The recommendation from regarding applicants for the 2010 Ernest G. Mishler Community Service Award required a staple once listing the qualifications of Erin Smith finally came to a close.  Longwinded answers made it so four pages were needed to adequately respond to six questions pertaining to Smith.  It could have been more.  Who knows?  Maybe Jill Bode of Designed Write Public Relations, the person responsible for signing Smith’s praises in eye-grabbing blue type, was looking out for the trees.

More accurately, she was looking out for Smith, owner of The Stitch Smith in Greenwood the past nine years and one of the true movers and shakers when it comes to business being conducted between the boundaries of Johnson County.

And as anyone who knows Smith will bear out, the wheels never stop turning.  When it comes to The Stitch Smith, a custom embroiderer and screen-print apparel company used by businesses looking to add muscle to their image, Smith never ceases to have ideas bouncing around inside her head.

Smith wasted no time entrenching herself in all things Johnson County after her husband’s job transfer brought the family to Greenwood from Murfreesboro, TN, in April 2001.

“I started The Stitch Smith because my family got relocated here.  I interviewed for other jobs and I realized that with two small children I didn’t want to be away from home,” she says.  “I researched for about six months looking for a business I could run from home.”

Over the nine years that have passed, Smith’s business savvy and confidence gradually increased, table-setters for the bold new avenues The Stitch Smith now travels.

“I would call myself a progressive entrepreneur.  I began adding pieces to my company, and in 2009 I met my business partner, Susan McCarty, who runs Franklin Printing.” says Smith.  “She was in need of a sales person and I was in need of revenue.  We put our heads together and co-branded and co-marketed our companies and both of us had our best years ever.”

Therefore, if one scours the Internet in search of information regarding The Stitch Smith, they’ll locate it beneath the title of Spotlight Strategies (spotlight-strategies.com) along with contact information for Franklin Printing.  The two companies will have officially merged by the end of 2010 to become Spotlight Strategies.

“What we’re best at is helping our customers with a marketing problem or opportunity.  From a community standpoint, I love people and am genuinely interested in what they’re doing.  The Stitch Smith is still a pretty important part of the business.  Definitely a core part.  However, when the market changes, your business adjusts,” says Smith.  “In the next five years we want to be one of the top five players in central Indiana when it comes to the services we provide.”

Among them, she says, are business printing, image apparel, promotional items, signage and corporate gifts.

This, like the majority of business ventures, is a roll of the dice for both women.  Yet since accomplishment breeds assurance, the person who came to Johnson County nine years ago not knowing a single soul, enters this exciting phase of her work career with no apprehensiveness whatsoever.

“I’ve had a lot of people who have been very tentative because so many business relationships have failed,” says Smith.  “But I will say I’m a risk-taker and once I set my sights on something, rarely do I veer from that path.  I’m just very determined to succeed.  Life is short.  You make positive of what you can today and that propels you forward.”

Bode, for one, marvels at the way Smith has so tightly embraced Johnson County, especially considering the latter had never so much as set foot here prior to 2001.

“Erin moved to this community and just loved living here from the start.” says Bode.  “She is just a very driven person who doesn’t care for failure.  And she has such talent for bringing out the best in people.”

Q-AND-A’s WITH SOME OF THE AREA’S LEADING WOMEN

Name: Susan McCarty

Job Title: President

Company name: Franklin Printing

Company address: 170 East Commerce Drive, Franklin, IN 46131

Family: I have an awesome husband of 25 years and business partner, Drew, an adult son, Travis McCarty, who is a student in college studying high performance engineering, and an adult daughter, Heather Falks, who is married, a student in law school, and mother of my 2 grandchildren, Hunter and Peyton Falks.

Educational background: IUPUI – Liberal Arts and Business

Employment background: I began my entrepreneurial journey in the early 80’s earning my Real Estate Broker’s license and working in our family real estate business getting my first experiences with asset management, business finance and administration.  In the late 80’s my husband, Drew, and I started, operated and after 6 years sold our first company, Meditech.  Following that successful venture we concluded we enjoyed working together and decided in the mid 90’s to start another company in a different industry – printing!  We started this company in the garage of our home, expanding quickly into a small warehouse with retail frontage then tripled our size through the acquisition of Franklin Printing.  We are now located in a modern building that we own and have exciting plans for more growth in the coming year.

Organizations: Greater Greenwood Chamber of Commerce; Franklin Chamber of Commerce: National Association of Women Business Owners: Community Church of Greenwood; Metropolitan Indianapolis Board of Realtors: National Association of Realtors; Graduate; Leadership Johnson County.

What do you like most about your job or career field?  I enjoy watching my staff work with clients through the entire creative process.  Beginning with the initial design conception, through refining and proof analysis, to witnessing the first images coming off the equipment, and finally in bindery watching as it all comes together.  There is no greater joy for an employer than to witness the smile on my staff’s faces as they deliver product they are proud to have produced to a satisfied customer!

What are the biggest challenges you face?  For over 63 years Franklin Printing has been known in Johnson County as a full-service commercial printing company.  Over the past two years, through our partnership with The Stitch Smith, we’ve expanded our production capabilities and services to include embroidered image wear, promotional products, signs and screen printing.  The re-branding of our image and offerings, expanding the awareness to our current and future customers is my biggest challenge in this coming year.

How would you characterize your leadership philosophy or style?  It is my belief that what will define me as having been an effective leader is more a matter of significance.  The significant difference my life can make in the lives of others.  The hearts and lives of those I’ve come across in my personal and business interactions who are in some way better because of the way I lived and lead should be a testimony to the biblical leadership principles I strive to embody.  “For out of the overflow of ‘her’ heart ‘her’ mouth speaks.” Luke 6:45.

What leader do you most admire or try to emulate? Why?  I struggle with this question because I admire many leaders in different aspects of their character, ability to effectively influence and leadership philosophy.  If pressed I’d say I greatly admire the witness of Christian faith and effective leadership Tony Dungy consistently demonstrated to a watching nation.  I don’t try to emulate anyone in particular, rather I’ll reference the quote from Ralph Waldo Emerson “Do no go where the path may lead; go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.”

Has the perception of women in leadership roles in business changed in the last 20 years?  If so, how?  Certainly I believe the positions women hold in business leadership has evolved over the past 20 years.  In my own personal experience I know I witness more females participating in and leading professional organizations and boards.  Women are also more prevalent in high level management and finacial negotiations than I experienced starting out.  As a member of the National Association of Women Business Owners I am frequently reminded of our growth, empowered regularly by fellow colleagues and encouraged to mentor the next, even larger, generation of strong, effective female leaders – my daughter to be one of them!

What is your advice to fellow business leaders in these difficult economic times?  Everyone has their own story, resources and baggage, so there is no ‘one answer fits all’ or ‘feel good’ platitude I can share.  What works for me is founded in the Christian principles by which I guide my life.  I lift my head and tell my heart to live by faith and not by sight.  I attempt to do my part with excellence daily, persevering in midst of some very challenging circumstances, trusting in prayer to God the details I cannot control.

What do you do when you’re not working (hobbies, community involvement, etc)?  I have a passion for my leadership service in a Christian women’s ministry.  The hours I spend weekly studying the bible, shepherding, sharing and praying with other women from all walks of life is priceless.  The energy I have left is then multiplied in my relationship with three fellow businesswomen, Erin Smith, Jill Bode, and Deb Walton.  The mighty foursome formed “The Savvy Dames”, combining our talents, connections and resources to organize and participate in fundraising events supporting organizations in our community for which we all have a passion:”An Affair to Read” benefiting The Greenwood Public Library; “An Afternoon at the Oscars” benefiting our own Woman’s Leadership Scholarship for the Leadership Johnson County program, Habitat for Humanity’s “Mystery Breakfast” and numerous functions with the National Association of Women Business Owners.

What famous leader, living or dead, would you most like to meet and why?  Moses.  I studied the book of Exodus and the life of Moses last year and was amazed at the leadership lessons I learned with practical application in my present-day personal and business responsibilities and challenges.  What a colorful life Moses led-what a fantastic leader he was to the nation of Israel.  I would love to hear him recount his adventures and lessons first hand!

Spotlight-Strategies (parent entity of Franklin Printing and The Stitch Smith) would like to recognize a special customer, Haven and challenge you to give of your HEART this Holiday Season.

The holiday season is upon us and for most it brings comfort, warmth, abundance and the love and support of family. But for many single women it is marked with reminders of all that was lost, and or lacking and a life of struggling is magnified.

Recent studies indicate the fastest growing demographic of homelessness in the U.S. is single women with children. A startling statistic that hits close to home considering, in 2006 alone, 32% of babies born in Johnson County are born to single mothers.

Ask any of these single women what they need most and the response would be, not judgment, pity or a hand-out. Empowerment, encouragement and enrichment, an opportunity to create for themselves, and their children, a life of hope and promise represents their heart’s desire.

Finding yourself single and or single-with-children can be devastating as well as paralyzing. But with a little help the lives of women and children can be transformed. Enter in Haven, A Sanctuary for Women.

Haven’s unique mission and vision is to enable single women to form a healthy relationship with Christ and their community while actively using their gifts to benefit others. It bridges generations and does not discriminate with regard to age, race or socioeconomic status thereby delivering care and support to the women who need it most. Haven plans to build a community to help get these women back on their feet. With the support of our staff, volunteers, and each other, women will regain hope and the ability to see a renewed future!

Consider ways to Give your heart away this season to impact lives throughout the year.

Action steps you can take now:
Go to havenwomensministry.org to learn more about the needs of this unique ministry.
Choose to make an impact here in your community:
Give financially. (Haven has identified land to purchase, an architect with housing plans for the community, and a builder.)
Give your time. Volunteer opportunities are plenty.
Give your resources. Do you have gifts and abilities and or resources that would enrich the lives of other women?
Link arms with a friend or friends to volunteer and multiply the impact. Spread the word.

Choose now to Give your heart and assist in the transformation of the lives of the women of Haven.

Indianapolis, September 25, 2009 – Erin Smith, owner of The Stitch Smith in Greenwood, has been chosen for Indy’s Best and Brightest in Retail, Manufacturing & Services.  On September 23, 2009, Indy’s Best & Brightest honored 100 of Central Indiana’s outstanding young professionals who are making their mark in and around Indianapolis.

 As winner of the Retail, Services & Manufacturing category, Smith will receive enrollment in the Lacy Leadership LEAD program and participation in a partnership with the Greater Indianapolis Progress Committee (GIPC). More at: http://www.indysbestandbrightest.com.

 Erin Smith has been part of the commercial embroidery industry for over eight years. Before starting her own company, she spent eight years in the competitive health care industry, eventually becoming director of a health-care facility. In addition to her professional accomplishments, Smith is a board member for Greater Greenwood Chamber of Commerce, NAWBO, Johnson County’s long-term disaster recovery program and the Johnson County council of the Builder’s Association of Greater Indianapolis.

 She is a passionate volunteer for Habitat for Humanity and also serves as an editorial advisory board member for EMB magazine and as an advisory board member for the Embroidery Trade Association.  Because of her experiences when she first started her business, she is emphatic about taking the time to mentor and educate small business owners.  Earlier this year, she was a finalist for the Indiana Commission for Women Torchbearer Award for Entrepreneurship.  She lives in Greenwood with her husband Trey Smith and their two sons Bailey and Benjamin.

 Junior Achievement of Central Indiana, Inc. is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization in affiliation with Junior Achievement Worldwide.  Its purpose is to educate and inspire young people to value free enterprise, business, and economics to improve the quality of their lives. More at:  http://www.jaindy.org/

Think again!

On September 30th spotlight-strategies.com orchestrated a unique “thank you” party to honor our current customers and create buzz to solicit new ones!

Over 75 of our customers were on hand mingling with one another and drinking sweet libations from Mallow Run Winery.

A big thank you to our PR Chick, Jill Bode who gathered video testimonials! These will be launched on our new website shortly. We found the testimonials to be entertaining and informational. Why exactly do you choose to use Franklin Printing and The Stitch Smith (creators of spotlight-strategies.com)? Most of our guests treasured our ability to listen and recommend products and services that will put them in the “spotlight with their customers”! That’s right, our genuine concern to make THEM standout was a highlight as well as our unique ability to make ordering easy and fun!

If you are a current customer reading and didn’t get a chance to stop by our Thank you Event, please let us know why you choose to do business with us!

WHEN SARAH PACE, the founder of Brooklyn, N.Y.,-based caterer Rabbit Mafia, wanted to devise a dining concept that would appeal to hungry, cash-strapped New Yorkers, she knew she’d need help. Pace’s plan was to revive the supper club, a Depression-era tradition that draws on chefs, bar tenders, musicians, promoters and a critical mass of popularity to gain traction in the community. Fortunately for Pace, the idea appealed to a lot of her friends, too.

Diners at Pace’s parties, which are held at least once a month at various Brooklyn eateries and event spaces, typically pay about $26 to $30 for a seat at her giant table. “It’s kind of like Thanksgiving dinner with a bunch of people you don’t know,” she says.

It might be more expensive, too. Feeding roughly 30 people three courses and plying them with cocktails, as well as entertainment for an entire evening, isn’t cheap. In the interest of keeping the entry fee low, Pace tapped into her network of friends and business contacts.

For help in the kitchen, Pace lassoed Suzanne Barr, a chef and the founder of Brooklyn’s Sweet Potato Bakery. She also regularly drafts a musician friend — preferably one with an album to promote. At Pace’s most recent event, which took place last week, the Brooklyn-based business incubator and event space Green Spaces offered to host the club at in its offices for free. A friend helped out with marketing. Vodka maker 44° North volunteered to prepare cocktails.

Rabbit Mafia’s Sarah Pace (pictured right) and Suzanne Barr from Brooklyn’s Sweet Potato Bakery team-up to cater a recent supper club. (Photo by T.I. Williams)
Teaming up is not a foreign concept to start-up business owners like Pace, who often have less capital and fewer resources than larger, more established firms. However, as the economy continues to soften, many small businesses — even those that have been around for decades — are not only trading services, but also combining forces, says Jeffrey Carr, the executive director of New York University’s Berkley Center for Entrepreneurial Studies.

According to the National Small Business Association’s mid-year Economic Report released in July, 27% of business owners surveyed said that they’re planning to use strategic alliances to expand their businesses over the next year.

That’s the idea behind Denver web technology company Akavit’s recent business trade-off. Rather than funneling thousands of dollars into an advertising agency for re-branding and a public relations firm to peddle its name, Akavit worked out bartering deals with its ad and PR firms, in which it will build their web sites in exchange for their services. Building a single web site can cost Akavit roughly $30,000 and take the firm as long as six months, but Akavit president and founder Rob Davis says the exchange is worth the company resources. “What we have them doing for us, we would have to pay an outside agency to do or hire someone to do it internally,” he says. “We are proactively helping grow business for ourselves by developing our brand without incurring the added costs.”

For other business owners, collaborating is more a matter of playing to their strengths. After witnessing a 50% drop in January sales this year, Erin Smith, the founder of the Stitch Smith, a custom embroidery and screen print apparel company in Greenwood, Ind., teamed-up with Susan McCarty, the founder of Franklin Printing, a nearby print shop with troubles of its own. Their plan included co-branding their companies and combining their manpower. Both firms continue to keep separate books. However, Susan now supplies the operational muscle behind both businesses while Erin hunts down sales. Together, the two owners were able to hire back a worker who had been laid off, and they’re on pace to increase their combined annual revenues by 15%, Smith says.

Similarly, last December, Kelly Elizondo, the founder of Sara Langley Designs, an accessories and handbag designer in Rome, N.Y., teamed up with graphic designer Jill Lenzi-Davis, the founder of Lemons & Limes, a paper shop in Fayetteville, N.Y., to jointly produce a line of stationery products. Under their pact, Lenzi-Davis designs the graphics, while Elizondo handles marketing and relationships with their wholesale clients.

Of course, efficiencies spring from sticking to what you do best. But saving on costs is the biggest reason for teaming up, Carr says. “Everyone is looking for more and more ways to get the most out of their limited resources,” he says.

To that end, Elizondo and Lenzi-Davis are also planning to share the costs of attending the National Stationery Show in New York City next spring. “It can be lonely forging ahead as an entrepreneur,” Elizondo says. “This joint venture has provided us with a way to not only manage costs and expenses but also bounce things off one another and tackle challenges together.”

Drew and Susan McCarty like being entrepreneurs more and more as the years go by. Their Franklin Printing Co. continues to grow, thanks to a strong referral business, some direct mail, an outside salesman and a commitment to sticking with what works.

“We don’t try to do what we can’t do,” Susan says.

That commitment to doing both what’s best for the company and its customers comes from experience. Back in 1994, Drew and Susan McCarty had to choose between growing their startup business or selling it. They had young children at home, and Drew had a good job at the General Motors plant in downtown Indianapolis, so they opted to take the money and run.

A few years later, Drew had tired of his job and Susan had an idea for a new business: printing. Her father, real estate consultant and author George Allen, needed a printer to produce forms and other materials for his business. The couple set some small presses in their garage and Printers Ink was born.

Business grew steadily and, in 2000, they purchased Franklin Printing, which had served the local businesses since 1947.

Franklin Printing specializes in business forms and the like, three-color work up to 30,000 copies or so. Bigger jobs are farmed out to other shops better equipped to handle them. The McCartys limited their equipment purchases largely to the pre-press end of the business, rather than tying up money on bigger newer presses to run the big jobs. They consolidated the entire operation under one roof.