Southern Indiana Community Supports Local Entrepreneurs

Sarah Jane Sander

When Roza and Juan Segoviano experienced difficulties expanding their business in Virginia Beach, Virginia, due to soaring real estate prices, a friend of Juan’s invited them to visit him in Louisville, noting the opportunities for business growth in the Indiana-Kentucky area. 

After a quick visit, the Segovianos made the move to Southern Indiana and never looked back. 

“We have been welcomed, supported and able to grow our business,” Roza says. “Southern Indiana has grown so much throughout the years, and it doesn’t show any signs of slowing down.” 

Ahead, Roza, the executive chef and co-owner of VIVA Hospitality Group, shares what she loves about living and running a business in Southern Indiana. 

Tell us about VIVA Hospitality Group and the restaurants you own. 

VIVA Hospitality Group was created in 2022 to bring our family of restaurant concepts under one brand. We currently have three locations of Señor Iguanas (in Clarksville, Sellersburg and Louisville), La Catrina Mexican Kitchen in downtown New Albany, Sleepy Rooster Morning Kitchen in New Albany and La Catrina Tacos & Tequila at the Big Four Station in Jeffersonville. 

What about Southern Indiana made it an attractive place to open a business? 

I grew up in Ohio, so I was happy to move back to the Midwest. The Southern Indiana community was very welcoming to us, and throughout the years, it has been very supportive of us growing our business. 

One Southern Indiana, the region’s chamber and economic development arm, has been amazing, as has Develop New Albany, SoIN Tourism, the Town of Clarksville, the City of New Albany, the City of Jeffersonville, local city councils and countless city officials. Fellow local small-business owners lend their support, too. 

What have you learned along the way? 

We have learned so much. Perhaps the biggest takeaway is to know where you want your business to go and be persistent. Setbacks and failures are bound to happen, but you cannot let them discourage you. Always look for the silver linings and let them be learning experiences and opportunities to grow. I also think it’s very important to build ties to your community and look for opportunities to collaborate. 

What does your family like about living in Southern Indiana?

We live in Jeffersonville, and there’s so much to like, including the affordable housing, tight-knit community and small-town charm, with easy access to all that a larger city (Louisville) has to offer. We love the quaint downtowns in New Albany and Jeffersonville, the beautiful parks in the area, and, of course, Southern Indiana’s growing food scene.