Beyond the Award: Meet the 2026 Jacqueline Troy Inspired Fund Honorees
The Jacqueline Troy Inspired Fund honors the legacy of Jacqueline Troy, former Director of the Central Indiana Women’s Business Center (CIWBC). Jackie was a brilliant and passionate leader for CIWBC with a servant’s heart and a bias toward action. Her accomplishments included securing hundreds of thousands of dollars in grant funding for regional small businesses, providing countless hours of one-on-one coaching, and championing women entrepreneurs throughout the Indy region.
For 2026 Jacqueline Troy Inspired Fund honorees Ravan Carter, owner of Bag-ish, and Arianna Cruz, owner of MORE Magazine, the awards represent more than financial support. They’ve provided encouragement, visibility, and opportunities to continue building businesses rooted in purpose and community.
Ahead of the 2027 JTIF application cycle, Ravan and Arianna reflect on their entrepreneurial journeys, the impact of receiving their awards, and what Jackie Troy’s legacy means to them.
Ravan Carter, Bag-ish, 2026 JTIF Inspire Winner
How has receiving the 2026 JTIF Award impacted your business journey?
Receiving the JTIF Award made me feel seen. I have such a love for Bag-ish and a big vision for what it can become, but sometimes I wonder if other people can see the potential and impact that I see. Being named a finalist, and ultimately receiving the award, felt like confirmation that this idea is needed and worth continuing to build.
The award has also given me the opportunity to keep growing. I’ve been able to do more events and have started working on upgrades and improvements to The Bag and the Bag-ish website. It has given me resources to invest in the business while continuing to figure out what the next version of Bag-ish can look like.
What advice would you share with an entrepreneur considering applying for the 2027 JTIF Awards?
Apply! I definitely didn’t feel like I was “ready.” I tend to approach opportunities with the mindset of, “What’s the worst that can happen? They tell me no.” When I heard about the award, my first thought was honestly, “How cool would it be to receive an award that honors Jacqueline?” So I applied and kind of forgot about it.
Don’t count yourself out before anyone else has the opportunity to count you in. Your business doesn’t have to be perfect or have everything figured out. And if there’s a video involved, just do it, even if you’re a little awkward in front of the camera like me.
What does the legacy of Jackie Troy mean to you as an entrepreneur leading a woman-owned business?
This award is especially meaningful to me because Jackie was part of my Bag-ish journey from the beginning. I remember sitting with her and hearing that what I was planning for Bag-ish was too all over the place. She challenged me to really think through the operations and figure out how all of the pieces would work together.
What Bag-ish has developed into is, in part, a direct result of those early conversations with her. To now receive an award that carries her name feels incredibly full circle. I get to carry a piece of what she poured into me forward as I continue building Bag-ish, and that means more to me than I can really put into words.
Arianna Cruz, MORE Magazine, 2026 JTIF Impact Award Winner
How has receiving the 2026 JTIF Award impacted your business journey?
Receiving the 2026 JTIF Award has been incredibly meaningful for both me personally and for MORE Magazine. Building a business rooted in community, purpose, and access can sometimes feel like an uphill journey, so having our work recognized in this way has been a powerful reminder that the mission behind MORE truly matters.
MORE stands for Making Opportunities Reachable for Everyone, and that mission influences every decision we make. This award has given us not only validation, but also greater visibility and confidence to continue creating opportunities for our community. It has reinforced the importance of telling stories that matter, creating spaces where people feel seen and valued, and building a company that puts people first.
Most importantly, the award has reminded me that entrepreneurship isn’t just about building a successful business. It’s about building something that can create a lasting impact beyond yourself. For MORE, that means continuing to grow while staying deeply connected to the people and communities we serve.
What advice would you share with an entrepreneur considering applying for the 2027 JTIF Awards?
My biggest piece of advice is: apply, even if you don’t feel completely ready.
As entrepreneurs, we can spend so much time questioning whether we’ve accomplished “enough” or whether our business is far enough along to be recognized. But your story, your impact, and the work you’re doing in your community have value.
When applying, I would encourage entrepreneurs to be honest about their journey. Don’t just focus on the numbers or the highlights. Share the why behind your business, the challenges you’ve overcome, the people you’ve impacted, and the vision you’re building toward.
The application process itself can also be an opportunity to pause, reflect, and recognize how far you’ve come. Even before you receive an award, putting your story into words can remind you of why you started in the first place.
What does the legacy of Jackie Troy mean to you as an entrepreneur leading a woman-owned business?
To me, Jackie Troy’s legacy is about creating opportunities that extend far beyond yourself. As a woman entrepreneur and the founder and CEO of MORE Magazine, I understand that building a business is not just about creating something of your own—it’s about creating something that can make a difference in the lives of others.
Jackie’s legacy reminds me of the importance of making opportunities reachable for the next generation of women. That idea is at the heart of MORE Magazine and our mission: Making Opportunities Reachable for Everyone. We believe our voices and stories have the power to spark conversations, inspire action, and create pathways for people to pursue more for themselves, their communities, and the world around them.
I hope my own legacy reflects that same spirit. I want MORE to be a platform that not only celebrates women, but actively creates space for them to connect, grow, be seen, and access opportunities they may not have otherwise found. Jackie’s legacy challenges me to think beyond what I can build for myself and focus on what I can help build for others. To me, that is the true power of entrepreneurship.
