After a long successful corporate career in the automotive industry, Jeff decided to retire from the industry and chase his dream of business ownership. Jeff had long envisioned operating a food truck, providing high-energy customer service, and selling high-quality cheesesteaks and breakfast sandwiches – a tribute to his beloved hometown of Philadelphia.  

Transitioning from the business world into entrepreneurship is complex. Jeff contacted the Indy Chamber and connected with a business coach at the Central Indiana Women’s Business Center (CIWBC). And even though the center is designed to assist women entrepreneurs, Jeff found the tools and resources he was looking for. “It boosted my confidence,” he says, “it’s so imperative to have someone in your corner when you’re first starting out.” Through his coaching, Jeff learned about the benefits of Indy Chamber membership and became a member to better connect with the local business community and increase his visibility. 

Jeff purchased a food truck and was able to negotiate and secure a matching trailer. He acquired the necessary accounts and permits and passed all of his inspections. Jeff had the trailer wrapped with his new logo and name “Philly Eggles” and planned his first event – providing over 300 sandwiches for women and children at Wheeler Mission. He wants his food truck to not only be a source of nourishment, but a vehicle to give back to the community, which is deeply meaningful to him.  

Jeff’s family calls food his love language. Jeff says he wants to cook good food and make people happy. He looks forward to making Philly Eggles a staple around Indianapolis and says having access to a business coach is very valuable. “I’m very grateful for the partnership and the array of resources that were offered to me.” 

To book Philly Eggles for your next event: 

Facebook: Philly Eggles 

Instagram: @phillyeggles.2025 

TikTok: @phillyeggles   

Empowering women entrepreneurs with insightful keynotes and dynamic speakers.

Ind. (Feb 10, 2025) — The Central Indiana Women’s Business Center (CIWBC), a program of the Indy Chamber, is thrilled to announce the keynote speaker and an exceptional lineup of speakers for the 2025 Women in Business Retreat presented by Hirons. This premier event will bring together women entrepreneurs, business leaders, and professionals for a day of inspiration, networking, and actionable insights.

Tammy Butler Robinson, CEO of Engaging Solutions, will be the keynote speaker, sharing her powerful journey of leadership, entrepreneurship, and advocacy. With a background spanning state government, urban planning, and business development, Robinson has built a legacy of breaking barriers and opening doors for women and underrepresented communities.

“The retreat is about empowering women with the resources, connections, and inspiration to build and grow their businesses,” said Melanie Raney, CIWBC board chair and Senior Manager of M&A and Business Development at AES Indiana. “Tammy Butler Robinson’s story embodies the perseverance and excellence that define women in business today.”

The event will also feature engaging sessions with an impressive slate of speakers, including:

“The CIWBC is committed to providing entrepreneurs and professionals with the tools and support they need to succeed,” said Stephanie James, Director of the CIWBC. “This retreat is an opportunity to learn from and connect with some of our community’s most accomplished leaders.”

The 2025 Women in Business Retreat will take place on April 24 at the Alexander Hotel in Indianapolis. Attendees will have the opportunity to engage in thought-provoking discussions, gain valuable business insights, and expand their professional networks.

Tickets are available now here or at IndyChamber.com.

Ind. (Nov. 19, 2024) — The Indy Chamber is pleased to announce that nominations are now open for the Jacqueline Troy Inspired Fund, a program dedicated to supporting women entrepreneurs in Central Indiana. Named in memory of Jacqueline Troy, former director of the Central Indiana Women’s Business Center (CIWBC), the fund champions female entrepreneurs by providing essential resources, financial support, and networking opportunities to help grow their businesses.

“The Jacqueline Troy Inspired Fund embodies Jackie’s legacy of empowering women entrepreneurs to pursue their goals and make a positive impact on the community,” said Stephanie James, Director of CIWBC. “By honoring her memory, we continue her work of connecting women with the resources they need to succeed.”

Since its founding, the fund has provided critical support to female entrepreneurs, including 2024 awardee Sarah Kendrick, founder of RHEA Services. Recognized for her dedication to community impact, Sarah established her business to help families honor the legacies of their loved ones.

“The Jacqueline Troy Inspired Fund has been invaluable in allowing me to reach more families and grow my business. The support from CIWBC has been a game-changer,” Kendrick shared.

Winners of this prestigious award will be celebrated at the annual Women in Business Retreat in April 2025, where they’ll join a community of accomplished women leaders and innovators. In addition to complimentary attendance to the retreat and financial support, the Jacqueline Troy Inspired Fund provides winners with promotional marketing services to help amplify their mission and attract further community engagement. Each awardee is selected for their commitment to community and entrepreneurial spirit, embodying the values Jackie Troy championed.

“Through the Inspired Fund, we are not only honoring Jackie’s work but also creating a supportive network of women entrepreneurs who are transforming our community,” said Melanie Raney, CIWBC Council Chair and Senior Manager, M&A and Business Development at AES Indiana. “We invite all eligible women entrepreneurs to apply and join us in building a stronger, more inclusive business community.”

To learn more about the Jacqueline Troy Inspired Fund and submit a nomination, please visit Indy Chamber’s website.

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About the Indy Chamber

The Indy Chamber is honored to be named the 2021 ACCE Chamber of the Year for its hard work and dedication to the Indy Region. We serve as a voice of progress and improvement in the region, uniting business and community to maintain a strong economy and quality of life. Our advocacy efforts, networking events, economic development initiatives, and other member benefits position members, business leaders, and the community for success. Indy has what it takes to be a world-class region where innovation meets performance. The Indy Chamber is here to realize that potential to its fullest.

One of the most common issues a business owner will face is deciding when to expand and how to finance the expansion. Local entrepreneur Kelsey Rardon faced this very issue when she was evaluating the success of her business, Breathing Space Yoga + Meditation, which offers group and private yoga classes and well as meditation sessions.

As the owner of Breathing Space, Rardon manages the careful balance of steady financial growth and respect for the mission of the business: making yoga accessible and affordable to everyone who walks through her door. She accomplishes this through a pay-as-you-can pricing strategy. While it took some time to fine-tune, she’s found the best structure is to offer traditional membership packages while also providing an affordable drop-in rate. Pay-what-you-can is cash only and card charges are a flat $17. With this process, yoga classes become more like yoga communities because there’s no judgement on who’s a member or a first timer.

Kelsey has always listened to the needs of her customers. As more classes began filling up, she saw the need for a bigger space. Due to the lack of collateral that yoga studios have, traditional banks loans were difficult to attain. After submitting her business plan and application for a Business Ownership Initiative (BOI) small business loan, her dreams of expanding became a reality. Kelsey stated it was a “really incredible testament to this being exactly what I should be doing. Not just teaching yoga – but running a business.” The BOI loan supported her studio expansion and also allowed her to further her mission of accessibility within yoga through including plus sizes in her new retail space.

To other entrepreneurs, Kelsey says “you’ll find a way to make it happen if you’re passionate about it and if it’s meant to be. If it’s meant to happen and you’re doing what your purpose is, there’s no way you can fail or doubt yourself.” Kelsey is happy she took the jump to become a business owner, and she’s even happier that it was within the Indy area. To her, Indy is just big enough and just small enough that it has created an incredible community. She loves supporting local vendors and promoting them within her studio. To her, Indy is all about helping each other grow.

To learn more about Breathing Space Yoga + Medition, visit their website.

To learn more about BOI’s small business loan program, visit www.indychamber.com/lending.