The Small Business Development Center provides Entrepreneurial Assessment, Free One-On-One Counseling, Small Business Development Products, Pre-Business and Business Planning workshops for those individuals who want general information on starting a business, or who are in the initial start-up phase. The SBDC helps existing small business owners sustain, grow, or exit their business. SBDC consultants can help with the details of turning plans into a successful reality.

West Central ISBDC Serves: Clay, Parke, Putnam, Owen, Sullivan, Vermillion & Vigo Counties.

Products & Services

• Business Consulting Services
• Business Valuation Assistance
• Business Financial Analysis
• Navigator: Business Plan Edition
• Industry and B2B Market Research
• ESRI Reports: Understand Your Customers & Markets
• Mystery Shopper Program
• Collegiate Management Assistance

Staff Highlight: Jackie Ruff

LGBTQ+-Owned Business Advisor

Jacqueline (Jackie) Ruff, the LGBTQ+-Owned Business Advisor at the West Central Indiana ISBDC, is an entrepreneur leveraging her wealth of experience from a decade-long tenure as the Owner/Operator/General Manager of Fifi's Lunch Box Inc. to empower current and future business owners throughout West Central Indiana. Jackie works closely with the Pride Center of Terre Haute to support the LGBTQ+ Business Coalition as well as to introduce innovative new opportunities such as Pride Pitch, a business pitch competition for entrepreneurs from the West Central LGBTQ+ community, and Rainbow Marketplace, community celebration and expo for LGBTQ+-owned businesses. Jackie is also serves as a lead facilitator for the recently-announced Pride in the Workplace Business Allyship Program - a collaboration between the Pride Center of Terre Haute and the West Central ISBDC.

Jackie holds a Bachelor's Degree in Technology and Industrial Development, an Associate's Degree in Business Administration, and was a member of the Students In Free Enterprise (SIFE) team which competed nationally during her college years. Beyond her professional accomplishments, Jacqueline is also passionate about animal welfare, community service, vinyl records from the 1970s to 1990s, traveling, cooking and spending time with family.

The West Central Indiana Small Business Development Center (ISBDC), housed at the Scott College of Business, was the proud recipient of a $1 million grant from the U.S. Small Business Administration's Community Navigator Pilot Program in late 2021. This grant facilitated the creation of the Intentional Outreach Network (ION), which is committed to providing essential outreach services to disadvantaged and underserved businesses in seven counties across West Central Indiana. The grant enabled the West Central ISBDC to hire business advisors and outreach representatives who are dedicated to offering support to LBGTQ+-owned, veteran-owned, Black-owned, rural-located and COVID-19 impacted businesses. The ION's goal is to close gaps in knowledge and opportunity so that all small businesses have a fair chance of success.

West Central ISBDC Staff Recognized

March 13, 2023

The West Central Indiana Small Business Development Center was recently honored by the State of Indiana for its outstanding impact in 2022.

Regional Director Courtney Richey was recognized for helping West Central businesses acquire over $8 million in capital and for helping to create the most full-time jobs of any advisor within the state. In addition, Intentional Outreach Network Rural Business Advisor Dave Bittner was recognized for helping clients achieve over $4 million in capital during the first year of the program. The team was joined by David Watkins, Senior Vice President of Entrepreneurship & Small Business for the Indiana Economic Development Corporation, and the Indiana SBA (Small Business Administration) District Director Stacey Poynter and Deputy District Director Martin Anderson.

“We are extremely proud of the impact Courtney Richey and her business advising team are having on local businesses,” said Dr. Terry Daugherty, Dean of Scott College of Business at Indiana State University. “They work very hard to make a difference within the community and I am pleased to see their efforts recognized by the State of Indiana.”

Said Richey: “We enjoy helping our clients thrive in business. This success stems from having an outstanding team and is in large part due to the support and infrastructure provided by Indiana State University.”

The West Central Indiana Small Business Development Center in the Scott College of Business at Indiana State University supports small businesses throughout the Wabash Valley at no cost by providing confidential business advising and training. In conjunction with the State of Indiana and the U.S. Small Business Administration, the WCISBDC helps Hoosier entrepreneurs and small businesses start stronger, grow faster, and work smarter.