Data Governance for Small Businesses — Why It Matters and How to Start Right
In today’s data-heavy world, even a two-person shop in Rochester or Akron manages information — customer lists, payroll records, invoices, and marketing data. That’s data governance in action, whether you call it that or not.TL;DR Data governance means organizing, securing, and managing business information responsibly. For small businesses, it builds trust, compliance, and efficiency — protecting customer data, reducing errors, and making smarter decisions faster.Why Data Governance
Fulton County Community Foundation Invites Community to Celebrate Giving Tuesday
The Fulton County Community Foundation is inviting the community to come together on Giving Tuesday, December 2, 2025, for a day of generosity, gratitude, and good company. From 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., the Foundation office at 227 E 9th Street in Rochester will be open for visitors to stop in, share in the celebration, and learn about the impact of local giving. A catered lunch will be served from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., offering a time for friends, neighbors, and donors to connect over food and
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Fulton County Community Foundation Earns $100,000 Grant, Expands Local Giving Opportunities
The Fulton County Community Foundation (FCCF) has received a $100,000 grant as part of the eighth phase of Lilly Endowment Inc.’s Giving Indiana Funds for Tomorrow (GIFT VIII) community foundation initiative. This unrestricted grant can be used for any charitable purpose the Foundation chooses. As part of this GIFT VIII grant opportunity, each community foundation that achieved 100 percent board member giving during the period from January 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025, was eligible to receive an
Timing the Perfect Exit: How to Recognize When to Sell Your Business
Deciding to sell your business is one of the most consequential choices you’ll ever make. Whether you’ve spent years building your company from the ground up or recently acquired it as an investment, recognizing when to let go is as strategic as knowing how to grow. This guide helps you identify the right timing, prepare for the sale, and structure your next steps with clarity — from emotional readiness to financial precision. TL;DR Selling your business isn’t just about market timing — it’s about
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Eligible Customers May Apply for Additional NIPSCO Energy Assistance Programs as of Oct. 1
MERRILLVILLE, Ind. – Northern Indiana Public Service Company LLC (“NIPSCO”) announced today that additional energy assistance programs are now open for enrollment to income- eligible customers struggling to pay their gas utility bills. Available programs include NIPSCO Hardship, SERV (Supply Energy Resources to Veterans) and SILVER (Seniors in Indiana Low-Income and Vulnerable Energy Resources). Eligible customers can apply through May 31, 2026, or until funds are exhausted. Programs provide a one-time
4C Health Expands Access to Behavioral Health Crisis Services with Launch of High-Acuity Crisis Receiving & Stabilization Unit
Peru, IN — 4C Health is proud to announce the launch of a new High-Acuity Crisis Receiving and Stabilization Unit (CRSS), opening on October 1, 2025. This innovative service will provide immediate, around-the-clock support for individuals experiencing behavioral health crises, ensuring that peopleacross North Central Indiana have expanded access to the right level of care when they need it most. 4C Health will be transitioning its current inpatient psychiatric facility space to High-Acuity-Crisis Receiving
Adapting Small Business Services to a Digital-First World
Running a small business has always required adaptability. Today, the pace of change is accelerating as new digital capabilities make it possible for even the smallest firms to compete on efficiency and customer experience. From streamlined marketing campaigns to more intelligent financial systems, the way services are delivered to entrepreneurs is shifting — and fast. Smarter Tools for Everyday Operations Owners who once juggled spreadsheets and phone calls now rely on digital assistants to handle
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WOODLAWN HEALTH LABORATORY RECEIVES ACCREDITATION FROM COLLEGE OF AMERICAN PATHOLOGISTS
Rochester, IN- September 29: The Accreditation Committee of the College of American Pathologists (CAP) has awarded accreditation to Woodlawn Health’s Laboratory based on the results of a recent on-site inspection as part of the CAP’s Accreditation Programs. Recognized for rigorous and robust standards, CAP accreditation elevates quality and mitigates risk, an essential way that laboratories can contribute to improved patient outcomes. The facility’s director, Dr. Jim Dyer MD, was advised of this global
How to Improve Marketing Materials When You're Already Swamped
Time-starved. Brain full. Inbox blinking like it's alive. If you’re a business owner trying to sharpen your marketing while keeping the lights on, you’re not alone—and you’re not behind. Great marketing doesn’t have to come from deep strategy sessions or big-budget rebrands. Often, it starts with making what you already have more useful, more usable, and more aligned with the business you're running. If your materials feel dated, scattered, or just not you, that’s not a failure—it’s a starting point.First
When Lighting Lets You Down, Smart Editing Picks You Up: A Guide for Fulton County Businesses
In the fast-paced world of small business marketing, few things go as planned, especially when it comes to lighting. You may be filming in a crowded store, at a pop-up event, or inside a community space where you can’t control the light. The good news? You don’t have to. Whether you're capturing content in Rochester, at a downtown vendor market, or during a mixer hosted by the Fulton County Chamber of Commerce, there’s a reliable solution for cleaning up subpar visuals: post-production color
The Resilient Web: Building Smart, Customer-Centered Sites in Hard Times
Economic downturns have a way of exposing the cracks in a small business’s digital foundation. While the instinct may be to tighten the belt across the board, the business website should be the last place to cut corners. In fact, when customers become more selective with their spending, a strong and agile online presence becomes the most powerful lever available. What changes on a screen can ripple into real growth when foot traffic slows and competition grows more cutthroat. It’s not just about looking
Cut Through the Noise: How to Make Your Marketing Materials Actually Matter
Running a business doesn’t leave a lot of room for second drafts. Between customer calls, vendor negotiations, invoices, and your overflowing inbox, there’s barely enough bandwidth to keep marketing afloat—let alone fine-tune the materials that actually help grow your brand. But if your flyers, sales emails, or landing pages are gathering digital dust, you’re not just behind—you’re invisible. The good news? You don’t need a full rebrand or a 40-hour workweek to get your marketing to pull its weight. You
Beyond the Survey: Smarter Market Research for a Changing Business Landscape
Market research isn’t a static process. What worked last year—or even last quarter—may not be enough to keep up with the evolving demands of your industry. Whether it’s consumer behavior shifting overnight, new competitors entering the fray, or technological disruptions rewriting the playbook, your approach to market research has to scale alongside your business. The problem is, many companies treat market research as a one-and-done task instead of an ongoing process that grows and changes in response to
Mastering Financial Management for Beauty Salons: Strategies for Sustainable Growth
Effective financial management is the backbone of any successful beauty salon. While creativity, customer service, and branding play crucial roles, a salon’s long-term viability depends on how well its finances are handled. From budgeting to pricing strategies, smart money management can determine whether a salon thrives or struggles. Many salon owners focus on day-to-day operations without a clear financial roadmap, leading to cash flow issues and stagnation. To build a profitable and resilient business,
Picking Tech Tools That Grow Small Business Potential
Small businesses navigating a competitive environment often find growth tied to smart technology investments. Leveraging digital tools enhances operational efficiency, strengthens data security, and improves customer interactions. Although initial costs may appear steep, the long-term advantages often include reduced expenses and smoother workflows. Effective integration of new systems can simplify operations, helping businesses maintain relevance in an evolving marketplace. Such advancements foster
Rochester, IN Businesses: FinCEN's BOI Filing Deadline is Fast Approaching! File By 01/01/2025 to Avoid Possible Fines!
The Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) requires businesses to report Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) to FinCEN to promote financial transparency and combat financial crimes. As of today, the 27th of November, 2024, Rochester, Indiana, business owners have 35 calendar days (or 25 business days) left to file their BOI report with FinCEN—don’t delay, or you could face $500 per day fines! What You Need to Do:1. Determine if Your Business Must File. Most LLCs, corporations, and small businesses
Important Tools and Strategies for New Business Success
In the exhilarating landscape of entrepreneurship, the path to success is paved with strategy, resilience, and the right set of tools. For new business owners, navigating this dynamic environment can seem daunting without the proper resources to support their journey. Imagine elevating your business from its infancy to a thriving enterprise by harnessing cutting-edge tools designed to refine your financial strategies, streamline operations, and enhance customer engagement. This article unravels the
