Self-Made Is A Myth - Make A Difference Together

Episode #157: Consuelo Lockhart - The Latinas Welding Guild

Consuelo Poland Lockhart's journey from her early days in Guatemala to becoming an advocate for marginalized communities has its roots in Traverse City, Michigan, where she grew up feeling isolated due to the lack of diversity. This feeling of not fitting in, despite a solid education, planted the seeds for her future work. In 2006, at the age of 17, Consuelo's life took a pivotal turn when she reunited with her biological family, an experience that profoundly influenced her perspective and ambitions.
Armed with a BFA in Functional Art and a welding certification, Consuelo's commitment to social and economic change was further fueled by her personal narrative. Moving to Indianapolis in 2016, she took the helm of Ruckus Makerspace and established the Latinas Welding Guild Inc in 2017, a response to her struggles with discrimination and the barriers in male-dominated fields. This venture aimed to create a nurturing space for learning and growth that Consuelo wished had existed for her.
In 2023, as Executive Director of Project Azul, which merged with the Latinas Welding Guild, Consuelo led the organization into a new phase. This expansion enabled the Guild to offer a wider range of trades, broadening its impact and reach within the community. Consuelo’s narrative is a testament to turning personal challenges into avenues for collective empowerment, ensuring that others find the belonging and opportunities she once sought for herself.
 
 
 
In honor of the fellow business owners in your life that had an impact on you becoming the person you are today, let’s celebrate them. Click this link to apply to be on our podcast to recognize those people: https://www.BeMADTogether.com
 
 
 
 

Episode #156: Rachael Coverdale - Coverdale Consulting

Rachael Coverdale is a dynamic leader, creative thinker, and entrepreneur. She is a 2023 IBJ Forty Under 40 honoree and was recently recognized as one of the Top 50 Women Leaders of Indianapolis.
From the ground up, Rachael has built a successful strategic marketing agency with a uniquely high client retention rate and a deeply engaged team that never settles for anything less than the highest level of work and strong relationships.
In nine years, Rachael has created a ‘non-traditional’ digital marketing agency model that focuses on client work with businesses, in both the B2C and B2B space, including work with government and other public entities. Rachael understands that success comes from becoming deeply ingrained in the client's goals, vision, and a strong internal culture.
Rachael takes the lead in shaping the company's vision, with a strong emphasis on guiding clients in aligning their strategic objectives with marketing. She thrives on collaborating with growth-minded clients and fostering an environment that encourages the exploration of new ideas and approaches.
Beyond her professional work, Rachael serves as a board member for Nickel Plate Arts, and is a past board member for Brooke’s Place and past board president for the Hamilton County Leadership Academy. She is an alumna of the Rise & Thrive program, an organization dedicated to empowering high-achieving women.
Coverdale Consulting is a WBE certified, full-service marketing agency that specializes in strategic and creative solutions including public relations, digital advertising, email campaigns, messaging, branding, and design.
 
 
 
 
In honor of the fellow business owners in your life that had an impact on you becoming the person you are today, let’s celebrate them. Click this link to apply to be on our podcast to recognize those people: https://www.BeMADTogether.com

Episode #155: Ryan Grimes - My IT Indy

Ryan Grimes was born and raised in Illinois, moving to Indiana in 2004 to start his IT company. He has been married to his wife Dawn since 2000 and has 3 kids, Allan, Cameron, and Breanne. There are also 3 cats and 2 dogs in his household. In his spare time he can be found at a high school football game or a soccer pitch watching his kids.
In the IT world, the only constant is rapid change, and My IT Indy focused on bringing that tech to companies in Indiana and the surrounding states. My IT Indy focuses on cybersecurity and efficiencies for business technology, so your company can make more money, all while being safe and secure.
 
 
 
 
In honor of the fellow business owners in your life that had an impact on you becoming the person you are today, let’s celebrate them. Click this link to apply to be on our podcast to recognize those people: https://www.BeMADTogether.com

Episode #154: Vince Todd Jr - Accessa

Vince Todd was born and raised in Indianapolis, Indiana. Married to his wife Cindy for nearly 27 years, and they have 3 daughters: Mia (20), Maddie (20), and Megan (17).
After graduating from Indiana University, Vince held a few different sales and marketing positions before joining the family business in January of 2002.
As a never satisfied individual, Vince, alongside his brother (and father before he retired) and the rest of team Accessa, have continued to grow and expand the business. Today Accessa has over 60 employees, operating out of 8 different facilities.
"We are not cruise control kind of people", this mindset continues today as we continually look to improve and expand.
 
 
 
 
In honor of the fellow business owners in your life that had an impact on you becoming the person you are today, let’s celebrate them. Click this link to apply to be on our podcast to recognize those people: https://www.BeMADTogether.com

Episode #153: Jason Hessler - Full Suite Wealth

Jason Hessler was born and raised in Newburgh, IN. He worked in trust and wealth management for years climbing up to the title of President for a trust company. Jason was also Chairman of an independent hospital located in Artesia, NM. Jason says he climb the corporate ladder so quick he fell off the top. After the trust assets were moved in 2019, Jason was left with a dilemma, what do I do now. Few opportunities presented themselves to a President of a Trust Company with no more assets.
 
After taking counsel with a career coach, Jason ventured out in the practice of law, reviving a firm he had years ago, Hessler Legal Group. Within months, calls came from former clients to have him manage their money. Over time, Full Suite Wealth was created to service clients in a very unique way and different than most advisors. Jason works with many financial advisors on the legal side as well. Now, Jason services clients in options trading and investing while providing family office services through his legal arm. Jason is currently working on a trust company to round out his offering to clients and hopes to have that done to complete Full Suite's plan.
 
 
 
 
 
In honor of the fellow business owners in your life that had an impact on you becoming the person you are today, let’s celebrate them. Click this link to apply to be on our podcast to recognize those people: https://www.BeMADTogether.com

Episode #152: Bobby Williams - BGW Construction

Bobby Williams, a proud Plainfield, IN native, still calls his childhood home his own. He and his wife, Karen, just hit the impressive milestone of their 28th anniversary. The dynamic duo has four kids: Maci, Myka, KayDee, and Robbie. They live on a piece of land bought by Bobby’s grandfather back in 1950.
For 18 years, Bobby was the go-to guy for twelfth-grade literature and composition at the local high school. Oh, and he also coached the varsity football team. But that’s not all! While shaping young minds, he was also building his side hustle, BGW Construction. By 2015, he swapped chalkboards for blueprints and dove full-time into his design/build residential remodeling company.
Since then, Bobby’s entrepreneurial spirit has flourished. He launched Legacy Motorsports, a vintage speed shop that’s a haven for 1950s-1970s muscle cars enthusiasts, and Williams Trace Park, a sprawling 15,000 sq. ft. commercial property built in 2017. Together, these ventures pull in a cool $3M to $3.5M annually.
Leveraging his teaching and coaching chops, along with a Master’s in Education, Bobby and Karen (a successful business owner in her own right as the majority partner at a local CPA firm) have built a quiet little life for themselves.
 
 
 
In honor of the fellow business owners in your life that had an impact on you becoming the person you are today, let’s celebrate them. Click this link to apply to be on our podcast to recognize those people: https://www.BeMADTogether.com
 

Episode #151: Samantha Stipp - Through The Ages Fitness

Samantha Stipp was born and raised in Indianapolis, IN. She has been married to her husband Tom for 5 years, together they have 3 dogs! Samantha studied at Ball State University with the passion of working with older adults. After college, she managed to work in different careers that offered support to the aging population (senior living facilities, health care centers, fitness clubs).
Samantha is now the owner of Through the Ages Fitness, TTAF is a travel-based fitness company that provides theme based exercise and brain fitness programs to those 50 and older, individuals with memory impairment and disabilities. Contact Through the Ages Fitness today to learn more - www.throughtheagesfitness.com
 
 
 
In honor of the fellow business owners in your life that had an impact on you becoming the person you are today, let’s celebrate them. Click this link to apply to be on our podcast to recognize those people: https://www.BeMADTogether.com

Episode #150: Berny Martin - Catouwear

Berny Martin is an American fashion designer and founder of Catou, an internationally-recognized line of men’s and women’s professional wear, started in 2005 in Indianapolis, Indiana. After earning a tech degree from Purdue University in 2002, Martin realized that his true passion had always been fashion, and made the move to New York where he attended the Fashion Institute of Technology. In 2005, his lifelong dream came to fruition with the launch of Catou, LLC. Seeing a need for fashion expansion and exposure in the Midwest, Martin also established Midwest Fashion Week in 2006, which was recognized as the leading fashion week in the Midwest by TIME Magazine in 2012. This platform not only allowed him to showcase his designs but the works of countless other up-and-coming designers, stylists, models, and photographers who wouldn’t otherwise have the opportunity.
Over the years, Martin has shown his collection on runways all over the world–including Paris, New York, Hong Kong, Dubai, Kuwait, and Munich–has been worn by countless international celebrities, and featured on a variety of acclaimed media outlets. He was awarded the United Nations Association Young Professionals Award in 2009, the Best Menswear Designer in the Midwest by the Fashion Group International (FGI), as well as The Couture Man Excellence Award. Today, he lives in Evansville, Indiana where he continues to design and play a vital role in the growing fashion industry worldwide.
 
 
In honor of the fellow business owners in your life that had an impact on you becoming the person you are today, let’s celebrate them. Click this link to apply to be on our podcast to recognize those people: https://www.BeMADTogether.com
 

Episode #149: Brian Adams - Goodby Hearth & Home

Brian Adams was born and has lived in Indiana his entire life. He has been married to his best friend Anne for 39 years and has three children Emily, Sarah and Kevin. Brian's passion for small business started at a young age as his Dad owned a Culligan Softwater Franchise in his home of Plymouth, Indiana. The business remains in the family with a third generation at the helm.
After graduating from Franklin College in 1983, Brian spent 11 years in public accounting working primarily with family owned businesses, focusing on financial statement audits, business consulting and litigation support. In June 1994 he joined Godby Hearth & Home as President of the Company until March 1998 when he purchased the business from the original owner, Dennis Godby.
Godby Hearth & Home is an installation/supplier of specialty products in the residential construction industry. They have wide product offerings in three distinct categories; fireplaces and hearth accessories, custom mirrors and glass (shower doors and panels) and outdoor living (firepits, and grill islands). With two locations they provide services to Retail Customers, Interior Designers, Custom Home Builders and General Contractors in the Central Indiana area. Their focus is to add value the the product they sale by providing customers with information, application, installation and service.
 
 
 
In honor of the fellow business owners in your life that had an impact on you becoming the person you are today, let’s celebrate them. Click this link to apply to be on our podcast to recognize those people: https://www.BeMADTogether.com
 

Episode #148: Lora Moore - ALO Property Group

Lora Moore was born and raised in Lafayette, Indiana, and has lived in Carmel for 8 years now with her daughter, Kinley. The rest of Lora's family is spread across the country between California, Indiana, and North Carolina.
The wide reach of her past professional experiences—as the owner of a small-town insurance agency, an HR consultant across the Midwest, a short stint in Corporate America, and keeping a multi-location salon and barbershop organization afloat during COVID and growing again through recovery—all lend themselves nicely to the consultative and mindful approach she practices today.
Lora now serves as the Executive Managing Director at ALO Property Group, an Indianapolis-based and locally owned full-service commercial real estate firm. With a specialization in corporate real estate acquisitions, dispositions, and commercial leasing, she brings a wealth of expertise to her role. Dedicated to empowering small to mid-market business owners, she focuses on fostering leadership development, driving economic growth, and implementing strategic initiatives.
Beyond her professional endeavors, Lora is deeply committed to community involvement and philanthropy. She proudly serves on the Board of Directors for Damar Services, where she contributes her time and expertise to support their mission of empowering individuals with developmental and behavioral challenges. Lora also serves on the Indiana Donor Network's Foundation Board.
In addition to her board service, Lora plays a pivotal role in organizing and managing the annual Brian Bondus Memorial Golf Outing with her team at ALO. This event, held in memory of Brian Bondus, a former teammate and coworker who was an organ donor, honors his legacy and raises funds for the Indiana Donor Network.
 
 
 
 
In honor of the fellow business owners in your life that had an impact on you becoming the person you are today, let’s celebrate them. Click this link to apply to be on our podcast to recognize those people: https://www.BeMADTogether.com