‘Meet & Greet’ held at Copper Still November 11

The Copper Still, 165 S. Main Street, Roanoke, was the location of the Huntington County Chamber of Commerce’s sixth entrepreneurial gathering ‘Meet & Greet.’ The event introduced two businesses that were begun by entrepreneurs Angie Carel and Stacy Callahan. The Copper Still served a delicious assortment of foods from their menu for those in attendance.

Steve Kimmel, executive director of the Chamber, began the evening by welcoming those in attendance and explaining the Entrepreneurial Leadership Council under the direction of the Chamber. He thanked The Copper Still for providing the food and drinks.

Kimmel said “The goal of the Council is to grow entrepreneurial wealth, and encourage more entrepreneurs to open businesses or to attract more businesses to open in our county.” He continued, “New businesses help to bring growth and development to the community with the support of residents and existing businesses; in other words, we together grow the community.”

Kimmel then introduced John Niederman, director of the Fortitude Fund through Elevate Northeast Indiana. Niederman explained the Fortitude Fund and its support of entrepreneurs. The Fortitude Fund offers entrepreneurs with businesses under five years old, $1,000 grants by application. To learn more or apply visit fortitudefund.com.

Angie Carel began the entrepreneurial ‘Meet & Greet’ speaking about her consulting business which involved Artificial Intelligence (AI). She explained a bit about AI and “how to use it.” Carel said that she spent two days per week for the last year learning about AI.

She explained, “Being in marketing I learned where AI could make my work more efficient.”

She now has clients that say this works well in marketing and other areas. She does broad-level consulting in AI for those requesting her consulting skills. Visit her website for more information at www.angiecarel.com or email her at angie@angiecarel.com.

A panel discussion through Fortitude Fund AI, Making AI Work Smarter not Harder, will be held November 21 at 6 p.m. Four speakers will be a part of the AI for entrepreneurs discussion at the Northeast Indiana Innovation Center (NIIC), 3201 Stellhorn Road, Fort Wayne. Tickets are free and available here,

Stacy Callahan, owner, then spoke about the beginnings and success of Ella Chic Boutique, 247 N. Main Street, Roanoke. She explained that her storefront has been open in Roanoke for four years and features clothing for women from XS to 3X. She also has additional clothing and gift items for girls.

Callahan’s business began in 2016 starting her boutique with racks of clothes in her living room. From these pop-up shops, she moved the business into a boutique truck in 2017. Callahan purchased a former Fed Ex truck and completely renovated the inside to accommodate her business. She traveled to many events including Shipshewanna, Indiana.

A website was built and Ella Chic Boutique moved to Roanoke. It was located upstairs in a building just across the street from her present location. Callahan moved the business to the current location, and grew the business 68 percent in 2021. It is an online and storefront women’s boutique carrying the “chic-est of clothing.” Callahan wants you to “feel good and look great!”

If you are an entrepreneur, aspiring entrepreneur, own your own business or thinking about starting a business consider attending the next ‘Meet & Greet.’ For more information contact skimmel@huntington-chamber.com.