At the 7th Annual Fuse Business Innovation Awards for West-Central Indiana on Oct. 20, Twisted Limb Paperworks, sustainable hand paper making and invitation company, received the Fuse Business Award for Microenterprise of the Year from the Indiana Small Business Development Center. Nominees for the Microenterprise of the year were required to have fewer than five employees, be more than three years old, and have started with no more than $35,000 in capital. The 14-year-old sustainably-run, handmade recycled paper making company won the award for exhibiting characteristics of a successful entrepreneur, including stable and resilient management, as well as "creativity, initiative, and vision."

Starting with their relocation from rural Indiana into a commercial district of Bloomington, 2011 has been a transformative year for Twisted Limb. Now sitting right alongside the newly-created B-Line Bike Trail in town, their local business has quadrupled. With the help of business grants from both the YMCA's ACHIEVE program and from the B-Line Business Enhancement Fund of the Urban Enterprise Association, Twisted Limb has been able to assist with community revitalization efforts in the area. The first provided funds for a "living wall" to serve as an employee benefit garden, and the second created a vibrant storefront mural and semi-formal wildlife garden, both visible from the B-line Trail. The launch of their newly re-designed website, twistedlimbpaper.com, has been another successful makeover for the company. One project yet still unfolding for Twisted Limb is the release of "Beer Paper," paper made with the barley from local brewer Upland Brewing Company and available in four distinctive "beer colors." Although it's only been available since Oct. 3, Beer Paper has already received nationwide attention, including interest from major marketing firms.

Despite various past acknowledgements to her studio, Twisted Limb CEO and founder Sheryl Woodhouse-Keese feels very honored to win the award. Twisted Limb committed to sustainable business practices 14 years ago and has since earned much recognition for their dedication to the environment. "It is the second time to recognize the business as a whole," Woodhouse-Keese said, referring to a $10,000 grant from clothing company Eileen Fisher in 2008. Woodhouse-Keese is happy to receive the award for Microenterprise of the Year because it too takes all business aspects into consideration.

Aiming to "reward excellence in entrepreneurship in West-Central Indiana," other categories awarded by the ISBDC include Entrepreneur of the Year, Social Entrepreneur of the Year, Entrepreneurial Growth Award, Small Business Advocate of the Year, Innovative Business of the Year, and the Community Service Award. The ceremony was part of the ISBDC's "Entrepreneurship Week" of events supporting owners, and aspiring owners, of area small businesses. The awards themselves are dignified sculptures of limestone, handcrafted by retired artist Robert Clendening, a gesture to South Central Indiana's limestone heritage.

Speakers at the event made the win even more gratifying for Woodhouse-Keese. Josh Bleill was the Keynote Speaker, a former marine who lost both legs fighting in Iraq, but who is now the Indianapolis Colts Community spokesperson and a book author. Bleill gave an arresting speech about perseverance, referencing both the trials of small business owners during the recession and his own obstacles coming out of his injury. Bloomington Mayor Mark Kruzan gave his support as well, commending small business owners for their contribution to the community despite trying economic conditions. In an inspiring nod to the futures of the award winners, Master of Ceremonies Jim Inman of Comprehensive Financial Consulting slipped some business advice to the audience: the night's winners all would be "Brands to watch."