Episode 8

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Published on:

1st Aug 2024

Aunalyze This - Local Ideas with National Scale: Rich Carlton on the Future of Aunalytics

This week hosts Marty Mechtenberg and Susan Ford speak with Rich Carlton, President of Aunalytics, a company that specializes in managed IT and analytics services.  Rich discusses the fascinating journey of Aunalytics, exploring how it has paved the way for innovation and technology in the South Bend-Elkhart region. He shares insights into the company's foundations, its critical role in local economic development, and the significant impact of its AI-driven analytics services in transforming regional businesses.

Listen as Marty, Susan, and Rich talk about the strides being made in the South Bend-Elkhart region, driven by a relentless pursuit of innovation and community-focused growth.

QUOTES

  • "Everybody is a technology company now in some way, shape, or form. And if you can't deliver technology, then you're not going to be competitive.” -Rich Carlton [03:23]
  • “We felt like from the beginning that Aunalytics could be a platform that could spearhead a lot of other growth opportunities for businesses in the region.” -Rich Carlton [13:11]




TIMESTAMPS

(00:01) Innovative IT and Analytics Strategies for Regional Business Growth

(02:23) Solving Talent and Technology Challenges in Secondary Markets

(06:32) Building a Data Center with Community and Investor Support

(08:30) Revitalizing South Bend and Elkhart Through Entrepreneurial Innovation

(14:59) AI Boom and Its Impact on Local Businesses

(18:35) Leveraging Data Insights for Proactive Customer Engagement

(21:31) Building a Competitive Tech Hub in an Unexpected Region

(27:55) Launching a Breakfast Restaurant in South Bend

(30:42) Lessons Learned from Entrepreneurial Ventures and Risk-Taking

(35:29) Balancing Family, Work, and Coaching Through Sports Lessons

(38:10) Entrepreneurial Success and Community Support in South Bend




RESOURCES

Rich Carlton: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richfcarlton/ 


CONTACT

Martin Mechtenberg: https://www.linkedin.com/in/martin-mechtenberg-515a648/ 

Susan Ford: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susan-howard-ford-8446441/

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About the Podcast

Rooted and Reaching
Stories about local Startups and Founders in South Bend and Elkhart
There’s a job to do, and in the South Bend - Elkhart region, a midwestern work ethic is changing the narrative from rusty to ready. Our cities are opening up and working together as a region—universities are engaging beyond their campuses, sharing their brainpower and realizing that they’re bigger and better with the community behind them. Organizations are reaching out to newcomers and helping them build local networks, leveling the playing field. Infrastructure is being creatively adapted to be gathering places where new deals are made, new collisions happen, and new entrepreneurs take root. Join the Rooted & Reaching podcast, where we discuss the startup life with entrepreneurs with connections to the South Bend - Elkhart region.

In doing this, we will inform the general public and ourselves about what resources are available and the major pain points of entrepreneurs in our region. This podcast is also intended to tell the amazing stories of our local entrepreneurs in the hope that it will inspire another person in the region considering an entrepreneurial pursuit to take that leap of faith and see the supportive atmosphere in the area.