Bloomington Chamber of Commerce
  • Membership
    • Business Directory
    • Become a Member
    • Benefits of Membership >
      • Interested in Membership
    • Levels of Membership
    • Member Portal & Materials >
      • Member Login
    • Chamber App
    • Connect Bloomington
    • Member Resources
  • Events & News
    • Signature Events >
      • Educator of the Year Nominations
      • WEB Nominations
      • Showcase Bloomington Exhibitor Page
    • Chamber Events Calendar
    • Sponsorship
    • Member News
    • Multimedia Gallery
    • Chamber News
  • Initiatives & Resources
    • Bloomington Women in Leadership
    • The Success School
    • Young Professionals Bloomington >
      • YPB Steering Committee
    • Business Resources
    • Job Board
    • Community Calendar
  • Advocacy
    • Advocacy Matters Updates
    • Legislative Agenda
    • Local Government
    • Advocacy Resources
  • About Us
    • Contact Our Team
    • Board of Directors
    • Press & Media
Member Login | Join Us!
Member Login | Join Us!

Ivy Tech student launches barbecue business in Entrepreneur program

3/28/2023

0 Comments

 
Picture
​Ivy Tech Community College Bloomington is accepting applications for the fall 2023 Entrepreneurship Certificate program, which helps students start and run their businesses in just three classes. Current student, Amber Racoma, started Mama Dukes Hawaiian Barbeque with her late mother’s recipes that she began learning as a teenager.
 
“I cook and serve Hawaiian barbecue food that the locals in Hawaii love to eat with aloha,” she said. “I quit my full-time job in September 2022 to pursue mine and mother’s dream.”
 
Racoma says the entrepreneurship program has helped her in numerous ways. “This course has provided me so many resources and tools to get my business launched,” she said. “I wasn’t expecting any of this, nor to launch until May.”

Since the first course, Racoma has obtained her LLC, earned her Food Protection Manager Certificate, got into One World Commissary that she learned about on an experiential field trip, and connected with other entrepreneurs. She is in the process of getting her license and additional industry certifications.
 
Currently, Racoma offers catering service and cooks hot lunches during the week. Her business can be found on Facebook and Instagram at Mama Dukes Hawaiian Barbeque.
 
Together with the Ivy Tech Bloomington Cook Center for Entrepreneurship and the Indiana Small Business Development Center, the Entrepreneurship program prepares students to get their business off the ground. “We partner to guide students through virtually any aspect of starting and running a business,” Sueann Graham, Ivy Tech Bloomington Garatoni School of Entrepreneurship & Innovation Program Chair said. “We also provide opportunities for funding.”
 
The program has assisted in the launching of numerous businesses across Indiana. “For those who did not start their business right away, they were able to secure a great position in a small business utilizing their entrepreneurial skills,” Graham said.
 
Ivy Tech’s Entrepreneurship program is offered in partnership with Regional Innovation and Startup Education (RISE), and students are provided resources and networking opportunities to launch a successful startup or grow an existing business. Classes begin Aug. 21.
 
For more information and to apply, fill out an online inquiry or contact program chair Sueann Graham at [email protected] or 812-330-6361.
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Share your news with us!

    Submit your news to the Chamber by the 12th or 28th of each month to be included in the bi-weekly Membership Matters emails.

    Event submissions will only be published once. Please consider submitting your event to the Community Calendar through your Member Portal. 

    Direct solicitations for sponsorships, paid advertising or political endorsements will not be included in any publication.

    All content in blog posts are submitted from Chamber members. 

    Submit Member News
    Archives

    Archives

    May 2025
    April 2025
    March 2025
    February 2025
    January 2025
    December 2024
    November 2024
    October 2024
    September 2024
    August 2024
    July 2024
    June 2024
    May 2024
    April 2024
    March 2024
    February 2024
    January 2024
    December 2023
    November 2023
    October 2023
    September 2023
    August 2023
    July 2023
    June 2023
    May 2023
    April 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020

    RSS Feed

    Picture
    Webpage Square Ad Banner spaces are available for members. Download our sizes and pricing sheet for more information by clicking the button below.
    Download Web Ad Sheet
Contact Our Team | Business Directory

Our Chamber

​The Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce provides leadership through member engagement, business advocacy and civic partnerships to strengthen our community and business environment.

Main Contact

421 W 6th Street, Suite A | Bloomington, IN 47404
[email protected]
(812) 336-6381

Office Hours:
Monday-Thursday: 9:00am - 500:pm
Friday: 9:00am - 3:00pm
Trust Center
​
Media Center
Speaking Requests

There is a no refund policy for events.  If you need to reassign your ticket to another person we will be happy to update our attendance list. Thank you.

Chamber Info

About Us
Board of Directors
Contact Our Team

Chamber Resources

Business Directory
Chamber Events Calendar
Member News
Chamber News
Membership Application
Member Login
Business Resources
Picture
Copyright The Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce. All Rights Reserved.
  • Membership
    • Business Directory
    • Become a Member
    • Benefits of Membership >
      • Interested in Membership
    • Levels of Membership
    • Member Portal & Materials >
      • Member Login
    • Chamber App
    • Connect Bloomington
    • Member Resources
  • Events & News
    • Signature Events >
      • Educator of the Year Nominations
      • WEB Nominations
      • Showcase Bloomington Exhibitor Page
    • Chamber Events Calendar
    • Sponsorship
    • Member News
    • Multimedia Gallery
    • Chamber News
  • Initiatives & Resources
    • Bloomington Women in Leadership
    • The Success School
    • Young Professionals Bloomington >
      • YPB Steering Committee
    • Business Resources
    • Job Board
    • Community Calendar
  • Advocacy
    • Advocacy Matters Updates
    • Legislative Agenda
    • Local Government
    • Advocacy Resources
  • About Us
    • Contact Our Team
    • Board of Directors
    • Press & Media