Name: Mike Kelly
Business: DeveloperTown
Location: Indianapolis
Employees: 40
Mike Kelly and a team of partners started DeveloperTown in 2010 with a vision to help set entrepreneurs up for success in software development. Previously working in consulting, Kelly had seen businesses experience problems and setbacks by not starting out on the right track, and his team of co-founders decided to provide a service to help fill the void.
Tell me about DeveloperTown.
We help people design, launch and market their products. People come in with an idea, and we work together to make sure there’s a market for their product, and then help them build it and launch it in the marketplace. We teach founders and entrepreneurs what the potential problems are, and show them why those early decisions in product development are so important. We think about it as we don’t launch products, we launch businesses.
What’s good about doing business in Indiana?
We love being here and have no desire to move somewhere else. The cultural values that we care about are represented here, and there is no shortage of talent available to us. We do business across the country, and even internationally, from our home base here in Indianapolis.
How did you get involved with NFIB?
NFIB held a small business entrepreneurship event at DeveloperTown, and that’s how I was first introduced to the organization. I’m a smaller government, less regulation kind of guy, and a pretty big believer in many of the NFIB initiatives. I really believe in what NFIB does.
What is the best part of owning your own business?
I started consulting in college, and have always owned my own business. I love the autonomy. Now I work with several partners, so we are all involved in the decision-making process. I like that if I see an opportunity or direction we need to move in, I can direct that and help make it happen.
We have 40 employees that rely on us for their livelihoods, and it gives us satisfaction to have that responsibility and to see how we can encourage the philanthropic efforts of our employees in the community around us. I would never have thought I could personally have that kind of impact through people.
What advice would you give to other entrepreneurs?
Move slowly, take the time to talk to people, get feedback and really vet your idea to make sure there is a market and demand for what you want to do. Once you’ve validated that, that’s the time to jump in.
And don’t do it alone. Find a support group or network where you can get support. Even just a group of friends who are going through a similar process can be a great help and provide an opportunity to bounce ideas back and forth, and provide a good outlet to discuss any problems or setbacks you face along the way.
