We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Mel McMahon. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Mel below.

Mel, appreciate you joining us today. How did you come up with the idea for your business?

From Indiana Owned to Indiana Gifts: A Story of Passion, Purpose, and Problem-Solving

The idea for IndianaOwned.com didn’t come to me in a single “aha” moment—it was born out of a rather simple question that revealed a major gap in the marketplace. I’ve always believed in the power of local businesses. They create jobs, keep money in the community, and add character to the places we call home. But time and time again, I saw Indiana business owners struggling to compete with national chains and online giants.

It all started when I was looking for a place to eat dinner. A new Italian restaurant had just opened in downtown Indianapolis, and I found myself asking, ‘Is it locally owned?’ To my surprise, there was no easy way to find out.That’s when I realized there should be a reliable way to shop exclusively local. I wanted to support Indiana businesses, but it was nearly impossible to easily identify which companies were truly Hoosier-owned. I figured if I was struggling with this, other consumers probably were too. And just as importantly, small business owners were missing out on customers who wanted to shop locally but didn’t know where to start.

That’s when the idea for Indiana Owned took shape. What if there was a simple, trusted directory of Indiana-based businesses? A place where consumers could quickly find and support local companies? More than that, what if we could create a community that gave small business owners the marketing support and exposure they often lacked?

The logic was clear then and it is still true today: People want to support local businesses. Local businesses need visibility. I could bridge that gap.

The inception of Indiana Gifts was an unplanned yet natural progression from the mission of Indiana Owned. In May of 2020, as the COVID-19 pandemic forced the closure of local retail shops, art shows, and events, many Indiana artisans and businesses lacked the tools to sell their products online. Determined to solve this problem, I partnered with David Glenn of CoasterStone, an Indiana Owned member, to launch an online marketplace exclusively for Indiana-owned businesses. This initiative provided these businesses with a much-needed online presence and offered consumers a curated selection of local goods, ranging from jewelry and snacks to home décor and personal care items. What started as a digital solution to a crisis has now blossomed into a thriving retail hub—both online and in our Lebanon store—where Hoosiers can easily discover and support the best of Indiana-made products.

Mel, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Meet Mel McMahon: Champion of Local Living and Community Impact
I’ve always had a deep love for local businesses—the mom-and-pop shops, family-run restaurants, and artisans who pour their hearts into what they do. They create more than just products or services; they build communities, shape our economy, and make Indiana feel like home. But over the years, I saw how hard it was for these businesses to compete against big-box stores, online giants, and national chains. I knew there had to be a better way to connect consumers with truly local businesses, and that’s how my journey in this industry began.
I got my start in radio and media, working as an on-air personality and marketing professional. That experience taught me the power of storytelling, branding, and community engagement—skills that would later help me build Indiana Owned and Indiana Gifts.
Indiana Owned: Helping Hoosiers Find & Support Local Businesses
The idea for IndianaOwned.com started with a simple question: “Is it local?” One night, I wanted to eat at a locally owned restaurant, but there was no clear way to identify one. That’s when I realized that small businesses needed more visibility, and consumers needed a better way to find them. I launched Indiana Owned to bridge that gap, creating a trusted directory of Hoosier-owned businesses.
But it became more than just a directory—it became a movement. Through marketing support, business partnerships, and community-building efforts, Indiana Owned has helped countless small businesses grow, thrive, and reach new audiences.
Indiana Gifts: Making Local Shopping Easier Than Ever
When the pandemic hit in 2020, many Indiana businesses suddenly lost their ability to sell in person. Craft fairs, markets, and retail stores shut down, leaving business owners scrambling to figure out e-commerce. I knew they needed a simple, effective way to sell online, so I teamed up with David Glenn of CoasterStone to create Indiana Gifts—an online marketplace featuring products exclusively from Indiana-owned businesses.
What started as an online platform soon expanded into a brick-and-mortar store in Lebanon, Indiana, giving even more local makers and artisans a place to showcase their products. Today, Indiana Gifts offers everything from handmade jewelry and gourmet snacks to home décor and personal care items—all from Hoosier-owned businesses.
What Sets Me & My Brands Apart
✅ Passion for Local – Supporting local isn’t just my business—it’s my mission. Everything I do is rooted in helping small businesses survive and thrive.
✅ Real Marketing & Business Experience – With a background in media, branding, and sales, I understand how to help local businesses reach the right audience and grow.
✅ Community-Focused Approach – Whether it’s hosting events, creating partnerships, or amplifying small business stories, I’m all about building connections that benefit both businesses and consumers.
✅ A Platform That Works – Indiana Owned makes it easy to find local businesses. Indiana Gifts makes it easy to buy from them. Together, they help local businesses get the exposure and sales they deserve.
What I’m Most Proud Of
The impact we’ve made. Seeing small businesses grow, hearing from customers who now prioritize shopping local, and knowing that we’re creating jobs and strengthening communities—that’s what makes it all worthwhile.
And I’m not done yet. My goal is to keep expanding, keep innovating, and keep leading local living in Indiana.
What You Should Know About Me & My Work
If you’re a business owner, Indiana Owned can help you get noticed, grow your brand, and reach loyal customers.
If you love shopping local, Indiana Gifts makes it easier than ever to support Hoosier businesses from anywhere.
If you believe in building strong communities, we’re in this together. Every purchase, every partnership, and every connection helps keep Indiana’s economy strong.
So whether you’re a business owner looking for support or a customer looking for local products, I invite you to be part of this movement. Because when you support local, you support your neighbors, your economy, and your future.

Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?

Learning, Adapting, and Building a Business from Scratch
When I first started my business, I didn’t have all the answers—I just had an idea, a passion for local businesses, and a determination to figure it out. I knew I was good at the parts that came naturally—storytelling, connecting with people, and building relationships—but running a business involves so much more. There were processes to create, financials to manage, marketing strategies to refine, and long-term planning to map out. So, I did what any eager entrepreneur should do—I went straight to the library.
I checked out every book I could find about how to run a successful small business, taking notes, highlighting key insights, and absorbing every bit of knowledge I could. Some books were helpful, others were overwhelming, but one stood out from the rest—”She Means Business” by Carrie Green. It wasn’t just another business book; it was a guide to mindset, commitment, and unlocking hidden potential. I found myself referring back to it over and over again, especially in moments when I felt stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure of the next step. I still refer to this book today.
What I love most about the book is how it reinforces the idea that entrepreneurs don’t have to have it all figured out from day one—what we need is the willingness to learn, adapt, and push forward even when things feel uncertain. That’s been the biggest lesson for me. You don’t need all the answers, but you do need the drive to go out and find them.
Finding Inspiration & Motivation in Other Entrepreneurs
Along with books, I started looking for real-world stories of entrepreneurs who had built something from nothing. That’s when I discovered Guy Raz’s “How I Built This” podcast. Every episode felt like a behind-the-scenes look at the journey of people who had faced the same struggles I was facing—figuring out funding, growing a team, pivoting when things didn’t go as planned, and staying committed through the ups and downs.
Listening to those stories gave me motivation, perspective, and reassurance. It reminded me that every successful business started somewhere, and no one had all the answers in the beginning. More than anything, it taught me that resilience, learning from failure, and staying committed to the mission are the keys to building something truly meaningful. It also inspired my podcast “Local Matters with Mel McMahon!”

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

Turning a Challenge into Strength: How I Rebuilt My Business and Myself
For years, the income from my businesses was a bonus—a supplemental source of revenue that allowed me to support local businesses and build a community-focused brand without the pressure of it being my sole livelihood. But in 2023, everything changed. When my then-husband and I separated, suddenly, Indiana Owned and Indiana Gifts weren’t just passion projects—they had to fully support me.
It was one of the most terrifying and eye-opening moments of my life. I no longer had the cushion of a second household income. Every bill, every expense, every financial decision rested on me. I had a choice: let fear consume me or fight harder than ever to make my businesses thrive.
I chose to fight.
That meant ramping up my efforts like never before. I had to rethink my business strategies, double down on marketing, expand my revenue streams, and operate with more structure and intention than ever. I am pushing myself to be more visible, more engaged, and more strategic—not just for my businesses, but for myself.
The personal turmoil of going through a major life change while trying to keep my businesses alive—and more importantly, make them thrive—is overwhelming at times. But it also proved my resilience in a way I never expected. I am learning that I am capable of so much more than I ever give myself credit for.
Today, Indiana Owned and Indiana Gifts are stronger than ever. Not because it is easy, but because I refuse to give up. Because I choose to bet on myself. Because I know that these businesses are not just about me—they are about the small business owners who rely on them, the customers who trust them, and the mission to make shopping local a way of life.
I share this because I know I’m not alone. So many entrepreneurs face life-changing moments that force them to either sink or swim. If you’re in that place right now, I want you to know—you are stronger than you think, and your passion is worth fighting for.
Because sometimes, the hardest moments lead to the greatest growth.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://indianaowned.com/ and https://shopindianagifts.com/
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/indianaowned and http://instagram.com/shopindianagifts
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IndianaOwned/ and http://facebook.com/shopindianagifts
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melmcmahon/