Gov. Braun proclaims Small Business Week in Indiana, citing economic, community impact of entrepreneurs

Indiana Governor Mike Braun today issued a proclamation declaring May 5-9 Small Business Week in Indiana, celebrating the impact Hoosier entrepreneurs and small businesses have on the state’s economy and communities. Indiana is home to more than 569,500 small businesses that support more than 1.2 million Hoosier jobs.

“As a long-time entrepreneur and business owner, recognizing this week as Small Business Week in Indiana is a celebration I value firsthand,” said Gov. Braun. “Indiana’s entrepreneurs and small business owners work tirelessly day in and day out and have had a tremendous impact on the state’s economy as well as the neighborhoods and people around them. We are excited to recognize the commitment of not only these seven small businesses, but of all our Hoosier innovators that are setting the stage for a better future for Indiana.” 

Under Gov. Braun’s leadership, Indiana is focused on cultivating a robust entrepreneurial ecosystem. The state has been named No. 2 in the U.S. for starting a business by Forbes (2024) and was ranked as the No. 11 emerging entrepreneurial ecosystem in the U.S. in the latest Global Startup Ecosystem Report from Startup Genome. In June, Indiana will host 2025 Global Entrepreneurship Congress (GEC 2025), serving as only the second U.S. destination to host the event since the inaugural convention in 2009. 

“Small Business Week in Indiana is the perfect time to honor the contributions of our countless Hoosier entrepreneurs and small businesses and to showcase our commitment to accelerating Main Street innovation and entrepreneurship,” said Secretary of Commerce David J. Adams. “The seven businesses being recognized this week exemplify the spirit and the impact of Indiana’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, providing critical services for residents and contributing to the health and vibrancy of their surrounding neighborhoods.”

This week, the state of Indiana is recognizing seven Hoosier small businesses that have worked with the Indiana Small Business Development Center (SBDC), a program of the state’s Commerce Office, to start, grow or pivot their small businesses. These awards, presented in conjunction with the U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) National Small Business Week, honor the entrepreneurs' and small businesses' achievements and contributions to grow Indiana’s economy and strengthen communities across the state.

The 2025 honorees are:   

• Community Impact Small Business of the Year: Latimer Animal Hospital (New Albany) 
  Latimer Animal Hospital, founded by Dr. Matthew S. Latimer, provides compassionate pet care through services like preventative care, surgery and advanced diagnostics. Beyond veterinary work, Latimer Animal Hospital partners with nonprofits to support pet owners and the local community. The company recently broke ground on a new facility, enabling it to continue to grow as a cornerstone of pet care in the community. 
• Startup Small Business of the Year: Elite Primary Care and Wellness (New Albany) 
  Founded by Jessica McCartin, a family nurse practitioner with over 14 years of clinical experience, Elite Primary Care and Wellness Clinic was created to make healthcare more personal, effective, and empowering. Jessica blends the best of traditional medicine with functional, nutritional, and lifestyle-based approaches to deliver care that truly supports whole-body wellness. From routine check-ups and chronic condition management to preventative care and optimized wellness strategies, her direct primary care model is designed to help everyone feel their best—without the stress and limitations of the traditional system.  
• Rural Small Business of the Year: 51 Bridges CrossFit (Rockville)
  51 Bridges CrossFit in Rockville is more than a gym – it's a community inspiring health and wellness. After transforming their own lives through CrossFit, Jennifer and Mike Pendleton founded 51 Bridges CrossFit to help others do the same. The facility offers inclusive programs for all fitness levels, emphasizing functional movements and high-intensity workouts. 
• Innovative Small Business of the Year: EarthWise (Valparaiso)
  Co-founded by Scott and Annmarie Severson, EarthWise is a leading consulting firm specializing in sustainable environmental solutions for the dairy, municipal and industrial sectors. Its innovative Thriva system transforms dairy cow manure into high-nitrogen organic fertilizer helping clients lower manure handling costs while promoting environmental compliance. 
• Family-Owned Small Business of the Year: WF Meyers (Bedford)
  Established in 1888, WF Meyers has been a trusted name in the stone-cutting industry for over 130 years. Alex Barnes and his family specialize in custom diamond tooling to help clients maximize efficiency and precision. WF Meyers recently invested in new production technology, replacing equipment that was 25 years old while reducing energy consumption by 70% in the process. 
• Main Street Small Business of the Year: Fernando’s (Indianapolis)
  Cristiano and Elizabeth Rodrigues opened the first Fernando’s Mexican and Brazilian Cuisine location in Indianapolis in 2023. Since then, the business has flourished, leading the pair to expand to a second location. The menu features authentic dishes crafted with passion, showcasing the rich culinary traditions of both cultures. 
• Small Business of the Year: The Root (New Albany)
  The Root is a vibrant coworking hub that fosters productivity, collaboration and community growth. Founded by Brigid and Mark Morrissey, the building offers flexible workstations, meeting rooms, event spaces and more. Actively involved in the local entrepreneurial ecosystem, The Root’s impact is felt across the community through the many workshops, events and mentorship opportunities it offers

To learn more about the many resources available to Indiana entrepreneurs and small businesses, visit iedc.in.gov/entrepreneurship.