In the summer of 2019, the Mississippi native and New Orleans college graduate accepted a job at the Topeka Capital Journal—sight unseen—thinking it might be a short two- or three-year stop. Six years later, she’s still here, and now she's launched the city’s first public relations firm dedicated exclusively to small businesses and nonprofits.
Topeka Won Her Over
“This community just really grew on me,” India says. She describes it as “the biggest small town you’re ever going to live in.” Large enough to offer opportunities but small enough to build real relationships, Topeka felt like the right place to put down roots. Places like Gage Park, Jong’s Thai restaurant, and the 95-year-old Downtown Farmers Market added to the charm.
Her Passion for Storytelling Started in Journalism
After two and a half years at the Capital Journal, she transitioned to the Greater Topeka Partnership. Everywhere she went, she heard the same thing from small business owners and nonprofit leaders: “You’re the first person to reach out to tell our story.” She saw a gap—big corporations had PR support, but small, mission-driven organizations did not.
Enter Local Lens PR
In February 2023, after completing entrepreneurial programs through Omni Circle, India launched her own firm. Unlike traditional PR firms focused on national brands or crisis management, Local Lens helps local organizations “find their voice.” As India puts it, “Marketing is about driving sales, but public relations is about communicating your impact to build trust.”
Working with Topeka’s Most Innovative Organizations
Her clients include Omni Circle Group, Compass Marketing, Cohort Digital, and Trident Homes—the company bringing 3D-printed, tornado-resistant, energy-efficient homes to Topeka. While some writers worry tools like ChatGPT will replace them, India sees them as helpful assistants. “It can help me with research and reporting back to clients, making me more efficient,” she says. But AI still needs a human voice. “It has to be refined to sound authentic.” India wants to see more restaurants and amenities, sure—but more than anything, she wants Topekans to believe in themselves. “If we can believe we deserve good things, we can build something great.”
Shaping the City’s Voice
Local Lens PR is doing more than communications. It’s shifting the narrative of what’s possible in Topeka—giving small businesses and nonprofits the platform they need to thrive, and helping a city learn how to celebrate its own voice.
This article, Giving Topeka’s Small Businesses a Voice: Transforming Topeka's Small Business Landscape | India Yarbrough, was written by Justin Armbruster of the Armbruster Team at Genesis, LLC, REALTORS®—local experts in Topeka real estate, storytelling, and community connection. Justin is passionate about highlighting the people and institutions shaping Topeka’s future. For more local spotlights and real estate tips, follow Justin on Instagram or call 785-260-4384.