Auburn Brewing Company says NE-ISBDC a major asset in success story

FORT WAYNE, Ind.—The Northeast Indiana Small Business Development Center (NE-ISBDC) is passionate about making our region the best it can be. The center focuses on helping small business owners succeed, and an outcome of this success is that communities flourish. Auburn is one such city that has reaped the benefits of the NE-ISBDC’s mission.

In late 2016, Josh and Emma Metcalf met with Nicole Heffelfinger, the business advisor who helped them in making their business, Auburn Brewing Company, operational. She was instrumental in providing statistics and other necessary data to help the Metcalfs develop a sound business plan. Nicole also provided the couple with critical market research and helped them complete appropriate documents to ensure quick loan approval.

Josh and Emma insisted their business meet a few unique criteria, including being located in a downtown historic building, and that they would support their community through this venture.

“We developed our ‘Beer 4 Good’ program to help give back to our community. Each year, our customers select three local nonprofits that we partner with throughout the year. We don’t have final numbers yet, but we donated over $16,000 to those partners in our first year of business,” explained Josh Metcalf. “The NE-ISBDC is a major asset to our company. They helped us secure essential financing, and our operational costs are in line with the plan we developed. We’re even exceeding our conservative sales numbers. I’ve sent numerous existing and hopeful business owners to work with the NE-ISBDC because my experience was so positive.”

“They’re really great people who love giving back to their community. Their story is really cool, too,” said Hefflefinger. “They were very adamant about purchasing and restoring a historic property because these buildings are an important part of any community.” Another way the couple gives back to the community is by their involvement in the Big Brothers/Big Sisters organization.

The NE-ISBDC works every day helping small business owners find success and see their potential. They also understand that starting a business is a big investment emotionally and financially, so most of the services they provide are free.

The NE-ISBDC is hosted by Purdue University Fort Wayne in the Division of Continuing Studies. See how they can help you by contacting their office at 260-481-0500.

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