Darren Klein has spent his career at the intersection of strategy, data, and growth; and in 2026, he finally took the step he had been considering for over a decade. As the founder of DK Strategic Marketing Edge, Darren works with small businesses and higher education institutions to help them think about marketing in a different way. After 20 years at Indiana University, including roles within Kelley School of Business and IU Online, as well as earlier experience at Procter & Gamble. He brings a rare blend of corporate, academic, and analytical expertise. His decision to launch his own firm wasn’t impulsive, it was a result of years of reflection and a simple but powerful realization: he didn’t want to look back and wish he never had tried. What Darren offers through his business can be misunderstood at first, and that’s reasonably intentional. He doesn’t build websites, design logos, or run ad campaigns. Conversely, he focuses on what comes before all that: strategy. His work focuses on positioning, messaging, growth planning, and helping organizations understand not just how to market themselves, but why their approach should work in the first place. In a world that often jumps straight to execution, Darren slows the process down, ensuring every decision is grounded with purpose and clarity.
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Andrew Lambert has built a career that can’t fit into one specific category—and that’s exactly the way he wants it! As the founder of Lambert Consulting, host of the Mind Yo’ Business podcast, a former professor, and even a stand-up comedian. Lambert’s work lives at the crossroads of business, storytelling, and human connection. Since launching his advertising agency in 2010 and his podcast in 2017, he has consistently focused on one core idea: success is not about appearances, it’s about authenticity, flexibility, and learning through real experiences. His well-established philosophy is very potent in his podcast, Mind Yo’ Business, born out of frustration from overly scripted, surface-level interviews. Lambert set out to create something different; conversations that truly feel real. With very few pre-written questions and no attempt to command the flow. On the contrary, episodes unfold like a conversation over a coffee or a beer—complete with interruptions, a lifelike feel, and moments that are both honest and down-to-earth. His goal is as easy as ABC: to show the real path to success, including the mistakes, failures, pivots, and struggles that most people conceal in today’s world. In the heart of Danielle Willis’s work is a straightforward but powerful mission: helping people feel supported at some of the most important stages of life. As a Bloomington entrepreneur and community leader, Danielle has built two organizations that reflect that calling. As the owner of Dynasty Haven, a home care agency helping seniors and individuals who need help with daily living. At the same time, she leads Strut to Success, a nonprofit mentorship program designed to help young women build confidence, leadership skills, and a clear sense of identity as they move through adolescence. Danielle founded Dynasty Haven out of a deeply rooted belief that older adults deserve care that honors not only their humanity, but their life experiences as well. The agency provides caregiving services that allow seniors to remain comfortable and supported while maintaining as much independence as possible. Danielle believes her work goes beyond healthcare; it’s about relationships, respect, and recognizing value through every stage of life. She often speaks about the wisdom that older generations bring and specifically highlights the importance of ensuring they feel seen, heard, and cared for in meaningful ways. The heart of the Eclipse Productions Company is a mission deeply rooted in opportunity, accessibility, and artistic growth; and helping bring that vision to life is Shayna Survil, the organization’s Development Director. Based in Bloomington, Eclipse Productions was founded in 2023 by three artists who met while working on a production in Brown County. What began as a shared creative experience quickly evolved into something ambitious: the creation of a theater company designed to fill a space they felt was missing. Shayna joined the company’s first full season in 2024, stepping into a role that would prove to be both demanding and very meaningful. Eclipse Productions was created with a clear purpose: to serve as a stepping-stone for performers and artists sailing the path between community theaters and more professional-level productions. Rather than competing with larger, established theaters, Eclipse purposefully makes opportunities for those who may not have access to those stages quite yet. The company shows three shows per year, each of which involves months of rehearsal and a focused two-week run. Alternatively, to traditional theaters, Eclipse prioritizes productions with meaningful themes, resisting the pressure to choose shows solely based on ticket sales. For nearly three decades, Wes Lasher has been telling stories through a lens at The Production House, a Bloomington-based video production company he founded in 1996. This year marks its 30th anniversary of operation; a milestone that speaks to both longevity and adaptability in an industry established by constant change. From corporate and training videos to event coverage and nonprofit storytelling, The Production House has remained a secure creative partner for organizations that prioritize authenticity, clarity, and purpose. Wes chose entrepreneurship out of necessity and creative independence. At the time, Bloomington offered very few traditional career paths for video production, and developing his own business allowed him to do meaningful and creative work on his own terms. With a double major in telecommunications and theater, Wes blends technical skill with storytelling and collaboration; an approach that still defines his work today. Rather than pursuing volume, he prioritizes long-term relationships with a smaller group of clients, building trust through consistency and mutual respect. At the core of Chef Lee in Your Home is its founder, Chef Lee Rosser, a chef whose work is as personal as its flawlessness. His business began as an in-home cooking experience and evolved naturally into a brick-and-mortar presence. Subsequently, it eventually moved into large-scale catering events and pop-up style services across Bloomington and Monroe County. Despite the growth, Chef Lee’s business hasn’t followed a traditional expansion model. There are no franchises, no replicas, and no shortcuts; his philosophy is simple: when he stops cooking, the business stops with him. Before becoming a professional chef, Lee spent years as a professional wrestler, traveling across the country and submerging himself into different cultures, people, and cuisines. Those experiences continue to impact his cooking, in addition to his confidence, discipline, and ability to connect with his guests. His personal mantra: “it is what it is, until it isn’t” reflects both his resilience and authenticity. Furthermore, it represents his appearance of the present linked with the consistent push to improve. For Chef Lee, entrepreneurship means never fully turning off; there is always a detail to refine or another way to boost the experience. The Three Blondes Floral Co. is a flower & gifts shop in downtown Bloomington ran by the 35-year-old entrepreneur, Kelsy Webber. The shop is filled with personal meaning, even sprouting from the name “Three Blondes,” coming from her three daughters (ages 10, 8, and 5). They didn’t only inspire the name, but the spirit of the business as well. What began as a passion and love for flowers has grown into a thriving business rooted with care, community, and authenticity. Kelsy’s love for flowers began at a young age, as her great aunts owned a flower shop in Southern Indiana, and she grew up surrounded by her mother and grandmother’s gardens. Her passion for flowers comes from the unique places in people’s lives. From births and birthdays to anniversaries and passing of loved ones, flowers mark life’s most meaningful moments, and Kelsy loves her flowers being a part of those memories. Her leading mantra: “treat others how you want to be treated,” shapes everything from customer interactions to the atmosphere the shop has itself. In an era that is controlled by screens and little human interaction, Kelsy hopes to bring a little bit of analog, tangible, and human experience back into the retail world. |
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