12 people, companies earn small-business awards

MERRILLVILLE | Entrepreneurs need three characteristics to succeed — conviction, momentum and a "spark."

That was the message of keynote speaker Mary Leonard, chief performance officer of Coinstar Inc., during Friday's E-Day Awards luncheon hosted by the Northwest Indiana Small Business Development Center at The Radisson at Star Plaza.

This 20th annual event showcased 12 individuals, companies and advocates for their entrepreneurial spirit.

Leonard gave examples of how entrepreneurial efforts have advanced Coinstar coin-counting kiosks and Redbox DVD rental. Coinstar is the parent company of Redbox.

"Conviction means you have to believe in your ideas, show confidence," she said. "Timing is also key."

Bringing a product or service to market too late will mean extensive competition, but if the launch is too early customers may not be ready to embrace the idea, Leonard said.

By keeping momentum, entrepreneurs will be able to meet customer demands for new products, she said.

Leonard said Redbox illustrates "spark" by hiring "the best and brightest" and then listening to their ideas.

"Who needs the Silicon Valley when we have the talent and creativity in this room?" she said.

Those honored during the E-Day event included:

• NWI SBDC Client of the Year: Rich Thiel, president of Midwest PGM, Cedar Lake

• Small Business Journalist of the Year: Chris Mahlmann, ValpoLife/PortageLife

• Woman-Owned Business of the Year: Theresa Valade, founder and CEO of Success Trek, Porter and Valparaiso

• Small Business Financial Advocate of the Year: Gregg Holley, Citizens Financial Bank

• Minority-Owned Business of the Year: Frances "Pat" and Linda Holmes, Pediatric, Infant & Family Home Health Care Services, Gary

• Emerging Business of the Year: Steve Arndt, Above the Tracks LTD, Michigan City.

• Family-Owned Small Business of the Year: Daniel J. Rohder and Laurie Rohder, Rohder Machine and Tool Inc., Crown Point

• Revolutionary Technology Company of the Year: Frank Szczepanski, co-founder of IV Diagnostics, Valparaiso

• Entrepreneurial Success of the Year: Kurt Minko, of Retro-Tech Systems Inc., Valparaiso

• Small Business Person of the Year: George S. Kucka, president and CEO, Fairmeadows Home Health Center Inc., Schererville

• Lifetime Achievement Award: John Barney, Barney & Associates

• Garry Bradley Business Advocate of the Year: Jim Jorgensen, with Hoeppner, Wagner & Evans law firm, Valparaiso