Heather Pfundstein

Oswego

Managing Editor at Northwest Indiana Business Magazine

Publisher and Executive Director at Michiana Business News

I am a wife, mother and editor whose passion is making the world a better place.

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Articles

Scent Seal pitch earns top prize in PNW's 2025 Big Sell • Northwest Indiana Business Magazine

1 week ago | nwindianabusiness.com | Heather Pfundstein

Three innovators earned investment capita in eight minutes at Purdue University Northwest's Big Sell pitch competition May 3. “The PNW Big Sell is consistently a unique opportunity for aspiring entrepreneurs to share their startup ideas while collaborating with students with PNW College of Business students to refine their concepts,” said Alexandra Moran, assistant professor of practice in management, in a press release.
Earthwise earns Indiana small business award

1 week ago | nwindianabusiness.com | Heather Pfundstein

Earthwise based in Valparaiso will be one of seven small businesses honored by the state of Indiana during Small Business Week. “Small Business Week in Indiana is the perfect time to honor the contributions of our countless Hoosier entrepreneurs and small businesses and to showcase our commitment to accelerating Main Street innovation and entrepreneurship,” said Indiana Secretary of Commerce David Adams in a press release. Indiana Gov.
El Popular earns SBA Great Lakes Exporter of the Year

1 week ago | nwindianabusiness.com | Heather Pfundstein |Kerry Sapet

The U.S. Small Business Administration is recognizing El Popular Inc., an East Chicago manufacturer, as the SBA Great Lakes Exporter of the Year. El Popular is the manufacturer and wholesale distributor primarily of a Mexican-style sausage called chorizo. They sell to national and regional retailers. “I’m third generation,” said owner Edward Garza in a December Northwest Indiana Business Magazine story.
Centier earns 1st spot on J.D. Power retail banking study

2 weeks ago | nwindianabusiness.com | Heather Pfundstein

Merrillville-based Centier Bank landed the top spot on the J.D. Power 2025 U.S. Retail Banking Satisfaction Study in the country's North Central region. More than 100,000 retail banking customers were surveyed in 15 geographic regions about the largest banks in the United States. This is Centier's first J.D. Power ranking for retail banking in the North Central region, which includes Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky and West Virginia.
NWI BizHub co-sponsors series on business credit

2 weeks ago | nwindianabusiness.com | Heather Pfundstein

The NWI BizHub is partnering with Bank of America to present a business credit series. The first in the series, “Show Me the Money: Business Edition Part 1,” will take place from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. May 8 at the Legacy Foundation, 370 E. 84th Drive in Merrillville. It will focus on the lending process. Johnny Wilbon, vice president and business community officer of Bank of America, will facilitate the discussion, which will focus on what banks are looking for in business loan approvals.
Longtime partner leaving Kruggel Lawton CPAs

2 weeks ago | nwindianabusiness.com | Heather Pfundstein

CPA Michael Varner has loved being an accountant. But he feels the need to act on a calling to help children and others in need. So, he is leaving Kruggel Lawton CPAs after 20 years of service. Varner said that he is excited to transition to a new management role at an undisclosed organization that serves the Elkhart community. “I am so thankful for my 30-year career in public accounting, especially my time at Kruggel Lawton,” said Varner in a press release.
Region companies named to Forbes' list of best employers • Northwest Indiana Business Magazine

2 weeks ago | nwindianabusiness.com | Heather Pfundstein

Several Northwest and North Central Indiana companies were named to Forbes' list of America's Best Employers. 1st Source Bank ranked No. 276 out of the total 498 midsize companies that made the list. “We at 1st Source Bank are proud to know that our employees rated us as one of America’s Best Midsize Employers for a fourth year,” said Dan Lifferth, chief human resources officer at 1st Source Bank, in a press release.
Construction begins on Tolleston Opportunity Campus

2 weeks ago | nwindianabusiness.com | Heather Pfundstein

The Tolleston Opportunity Campus is more than a dream now that ground was broken April 23 on the $30 million project. “Today we break ground on a new chapter in Gary's story — one where our community stands at the center of everything we do,” said Mayor Eddie Melton during the ceremony. “For generations, Gary's greatest strength has always been the spirit and determination of its people.
PNW grad brings 1-800-STRIPER franchise to NWI

2 weeks ago | nwindianabusiness.com | Heather Pfundstein

Joshua Kackos is bringing the 1-800-STRIPER franchise to Northwest Indiana and the Chicago metro area. The company, founded 25 years ago, restores commercial and industrial parking lots, among other surfaces. It's motto is “businesses don’t need to spend a fortune on parking lot repairs and maintenance to make a good impression.”Founder Luke Menear started the company in 1999 after working at a pavement maintenance company.
Michiana companies on Forbes' list of best employers

2 weeks ago | michianabusinessnews.com | Heather Pfundstein

Several Region companies were named to Forbes' list of America's Best Employers. Forbes has published the lists for 10 years. It partnered with Statist to survey more than 217,000 employees at U.S. companies.