Latest news with #Indianapolis-based
Indianapolis Star
20 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Indianapolis Star
Indianapolis promoter Amp Harris strives to make an impact in community
Amp Harris talks through security Monday, July 14, 2025, ahead of the Indiana Black Expo to be held at Indiana University's Michael A. Carroll Track & Soccer Stadium in Indianapolis. Mykal McEldowney/IndyStar Local promoter and athlete consultant Amp Harris with Indianapolis Colts legends Reggie Wayne and Edgerrin James. Courtesy Of Amp Harris Indianapolis-based promoter and athlete consultant Amp Harris and former Indiana Pacers guard Reggie Miller embrace at a Pacers game. Courtesy Of Amp Harris Amp Harris is a local athlete consultant and promoter. He has curated events for a long list of athletes and entertainers, including Reggie Miller, Michael Jordan, Egerrin James, Mike Epps and Martin Lawrence. Courtesy Of Amp Harris Local promoter and athlete consultant Amp Harris and his 93-year-old mother Geneva. Amp credits his mom's faith for helping him process his brother's death. Courtesy Of Amp Harris Mykal McEldowney/IndyStar Amp Harris laughs as he walks through security Monday, July 14, 2025, ahead of the Indiana Black Expo to be held at Indiana University's Michael A. Carroll Track & Soccer Stadium in Indianapolis. Mykal McEldowney/IndyStar Amp Harris answers a phone call Monday, July 14, 2025, as he talks security ahead of the Indiana Black Expo to be held at Indiana University's Michael A. Carroll Track & Soccer Stadium in Indianapolis. Mykal McEldowney/IndyStar Amp Harris talks security Monday, July 14, 2025, with Claudette Peterson, owner of Circle City Security Co., ahead of the Indiana Black Expo to be held at Indiana University's Michael A. Carroll Track & Soccer Stadium in Indianapolis. Mykal McEldowney/IndyStar Reggie Miller (left), Jalen Rose, Amp Harris and Reggie Wayne pose for a photo during halftime of Game 6 between the Indiana Pacers and New York Knicks at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on May 31. Trevor Ruszkowski, Imagn Images Courtesy Of Amp Harris Grace Hollars/IndyStar "Saving Our Youth" Celebrity Basketball Game was hosted by Amp Harris and Reggie Wayne featuring T.Y. Hilton, Chester Rogers, Robert Mathis, Jacoby Brissett, Ron Harper and others at the Indiana Convention Center, Indianapolis, July 20, 2019. Saving Our Youth Celebrity Basketball Game was hosted by Amp Harris and Reggie Wayne featuring T.Y. Hilton, Chester Rogers, Robert Mathis, Jacoby Brissett, Ron Harper and others at the Indiana Convention Center, Indianapolis, July 20, 2019. Grace Hollars/IndyStar Entertainment promoter and Indiana Black Expo organizer Amp Harris is photographed at Carroll Stadium, the site of the 2024 Black Expo Outdoor Concert on Tuesday, June 11, 2024, on the IUPUI Campus in Indianapolis. Michelle Pemberton/IndyStar Local promoter and athlete consultant Amp Harris and his daughter Rachel at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Courtesy Of Amp Harris Mykal McEldowney/IndyStar Amp Harris laughs as he walks through security Monday, July 14, 2025, ahead of the Indiana Black Expo to be held at Indiana University's Michael A. Carroll Track & Soccer Stadium in Indianapolis. Mykal McEldowney/IndyStar Amp Harris talks about preparation Monday, July 14, 2025, ahead of the Indiana Black Expo to be held at Indiana University's Michael A. Carroll Track & Soccer Stadium in Indianapolis. Mykal McEldowney/IndyStar Amp Harris walks through security Monday, July 14, 2025, ahead of the Indiana Black Expo to be held at Indiana University's Michael A. Carroll Track & Soccer Stadium in Indianapolis. Mykal McEldowney/IndyStar
Time of India
16-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Man turns his side hustle into $40,000 a month remote business, and it all started with a free favour
After COVID-19 paused courtroom work, an attorney turned to Fiverr for freelance trademark filings. His approachable style drew first-time business owners, and by month four, he was making $10,000. Now with a $500,000/year business, Morgan lives between Dallas and Mexico City, chasing freedom over fortune and aiming for financial independence by 45—all from a side hustle that stuck. When Indianapolis-based attorney Derrick Morgan Jr. helped his cousin with a trademark during the pandemic, he reignited a forgotten skill. What began as a pro bono side gig turned into a thriving remote business. (Image: LinkedIn/ .) Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads A side hustle that took off Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads A business built on freedom and flexibility When the world shut down in early 2020, so did the courtrooms—and for 34-year-old Derrick Morgan Jr. , a junior attorney in Indianapolis, that meant the paychecks slowed too. Contingency-based legal work depends on active court schedules, and with hearings postponed and dockets frozen, Morgan was staring down uncertainty. Then came an unexpected call from his cousin, who needed help filing a trademark for a new architecture firm.'I was like, 'Alright, sure, I'll help you. I haven't done it in a while. This will be pro bono, we'll figure it out,'' Morgan recalled in an interview with CNBC Make It. But as he dove back into intellectual property law , something clicked. 'It was like riding a bike — got right back into it.'That moment sparked an idea. What if he could help other small business owners navigate the complicated world of trademarks? What if he could do it remotely—and independently?Listing his services on Fiverr , a freelance platform, Morgan offered affordable trademark assistance at a time when thousands of entrepreneurs were launching side hustles of their own. His first month earned him just $180—enough to pay his phone bill—but it was the beginning of something bigger. Within three months, he was earning $5,000. By month four, it had doubled to $10, resonated with clients wasn't just his legal expertise—it was his approachable, relatable style. 'A lot of these prospective clients, they're first-time business owners,' Morgan explained. 'They've never dealt with a big fancy attorney who's going to be charging them hundreds of dollars to confuse them. I get a lot of clients because I'm approachable and I meet them where they are.'By early 2021, Morgan had reduced his hours at the law firm and was quietly scaling his freelance business. A few months later, he left the traditional path altogether to focus full time on what had started as a modest side Morgan's trademark filing business is projected to bring in nearly half a million dollars this year—over $40,000 each month. With help from a paralegal and an AI assistant, he manages his growing clientele while maintaining affordable service rates. He typically charges between $600 and $800 per trademark the real success, according to Morgan, lies in the freedom his business gives him. Now splitting his time between Dallas and a vibrant neighborhood in Mexico City, he enjoys the flexibility to work when and how he chooses. 'Being able to do what I want, when I want,' he says, 'that's the goal.'Lower living costs in Mexico City have allowed him to invest 40% of his income with the aim of achieving financial independence by 45. He's already visited more than 60 countries and sees his business not just as a source of income—but as a passport to the life he's always began as a favor to a cousin during a pandemic has grown into a remote business rooted in purpose, service, and personal freedom. For Morgan, it's not just about building wealth—it's about reclaiming control over time and life.
CNBC
16-07-2025
- Business
- CNBC
34-year-old turned Fiverr side hustle into full-time business—it brings in $40,000 a month and lets him work from anywhere
In early 2020, Indianapolis-based attorney Derrick Morgan Jr. got a call from his cousin, who was launching an architecture firm and needed help filing a trademark. "I was like, 'Alright, sure, I'll help you. I haven't done it in a while. This will be pro bono, we'll figure it out,'" the 34-year-old tells CNBC Make It. But once he started doing the work, "it was like riding a bike — got right back into it." The timing was fortuitous. The Covid-19 pandemic soon shut down courts, and Morgan's work at an Indianapolis-based law firm slowed dramatically. As a junior lawyer on contingency cases, fewer court dates meant fewer opportunities to get paid. "I needed a way to make more money, and this trademark thing came up," he says. That gave him the idea to list his services on Fiverr, a freelance platform where he could offer affordable trademark help to small business owners. Morgan's first month on Fiverr brought in about $180 — enough to cover his phone bill, he says. But it didn't take long for demand to build. By his third month, he earned around $5,000. In month four, it jumped to $10,000. Morgan's approachable style resonated with small business owners and entrepreneurs, many of whom were navigating trademarks for the first time, he says. His strong reviews helped him eventually earn Fiverr's Top Rated seller designation — the platform's highest status. "A lot of these prospective clients, they're first-time business owners," Morgan says. "They've never dealt with a big fancy attorney who's going to be charging them hundreds of dollars to confuse them. I get a lot of clients because I'm approachable and I meet them where they are." Still, he was cautious. "Obviously, I still thought it was a fluke," he says. "I didn't want to quit my job after just four good months." For a while, he juggled both his day job and the growing freelance business. By early 2021, he reduced his hours at the law firm. A few months later, he left the role entirely to focus on his trademark business full time. Morgan's trademark business is on track to bring in nearly $500,000 this year — or just over $40,000 a month. He pays himself over $350,000 and works remotely with help from a paralegal and an AI assistant. Most of his clients now come through word of mouth and social media, though he still maintains a presence on Fiverr. In practice, much of the work is procedural, which allows him to serve more clients efficiently and keep costs down, he says. He typically charges between $600 and $800 per filing, depending on the service. The flexibility of the work fits Morgan's lifestyle. A longtime traveler who has visited more than 60 countries, he now splits his time between Dallas and Mexico City, where he rents a furnished apartment in a walkable neighborhood known for its cafes and late-night taco spots. By choosing to base himself in Mexico City, where his living costs are lower than in most U.S. cities, he's able to invest 40% of his income — with the goal of reaching financial independence by age 45. For Morgan, it's less about building wealth and more about "being able to do what I want, when I want," he says.
Axios
15-07-2025
- Axios
Indy police unveil new cybercrime-fighting ride to protect kids
The latest police vehicle hitting the streets of Indianapolis is a high-tech ride designed to protect Central Indiana kids from online predators. Why it matters: The new mobile forensic and interview van will allow members of Indiana's Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force to act more effectively in cases where time and evidence are critical. Driving the news: With the support of Indianapolis-based nonprofit kNot Today Foundation, IMPD and ISP leaders introduced the van to the community Monday at IMPD North District Headquarters. Founded in 2019 by former Colts head coach Frank Reich and his wife, Linda, kNot Today has a mission of bolstering child sexual abuse prevention efforts that are underfunded, fragmented and deprioritized. kNot Today has awarded more than $1 million in grants, distributed more than 30,000 parent guides and funded the training of 11 K-9 officers. Threat level: According to kNot Today, one in 10 children will experience sexual abuse. But the organization's executive director, Emma Marsh, says recent national data suggests that figure could be closer to one in five. ISP Sgt. Christopher Cecil, the commander of the ICAC, said Indiana got around 325 cyber tips in 2005. Seven months into 2025, the state has already collected more than 10,000 cyber tips. What they're saying: "Mobile forensics vehicles like the one here enable the ICAC to bring essential digital forensics capabilities directly to the point of the investigations — thereby accelerating the process of identifying victims, gathering evidence and ultimately bringing offenders to justice," Cecil said during Monday's unveiling. How it works: The front of the van serves as a mobile lab for on-scene evidence processing. Reality check: While the van is another vital tool, officials say the real heroes combating online predators are attentive parents.
Indianapolis Star
09-07-2025
- Business
- Indianapolis Star
U.S. Senate confirms former Indianapolis airline executive to lead FAA under Trump
The U.S. Senate on July 9 officially confirmed the former CEO of Indianapolis-based Republic Airways to lead the Federal Aviation Administration under President Donald Trump. Senators confirmed Bryan Bedford to a five-year term on a vote of 53-43, with Indiana's Republican U.S. Senators Todd Young and Jim Banks supporting his nomination. Trump first announced Bedford as his pick to lead the FAA in March. "Bryan will work with our GREAT Secretary of Transportation, Sean Duffy, to strongly reform the Agency, safeguard our exports, and ensure the safety of nearly one billion annual passenger movements,' Trump said in a post on Truth Social at the time. Bedford will lead the FAA as the agency navigates the impacts of mass federal staffing cuts and plans upgrades to its air traffic control systems, following a string of deadly commercial flight accidents earlier this year. Bedford's nomination was supported by the National Business Aviation Association and the Regional Airline Association. But the Airline Pilots Association in March expressed concerns about Bedford's nomination, noting that Republic in 2022 asked the FAA to reduce the 1,500-hour training requirement for pilots. Additionally, multiple news outlets reported during the nomination process that Bedford's biography on Republic's website claimed he had a commercial pilot certification despite FAA records showing he does not. Bedford served as Republic's CEO from 1999 until July 2 of this year, when the regional airline announced his retirement. Republic navigated highs and lows under Bedford's leadership, including a 2016 bankruptcy filing and the construction of a new training facility in Carmel. During Bedford's tenure as CEO, Republic grew to become one of the largest regional airlines in the country Republic Airways on July 2 named Board Chair David Grizzle as CEO following Bedford's departure. Contact IndyStar state government and politics reporter Brittany Carloni at
