275 Medical Drive #4150
Carmel, IN 46032
773.495.4288
Developing the resources you need to succeed
Who We Are
Direct Impact Partnerships works with small businesses and non-profit organizations to conduct
There are millions of great ideas out there, but it takes a true entrepreneur to turn them from
dream into reality. The goal of Direct Impact Partnerships is to support dedicated and driven business owners and non-profits by understanding their goals and objectives and helping them assemble the information, partners, investors and funders they need to grow their business and fulfill those dream.
Recent clients include Aruba Hospitality Portfolio; Center for Leadership Development; Actors Theatre of Indiana; Bring It On Esports Entertainment Center; Bullock Trucking; Arthur Jordan Foundation;
Aspire Johnson County/City of Greenwood; The Veridus Group; City of Carmel; Carmel Symphony Orchestra; The Museum of Miniature Houses & Other Collections; Thomas P. Miller & Associates
What We'll Do For You
First, we listen. Then we discuss. Then we develop a plan. And then we discuss some more.
Because in the end, our goal is to partner with YOU, whether you're starting a business or non-profit,
growing one you already have, or developing a special project.
We can
Ascertain current and future needs
Assess your current capabilities
Build your website
Communicate your vision
Conduct surveys and market research
Create your logo
Cultivate partnerships
Design your marketing plan
Develop your budget
Develop internal systems
Draft agreements
Draft your business plan
Find funding opportunities
Identify potential competitors
Investigate technology and equipment options
Manage your business - basic bookkeeping, monthly financials, AR/AP
Manage your project
Recommend business management systems and software
Research customer profiles
Set-up QuickBooks Online
Strengthen your operations
Write proposals and manage your grants program
Recent Clients
Bullock Trucking LLC
Seat Pleasant, MD
Contributed to the development of a Growth Strategy Business Plan for a 15-year-old trucking company.
Outlined financial assumptions
Produced P&L, Cash Flow and Break-Even projections
Conducted market research
Identified local and national bid opportunities
Researched business competitors
Created customer profiles
Determined prevailing wages for W2 employees and 1099 contractors
Researched equipment needs and pricing
Built an equipment inventory
Created preventive maintenance and vehicle inspection policies
Recommended business management technology
Negotiated the purchase of a comprehensive trucking management database system
Created materials, charts, checklists, forms, etc. necessary for day-to-day operations
Bring It On Esports Entertainment Center LLC
Jacksonville, NC
Assisted with the development of a start-up Business Plan for an esports entertainment venue.
Crafted an Industry Overview and Management Team profiles for the business plan
Filed multi-state business registrations under various name permutations
Constructed player profiles for use in game identification and marketing
Researched various food service options including local partnerships and vending opportunities
Researched equipment leasing options
Identified and curated video clips for large screen entertainment activities
Created marketing materials and mailings
Recommended special programming opportunities
Aspire Johnson County
Greenwood, IN
Conducted an online survey to help determine future economic development opportunities tied to changes in remote work habits of local residents.
Conducted interviews with relevant stakeholders
Determined the sample population
Developed survey questions
Developed a Survey Monkey tool
Created copy for the postcard invitation and coordinated its design
Collected data, analyzed and reported on results
The Veridus Group
Indianapolis, IN
Expanded the marketing capabilities of a real estate management and owner’s technical representation firm.
Identified appropriate social media outlets
Created a social media content map to grow brand recognition
Created an annual marketing communications calendar
Identified issues and implemented solutions related to the current website including but not limited to platform, design, brand affiliation, content/content-updates, blog posts, user-friendliness, imagery, graphics, videos, etc.
Researched and recommended SEO services to improve Client’s search engine presence.
International Economic Development Council (IEDC)
Washington, DC
Chaired the Events & Logistics Committee for the IEDC annual conference in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Led a team of 15 professionals from across the region
Identified sites for eight special events ranging from small, intimate dinners to major networking receptions
Designed, coordinated, and directed the research and scripting of seven educational tours to ensure discussion of major points of economic interest on the way to tour sites
City of Carmel
Carmel, IN
Created and launched a new city-wide volunteer recruitment program.
Researched successful programs across the United States
Created appropriate local policies and procedures
Identified and quantified volunteer opportunities for the City of Carmel and local stakeholders
Researched and recommended a volunteer management software program
What People Are Saying
Deunta Williams
Bring It On Esports Entertainment Center
Jacksonville, FL
“My partners and I were in a crunch, trying to complete a comprehensive business plan to present to our major investors, so we first hired Direct Impact Partnerships to write sections of the plan. Valery incorporated our background information, conducted extensive research, and wrote a compelling Industry Overview (on an industry she previously knew nothing about, by the way) and highly impactful Management Team profiles. She gave us exactly what we needed and more than I expected in a timely and professional manner. We have used her services on several occasions since then and have been extremely pleased each and every time.”
Delvon Bullock
Bullock Trucking LLC
Capital Heights, MD
“As the owner of a successful, 19 year-old trucking company, I knew we needed a new way of conducting business to remain competitive and profitable. The Direct Impact Partnerships (DIP) team worked with us to develop a business plan and growth strategy that allowed us to do just that. DIP conducted highly focused research and planning in every area of our operations, including management, staffing, technology, marketing, financials, and logistics, as well as identifying customer and project acquisition opportunities we could actually execute. Ultimately, DIP arranged multiple sources of working capital financing that allowed us to expand our fleet and acquire the customers of a competitor. I highly recommend Direct Impact Partnerships as a true management partner and resource.”
Jeffrey A. Finkle
International Economic Development Council
Washington, DC
The International Economic Development Council (IEDC) held its annual conference in Indianapolis in 2019. Valery
DeLong chaired the Events, Educational Tours & Logistics Committee. Under her leadership, a team of 15 professionals from across the region identified sites for eight special events ranging from small, intimate dinners to major networking receptions, then designed and coordinated seven educational tours throughout the city. Valery went above-and-beyond what was required in numerous ways. I received many kudos from attendees regarding these tours and events. We at IEDC appreciate Valery for helping to make for a spectacular conference."
Meet Our Team
Valery De Long
A "Figure Stuff Out" Professional
Direct Impact Partnerships is the brainchild of Valery DeLong. For more than 30 years, Valery has built a reputation for being the go-to-person when business owners, investors, organization leaders, project and program managers from across the country need to “figure stuff out” for the success of their enterprise. She has consistently applied her problem-solving, project management, fundraising, consensus-building, negotiating, team building and leadership skills to clients, partnerships and employers in a variety of industries including business start-ups, property management, real estate development, government services, cultural institutions, workforce development, education, and the arts.
Valery continues to engage her expertise in researching market trends, identifying partnership opportunities, defining best practices, negotiating agreements, establishing mutually beneficial relationships, managing aspects of project and business development, and leading implementation execution. Her ability to structure operational financial plans with accuracy of outcomes, as well as the management of complicated budgets has directly benefited her clients and employers in reaching their financial goals and sustainable growth.
Daniel Russell III
Strategist
Daniel Russell III has been launching new and innovative business ventures while serving as trainer and mentor to literally thousands of business and development professionals across the U.S. for more than 40 years. From his early years at the Rouse Company through his present tenure as owner of Vessel Development, LLC, Dan has built a reputation for his extensive knowledge base, meticulous planning, bold leadership and thoughtful implementation leading to numerous highly successful business start-ups.
Since early 2000, Vessel Development, LLC has served as parent company for enterprises in the areas of business and real estate development, business coaching, film entertainment financing and book publishing. Prior to Vessel Development, Dan served as Managing Director Emerging Markets & Sr. Vice President at Fleet Mortgage, Executive Vice President at Wells Fargo Home Mortgage and Vice President, Affordable Housing Mortgage Purchases & Community Development Investments at Freddie Mac.
Bo De Long-Cotty, Phd
Strategist
For over 30 years, Dr. Bo DeLong-Cotty has partnered with individuals, businesses and organizations to integrate research- and needs-based strategic planning, product design and development, and best industry practices with strategic planning goals and outcome evaluations. She is an experienced project and program manager, who most recently served as a PM for the $84,000,000 expansion of a large west coast conservation and zoological society. Bo’s body of work spans the fields of science, technology and engineering; mathematics; art and music; animation, film and children’s television (concept and creative); formal and informal K-adult education; professional development; resilience; bias-resistance; workplace skill development (21st Century Skills); social and cognitive development; literacy; and family and community well-being and services. Bo earned an MA from Columbia University/Teachers College and a PhD from the University of California, Berkeley, both in Developmental Psychology.
