When Nikki Anderson talks about Andy’s Carwash in Columbia City, she isn’t just describing a local business. She’s talking about a legacy that started with her husband’s grandfather in 1971 and continues to evolve through hard work, family, and a willingness to learn.

Next year marks 10 years since Anderson and her husband took ownership of the family business. Running the carwash while raising a young family hasn’t always been easy, but finding support through the Northeast Indiana Innovation Community (NIIC) has helped Anderson bring fresh ideas to a decades-old business.

“I like having that outside perspective,” Anderson said. “Every time I got off the phone with someone at the NIIC, my creative mind was just going. She asked questions that made me think differently than I typically would.”

Anderson connected with a business coach with the NIIC, through the Women’s Business Center. What began as a few free sessions turned into regular one-hour Zoom meetings that gave Anderson the chance to brainstorm new marketing and customer engagement ideas from her own office.

“It was convenient because I could just do it here, schedule ahead, and it was affordable too,” she said. “Some things are not very affordable for a small business, but this really was.”

A NIIC coach visited the carwash in person, helping Anderson refine ideas on-site. “She actually came to our carwash and gave me some ideas,” Anderson said. “That was nice — to see that level of involvement.”

Meeting Small Businesses Where They Are

As a mother and business owner, Anderson is quick to point out that the NIIC’s accessibility — both financially and geographically — helps make entrepreneurial support attainable for people at every stage. “Some business stuff is so out of the realm,” she said. “The NIIC is affordable and inclusive to all businesses. They meet you where you’re at.”

That flexibility, she said, is what sets the NIIC apart. Whether someone is just starting a business, in their first decade of ownership like Anderson, or operating a long-standing family company, the NIIC provides tailored guidance that fits each situation.

“You can be at the very beginning and have no idea what you’re doing, or you can be further along but still need help,” she said. “They meet you where you are, and that’s really important.”

A Voice for Small Businesses

Anderson’s enthusiasm for the NIIC’s work has made her a vocal advocate. She’s active in Whitley County’s business community as a Chamber board member, part of the Columbia City Connect promotions committee, and a BABE board member. In each role, she tells other entrepreneurs about the NIIC.

“I tell everybody, ‘You need to talk to the NIIC because it’s really helpful,’” she said. “And again, it’s affordable.”

Her experience has also inspired her to build her own marketing skills. After struggling to get results from a design contractor, she learned to use Canva and manage her own branding and social media. She credits the NIIC’s coaching with giving her confidence to do more herself.

“I spent months working with somebody making signage, and they just wouldn’t do what I wanted,” she said. “So I taught myself. All the pieces — from the NIIC, SCORE, and others — have helped me not have to rely on someone all the time.”

Supporting Innovation and Growth

As the NIIC celebrates 25 years of innovation, Anderson sees clear growth in its reach and resources. “Just in the time I’ve worked with them, they’ve grown a lot,” she said. “They’re hosting more things, offering free classes — I can see their growth.”

Looking ahead, she hopes the NIIC continues expanding partnerships, especially with local chambers of commerce. “If they were involved with chambers, that would be a great way to get more connections,” she said. “There are so many resources out there, but small business owners often don’t know where to start.”

Anderson also sees value in the NIIC helping bridge what she calls a “technology gap” among small business owners. “There are a lot of people my age who have that gap,” she said. “Sometimes we just work around it to get something done. It would be great if someone taught simple tech things — even how to post or organize files better.”

Despite juggling business, family, and community involvement, Anderson’s connection with the NIIC has kept her motivated. “Whether I was feeling great about what I’d done or totally overwhelmed, I always felt supported,” she said. “Just having that conversation started the creative juices again.”

For Anderson, the NIIC isn’t just a resource, it’s a partner in growth. “Everybody should use the NIIC,” she said. “They’re a wonderful asset for small businesses. The just keep doing great things.”

To learn more about Nikki and Andy’s Carwash, visit https://www.andyscarwashcc.com/