The Hoosier Heartland Small Business Development Center Welcomes New Business Advisor Michael Johnson

The Purdue Center for Regional Development is pleased to introduce Michael Johnson as the newest Business Advisor for the Hoosier Heartland Small Business Development Center.

Michael brings a diverse professional background that spans healthcare management, multi-unit business operations, and entrepreneurship support. He has served as Practice Manager for a growing pediatric clinic in North Texas, where he gained valuable experience in leadership, operations, and organizational management. He later joined Insomnia Cookies, holding several leadership positions, including Area Director and roles in New Store Operations. In those positions, Michael worked closely with teams across the country to improve business performance and operational efficiency.

After leaving Insomnia Cookies, Michael returned to school as a non-traditional student and recently graduated from Purdue University with a degree in Economics.

In his new role as a Business Advisor, Michael will provide support, guidance, and resources to small business owners and entrepreneurs throughout the Hoosier Heartland region. He will work closely with clients to help them navigate challenges, identify opportunities for growth, and connect with programs and services that support business success.

“My goal is to become a trusted resource for entrepreneurs and small business owners throughout the Hoosier Heartland region. I hope to help clients work through challenges, recognize opportunities, and connect them with valuable resources.”

What attracted Michael to the position was the opportunity to combine his passion for problem-solving with meaningful work that directly supports local businesses. Throughout his career, he has enjoyed helping organizations overcome obstacles and improve operations. He sees his new role as a natural extension of that experience.

“One thing I discovered about myself in my previous roles is that I loved to solve problems. Working at Insomnia, I would be sent to struggling locations across the country with the task of diagnosing the problem and finding a solution to improve operations. With this current role as a Business Advisor, I can be presented with a wide variety of different problems to help solve alongside business owners. Every day being different than the previous day is what makes me excited to come into the office.”

Outside of work, Michael enjoys spending time outdoors, especially golfing and exploring local trails with his dogs, including walks through Happy Hollow Park. He is also an avid NBA fan and has been a dedicated follower of the Oklahoma City Thunder since the team’s move to Oklahoma City in 2008.

“My wife and I moved to West Lafayette two years ago when she accepted a faculty role at the Purdue Veterinary Hospital as an Ophthalmologist. Since moving here, we have fallen in love with the area, and I look forward to continuing to learn more about and serve the Greater Lafayette community.”

Please join us in welcoming Michael Johnson to the Hoosier Heartland Small Business Development Center. We are excited for the expertise, enthusiasm, and problem-solving mindset he brings to the team as he supports entrepreneurs and small businesses across the region.

Interested in working with the ISBDC team? Visit their website.