Friday, February 13, 2026
Bright Lion’s Club
9:00am
March Meeting
Date/Time: March 13, 2026
Bright Lion’s Club 9:00am
Sign in sheet was circulated. Members present (Listed alphabetically by Business Name)
- Bebe Kinnett-Absolute Web Marketing
- Nicole Wuestefeld-Andres-Wuestefeld Funeral Home
- Susan Hoffman-Friendship State Bank
- Jay Knowles-Jay Knowles Real Estate/Keller Williams Realty
- Gage Lainhart-Jay Knowles Real Estate/Keller Williams Realty
- Lisa Cox-JDC Remodeling
- Jay & Jennifer-Logan Supermart
- Rachel Lutz-Lutz Auction Services
- Joni Helton-MaryKay Cosmetics
- Mark Munchel-Optimum Chiropractic LLC
- Sara Uhlenbrock-Heath-Uhlsee Creative
- Larry Shideler-Union Center Blvd Merchant Association (UCBMA)
- Jeannette Huelseman-WorkOne Southeast & LookingGlass Antiques+
Guest: Becknell Premium Services/Braden Becknell
Nicole Wuestefeld stood in for Tonya Wolfe and called the meeting to order.
Pledge of Allegiance – Everyone
Thank you to Bright Lion’s Club for the continued support of BABA
Old Business
2026 Board of Trustees
President Tonya Wolfe
Vice President/Secretary Jeannette Huelseman
Treasurer Kim Stock
Membership Mark Munchel
Past President Nicole Wuestefeld
Member at Large Bebe Kinnett
Member at Large Sara Uhlenbrock-Heath
Treasurer’s Report: Kim Stock
- Beginning Balance: $15,503
- Stripe Deposits: $1,487.79
- Deposits: $150
- Expenditures:
Membership Works: $35
Mt Vernon Fire-Ins $512 - DC-Gift Cards $153.50
- Ending Balance: $14,116.58
Membership Report Dr. Mark Munchel:
- Current memberships are at 33
New Business
We have a guest speaker today, please welcome Ginnie Faller with the Southeast Indiana Small Business Development Center. Thank you so much for being here—we really appreciate it.
Ginnie Faller:
Today is a bit of a reset for all of us. I hope I brought enough materials for everyone—I wasn’t sure how many people would be here, so feel free to share if needed.
As many of you know, I work for the Indiana Small Business Development Center. Before I started, I met with Amy Freiman from Friendship State Bank—she works in business and entrepreneurship. She asked me to pass along that she’s sorry she couldn’t make it today, and she said she had an absolute blast at the Mardi Gras event. She wanted you all to know how much fun she had.
So, what do I do at the ISBDC? I provide no-cost business advising to for-profit businesses in Indiana. I don’t work with Ohio or Kentucky businesses because each state operates differently, though I do see people near the border quite often. If you live in Indiana—even if your business is elsewhere—you can still work with me.
I only work with for-profit entities, not nonprofits. That can be a sensitive topic, but the reason is simple: we’re funded by taxpayer dollars, and nonprofits don’t pay taxes, so the state limits our services in that way.
I’ve been doing this for almost 12 years now, which is why I know so many of you. I cover six counties—Franklin, Dearborn, Ripley, Ohio, Switzerland, and Decatur—and I meet clients in Lawrenceburg, Brookville, Batesville, and Greensburg. I travel a lot, so the best way to reach me is by email.
Everything I do is completely free, which surprises people. Our funding comes from a mix of federal, state, university, and local sources. The federal government provides grants, the state of Indiana matches funding, Purdue University administers payroll, and local municipalities contribute as well.
The ISBDC is highly regarded across the state. We track our impact closely—how many businesses we help start, how many people we serve—and that’s why we continue to receive strong funding support.
A little about my background: I started in animal agriculture, earned both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in science, then later got my MBA. I spent about 20 years in product development, marketing, and business management, including managing a $200 million business. Eventually, I wanted to start my own business—and like many of you, I learned how challenging that can be.
I actually discovered the ISBDC when a bank recommended I speak with them while helping a friend expand his business. Long story short, I was encouraged to apply for a position—and here I am 12 years later. I truly love what I do.
I also own a few businesses myself, including a sheep operation and a retail meat business. We’re currently expanding with a new facility that includes a commercial kitchen, event space, and an educational center. We’re also working on launching a nonprofit focused on agricultural education.
Key Topics for Today
I want to cover a few things:
- What’s happening seasonally that impacts your business
- Some marketing insights
- Updates and resources from the ISBDC
1. Seasonal Focus: Taxes & Goal Setting
- First—tax season. If you haven’t started, now is the time to connect with your accountant.
- Second—goal setting. Think of this as simple strategic planning. Start with just three key improvements you want to make this year.
For each goal:
- Assign a person responsible
- Set a deadline
- Identify obstacles
- Break it into small, manageable steps
Start with the easiest task first to build momentum. Business success is often psychological—small wins help you move forward.
If you get stuck, reach out. That’s what I’m here for.
2. Marketing Basics
Marketing needs to be planned—otherwise, it won’t happen.
Here’s a simple framework:
- Plan two major events per year (open house, campaign, promotion, etc.)
- Plan smaller monthly activities
- Set a budget and stick to it
Also:
- Define monthly social media themes
- Use tools like AI to generate ideas—but always edit to match your voice
- Stay authentic to your brand
One interesting insight: Facebook reports that photos often outperform videos (reels) in engagement. Keep that in mind as you plan content.
And if you don’t have a website—make that a priority this year.
3. ISBDC Programs & Resources
Here are a few opportunities you should know about:
INTAP Grant
- Up to $15,000
- Supports marketing, product development, IP, and more
- Very competitive
- Does NOT fund equipment
QuickBooks Workshops
- Free, two-day sessions
- Great for beginners or refreshers
Export Indiana Accelerator Program
- 12-week program
- Helps businesses expand internationally
Community Collaboration Fund (CCF)
- Up to $40,000
- For community-based projects
- Allows in-kind matching (time, space, etc.)
4. What I’m Seeing Right Now
A few trends:
- Financing has been tight, though it’s slowly improving
- Banks have been very risk-averse, especially with startups
- Increased interest in local spending
- Growth in agriculture-based businesses
- More communities investing in downtown development and entrepreneurship
Closing
That’s a lot of information, but I hope you can take away at least one useful idea.
If you have questions, feel free to ask now—or email me anytime. If you’re interested in programs like INTAP, reach out soon so we can get you set up.
Thank you again for having me—I really appreciate the opportunity to be here.