OneZone Chamber Studios

Building the Best: Small Business Innovation and Regional Success in Carmel

OneZone Chamber Studio Season 1 Episode 14

Use Left/Right to seek, Home/End to jump to start or end. Hold shift to jump forward or backward.

0:00 | 29:26

Host Jack Russell (President of OneZone) sits down with Carmel Mayor Finkam to discuss the rapid growth, community spirit, and economic intentionality driving the city forward. The conversation highlights the massive expansion of the Carmel Small Business Network, which recently grew from an average of 30 attendees to a massive crowd of over 200 local business owners. Mayor Finkam explains how the city has shifted its traditional presentation model to provide real, actionable business tools and experts to support local "mom and pop" shops, service providers, and brick-and-mortar storefronts.

They also dive into the city's cutting-edge digital collaboration with Change.org for the "Ideas for Change" initiative—a focused platform allowing residents to upvote, downvote, and vet community-driven concepts to support the local economy. Beyond small business, the discussion centers heavily on the power of regional collaboration following the Indy Chamber’s "Meet the Mayors" event. Mayor Finkam reflects on how Carmel’s status as the #1 Best Place to Live in the United States (validated by U.S. News & World Report) creates a powerful ripple effect for all of Hamilton County. Additionally, Mayor Finkam extends special congratulations to OneZone for winning the prestigious Indiana Chamber of the Year award.