LEADING LOCAL LIVING
In the spring of 2012, we were walking around downtown Indianapolis looking for some place local for dinner. We threw out a restaurant name and Mel asked… Is it local?
That simple question became a much bigger conversation and our company Indiana Originals was born. When you see the badge, you know you are supporting local Indiana businesses. Apply for business membership today by clicking join and search our directory and download our free app powered by Freedom Foods. Indiana Originals… Leading Local Living.Search Indiana Locals
Studies consistently show that independent businesses return three to five times more money to their local communities than chains based out of state.
WE MAKE IT EASIER TO SUPPORT LOCAL, INDIANA OWNED BUSINESSES

INDIANA OWNED & OPERATED

Roots in our State

Originals and Franchises
Every business on IndianaOwned.com falls into one of two categories. They are either an “Original,” meaning the company is Indiana-owned and operated, headquartered here, and not part of an out-of-state chain, or they are a “Franchise Friend,” meaning the franchise is Indiana-owned and operated, the owner lives here in Indiana, and is engaged in our community. Our members are business owners who want you to know they live here, work here, and play here. They are the business owners donating food to shelters, sponsoring the little league teams, and employing hundreds of thousands of people in our state.
When you see the Indiana Owned badge, you know you are supporting a local business.
HOW WE'VE HELPED OUR MEMBERS

Jennifer RubensteinEdible Indy
"We are a member of Indiana Owned because our mission is to support locally owned businesses who put money back into our community while making direct impact to the people within the company. The importance of knowing you can trust an Indiana Owned member and the people who are at the helm creates a successful relationship long term."

Sandra DayPurple Ribbon Office Solutions LLC
"I love supporting local Indiana owned businesses and I am proud to be a Indiana Owned, women-owned business! Although Purple Ribbon is new to Indiana Owned, I love the strong communication between the members and the community engagement."

Beth RovazziniB&W Plumbing Heating Cooling and Drains
"Quality of life matters. The quality of life in a community is created and maintained by the people that live and work there. Local business hire local people to work in their businesses and to provide services to their business. Local is your community. Local businesses sponsor and participate in youth sports, parades and other events. If we don't support their businesses they can't support our communities."

Robert CarmackTwisted Sicilian Market & Eatery
"The movement towards local living is finally giving consumers what we want, local goods made right here in Indiana by our friends, family & neighbors. Being an IO member has put me in touch with several other local businesses for collaborations and has brought consumers looking to live local to my business."

Grace SimmonsMabel Grace Crafts
"Being a part of Indiana Originals has been a great experience for me. I love supporting local businesses and seeing the logo just marks that for me, as well as people who want to shop with me. I was actually featured on Indy Style at the suggestion of Mel with Indiana Originals. I would not have had that opportunity without them."

Eric KlinkowskiSmokEy Lights
"SmokEy Lights has lamp customers across the United States, but almost all of our business originates in Indiana through word of mouth. Being a member of Indiana Originals assures our fans that they are supporting a locally owned company that invests in their community and causes."

Melissa Stecher Hopeful Simplicity
"Being an Indiana Original lets me share locally for local lookers. Starting at home to help people in the community is always a focus for me and my business. We’ve got to help those closest to us and spread hope outward into the local community."

Dave MeekerBringing Technology to You LLC
"Before the pandemic, Indiana Originals introduced me to unique entrepreneurs that believe in creating stronger communities. During the pandemic, their 'Local Matters' podcast provided a unique 'on air' opportunity that led to 3 other media interviews. They offer many ways to participate in the community."

KJ McGlinn KJ Media Company
"Starting off as a new entrepreneur, Indiana Originals has helped me in learning how to market my business, network, and connect in meaningful ways to other local businesses so we can support each other."

Stephanie DailySend A Friend Lasagna
"I love being an Indiana Original! My favorite perk has been connecting with other Originals and being able to partner with them on specials that I've wanted to offer customers. We both get business, promote each other, and we're both supporting a local Indiana business. It's a win-win for everyone."

David GlennCoasterStone
"Indiana Originals connects me with local, like-minded business owners that share the same challenges and victories that come along with ownership. Mel is a huge support and has given us access to marketing opportunities we otherwise wouldn’t have. With her help, we even filled our office building exclusively with fellow Indiana Originals members."

Janet Fitzgerald SipeService Connections, Inc.
"I recently took advantage of a promotional offer for Indiana Originals Members. I am pleased to say a fellow Original took advantage of my “buy one, get one free” mystery shop and is now a regular client and improving their business. Thank you, Indiana Originals!"

Jenny FoxChef Jenny Fox
"Indiana Originals has been an integral part of me making the right connections! I had very few useful connections when I started my business. Mel has connected me to lots of people directly and indirectly that have greatly helped me in my business. It is always nice to know other people know your struggles and triumphs! "

Jenn KampmeierVino Mobile Wine Bar
"Indiana Originals is a platform that connects me with other small business owners. My company was one of the Charter businesses and I am very grateful to Mel for starting this company.
I highly recommend joining to connect with other local business owners."

Joana WadeJavAroma Roasters
"Indiana Originals is dedicated to highlighting and promoting Indiana businesses! As a small business owner, the market can be daunting because it is so competitive. Indiana Originals brings awareness to the importance of supporting local companies, which leads to creating a loyal customer base once they understand the story behind the products."

Dave VanWyeAmazing Hazels
"In 2016, Mel tasted my chili sauce and told me I needed to start selling it. She and her husband Lance took me under their wing and helped me turn my hobby into a business. Now my chili sauce is in 45 retail locations and I have added an award winning Bloody Mary Mix to my product line. Without Lance and Mel, Amazing Hazels would not exist!"

Kristina MazzaHoagies & Hops
"Small business owners face many challenges, including finding enough time to accomplish operating goals and while finding new ways to promote the business. As an IO member, I have been able to host two Originals mixers and advertise with Mel on the radio. Indiana Originals has helped me to showcase my brand and network with other Originals."

Cori DrudgeRuoff Home Mortgage
“How powerful to build a network of like-minded individuals! When I need a service provider at home, I prefer using someone local and I value the relationships with business owners in my community. Great local companies are just a click away. If you are an Indiana-based company, you need to be a part of this."

Denise PraulWhiteboard Learning
"Being a part of Indiana Originals brings so much exposure to my business. Mel has created so many opportunities for networking and PR for members. The member directory is invaluable. Whether I have personal or business needs I always check the Indiana Originals directory first. Supporting local business is so important."
BECAUSE SUPPORTING OUR NEIGHBORS' BUSINESSES MATTERS
FIND LOCAL NOWLOCAL INDIANA BUSINESS OWNERS BRING A LOT TO THE TABLE
Buying local is more than just a trend—it’s vital for healthy, thriving communities. Thriving communities are nurtured by local businesses. Buying from Indiana Owned businesses connects producers and consumers in a way that national chains don’t. We continuously look for ways to partner with national companies, but we always keep in mind that local ownership means roots in the community and influence in the decisions affecting our lives and our local environment.
LATEST BLOG POSTS
Indiana Gifts Presents the 2023 Father's Day Gift Guide
2023 National MED Week Call for Nominations is OPEN!
Nominate your favorite minority-owned business of a National MED Week Award!
LOCAL MATTERS WITH MEL MCMAHON | BIG GEORGE, THE GREEK ISLANDS RESTAURANT
We revisit an episode from 2021 with Big George of The Greek Islands Restaurant.
Indy 500 Insights: 5 Tips to Pack the Perfect Race Day Cooler
Pack the perfect cooler for your Indy 500 experience.
COMMUNITY EVENTS
Indiana Owned on Life.Style.LIVE!
Tune into WISH-TV8 and see Mel with our members on the Academy Award Winning Life.Style.LIVE! New features every month!
Adult Craft Class: Fairy Series (House and Walkway)
Join us for our Adult Fairy Series! In this session, participants will build a fairy house and a walkway.
"Meet Our Members" Quarterly Event at HC Tavern & Kitchen
Join us at the HC Tavern & Kitchen to meet our Indiana Owned members, learn more about why local matters, and what it means to be certified local.
Kids Craft Class
Get ready for some turtle-tastic fun! Keystone Location
BELONG TO OUR COMMUNITY
LEARN MOREWHY LOCAL MATTERS
Buying local is more than just a trend. It’s imperative for healthy, vibrant communities. Thriving communities are nurtured by local businesses. When dollars are spent locally, they are more likely to be recirculated locally, raising the overall level of economic activity, paying more salaries and building the local tax base.

ENJOY THE ECONOMIC BENEFITSWhen you spend your money with local businesses, you help pump money back into the local economy through taxes, payroll, and purchases. This means more money for our roads, education, health and wellness resources, other services, new jobs, libraries, and more. Most local business owners agree that money made in our community should stay in our community.
YOUR MONEY, YOUR COMMUNITYFor every $100 spent locally, at least $68 of that stays in the local economy. That means each dollar you spend at an independent business returns three times more money to your local economy than a dollar spent at a national chain. – Source: “The Multiplier Effect of Local Business Ownership” by consulting firm Civic Economics


THE IMPACT OF FRANCHISESFranchises are a very important contributor to the economy in Indiana. As a result of the franchise business model, 16,506 local businesses provide 189,000 jobs to the Indiana economy and account for $14.5 billion of the state's economic output, and $5.4 billion of private sector payroll. * Economic Impact of Franchised Businesses, Vol IV, Sept. 2016
CONNECT WITH NEIGHBORSBuying local connects producers and consumers in a way that national companies just can’t. Local ownership means roots in the community and influence in decisions affecting our lives and our local environment. The stronger the relationship between our residents and our job creators, the greater the opportunity for healthy, vibrant communities.


SUPPORT A HEALTHIER ENVIRONMENTIndependent, locally owned businesses typically consume less land, carry more locally-made products, and are located closer to their customers creating less traffic and air pollution. –Source: “Neighborhood stores: An overlooked strategy for fighting global warming” by Stacy Mitchell, Grist.