Family Business Alliance

2025 Homegrown & Headquartered Family Businesses

FEATURING:
  • Browning
  • Sweet Schmitt’s Candy
  • Embry Automation
  • Schneider Financial
  • Evolv
  • The Rug Merchant

E-REP’s Homegrown & Headquartered initiative is the critical intersection between local legacy family-owned businesses, regional headquartered firms, and E-REP’s business retention and expansion programming. These strategic efforts are intentionally focused on driving business growth and economic prosperity by highlighting the impact and importance of our regional homegrown & headquartered businesses and connecting them to relevant and timely resources.

Browning

For over 70 years, Browning Funeral Home has been committed to providing compassionate and quality funeral service to the community. Founded by Charles Browning in 1954, Browning Funeral Home is currently owned and operated by his daughter, Jeannie Browning-Hester, who has dedicated more than 40 years of service to the business. She has been a trailblazer for women, not just locally – but nationally, in a predominately male industry. Continuing the family tradition, Jeannie’s son, Jake Browning Hester, represents the third generation of Browning family leadership. As a locally owned family business, Browning Funeral Home values interpersonal relationships with the families they serve, and pride themselves in exceptional customer care – culminating in a finer touch to remembrance.

Sweet Schmitt’s Candy

We started on Etsy.com in 2012 and as we increased in local reach, in 2016 made it official with the state and finally gained enough traction to open the store front August of 2019. 

We are an artisan, small batch creator of marshmallows, flavored caramel, nut clusters in various nuts and hand rolled truffles. Focused on community and making something special from scratch.

Embry Automation & Controls: A Legacy of Innovation, Built on Integrity

At Embry Automation & Controls, we believe that reliability is more than just a feature; it’s a promise. Founded and headquartered in Evansville, Indiana, our family-owned business has spent nearly two decades providing world-class industrial automation and controls solutions to clients across North America.

From custom UL 508A-certified panel fabrication to remote monitoring and 24/7 emergency service, we’ve built our reputation on solving the toughest operational challenges with precision and care. What sets us apart isn’t just our technical expertise—it’s the relational integrity we bring to every partnership. We don’t just build systems; we build trust.

Our mission is to create the safest, most effective automation solutions for our clients’ environments while empowering them with the service, speed, and support they deserve. At our core, we are problem-solvers, relationship-builders, and proud members of a region that values innovation, resilience, and family.

Congratulations to Schneider Financial on 36 years in the Evansville Region!

Founded by John Schneider in 1989, Schneider Financial Inc has been dedicated to providing expert financial planning services for multiple generations of families. With a strong foundation built on trust, integrity, and personalized advice, John has spent decades helping clients achieve their financial goals. In 2020, his daughter, Brittany, joined the firm, bringing fresh perspectives and innovative strategies to continue their family legacy of excellence. Together, they are committed to empowering individuals and families with the knowledge and tools to make informed financial decisions, ensuring their financial well-being for years to come.

Congratulations to The Rug Merchant on 55 years! Thank you for your contribution to the Evansville Region!

For over 56 years, The Rug Merchant has been a cornerstone of our local community. From humble beginnings in the carpet business, Terry took “Rug Studies” classes at NYU and traveled to rug stores in large cities, learning the business of rugs.
His vision was to make the American rug buying process as easy as possible, while offering a large variety of different types of rugs so that customers would have many styles and designs to choose from from all over the world. 
Over 40 years ago, Terry joined and served on the board of ORRA (Oriental Rug Retailers of America), a non-profit that provided consumer rug education and promoted the ethical practices in the oriental rug business. 
Implementing these practice, along with exceptional customer service, over the last 1/2 century, the Rug Merchant has earned generations of loyal customers. 
With his wife, Lynne, joining Terry in 1998, and Emily stepping into the business in 2014, The Rug Merchant is truly an Evansville Family Tradition. 

Congratulations to Evolv for 27 years in the Evansville Region. Thank you for your contribution to the Evansville Region!

Founded in 1998, Evolv partners with banks, associations, and sales offices to deliver cutting-edge payment acceptance solutions. Operating as a multi-processor sales office, Evolv offers an extensive range of products, including point-of-sale systems, gateways, and payment terminals. In 2017, the company expanded by investing in VIV, a digital marketing agency, adding services like website development, social media management, and paid advertising to its portfolio. Evolv remains dedicated to increasing sales, reducing costs, and mitigating risks for merchants and partners. For more information, visit poweredbyevolv.com.

Congratulations to Brinker’s Jewelers for 53 years in the Evansville Region. Thank you for your contribution to the Evansville Region!

For three generations, Brinker’s Jewelers has held ourselves to the highest jewelry industry standards. Our foundation has been built on servicing the products we sell, developing personal relationships with our customers, and establishing generational partnerships with our suppliers. Brinker’s Jewelers is a multi-location, luxury, jewelry retailer and manufacturer with our headquarters located in Evansville, Indiana.

Three years ago, we achieved a rare milestone for a family business when we celebrated our 50th anniversary. At that time, we announced renovation plans to turn our flagship location into a 13,000 square foot space with a brand-new showroom experience, enlarged jewelry and watch repair centers, and expanded offices for our ever-growing staff which is to be completed in 2026. We would not be celebrating 53 years in business without the loyal support of our customers. We are thankful for our customer’s trust in us and for our team’s dedication to the Brinker family.

In April 2021, we proudly introduced our boutique concierge jewelry experience at the esteemed Silverleaf Club in Scottsdale, Arizona. This groundbreaking endeavor brought forth a boutique unlike any other because it is the first full-service jewelry store in the world nestled within the prestigious grounds of an exclusive country club, offering not only exquisite jewelry and timepieces, but also the convenience of an onsite jeweler. All of the jewelry and fine timepieces are the embodiment of elegance and luxury along with the refined detail that Silverleaf members and their guests expect from The Silverleaf Club.

Building on the success of our Silverleaf location, In January of 2025, we expanded our operations in Scottsdale, AZ, with the acquisition of Scottsdale Fine Jewelers. Our team of dedicated jewelry professionals at Brinker’s Jewelers is honored to be entrusted with continuing the legacy of Scottsdale Fine Jewelers. We look forward to serving their customers, the greater Scottsdale community and having them choose the little green box for all of the special moments in life!

Congratulations to Mulzer Crushed Stone for 72 years in the Evansville Region. Thank you for your contribution to the Evansville Region!

Mulzer Crushed Stone’s story began in 1935, when three brothers in Southern Indiana turned their craftsmanship and determination into a lasting legacy. What started with building culverts grew into a business supplying the region with quality limestone. By 1946, their first quarry was fueling the postwar construction boom and their reputation for integrity and excellence was set in stone.

Four generations later, Mulzer Family of Companies continues to honor the same pioneering spirit. With Evansville being one of their cherished communities, they remain dedicated to upholding their values of integrity, excellence, and community engagement.

FAMILY BUSINESS ALLIANCE GOLD SponsorS
FAMILY BUSINESS ALLIANCE SILVER SponsorS