As businesses across the Region continue to make their mark, we are continuously given more and more great news to share with all of you. 2021 saw tons of growth and development across our communities, with countless businesses expanding and creating positive change on those around them.
Whether it was welcoming new staff, bringing exciting new services to customers, hosting ribbon-cuttings, or opening new offices, there was a lot of good to go around in the business world.
In no particular order, here are the top 10 business articles from NWI.Life in 2021:
Recyclean's team has the expert hands needed to disassemble properties through deconstruction
As many fight for an increasingly eco-friendly future, Recyclean, Inc.—which encourages people to think past the dumpster—becomes increasingly important. Joshua White, a partner at Recyclean, seeks to educate people on what Recyclean does so that instead of assuming traditional demolition is the only option and destroying a beautiful 19th century home, people know that with Recyclean, they have the option to deconstruct properties and then donate and repurpose those materials.
Brett McDermott, Latitude Commercial co-founder, prioritizes loyalty and communication in real estate
A little over a decade ago, Brett McDermott joined his brother Aaron in founding Latitude Commercial. He’d had some experience in sales and working with small businesses as an account manager for a large corporation in Chicago, but at the time, real estate was entirely new to him.
More than a store: Goodwill Industries of Michiana helps people in need through career, community, and education services
While Rev. Edgar J. Helms did not become a Methodist missionary to India as he originally intended, he found another way to spread goodwill. Instead of sending him to India, the church sent Helms to Boston, Massachusetts to work with immigrants by helping them both discover and realize their dreams. Goodwill Industries of Michiana President and CEO Debie Coble shared that it was through working with these Boston immigrants that Helms came up with the idea for Goodwill, founding the nonprofit organization in 1902.
McColly Bennett Commercial Advantage brings together three great minds to grow local communities
Managing Partner of McColly Bennett Commercial Advantage Jeff Bennett started working in real estate in the early ‘80s in Kankakee County, Ill. and owned a company called Bennett Commercial Real Estate. Although the company worked with commercial real estate, Bennett developed an interest in residential real estate, leading to the creation of a residential division.
Korellis' employee-focused workplace creates long-term success
Korellis is one of the Region’s greatest small-business success stories: a local business that grew to become synonymous with roofing in Northwest Indiana. Its reputation was earned through over 60 years of excellent work on countless projects and landmarks that dot the area’s landscape – work made possible by consistently following a core philosophy to be a world-class employer.
TCU celebrates 90 years
As the country plunged into economic depression after the stock market crash of 1929, ending a decade of growth that defined the Roaring ‘20s, a historic beginning was happening in South Bend. A group of teachers, looking to make ends meet during the summers when they were not teaching, pooled their savings together. A tin can would hold the savings – $10 in total – and would be stored at the house of local math teacher Harold Blanchard.
The women of Oak Partners look forward to going to work because of passionate and collaborative environment
While the finance industry has long been male-dominated, more and more women are pursuing the field than in years past. Women have increased their pursuits of this field for a variety of reasons. Some, like Wealth Advisor, Bridget Shoemaker, find fulfillment out of having a direct impact on the lives of others. Others, like Advisor Stacey Fargo from Oak Partners, want to teach without being a teacher through educating people on ways to retire and use money.
Domino's Pizza offers solid careers, ample opportunity for job growth
With new locations popping up left and right around Northwest Indiana, Domino’s Pizza is growing and ready to bring interested employees along with them to take advantage of the many opportunities available.
Jim Gronemann, owner of the Domino’s Pizza in Hobart that successfully opened in August 2020, wants community members around the Region to be aware of how much Domino’s Pizza is developing and how jumping on board is a great idea. Most recently, Domino’s Pizza hired seven new district managers and is planning to continue hiring more. Acting as the bridge between employees and store owners, district managers are able to bring new employees into the stores while also voicing concerns and ideas of existing employees.
Horizon Bank celebrates official opening in Gary with ribbon cutting
After beginning the process of pinpointing the location and negotiating the transaction two years ago, Horizon Bank held a ribbon cutting ceremony at its new branch in Gary to celebrate its official opening on April 4. The newly remodeled facility had a soft opening a few weeks ago, and Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Craig Dwight is happy to have discovered a location that suits Horizon Banks’ needs.
Overhead Door Company of Northwest Indiana™ recognizes 2020's standout employees
Overhead Door Company of Northwest Indiana ™ recently honored their standout employees from 2020. With the COVID-19 pandemic posing a unique challenge to both their business and their customers, their team continued to meet the standards of excellence that made them the trusted name in garage door replacements, maintenance, and repairs in Northwest Indiana.