If You Want To Support Local, Indiana Originals Has A Growing Statewide Directory

INDIANAPOLIS -- When you look for a new restaurant, a boutique or a furniture store, do you shop local? Indiana is cited as a good place for business creativity and development and many Hoosiers are following the entrepreneurial path.

The Indiana Originals Expo and Marketplace is teaming up with the City of Lawrence to showcase some of Indiana’s best products, services and goods on Sunday, Aug. 28 from 12 to 4 p.m. You will find many local businesses all in one place at the Theater at the Fort and The Sterrett Center.

Indiana Originals has a growing statewide directory of locally owned and operated businesses.  They help members brand themselves as local so customers with a local preference can find them easier.

"Consumers can access it for free online or on the app. Businesses pay a membership fee to be a part of it and get the local branding. But really Indiana Originals is a mission to create stronger, healthier communities and more jobs in Indiana by creating and facilitating a local preference", says Mel McMahon Stone, founder of Indiana Originals.

Buying local not only supports the entrepreneurial, but independent businesses return 3-to-5 times more money to their local communities than chains based out of state. 

Mel and her husband, Lance say they want to turn Indiana Originals into the first resource when someone wants to buy something in Indiana ."We want them to find almost anything" and give the first thought to an Indiana business when they go to buy it, says Lance.

For more information on supporting local, visit IndianaOriginals.com