Indiana Small Businesses Doing Big Things in 2024

Small businesses are the lifeblood of Indiana’s communities. Not only does each business bring a unique energy to the neighborhood they serve, they also play a pivotal role in building community, creating new jobs, forming local partnerships and hosting meeting places.

As small business bankers, we get to see firsthand the positive impact entrepreneurs have on their communities. And we’re honored to share the stories of three Indiana small businesses that are shaping their communities and pursuing big goals in 2024.

The Lotion Company: Crafting small-batch skincare entirely in Muncie

If your skin is struggling with chilly Indiana winters or stale AC air, The Lotion Company is here to help. Run by father/daughter team Jeff and Morgan Gillentine, The Lotion Company sells paraben-free, petroleum-free hydrating lotions crafted in small batches in Muncie, Indiana.

Available in 13 fragrances, the company offers something for everyone: Cozy and craveable scents like Caramel Candy and Brown Sugar, fresh and clean options like Lavender Field and Baby Powder, and even a Fragrance-Free option for those with sensitivity to fragrance. 

Jeff and Morgan started the Lotion Company after a long history of business partnerships. “We’ve worked together since I was in high school, and all the way through college at Ball State,” Morgan explains. “It works so well because we have complementary skills. I work more on the sales, communication and marketing aspects, whereas my dad focuses more on production and our manufacturing.”

In recent years, they’ve expanded their reach via e-commerce and retail partnerships. Their lotions and sugar scrub body washes are now available at Fresh Thyme Market locations across Illinois and Indiana — including Jeff and Morgan’s home store in Muncie — and also rank in the Top 100 of Amazon’s Body Care category online.

However, as the company grows, Jeff and Morgan have stayed true to their vision to enrich the local business community, sourcing materials locally and handling manufacturing in-house. “From formulating, capping, labeling and all the way to shipping the product out the door, it’s all done right here in our facility. We take a lot of pride in that,” Morgan says.

Over the next year, Morgan says the company is focused on expanding retail partnerships to reach new customers across the Midwest. “If you own a local business, boutique or storefront and would be interested in carrying our product, we’d love to chat.”

The Warehouse: Cultivating a safe space for sport, recreation and the arts in Bloomington

Community recreation centers form the bedrock of thriving, vibrant communities — and The Warehouse provides a safe space for the youth of Bloomington to explore their passions, as well as develop their faith.

“We are a publicly funded nonprofit that exists to positively impact our community, providing a place for families to build relationships around sport, recreation and arts and share the love of God through the story of Jesus,” says David Weil, spokesperson for The Warehouse.

The Warehouse provides a range of programs, from a rock-climbing wall to tennis and pickleball courts to book-by-the-hour pottery wheels. It also boasts one of the largest indoor skate parks in the central United States — a major draw for the center’s after-school program, which runs from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., Monday to Friday, throughout the school year.

Critical to its mission is the ability to offer something for everyone. “Not everyone is a sports person, which is why we also focus on the arts and other recreational activities that meet the needs of a very diversified population,” says Weil. “We’re looking to create a place where people can feel at home. Our rules are simple: Treat others as you wish to be treated, show respect to everyone and no profanity or fighting.”

In the coming year, The Warehouse will expand its offerings to include classes in the Industrial Arts, like automotive technology, which will be taught by community members who have retired from their fields. “This gives not only book knowledge, but practical how-to skills that are often lost in environments where a subject is only taught but never experienced,” Weil says.

And, as always, The Warehouse is focused on expanding its volunteer and donor network to create even more opportunities to give back to families in Bloomington. “We average over 200 volunteers per year, many of whom are retirees. It’s remarkable to see a group of skaters working to improve the skate park with veteran retired carpenters. If you’re looking to make a positive change for the community, we’d love to connect with you.”

The River Coffeehouse: Building community with a “third place” for North Webster and Warsaw

If you’ve ever strolled down North Main Street in North Webster, chances are you’re well aware of The River Coffeehouse. Since it was established in 2020, it’s become a destination for Instagram-worthy berry parfaits, seasonal favorites like lavender lemonade and, of course, amazing cups of coffee.

“Ultimately, our main mission is coffee: Whether that’s the perfectly roasted black coffee or a creamy latte, we want to provide a quality coffee with quality ingredients,” says Amanda Meerzo, who co-owns the coffeehouse with her husband, Jamel.

The Meerzos are no strangers to entrepreneurship — Amanda also runs an ice cream shop and they both run a boat-lifting business — but they’re drawn to the creativity and community-oriented atmosphere that running a coffeehouse provides. “We have some customers where we get to know their order by heart, and others who love to try something new every time,” Amanda says. “It’s so fun to come up with different drinks that will get people excited.”

The coffeehouse recently launched a second location in downtown Warsaw at the corner of East Center Street and South Buffalo Street, just a stone’s throw away from the public library. “It’s a location we have wanted to expand to, and we found a perfect spot with plenty of amazing outdoor seating. It has been so fun expanding and allowing a whole new demographic to experience our coffee and food.”

Right now, Amanda and Jamel are focused on serving North Webster and Warsaw — and developing a bevy of seasonal offerings for fall — but keep an eye out for their mobile trailer serving Kosciusko County and the surrounding areas. They’re also partnering with local community businesses and events. “As always, we’re focused on offering great coffee and we’re excited to see our business grow and mature this year.”

Want to learn more about Indiana businesses that making a difference? Read about Indianapolis-based CTS Multifamily IT Solutions, a leading provider of IT support and consulting for residential businesses, in our latest spotlight.