Wright and Alejo launch free local business hub for Wayne County

Jason Wright and Dennis Alejo have launched Stand Out Wayne County, a free platform that combines a business directory with video interviews to help residents find local shops and services in one place. The site is designed to boost visibility for county businesses and could become a model for other communities.

Why it matters: - Wayne County residents now have a single place to search local businesses by category, city or map. - Local owners get a free way to improve visibility without building their own marketing platform. - The founders say the project is meant to strengthen local spending and community connections.

What happened: - Jason Wright and Dennis Alejo launched Stand Out Wayne County, a free online platform at standoutwaynecounty.com. - The site combines a local business directory with video interviews of business owners. - The launch was announced Nov. 12, 2026, in Richmond, Indiana.

The details: - The directory covers dining, shopping, services and health and wellness businesses. - Nearly every business in Wayne County is already listed. - Owners can claim a listing, update business details or request an interview through the site. - Businesses just outside the county that serve Wayne County customers are also welcome. - The platform includes an Owner Verified badge for businesses that confirm their listing details. - Business owner spotlights are short, professionally filmed videos of about one minute. - Longer podcast interviews are recorded in Wright's studio. - An AI-powered local discovery engine is in development. - The tool will let residents describe what they need and get Wayne County-focused results. - Residents can also recommend businesses for future features. - The first episode is already available on YouTube. - Stand Out Wayne County is also on Facebook and YouTube.

Between the lines: - The project started as a podcast idea after Alejo emailed Wright about interviewing local owners. - Wright proposed expanding the concept into a full platform. - The two met through Wayne County Networking, a monthly local business group started by Alejo. - Wright said many local businesses have strong stories but do not have time or expertise to market themselves. - Alejo said the goal is to make people curious enough to visit, learn about and trust local businesses. - The founders see the launch as a test case for a broader model that could work in other counties and cities.

What's next: - The founders plan to keep adding business features and interviews. - The AI search tool is still being built. - If the model works, Wright and Alejo hope to expand it beyond Wayne County. - Business owners can submit or claim listings through the site now.