More Than a Meal: How 2025 Graduate Martin Turman Combines Business, Nutrition & Community Support

When Martin Turman Jr. reflects on his journey, he describes it as a road paved with resilience, purpose, and a deep commitment to his community. A student in the Entrepreneurship program at Ivy Tech Indianapolis, Turman, ‘25, is not only learning how to refine his business skills—he’s actively applying them as the founder of Makin It 2gether, a business that combines catering, mental health advocacy, and community outreach.

Turman, who has worked in the hospitality industry for over twenty years, found his calling in entrepreneurship after years of climbing the restaurant management ladder. 

“My father inspired me because he was a business owner. But, I watched my father struggle with his businesses, and I wanted to learn how to do it right,” Turman said. “My first-degree track was in hospitality, so I’ve found a way to combine my passion for food with my desire to create something bigger than myself.”

That combination led to Makin It 2gether, a company dedicated to bridging communities. Turman, who came out as gay at 15 and was subsequently kicked out of his home, understands firsthand the importance of support systems. 

Through his company, he provides others with the resources he wished he had—connecting individuals with mental health services, offering community meals, and organizing a bi-monthly non-denominational worship service designed as a welcoming space for LGBTQ+ individuals.

“We’re not just making meals; we’re making a movement,” Turman said. “We do nutritional and mental health counseling, and we help connect people to the resources they need. It’s about edifying, educating, and elevating the community.”

My Momma’s Meals: Healthy Soul Food 

While Makin It 2gether focuses on community empowerment, its catering arm, My Momma’s Meals (M3), is where Turman’s culinary expertise shines. Inspired by the time he spent caring for his late mother, who battled cancer, Turman developed a catering business that merges healthy eating with the comforting flavors of soul food.

“I had to make sure my mom ate healthy, but she wasn’t going to eat it if it didn’t taste good,” he explained, chuckling. “So I learned how to make the foods she loved in a way that nourished her. That’s how My Momma’s Meals started.”

Today, M3 provides catering services while also offering educational presentations on nutrition and how food impacts mental health. Turman, who has certifications in specialized diets, believes that what people eat plays a major role in their emotional well-being.

“People don’t realize how much food affects their mental health,” he said. “We crave sugar, salt, and fats when we’re down, but that actually feeds the negativity. I’m proving that you can still enjoy your favorite foods in a way that fuels your body and your mind.”

One of M3’s most requested dishes? Baked chicken with dressing, served with cheesecake apple pie. “It’s a must-try!” Turman exclaims.

Serving with Heart: Reaching Those Often Overlooked

Turman’s work extends beyond the kitchen. As an advocate for HIV/AIDS awareness and LGBTQ+ inclusion, he ensures that Makin It 2gether is a safe space for all. His organization partners with non-profits like Trans Solutions, a local advocacy group, providing Thanksgiving brunches and catering their annual awards ceremony.

“There’s not enough support out there for our LGBTQ+ family, especially those living with HIV,” Turman said. “We’re working to change that by offering education, community resources, and a place where people feel seen.”

Through his outreach efforts, Turman says he has:
✅ Placed 75 individuals in permanent jobs
✅ Provided over 100 people with resume assistance
✅ Connected 200 people with mental health counseling
✅ Assisted 50 individuals with community resources

“We don’t do it for the money,” he said. “We do it for the community.”

Ivy Tech: The Big Brother He Never Had

Returning to college in 2023 after previously attending Ivy Tech a decade earlier, Turman found that the School of Entrepreneurship and Innovation gave him the tools to transform his business vision into reality. He credits professors like Steve Thrash and Tearra Dotson with helping him understand the true nature of entrepreneurship and how to navigate the challenges of business ownership.

“Ivy Tech is the big brother I never had,” Turman said. “They’ve been right by my side, supporting me through the struggles and celebrating my wins. When my GPA fell below 2.0, they were on me like my parents would have been. And when I brought it back up, they cheered me on. That’s what you need when you’re trying to make it.”

After graduating in May, Turman is already setting ambitious goals for the future. His plans include expanding M3’s catering services, launching a food truck, and opening an LGBTQ-friendly bakery—a welcoming space for community members to gather outside of the traditional nightlife scene.

“There aren’t many positive spaces for LGBTQ+ folks outside of clubs and bars,” Turman said. “I want to create something different, something uplifting.”

Making It Together—And Moving Forward

Through his businesses, advocacy, and unwavering determination, Martin Turman is proving that success is about more than just financial gain—it’s about uplifting those around you.

“No one succeeds alone,” he said. “That’s why it’s called Makin It 2gether.”

Learn more about the program that is structured to foster creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving, encouraging students to develop unique business ideas and solutions — the Ivy Tech Garatoni School of Entrepreneurship & Innovation!