Southeastern Indiana SBDC
Counties Served: Rush, Fayette, Union, Franklin, Ripley, Dearborn, Ohio, Switzerland, Jefferson, Scott, Clark, Floyd, Harrison, Washington, Crawford, Orange
Host Organization: Madison Area Chamber of Commerce
Location:
975 Industrial Drive, Suite 2
Madison, IN 47250
Phone: 812-265-3127
Fax: 812-265-5544

William Cord SBDC Business Advisor Bill Cord brings an extensive background in both business and education to his counseling role. He served as a high school principal in Carroll County, Kentucky from 1979-1997, and has also served as a bank manager. Bill is currently involved in a number of successful ventures in the areas of agriculture, real estate and business.	Richard Mezhoff Richard Mezhoff is our kitchen manager, and an SBDC Business Advisor in the area of specialty foods. He has a Master of Arts degree, and is a graduate of the Food Processors' Institute Better Process Control School. He has operated a successful specialty foods business for over 9 years, including the production of sauces, salsas and dry rubs, performing personal chef work, and running a small, upscale restaurant. Richard is available to help our entrepreneurs with all aspects of specialty food production and marketing.
Andy Sons SBDC Business Advisor Andy Sons has a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration, and is currently completing his Master's degree at the University of Louisville. He has 12 years of experience in the manufacturing industry, and with his wife, Melissa, has operated a successful cosmetology salon since 2001. Andy is available to help our entrepreneurs with all phases of business and marketing plans, and is our financial specialist.	Linda Wood Linda Wood is the Regional Director for the Southeastern Indiana Small Business Development Center and covers a sixteen-county region in Southern and Southeastern Indiana. A graduate of Indiana University, she was formerly a Budget Analyst for the US Army at Jefferson Proving Ground in Indiana. Linda and her staff at the SBDC assist many types of entrepreneurial business ventures, but the project that has sparked her interest in the tri-state area is the creation of the Ohio River Valley Food Venture kitchen incubator.

Special Project

The Ohio River Valley Food Venture — the first certified shared-use commercial kitchen in Indiana — is now open for business. Lt. Gov. Becky Skillman gave the keynote address and then cut the ribbon to open Food Venture on Sept. 23, 2005. She noted that Food Venture fits well into the state’s strategy to diversify farm production and incubate innovative food products. Opening day was marked with a savory luncheon prepared by Food Venture clients and served to various dignitaries who had helped make Food Venture a reality.

Kitchen Manager Richard Mezhoff prepared two types of lasagna and other courses were made by Kathy Anderson, Theresa Long, Charlie Grooms, Paul Grooms, Pam Grooms and Jenny Cook.

These clients are among several dozen interested in using the $1 million facility to launch or grow their own specialty food business. Food Venture is now being rented on an hourly basis. For information on becoming a Food Venture client, see www.foodventure.org or come in to view the facility personally.

The Food Venture opening also celebrated the 20th anniversary of Small Business Development Centers in Indiana. ISBDC’s Debbie Trocha presented a plaque to Regional Director Linda Wood.

Dignitaries at the Sept. 23 ribbon-cutting for Food Venture included (from left) Jerry Hay, USDA Rural Development; Robert hendon, architect; Richard Mezhoff, Food Venture Kitchen Manager; Louis Alexander, President, MACC Foundation; Lt. Gov. Becky Skillman; Madison Mayor Al Huntington; SBDC Regional Director Linda Wood; Robert White, Director of Indiana USDA Rural Development; and Debbie Trocha, Executive Director, Indiana Small Business Development Center.

Success Story

Horst's Little Bakery Haus
220 Clifty Dr.
Madison, IN 47250
Phone: 812-265-1295

Horst Moehlmann has been baking since he was 16 years old. He began his career at a shop in Oldenburg Germany, the town where he was born and raised. He worked there until one day he came across what would prove to be a life changing advertisement in a German newspaper. The ad was placed by a baker from Madison, Indiana who had recently moved from Germany to America and opened his own bakery. Horst responded to the ad and in 1972 came to the United States. At that time he could speak no English. He worked at the bakery for 29 years until the owner retired and sold the bakery. Horst then worked at other bakeries and at a Casino but always wanted his own business. His dream is now a reality.

Assistance Requested: NxLeveL training program, loan qualification, equipment and site analysis, refinement of business plan. The Moehlmann’s first requested SBDC assistance with purchasing an existing bakery. The SBDC Advisor negotiated between the seller and buyer but could not arrange a suitable price for both parties. The clients then asked for assistance with working with a realtor to locate a suitable location for an affordable lease payment and finally assistance with equipment purchases.

Assistance Given: Business plan review, loan rates and repayment schedule, lease terms, site evaluation, marketing/advertising fundamentals appropriate for Madison area. Advisor assisted in evaluating a restaurant equipment purchase from a Michigan company. Mrs. Moehlman has received on-site QuickBooks assistance, counseling on product diversification/mix, obtaining new accounts, etc.

Results/Impacts: Loan assistance was provided for a small startup loan with the majority of the start-up funds coming from the owner’s savings. Horst’s Little Bakery Haus has had a resounding 2500% increase in sales since opening their doors two years ago and now have seven employees. A significant concern is the health of the owners who have poured their heart and soul into providing the best product for their customers. They both work long hours to meet the ever increasing demands. Additional employees, more efficient equipment and other options are being considered by the owners.

Quote: Mary Moehlmann said that “Horst always knew how to make the donuts but the SBDC’s NxLeveL Entrepreneurial Training Program really opened our eyes on how to run our own business and we appreciate the ongoing services”.