Entrepreneurs + Innovators
“It’s a Cleveland pride thing,” says Phoenix CEO and self-described superbarista Sarah Wilson-Jones. “We thought it was time to have a coffee that is uniquely Cleveland.” The name reflects the Cleveland airport code.
The coffee, which originated as an espresso blend, is a combination of Brazilian, Columbian, Costa Rican and Sumatran coffees and is a medium body blend with floral aromas and touches of vanilla and a chocolate finish. The blend has its own logo – a CLE baggage tag.
Introduced in July, CLE Blend tempts travelers as they enter or leave the airport’s C concourse. It’s also available at Phoenix locations around Northeast Ohio and online. “It was designed to celebrate our relationship with the airport,” says Wilson-Jones. “It’s designed for Clevelanders by Clevelanders.”
Wilson-Jones says Auntie Anne’s approached Phoenix because they wanted a local connection for their coffee products.
“There’s a popular demand for local coffee in the airport,” she says. “And that’s what drove Auntie Anne’s to call us.”
Source: Sarah Wilson-Jones
Writer: Karin Connelly
The two came together again when they realized they most liked forming businesses, and wanted to put their knowledge to work helping others do the same.
“I spent a lot of time in my career helping people bring ideas to market,” says Celeste. “One on the things I realized I wanted to do is help other people create businesses.”
So the two created Hatch Partners, which stands for Help At The Critical Hour. The company helps entrepreneurs all over Northeast Ohio bring their ideas to life, whether it’s through mentoring, advising or financing.
“The idea behind Hatch is that every entrepreneur has that moment of Should I pursue this idea?" explains Celeste. “We like being at the moment if inception when an idea is really coming to life.”
While Hatch occasionally provides capital to its portfolio of startups, its underlying function is to encourage other entrepreneurs. “We have no interest in becoming venture capitalists,” says Celeste. “The idea is really being an advisor and coaching.”
Unlike other business incubators in the area, Hatch is focused on coaching. “We’re neither place-based nor institutional,” says Celeste. “We’ve had a lot of good fortune in our lives. There were always key people who said, ‘Yes you can. You can build this business.’”
Source: Christopher Celeste
Writer: Karin Connelly
"Newly graduated and ready for a change of scenery? The best city for recent grads is Hartford-New Haven, Conn. On its heels are Cleveland, Boston and Denver."
CareerRookie and Apartments.com ranked the cities based on the population of young adults between the ages of 20 and 24, number of jobs requiring less than a year of experience, and the average rent of a one-bedroom apartment.
Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Cleveland is $695.
See the rest of the ranking here.
The company, which has grown from eight to 80 employees in two years, just completed an $18.4 million Series B financing round with Excel Venture Management and HealthCare Ventures, both out of Boston.
The investment will allow Cleveland HeartLab to expand -- both in employees and market acceptance. In addition to its current offerings, the company plans to introduce additional diagnostic tests in 2012. "The goal is to eliminate the threat of vascular inflammation," he says.
"The funding allows the company to double in size again," says Jake Orville, president and CEO. "And we've just committed to moving off [the Clinic's] campus to the Health Tech Corridor."
Orville predicts the company will double again in the next two years, adding positions in management, sales, marketing, and research and development. He attributes his company's growth to a talented, dedicated staff.
"We have the gift of really good novel technology," he says. "Combine that with really good people and a really good business plan."
Source: Jake Orville
Writer: Karin Connelly
And they aren't done yet, says Spitz. "We’d like to be known as the next national staffing agency,” he says. “Our goal is to open one to two offices every quarter.”
EverStaff has three staffing specialties: Professional, manufacturing and retail. Services include everything in the hiring process, from pre-screening to interviewing to providing references. “We provide the resources to every client to assist them with the hiring process,” explains Spitz.
Spitz credits EverStaff’s success with its close attention to client needs. “We consider ourselves different than other people in the industry because we get to know our clients and customize our services to them,” says Spitz. “We provide a customized service to our clients and, more importantly, we listen to them.”
Spitz started his career with an accounting degree and four years at Robert Half International. “It was a great starting ground for me,” he says. “But I was at a point in my life where I always had an entrepreneurial mindset and decided to out on my own.”
EverStaff has twice been in the Weatherhead 100 and Inc. Magazine’s 500/5000 list of fastest growing companies.
Source: Danny Spitz
Writer: Karin Connelly
Content Marketing World, a first-ever national conference that will take place at the Renaissance Cleveland Hotel, aims to help businesses and nonprofits place storytelling at the center of their work and to create their own marketing channels to reach consumers rather than relying on traditional media.
"To create and attract customers, marketers need to create valuable, relevant, timely content," says Joe Pulizzi, founder of the Content Marketing Institute, a company headquartered in Cleveland, and organizer of the event. "Customers are bombarded by marketing all day long -- more companies realize they need compelling content during all parts of the buying cycle."
The event will feature more than 50 speakers from around the country, including bestselling authors David Meerman Scott and Sally Hogshead. Comedian and filmmaker Kevin Smith, who bucked Hollywood with the independent release of his early films and is set to release "Red State" this fall, is also part of the lineup.
Given the rich history of marketing and custom publishing firms rooted in the city, Pulizzi hopes to shine a spotlight on Cleveland's content marketers -- and to tout the city as a great place to do business.
"You don't have to be in Hollywood or on Madison Avenue anymore to tell a good story," he says. "Why not Cleveland?"
Content Marketing World takes place from Sept. 6th-8th.
Source: Joe Pulizzi
Writer: Lee Chilcote
"Sometimes a company's future growth is contingent on landing angel investment funding," the article's author writes. "The challenge is to find the right angel investor who is passionate about your business."
"You can get started with this resource list of the largest angel investing firms in the U.S., according to the Angel Capital Association, a trade association of investment groups," he offers.
With a roster of 180 angels, Cleveland's North Coast Angel Fund, which invests in Ohio-based technology startups, claims the sixth spot. Columbus-based TechAngel Funds, with 282 angels, is the number one group. This group supports early-stage Ohio-based information technology, advanced materials, and medical technology companies.
Read the rest here.
“Our bar is unique because it has 100 percent of your daily fruits and vegetables,” says Pabley. “We’ve loaded it with all the stuff you’re supposed to be eating.” The bars are gluten free, vegan and have a low glycemic index. But don’t let the fact that they are healthy scare you; they’re tasty, too.
Pabley first got involved with the product when his family invested with the doctor who created a nutrition powder that is the basis for Good Greens Nutrition Bars. While working on his MBA at Baldwin-Wallace College, Pabley’s family approached him about marketing the doctor’s product.
“It was a good product, but had to be positioned properly,” Pabley recalls. He did just that. In May 2011, he went out on his own, brought the price down from nearly $5 a bar to less than $2, and partnered with Heinen’s, Marc’s and Dave’s Supermarkets to promote and sell his products.
Just four months later, Pabley has three employees and the Good Greens bars are the number-one seller at Heinen’s. The bars are so popular that Pabley has been developing new flavors, such as chocolate mint, chocolate fudge brownie, and Greek yogurt with blueberries. He plans to introduce them later this fall.
“For a small company without a big marketing budget, to put those numbers up is pretty phenomenal,” he says. He hopes to hire additional people soon and do his own manufacturing.
Source: Keith Pabley
Writer: Karen Connelly
So Larsen decided to do something about it. She volunteered at her children's schools in Cleveland Heights, teaching and helping students with creative writing projects. Then she met Amy Rosenbluth, a fellow teacher who was running youth poetry slams at a neighboring school. Soon Lake Erie Ink was born.
Now the nonprofit organization, which offers creative writing classes, camps and workshops for school-age youth, has made the jump to leasing space at the former Coventry School and plans to offer additional classes beginning in September.
"My kids went to this school, so it's great to be back in the building, and for it to be put to good use," says Larsen. "Originally, we were looking for a storefront, but the district offered us a deal too good to pass up. Plus, this place is a kid magnet."
The former Coventry School is located at the corner of Coventry and Euclid Heights, adjacent to a playground, the Peace Park and the Coventry Library.
Since launching Lake Erie Ink in 2010, its founders have learned that there is significant demand in the community for their services. In fact, the group had waiting lists for all three of its summer camps this year. "When the students started coming to us, we realized we were really onto something," says Larsen.
This summer, Lake Erie Ink held a play-writing camp (the kids produced 22 separate plays), a comic book camp, and a "people and places" camp where students interviewed local businesses and wrote down their stories.
"The need here is so apparent," says Larsen, who got part of her inspiration for Lake Erie Ink from the 826 Valencia literary centers launched by writer Dave Eggers. "We provide a welcome relief for the parents, teachers and kids."
Source: Cynthia Larsen
Writer: Lee Chilcote
Owner Jeff Campbell says he decided to expand in Ohio City because of the loyal customers he's generated at his West Side Market stand, which has seen 25 percent annual growth since he opened it in 2004.
"Ohio City is already Cleveland's foodie area," says Campbell. "I believe it will become nationally known as a foodie neighborhood."
Before the store opened at the beginning of August, Campbell and his crew made all of their popcorn and sweets in two tiny stands at the West Side Market. "We probably should have been here a year ago," he says with a laugh.
The new store is airy and spacious by comparison. It is playfully decorated with bright orange walls and a creamy brown ceiling that stir up cravings for cheese popcorn and chocolate-covered pretzels as soon as one walks in the door. Large storefront windows allow passersby to watch popcorn pop and other treats being made before being lured inside for a taste. Next month, a large sign with Campbell's new logo will be installed on the exterior of the building.
Campbell says he's encouraged by the new businesses that are opening on West 25th Street. "We're planning on adding sidewalk dining, and the owners are close to signing a deal with a hostel that would occupy the floors above us," he says. "Ohio City's growth will come down West 25th Street."
This is in addition to the recent news that Mitchell's Ice Cream will take over the former Moda space down the street.
Campbell's Popcorn and Sweets is located on West 25th St. south of Lorain, near Chatham Ave.
Source: Jeff Campbell
Writer: Lee Chilcote
This year's show, which is the third annual, will be bigger than ever. It features more than 20 designers, including two that are based in Columbus and Toledo.
"The furniture design industry here keeps growing -- this year we even had to turn a few people down," says P.J. Doran of A Piece of Cleveland (APOC), who organized the event along with Jason Radcliffe of 44 Steel. "We'd like this event to evolve each year, and hopefully begin attracting more out-of-state designers."
The show's organizers hold the event in a new space each year to highlight unique properties. In addition to the building's raw industrial beauty, the artwork of owner Giancarlo Callicia, a sculptor, will also be on display. Part of the designers' challenge, Doran says, lies in how to take advantage of the open space.
"This isn't a typical trade show with velvet ropes and white platforms where the work is displayed," he quips. "Each designer will personalize their display."
Doran is particularly excited about the younger designers taking part in the show, many of whom are graduates of the Cleveland Institute of Art (CIA) who emphasize sustainability. "These pieces are made to last," he says. "We call them heirloom pieces, which means there are multiple lives to the product."
He should know: APOC fashions furniture products using 'upcycled' lumber from reclaimed from buildings before they are deconstructed or demolished.
Doran expects more industry collaboration and more buzz about Cleveland's growing furniture design community to come out of this year's event. "We started the FGroup last year as an offshoot of the furniture show, and people started working together," he says. "We're showing there's strength in numbers."
As for the customers, Doran loves seeing visitors' surprised faces the night of the show. "People are always surprised by how much is being made in Cleveland."
F*SHO takes place on Friday, Sept. 9th from 2 to 11 p.m. at 6550 Carnegie Avenue.
Source: P.J. Doran
Writer: Lee Chilcote
When Happy Dog owner Eric Williams offered up his hot dog bar to food-truck operator Chris Hodgson for a night, he had no idea USA Today would get wind of the bash.
Hodgson, chef and owner of the popular food trucks Hodge Podge and Dim and Den Sum, is currently a participant in Season Two of the Food Network's "Great Food Truck Race." Hosted by Tyler Florence, the series features eight top food trucks competing for a $100,000 grand prize.
For Week One, Williams hosted a viewing party at his Detroit Shoreway venue. Hodgson parked both pig rigs out front to feed insatiable fans.
USA Today reader, and Cleveland local, "Big Business" submitted comments and photos of his visit to the viewing party.
Check them out here.
When it opens on September 1, The Nest will be yet another creative weapon in Tremont's arsenal to lure art-friendly shoppers to the neighborhood. Located in a storefront immediately adjacent to Edison's Pub, the boutique and gallery will feature an eclectic array of fine art, photography, jewelry and clothing.
Inventory will range from $6 jewelry items all the way up to $4,000 paintings. There will be products geared towards children, adults, and home décor fans.
"The clincher is that it is all handmade treasures from local artists," explains owner Robin Schulze. "We only support local people. You won't find anything bought wholesale from department stores."
Artists and craftspeople submit work on a modified consignment arrangement, Schulze says. The Nest gets a monthly fee to house and promote the work, but takes only 20 percent on the back end.
Schulze says that she was surprised to discover how easy it was to find participating artists.
"Before we secured the space, I put an ad on Craig's List to test the marketplace," she explains. "I was overwhelmingly inspired by how many people wanted to be a part of this." Now, she adds, there is a waiting list for artists to exhibit their products.
Described as fresh, modern and not stuffy, the space features slate grey and melon-colored walls. A small coffee lounge will offer espresso, tea, and Wi-Fi starting at 10 a.m. Down the road, the owners intend to add retail wine and craft beer to the mix. Eventually, they hope to turn an old garage out back into a wine bar.
The Nest
2379 Professor Avenue, Tremont
Just when you think there couldn't possibly be any national media outlets out there that haven't yet praised Matt Fish's grilled cheese empire Melt Bar & Grilled, along comes Field & Stream magazine.
In the Sportsman’s Notebook section of the latest issue of the world's leading outdoor magazine, “Wild Chef” Jonathan Miles mentions Melt's Lake Erie Monster, pronouncing it one of the best ways to enjoy a catch.
“Melt Bar & Grilled, in the Cleveland suburbs,” Miles writes, “has one specialty: grilled cheese sandwiches. The menu of 26 variations on that humble childhood favorite is just one indicator of how far and wide owner Matt Fish is willing to take a grilled cheese. My favorite: the Lake Erie Monster, in which a Guinness-battered walleye fillet is swamped in a gleeful mess of melted American cheese, jammed between thick slices of toast, and served with jalapeño-spiked tartar sauce. This is fish-camp cuisine taken to its belt-loosening outer limits.”
This latest shout-out joins recent mentions in USA Today, Boston Globe, and ESPN The Magazine, which named Melt one of the top 10 best sports bars in the country.
What started out as a small printing company run out of a little office in Euclid by two guys with a background in graphic design and printing T-shirts, has blossomed into a booming print business, Jakprints, which has sprouted three sister merchandising companies: IndieMerch, IndieMerchandising and IndieMerchstore.
Founded in 1999 by Dameon Guess and Jacob Edwards, Jakprints has leveraged the partners' artistic talents, knowledge of the music industry, and instinct for what customers need into a thriving enterprise. The four companies are now spread across 146,000 square feet in two Midtown buildings, employing 130 full-time staffers.
"I never would have had a clue we would grow to this size," says Dameon Guess, co-owner and vice president of operations. "It's the kind of thing where you put your best intentions into it and just get rewarded each day and you get to come back and do it again."
Jakprints specializes in custom full-color offset printing, apparel printing, embroidery and sticker production. IndieMerch, IndieMerchandising and IndieMerchstore serve as outlets to develop merchandise and distribute unique creations on the likes of T-shirts, coffee cups and other goods. "We never got the feeling of 'abandon ship,'" Guess says. "We just kept going."
Jakprints continues to grow. Guess says they plan on hiring five to 10 more people over the next year for everything from production and sales to administrative positions.
Additionally, the team plans to launch an on-site creative incubator, where individual offices will offer artists of all types reasonable rent, shared receptionist, internet access and space to exhibit work. Guess would also like to add a coffee shop to the mix.
"It will be a culture that will support future endeavors," says Guess. "It will be a space to network, meet other artists and be downtown."
Source: Dameon Guess
Writer: Karin Connelly