Local businesses featured in entrepreneurship yearbook

From left Dan Robison, Isabel Ponce, Nadia Herrera, Joe Rust, Raquel Pasillas and Alexis Bustos attends the launch of the 2024 Entrepreneurship Yearbook in Indianapolis by the Indiana Economic Development Corp. last week.

Submitted Photo | Dan Robison

Morgan Allen, the entrepreneurial ecosystem director with the Indiana Economic Development Corp., , left, Nadia Herrera and David Watkins, vice president of entrepreneurship and small business with the IDEC pose for a photo with Herrera’s feature.

Submitted Photo | Dan Robison

Morgan Allen, left, Raquel Pasillas and David Watkins pose for a photo with Pasillas’s feature in the yearbook.

Submitted Photo | Dan Robison

Jackson County is in the spotlight regarding successful entrepreneurs featuring three local businesses and SPARK Jackson County in Indiana Economic Development Corp. 2024 Entrepreneurship Yearbook.

This annual publication recognizes the state’s successful entrepreneurs and their impact on the economy. In the yearbook, NH by Nadia Herrera, Seymour Protein Zone, Guardian Bikes and SPARK Jackson County were featured.

“The Indiana Economic Development Corp. has worked very hard to create and connect a robust ecosystem of entrepreneurship support organizations (ESOs) throughout the state.” said Dan Robison, executive director of the Jackson County Chamber and SPARK Jackson County. “It was an honor to have four Jackson County businesses/organizations featured in the 2024 Indiana Entrepreneurship Yearbook. Through the SPARK initiative, we are working to make Jackson County the No. 1 county in rural Indiana to start a new business. It was an honor for SPARK Jackson County to be featured in the yearbook, considering that we only launched the initiative a little over a year ago.”

Seymour resident, Nadia Herrera Luna, started her business earlier this year to assist Hispanic and Latino families in planning a long-standing tradition in that culture, Quinceaneras.

NH by Nadia Herrera offers comprehensive packages including dresses, crowns, jewels, bouquets and more.

According to the yearbook article by Terri Procopio, Herrera has already booked 10 Quinceanera’s for 2024. After a friend encouraged her to enter the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce’s SPARK Tank pitch competition, she was awarded $10,000 to start her dream business.

For Guardian Bikes, California-raised Brian Riley and his partner Kyle Jansen, found their spark after bringing their business concept to the investor panel on Shark Tank. They found a partner in Mark Cuban and Guardian Bikes was launched in 2016. The duo moved the company to Austin, Texas, for two years before settling in Seymour after deciding to bring their manufacturing operations to the U.S. from China in 2022.

“I’m honored I had the privilege of representing Guardian Bikes and Seymour, IN in the 2024 Entrepreneurship Yearbook,” Riley said. “It’s a testament to all of the brilliant work that our teams in Indiana and across the country do to make Guardian Bikes successful.”

Since its start, Guardian Bikes has grown to 130 workers and produces seven different children’s bike models and plans to introduce a line of adult bicycles later this year.

Seasoned entrepreneur Raquel Pasillas previously owned a well-established bakery before deciding to close it at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic to spend more time with her family.

After taking a trip to Illinois and learning more about protein products and supplements, she built upon her loyal customer base and launched Seymour Protein Zone in 2020.

Seymour Protein Zone creates and sells protein-based items such as shakes, smoothies, waffles and more. She also carries vitamin B-12 energy drinks and various healthy tea options. Pasilla’s said her goal in the next five years is to open Seymour Protein Zones in two additional locations.

She now mentors future entrepreneurs through the SPARK Amigos program assisting small business owners in the Latino community.

“I am truly honored for my business to be recognized this year,” Pasillas said. “A heartfelt thank you to the chamber for all the support you’ve given to small businesses, and to the community for four incredible years of support. This achievement wouldn’t have been possible without all of you!”