Indy Connection Project

There is a lesson that every financially free person learns… And Evan Carmichael is passionate about teaching people this lesson. Your personal finances must become proactive, not reactive. Let’s check out what got him here though: Evan’s dream was to work in Sports, so naturally the Colts and Pacers were top picks being in the Indy area. Evan got an internship with the Colts selling season tickets. He was number one in ticket sales among the intern team, and felt good that a job offer would come when his internship ended. But like many others, COVID cut his internship short. He interviewed with several other teams to sell tickets, but there was no clear timeline for when fans would be allowed back in the stands. He decided to do something else , and found a job as a personal banker. For 18 months he worked with people coming in and out of the bank. For many of those people, it was too late. Their finances were in disarray. No plan. No goals. No direction. Evan wanted to do something about that. He started studying to become a Financial Advisor, which led him to Northwestern Mutual. I like to learn about people’s long term goals, and work with them to create a plan that helps them get there financially. One of the first people Evan worked with was a friend who was making $800 a month. His friend is now married with kids, has a strong career, and is saving for a home. He continues to help people learn how to be proactive with their personal finances. You should connect with Evan if: - You are a married couple who just purchased a home, or is working towards buying one. Evan is passionate about helping young families build a financial plan. - You are trying to pay down debt. The right strategy can make this go much quicker. Evan wants to connect with you if: - You are a business owner who excels at getting involved in the community. He wants to continue to be active and find more places to get involved. - You love personal development. He is looking to grow, and likes to hear of new ways and resources to do it. Connection Tip Evan is big on starting any new relationship with a call. He has seen how getting to talk to someone for 5-10 minutes has created lasting relationships. If you want to connect with Evan, reach out to him at 317-910-9758. #connection #indy #personalfinance

Will R. has several successful businesses. But he had to learn a few lessons to get to where he is today. In his first sales role, he quickly became a top producer. His income went up, but so did his bills. He started to feel trapped by his job. He needed the money, but felt that his role could be taken from him, despite his success. Lesson 1️⃣ : Taking Control of His Future He started working to live below his means and find a job he was in control of. He switched careers to a sales role where he was in control of his book of business. He made less money at first, so he dove into his work. He wasn’t home much, and when he was, he wasn’t present. He started closing deals, and again his income went up. No one told him where to be or when to work, but he still felt like all of his time was dedicated to his work. Lesson 2️⃣: Taking Control of His Time Even though he set his own calendar, his job still owned the minutes in his day. He started working on ways to make money that demanded less of his time. Things at home were not the best, and he and his wife had their disagreements. This typically lead him to working harder, and spending even less time at home. One day that changed when his wife said she was going to stay with her parents. He realized how his focus had been work, but really it was only ever a way to provide for the ones he loved. Lesson 3️⃣: Life is Only as Good as the People in It Will started working to restore his relationship with his family. He shared how hard this time was, but he said by the grace of God, things got better. The lessons that he learned have made him a better Husband, Father, Friend, and Businessman. You should Connect with Will if: 1. You are looking to leave a job to start a business on your own for the first time. He has started several successful businesses, and is happy to share about his experiences. 2. You struggle to be intentional with your life or marriage. Will has noted that his biggest change is his intentionality across all areas of his life. Will wants to connect with you if: 1. You are a business owner who balances scaling and delegating. He is looking to grow, and knows he has to hand more off to do that. 2. You are someone who has achieved freedom. Freedom looks different for everyone, but if you have defined what freedom in your life looks like, and made it happen, Will would love to hear how you did it. Will’s Connection Advice: Will had a hard time knowing where to meet people. He went to networking events and joined a social club, but felt like these connections lacked the depth that he wanted. If you don't know where to make connections, Will recommends to lean on your passions. Focus on meeting people through things you like. He noted that shared experiences, especially doing something hard, builds the best relationships. If can connect with Will here on LinkedIn, or email him will@legacyinsuranceent.com. #connection #whatthedogdoing #indy

One night Benjamin Bare was sitting on the couch and couldn’t ignore this realization: Relationships had taken a back seat to work in his life. He didn’t have a best friend, and only talked about work with his family. His dad once told him to “be the guy your employer can’t do without.” He had taken it too far, and was the first person in and last person out of the office, and averaged 70+ hours a week. So he made himself a promise. “I am not spending another birthday working 13 hours in an office.” At 34, he quit his job. He had no plan, but something had to change. He spent three months traveling, going to places like Florida, Guatemala, and Belize. He fished, beached it up, and did whatever he wanted. At 3:30 am one morning, while journaling, it hit him. He wanted to grow gourmet garlic. He loved cooking, and he wanted to help people get healthier. Garlic has immense health benefits, and upgrades the flavor of so many dishes. So he set out with a new passion, and grew 10,000 garlic plants in the first year by hand. -Planted each seed -Dug up each plant -Hung each plant to cure and dry -Cut all the stalks and roots -Peeled every clove of garlic He ended up getting carpal tunnel, but that did not stop him. He is still selling fresh raw garlic and garlic powders 3 years later. “I did not like who I was, and couldn't keep going with the status quo." “I had to make a change, even if financially I took a few steps back.” Mentally, emotionally, and relationally he is the healthiest he has ever been. His relationships with his family and friends are better than ever. But the relationships that has changed the most is his relationship with himself. Ben is excited to see how Taste Bud’s Garlic will grow, but has not been able to make it full time yet. He has gotten a job as a mortgage broker, so he can help people fulfill their dream of getting a home while nurturing the garlic business on the side. You should Connect with Ben if: 1. You are wrestling with what you want in life, and want to talk to someone else who was too, he would be happy to meet with you. 2. You are interested in garlic for the awesome flavor pop, for the health benefits, he can help you. 3. You are looking for a home, and value clear and consistent communication. He wants to help people by going above and beyond in their loan approval process. Ben wants to connect with you if: 1. You are a chef or someone who works at a restaurant that wants the highest quality garlic for their food. 2. You are a real estate professional looking for a mortgage partner with excellent communication. Ben’s Connection Tip: Follow up with questions rather than statements. The more that you know about someone, or what they are saying, the more likely you are to understand. Follow Taste Bud’s Garlic Here: https://lnkd.in/g_mhSTxZ Connect with Ben by emailing him tastebud317@gmail.com or texting/calling him (317)402-5286.

If you have a dream that you keep putting off OR If you feel drained from managing your companies social media Then you should connect with Macy Troyer. When Macy graduated from college, she started working in marketing for a real estate company. And she crushed it. Her company and clients were beyond happy with her work, and were very vocal about it. She had a great job, but was there more out there for her? After working in her job for two years, she knew it was time. She started taking what she had learned and excelled at, and crafted her own business plan. She began serving clients and learning what it means to be an entrepreneur as she went. And 4 years later she is killing it with her Company, Goaldy Social Media. Taking the lessons she learned along the way, she recently released her new book called “Ready, Mindset, Go” which helps people “Activate the mindset needed to go from wantrepreneur to entrepreneur.” You should connect with Macy if: - Your business needs a lifeline for your social media. She helps transform the social media for businesses that have been around for 5+ years and have clarity around their vision and goals. - You are a new or aspiring entrepreneur. Macy would be happy to help empower you to start your journey. Macy wants to connect with you if: - You are experienced in building out workflows and developing automated processes Macy’s Connection Tip: Make people feel happier or better about themselves when they connect with you. If you can engage with people and make them laugh or smile, they will want to be around you more and remember you. If you want to connect with Macy, add her on LinkedIn and send her a message! #connection #indy

If you are looking to start up your own business OR If you are looking to discover your identity and purpose Then you should connect with DeAndre Harakas After tearing his ACL during his sophomore of college football, DeAndre decided to give up playing football, but it didn’t stop his career in the sports world. He had an idea that would help coaches and athletes by improving the overall experience of being on a team. While he was playing college football, he had to use 4 or 5 apps on his phone. One for film, one for nutrition, one for messaging, one for scheduling. He wanted to develop a new app, to do all of this in one. He started creating a platform where coaches could interact with their players on multiple levels. Before he had graduated college, he had raised enough funding to create the first version of his app, and developed a team around him. And today after 4 years of work, All In Team Sports is an amazing platform that helps teams operate. You should connect with DeAndre if 1. You want to talk through what it takes to launch a start up. Specifically, how to pitch your product or ideas to investors, he is excellent at getting funding. 2. You are struggling to discover you who you are and what you want from life. Getting back to having the youthful excitement you experienced as a kid is possible, ask him how he has done it. DeAndre wants to connect with you if 1. People who are excellent with their personal finance. He wants to continue to grow in this area. If you would like to connect with DeAndre, follow him here on LinkedIn. #connection #indy

This post contains a personal story about Batch Ceesay and his mother’s battle with cancer. This can be a difficult topic, and want to be sensitive by providing a heads up for those who may get emotional with this topic. When Batch Ceesay was a sophomore in high school his Mom got diagnosed with Breast cancer. After chemo, surgery, and radiation, they were told that the cancer was gone a year later. Batch had the dream of playing college basketball since being a kid. Towards the end of his senior season, he thought his dream was coming true. He committed to playing college basketball. Two months later, right before he graduated high school, his mothers cancer came back. His dad worked and traveled often to provide for their family. Someone had to take his mom to treatments and appointments, and take care of his little brothers, who were 6 and 10. So when it came time for him to start his freshman year, and college basketball career, he made a different choice. He sacrificed his dream for the sake of his family, he stayed home. He continued to take care of his mom and brothers. After a year and a half fight with cancer, his mom passed away. His family was shook, but he continued to take care of his brothers. While many other college athletes were going to classes, practice, and games, he was taking his brothers to school, practices, and games. I asked him if it was hard taking his brothers to basketball when he had given up his chance to play. “It was very hard, but it was right. If I had to do it 100 times, I wouldn’t change anything about it. Going through it changed my life more than basketball ever would.” He shared some of the great outcomes he is thankful for -He built amazing relationships with his brothers -He learned how important family is in life -He feels ready and excited to be a parent -He found a new dream, and became a real estate agent You should connect with Batch if: -You are going through a hard time with a family member of loved one who is battling sickness or a cancer. He would be open to talking with anyone about this hard topic -You are looking for a real estate agent in Greenwood or the Indy area who is family focused. Batch wants to connect with you if: -You understand how to utilize Instagram and social media for business. Batch’s Connection Tip: Make it face to face as fast as possible. If you are looking to get to know someone, whether for business or personal reasons, meet them and get in front of them. Connecting and building a relationship will get much easier. If you want to connect with Batch, you can text or call him at 614-506-6419 or email him at bceesayrealestate@gmail.com #connection #indy

allyson GUTWEIN is the Executive Director for Discover Boone County, and has some of the most interesting experiences and stories. People who should connect with Allyson: Business owners who wants to capitalize on the tourism in their area -Monetize the visitors to you city or county -Go past single events, Attract visitors year round -Especially those in Boone County, see how at discoverboonecounty.com. People looking to change careers or start a business -Create a solid plan that gives you confidence in your goal -Build the belief in yourself and your abilities -Get connected to the right people to get started People who Allyson wants to connect with: People who are seasoned in tourism -People with experience in wedding tourism -Especially people with experience in sports tourism Anyone who is excellent at organizing their day -Master of batching and prioritization -Systematic with routines and rituals Allyson’s Connection Tip - Getting Face Time No she is talking about the video calls, but the importance of seeing people and meeting them in person. Interact with people, learn about them, and treat them in that makes you enjoyable to talk to. If you would like to connect with allyson, give her a follow and send her a message here on LinkedIn. If you want to stand out, or hear a great story, ask her about: -How her classes at Harvard are going 👀 -Being an 8x Indiana State Fair Floral Design Grand Champion 💐 -Being a Part of TedxZionsville ❌ #Connection #Indy

If you are a business owner, or a young woman, then Abbi Cassady would be an excellent person to connect with. People who should connect with Abbi 1. Business owners whose employees don't have HSAs, or other typical bank accounts. Abbi can help you get these accounts for all of your employees for FREE. (HSA, Savings, Checking) 2. Young women looking to kickstart their career. If you are looking for advice for the first few years and how to find great mentors, Abbi can help. People who Abbi wants to connect with 1. Anyone with extensive commercial real estate knowledge. Abbi offers commercial loans to businesses, and wants to continue to learn more about CRE. 2. Those who create relevant content that helps them leverage their LinkedIn. She would like to grow her ability to reach and convert her target customers on LinkedIn. Abbi's Connection Tip -- Quality over Quantity When Abbi started her career she was instructed to get 5 business cards at networking events. Now she tells her team to get one business card, but to be able to describe that person in depth. Having one real relationship is better than any number of surface level connections. If you want to connect with Abbi, send her a message here on LinkedIn. #Connection #indy

If you live or work in the Greater Indy Area and want to build meaningful connections, for personal or professional reasons, the Indy Connection Project will help you do so in the following ways: 1. Learn To Be An Excellent Connector Get strategies, guidance, and tips on how to make better connections with people. Go past their name and what they do, and really learn to go deeper with people you meet or already know. 2. Connect With Real People In Indy Each week get exposure to people in Indy. Learn about their lives, and get the chance to connect with them, both online and in person. Our lives get better when we build better relationships. #connections #indy