High schooler sees her future in cake baking

Lauren Seim can't remember the first time she baked a cake, but she has known for awhile that she wants to go to culinary school and open her own bakery.

Lincoln Bark offers nutritional treats for pets

These days, consumers deliberately look for high quality, tasty treats for their furry friends. And entrepreneur Bobbye Cochran has the perfect goodies for your pet when only the best will do.

This time, the Big Hurt has a beer blast

CHICAGO | This year's version of the Big Hurt is a budding beer baron.

Dushan Nikolvoski

Dushan Nikolvoski, director of the Purdue University Calumet Center for Entrepreneurial Success in Hammond, is working to drive local interest for the Big Sell entrepreneur competition in March.

Dushan Nikolvoski

Dushan Nikolvoski, director of the Purdue University Calumet Center for Entrepreneurial Success in Hammond, is working to drive local interest for the Big Sell entrepreneur competition in March.

Local body care product line to debut at Chicago market

As a child growing up in the region, Hallie Orgel would explore the outdoors and gather acorns, plants and other natural treasures in her little box.

20 UNDER 40: Ricci finds entrepreneurial success, gives back to community

Dean Ricci Jr. started mowing lawns in Lakes of the Four Seasons when he was 10. Several decades later, he has grown from a little boy pulling a lawn mower behind his bike to the owner of a multimillion dollar landscaping management company.

Region's young entrepreneurs grasp recovery's opportunities

If not for the recession, the world might not have the Battery Go! iPhone app, and one of its developers still might be tending bar at Don Pablo's in Hobart.

Young entrepreneurs grasp recovery's opportunities

Young entrepreneurs across the region have stories to tell of the unique ways both the recession and the recovery have influenced their drive for a better world-or at least one where people can have a little more fun.

Business connects fans to entertainment

CHICAGO | When Valparaiso University graduate Chris Bauman created FanFound in 2007, his mission was to connect musicians, venues and their audiences.

Nominations open for annual entrepreneurial awards

CROWN POINT | Nominations will be accepted through Sept. 7 for the Northwest Indiana Small Business Development Center's annual Entrepreneurial Excellence Awards, also known as E–Day.

Chesterton man switches careers, sells diving equipment

VALPARAISO | Les Corkill dove head first into a new career and a new lifestyle when he opened Diver's Lair, a shop selling underwater diving equipment, late last year.

July workshop details business ownership

MERRILLVILLE | The Northwest Indiana Small Business Development Center is offering a business feasibility workshop from 9 to 11 a.m. July 12 in room 246 at the Purdue University Calumet Academic Learning Center, 9900 Connecticut Drive.

Empowerment Zone plans for future despite obstacles

GARY | After disbursing nearly $26 million in federal funds, the Gary-East Chicago-Hammond Empowerment Zone isn't ready to close its doors.

Empowerment Zone plans for future despite obstacles

GARY | After disbursing nearly $26 million in federal funds, the Gary-East Chicago-Hammond Empowerment Zone isn't ready to close its doors.

YOUNG VOICES: The road less traveled is not alien to me

I recently watched an episode of "Oprah Winfrey's Master Class" on the OWN television network. The show inspires viewers to use their life as a class and learn something from every experience. The modern master to lead this class session (or episode), handpicked by Oprah for her unique impac…