Leandra Roche has pursued her passion for comprehensive hair care by opening High Definition Hair Design Salon and Academy in Merrillville. Meanwhile, Noah Miller launched Mr. Miller’s Mobile Detailing, a car detailing service in Northwest Indiana. Kayla Oberholtzer, a student at Indiana University Northwest, started a photography venture. These ambitions came to fruition through the guidance of the IU Northwest’s SEED and IU Innovates programs.
The SEED Program
The Supporting and Empowering Entrepreneurial Development (SEED) program is a collaborative effort with Notre Dame’s Urban Poverty and Business Initiative. It spans 11 months, focusing on teaching business principles and providing mentorship. Jana Szostek, Director at IU Northwest Business Academy, explains the impact the program has had on local business owners.
Participants like Roche, Miller, Naté Billingsley, Jetaun Carr, Christal Jackson, Rob Seals, Tequeya Spann, Elijah Steele, Amanda Tomczak, and Deanna Ware have successfully completed the program. It equipped them with skills necessary for sustainable business growth.
IU Innovates Program
The IU Innovates program, an extension of SEED, is a semester-long initiative for students, faculty, and staff aiming to start their own enterprises. Participants included Julysa Alamo, Chloe Echols-Taylor, Michael Gaines, Olivia Johnson, Michael Ludwig, Veronica Mora, and Amethyst Rios, alongside Oberholtzer. This program supports budding entrepreneurs by offering essential business knowledge and tools.
Entrepreneurs’ Journeys
Roche, 49, has been styling hair for three decades and previously ran a salon named A Joyous Look. The COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020 led to its closure. During this period, Roche refined her focus to naturally curly hair care. Her new salon offers personalized services like scalp treatments, extensions, braids, and more. Regular clients visit for treatments to maintain or repair their hair.
“Your haircare could not just be like anyone else. If you can’t care for it at home, it’s best to just bring it to the professional.” — Leandra Roche
Noah Miller, 21, founded Mr. Miller’s Mobile Detailing in 2025. His business provides on-site car detailing services using a specially equipped van. With experience in vehicle work, Miller identified an opportunity to establish a detailing business with minimal start-up costs. His services range from standard washes to advanced detailing techniques.
“All we need is your car keys and a place to work at and we can do everything.” — Noah Miller
Kayla Oberholtzer, an IUN business administration major, runs Kaymae Photos LLC. Specializing in portrait photography, she coordinates with clients on photo shoot styles and locations, ensuring a personalized experience. Her passion for photography began in high school, driven by positive feedback on her yearbook contributions.
“Photography to me is a way to show individuals in their own light.” — Kayla Oberholtzer
Educational Impact
Completing the SEED program taught Roche about effective business management and expansion strategies. She plans to incorporate cosmetology into her business offerings. Miller’s significant takeaway was networking and structured business planning, which he aims to apply in expanding his detailing enterprise.
Oberholtzer valued the insights gained on marketing, pricing, and business structuring. The program’s collaborative environment fostered idea exchange among like-minded entrepreneurs.
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