hosts a 'Small Business Saturday' event on Saturdays showcasing local small businesses. Silver Monday' follows, offering resources for seniors. Kelly also curated the inaugural This is Gary Celebration, a five-day series of events in 2022 to transform the narrative around the city and "inspire positivity through love." Connecting with the community has been a priority for Kelly since the beginning. Through J's Breakfast Club, Gary's project, and other community-focused initiatives, Kelly seeks to celebrate Gary's rich heritage and inspire positivity and opportunity for its future.