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BizVoice/Indiana Chamber – July/August 2017
Huntingburg, Indiana is a charming city of just a
little more than 6,000 residents.
As a matter of fact, when I was there recently, a
piano instrumental to Phantom of the Opera’s
“Music of the Night” played from speakers high
above a street corner.
But don’t let that fool you. It’s also a center for
something truly innovative.
On historic 4th Street sits Current Blend, a co-working environment
that is helping foster entrepreneurship in the Dubois County
community and surrounding area.
Current Blend is home to those who want to connect with
entrepreneurs and start-ups to get ideas and network, as well as for
people who want an office space instead of working from home.
From Honolulu to Huntingburg
Aaron Begle fits both descriptions to a T.
He grew up on the Dubois and Spencer county lines, and later
spread his wings to Hawaii – where last June he started a video
production and aerial imaging company.
When the market for that work become “saturated and limited”,
Begle returned with his rebranded Hele Productions.
But he felt like he was spinning his wheels, trying to make things
happen from his parents’ basement.
Things changed in March when Begle became a member of
Current Blend.
“When I moved back from Hawaii, I had no idea that this place
existed,” Begle admits. “I operated my business there out of a very
similar co-work space/incubator and was thrilled when I found out
that little Dubois County could offer me the same opportunity!
“Being at Current Blend has given me a professional workspace to
meet clients, network and really just grow my business. I have met
many wonderful individuals here that have gone out of their way to
help me succeed. It has truly been a blessing,” he declares.
One of those mentors is Ray Niehaus, director of the Vincennes
University Campus Center of Technology, Innovation and
Manufacturing in Jasper. He is also a Current Blend board member.
“Ray played an instrumental role in helping me get my business
off the ground in Indiana,” Begle shares. “I met him for the first time
here in March, and he has been introducing me to potential clients and
helping me garner new business since day one.”
Hele Productions’ customers range from couples at weddings, to
advertising and marketing agencies for commercial videos to school
corporations for workshops.
“My primary focus is on capturing aerial video footage, but I also
like to help train the next generation of drone pilots by offering
workshops and drone training as often as possible,” Begle notes.
Opening for an app
When I spoke with local resident Tim Brewer in late May, he and
his son had been Current Blend tenants for a month. The lure of
collaboration and wanting an environment where they can stay focused
is what brought them there.
They are working on a new technology for the real estate
industry. It’s an app, called VillaPar, that helps with the home
matching process between the buyer and seller. (Villa is Latin for
house; para is Latin for match.)
By Rebecca Patrick
Current Blend Offers Good Start
BUSINESS
MIX
COVER STORY
Current Blend Community
Coordinator Courtney Knies
and Huntingburg Mayor Denny
Spinner believe that Dubois
County has all the pieces for
entrepreneurship; it’s a matter
of bringing it together.