Entrepreneurship Spotlight: Narwhal and the Manatee
It all started with a baby’s rash. Megan Elizabeth Sutton was worried when her infant daughter broke out in red patches, soon realizing it was a bad case of eczema. When she began researching natural ways to make her own lotion to treat this skin condition, she didn’t realize that in a couple of years it would become a business. Celebrating a year of business this past spring, the Narwhal and the Manatee has lined their shelves with handmade bath fizzies, soothing lotions and natural skincare products. Taking inspiration from her favorite hobby, baking, Sutton’s cupcake bath fizzies have become famous for looking so good, some have mistakenly tried to eat them! Her team hasn’t gotten this far on their own. From the lard she sources out of Chesterton, to the beeswax and honey from New Haven, Sutton depends on regionally-sourced ingredients. Her goal this year is to focus and expand the number of small businesses that can produce the ingredients she needs. Looking to grow her business, Sutton has also branched off into the world of private labeling. Working with many regional businesses, Sutton’s team works with a range of companies to create unique and custom skincare products that fit their customers’ needs. Interested in visiting the Narwhal and the Manatee? Check out their shop located in the City Exchange. Sutton spoke a little bit about entrepreneurship in Fort Wayne, here’s what she had to say. What made you decide to open a business in Fort Wayne/Northeast Indiana? I have lived in Northeast Indiana for 13 years and I’ve watched this community truly believe in its potential. After going to school and participating in several volunteer organizations, I realized this is my opportunity to add to the culture of this area. What is the biggest challenge you have worked to overcome in starting your business? My biggest challenge is in recognizing my own value. It’s easy to put a price tag on a product, but I have a hard time remembering that my time, talents and efforts are also valuable. What resource in the community has helped you thrive in the community? I got my start with the NIIC (Northeast Indiana Innovation Center). Greater Fort Wayne and the Fort Wayne Enterprise Association have both been very supportive and helpful. And the City Exchange made what I do a possibility by providing space for new businesses downtown. What is some advice you would have for new entrepreneurs? Go for it. I found starting a business similar to having a baby: you’re never ready. But once you get going, you figure...
LFW — Weekly Fun File
Looking for fun things to do in Fort Wayne? Living Fort Wayne compiles a list of events and activities happening every week! This is by no means an exhaustive list, and if you don’t quite see what you’re looking for, check out our events calendar. If you’d like to see your event featured in the Weekly Fun File, or added to our events calendar, let us know! Email us at info@livingfortwayne.com or you can go ahead and submit your event to our calendar! Click on the event for more information about times, locations, cost, etc. Food truck Thursdays Thursday, May 4 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Yay! Stop by teds for some delicious dinner! BikeFusion Friday, May 5 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Food, beer and bikes. Kick off the season with some fun! The Mersey Beatles at C2G Music Hall, Fort Wayne, Indiana Friday, May 5 at 7:30 p.m. We love the Mersey Beatles. It’s a show you definitely don’t want to miss! For details on last years performance, check out this post. NAMI Fort Wayne 5K Run & Walk Saturday, May 6 at 8:30 a.m. The National Alliance on Mental Illness is hosting a 5K run/walk to support mental health services. There’s something for all ages, join them in breaking the stigma and making sure people get the support they need. It’s Been A Magical Year! Saturday, May 6 at 11 a.m. The Narwhal and the Manatee has been in business for an entire YEAR! Celebrate with them and leave with some goodies, too. Grand Opening Party — Masters Hand BBQ Saturday, May 6 at 11 a.m. Do you like BBQ sauce? Stop by their grand opening and give them a try! Melinda Howe’s Snow White Saturday, May 6 at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. Enjoy the New American Youth Ballet’s rendition of Snow White this weekend, and bring your kiddos! Cinderella’s Ball Sunday, May 7 from 3 p.m. to 6 p..m. The annual princess tea party is here! This fundraiser supports Destiny Rescue, a non-profit dedicated to protecting children from human trafficking and exploitation. It’s a great event for a great cause, and your kids will have SO MUCH fun. Cherry Blossom Festival Fort Wayne, Indiana Sunday, May 7 at 12 p.m. It’s the 11th year for this fun festival. Learn all about Japanese culture this weekend. Fort Wayne Music Festival Wednesday, May 10 through May 14 Sweetwater’s hosting another music festival this year! You can check out the lineup on the event page. Remember, this isn’t all Fort Wayne has to offer. Get out and have some fun this weekend! We can’t wait to see you around our...
LFW Weekly Fun File
Happy Holidays! Looking for fun things to do in Fort Wayne? Look no further! LFW compiles a list of fun ongoings and events that we’re excited about every week! This is by no means an exhaustive list, and if you don’t quite see what you’re looking for, check out our events calendar. If you’d like to see your event featured in the Weekly Fun File, or added to our events calendar, let us know! Email us at info@livingfortwayne.com or you can go ahead and submit your event to our calendar! Click on the event for more information about times, locations, cost, etc. 1. Holiday Wine Glasses! Paint 2 Beautiful Wine Glasses Thursday, December 22 at 6 pm Relieve some holiday shopping stress by taking an evening to paint some festive wine glasses. 2. Last Minute Pop-Up Market Friday, December 23 from 10 am to 7 pm You guys. I haven’t done any shopping, true story. You can bet I will be visiting this last minute pop-up. It supports local small businesses. Stop by and check it out! 3. It’s a Wonderful Life Celebration Friday, December 23 from 6:30 pm to 10 pm My dad’s all-time favorite movie is “It’s a Wonderful Life” and we watch it every Christmas. It will be so fun to pay homage to the 70th anniversary of this special film at the Cinema Center! There will be free hot cocoa and a cash bar, and you can bring winter gear to donate … what could be better? 4. 2nd Annual Festivus Celebration Friday December 23 beginning at 4 pm Air your grievances. Wear festive outfits. Stein-Hoisting competition. It’s a fun way to begin the weekend! 5. Smoke and Mirrors LAST SHOW, Pink Balloon Band, and Dear Darla Friday, December 23 at 8 pm It’s Smoke and Mirror’s last show, and they’re playing with Pink Balloon Band and Dear Darla. It should be a great time. 6. Luau Week December 26 through December 30 So much fun is happening at Crazy Pinz this week! The kiddos are on Christmas break, take them for some fun, and have some fun yourself! Check out the link for a full list of activities. 7. Soirée Pres: Coria (Fair Fjola), Otitis Media, My Dog Junior Monday, December 26 at 8 pm It’s a $5 cover at the Brass Rail if you’re looking for something to fill your Monday night. 8. Bath Fizzy Workshop Tuesday, December 27 from 2 pm to 4 pm Our friends over at The Narwhal and the Manatee (you can check out their entrepreneurship spotlight here) are hosting a bath fizzy workshop! All ages are welcome, come make bath products that look like dessert! (Full disclosure: my 3-year-old totally tried to...
Entrepreneurship Spotlight: The Narwhal and the Manatee
Fort Wayne is a great place to live. It’s a great place to raise a family, and it’s a great place to start a business. Just ask Traci Henning-Kolberg and Megan E. Sutton, Co-Founders of The Narwhal and the Manatee, a bath boutique set to open in Fort Wayne later this year. The Narwhal and the Manatee is an endeavor years in the making, and a combination of timing, passion, and the seemingly unending energy and positivity from two best friends is turning their dream into a reality. In 2008, Megan was blessed with a child with extremely sensitive skin. Nothing was gentle enough. This lead her and her best friend Traci down the path of earth-friendly, homemade soaps, and they’ve never looked back. What’s unique about The Narwhal and the Manatee, besides the obvious homemade, local appeal, is the chance customers will have to walk into their store and make their own bath products. My favorite part is that their bath products strongly resemble baked goods.It’s brilliant, and I could not be more excited for their shop to officially open. In addition to having a great idea that positively benefits their clients, Traci and Megan share a passion for strengthening the community. Their website states, “The shop caters exclusively to the community it is in, and is just as much about building a strong community as it is in creating a marvelous product.” I spoke with Traci about Fort Wayne, and let me tell you, if you don’t appreciate our city when you begin speaking with her, you definitely will by the end of your conversation. Traci is both engaging and inspiring. She has scores of praises for Fort Wayne, having moved to a few different places in the United States, and ultimately returning with her family before deciding to launch her business. Most of us see the growth happening in our community, and recognize the potential our city has to be the next “it” city, and Traci and Megan are no exception. Their belief in the progression of Fort Wayne has fed their desire to be a part of that progression, and that’s something that I respect and appreciate. It’s going to help them succeed because their mission and their passion is bigger than themselves. I asked Traci and Megan to answer the questions from the entrepreneur Q&A’s, and I have to share some of them. Partly because they gave great, informative answers, and partly because these ladies are hilarious, and the best way to do them justice is to let them speak for themselves. What made you decide to open a business in Fort Wayne/Northeast Indiana? Megan: We live here. We...
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