Author: Tom

The Whiskey Made Me Do It (Surfing into 2018)

January 22, 2018 By Tom

Well, this is awkward. It’s been, what, 9 or 10 months since I last wrote something? I’m afraid to look back and see exactly what my last post was. Oh, the headline of this blog? That was mainly to grab your attention; my Communications Director doesn’t let me write about anything the whiskey actually makes […]

Move Fast. Break Stuff. Don’t Forget to Look Around and Take It All In.

March 19, 2017 By Tom

$300,000.00. That was the grant we were awarded this week from Lilly Endowment, Inc. $300,000.00. That is more revenue than the first 3 years Nine13 existed. It’s more than what we brought in for the entirety of 2016. $300,000.00. That gets 20,000 new Kids Riding Bikes participants over the next 2 years. This is about […]

Lunch with a Homeless Guy (and 24 others)

February 27, 2017 By Tom

My goal has never been to be in the public spotlight. And I’ve honestly struggled with that at times over these last few years as the organization has continued to grow and I’ve been privileged to have a broader presence in the media and public forums. My goal has always been to do what is […]

Dancing (and dialing) for our Dinner

February 25, 2017 By Tom

The past month has been a brutal pace for me and the entire Nine13 team. If you’ve followed us on social media, we were fortunate to be part of a grant contest that had two rounds to it: a public vote for the final 10 to be narrowed down to 5, and an employee vote […]

Getting Lost in the Noise

February 17, 2017 By Tom

Thoughts I’ve had during the last few weeks…. “Sink or swim,” is really just a crafty way to say, die or live. “Survival is my best revenge,” is just a snarky way to say, you underestimated me, joke is on you. “Fake it till you make it,” is the justification of entrepreneurs that translates to, […]

You Never Taught Me How To Lose You

January 15, 2017 By Tom

It’s been a year since I said goodbye to Denver. Since we had our last conversation. Since I held her hand for the final time. It’s been a year since I lost my best friend, my confidant, my trusted advisor, my partner-in-crime. It’s been a year and the heartbreak is still raw. The pain still […]

Indy: Drop the Humble Act and Admit We’re Awesome

December 29, 2016 By Tom

I’ve had enough. Enough of the people saying that “Indianapolis is just too humble,” and, “We’re just afraid to admit we’re cool.” I’m a Midwestern kid with Midwest Lake roots, and I love the low key nature of my fellow natives. But, we’re doing damage to ourselves. We’re holding our city hostage by not being […]

Walk ‘Em With Grace (A Letter to You. And 2016)

December 16, 2016 By Tom

This is the place I stand These are the boards I pace Walk ‘em with graceful steps The show will go on and on and on and on -The Get Up Kids It’s been a few months, eh? As I sit here this morning, contemplating all that has happened in 2016; it’s hard to process […]