There’s no shortage of food trucks on Cleveland streets these days, but Ron Nelson offers a way for aspiring mobile food entrepreneurs to hit the road for less thanks to his food buggies.
 
When Cleveland launched its pilot street-food program back in 2009, Nelson was working for a non-profit that helped down-on-their-luck folks re-enter society. He saw food trucks as one way to do this, yet the costs were too high for the average person just starting out. And back then, there were no commercial kitchens around in which to do prep work.
 
So Nelson developed his buggies, which have lower startup costs, lower licensing fees and lower operational costs. He launched his company Food Buggy in 2013.
 
Food Buggy units cost between $4,000 and $12,000 compared to the $40,000 to $200,000 for fully equipped food trucks. The buggies have a lower operating cost, are lightweight and fit into a single parking space. “The food buggies have two advantages,” says Nelson. “The cost is much lower, and it also allows you to transport it using your own vehicle. And it’s easy enough for two people to set up quickly.”
 
Nelson is quick to point out that his buggies don’t replace food trucks – they are an alternative. “It allows the entrepreneur to start up with limited resources,” he explains. “Yet it gives all the flexibility to get exposed and build a business.”
 
Nelson touts other advantages his buggies have over the competition: “It’s far better than a hotdog cart because with a hotdog cart you can’t cook anything,” he explains. “It’s better than a food truck because it doesn’t take up space. You can build up your business to the point you need a food truck.” And commercial kitchens like the Cleveland Culinary Launch and Kitchen allow cooks access to prep space.
 
Food Buggies already has received orders from a couple of Cleveland food entrepreneurs. Nelson expects more custom orders as word gets out of his products’ advantages and custom designs.
 

For those who have suffered a traumatic injury to the skull and face -- be it from an accident, cancer or deformity -- OsteoSymbionics leads the way in facial reconstruction. The Cleveland-based manufacturer of custom craniofacial implants serves surgeons at hospitals across the United States. OsteoSymbionics’ products provide both skull rebuilding and is cosmetically attractive.
 
Founded in 2006by Cynthia Brogan, OsteoSymbionics is known for using a special plastic in its craniofacial implants that doesn’t break and exactly fits the patient's face or skull. “We’re a well-respected player in the marketplace,” says CEO Dorothy Baunach. “The type of plastic we use is a market niche and it’s done really well in its ability to be shaped to the skull opening without crumbling or breaking.”
 
Today, OsteoSymbionics has a line of products that range from a clear implant that allows surgeons to see brain function during placement, to hard and soft tissue implants. Housed in the Incubator at MAGNET, the company employs six full-time and two part-time employees who have backgrounds that range from medical artists and sculptors to biomedical engineers and materials scientists.
 
Many of the artists on staff are graduates of Cleveland Institute of Art’s biomedical program. “They’re really our secret weapon,” says Baunach. “The fit and forming is more of an art than a science. Because of the talent of the students at CIA, they can do things that are pretty complex.”
 
Baunach plans to double sales by the end of the year and add sales reps across the country. “It’s really about growing sales and the company,” she says. “Sales are built on surgeons’ preferences.”
 

Welcome to the latest edition of Who’s Hiring in Cleveland?
 
There are plenty of good jobs to be found here in Cleveland. This is the latest installment in regular series of posts in which we feature companies that are hiring, what those employers are looking for, and how to apply.
 
IBM UrbanCode, a DevOps software product line, needs a software developer to work on its market-leading DevOps product line. Work on coding new features, bug fixes, integrations with other software development lifecycle tools, and help develop new products. Define, test, research and review code. For more information and to apply, click here.
 
Dwellworks, a support service provider for the relocation industry, has six open positions in a variety of disciplines, including a manager of property management to oversee the day-to-day services of portfolio properties. This job requires frequent interaction with homeowners and tenants. To apply for this position, click here. To see all of Dwellworks’ job openings, click here.
 
Youth Opportunities Unlimited (Y.O.U), a nonprofit youth workforce development organization, is hiring a development and marketing administrator who will assist in all aspects of Y.O.U.'s development process; assist and manage all aspects of Y.O.U.'s marketing efforts; and coordinate organizational events. Send resume and cover letter here.
 
The Cleveland Metropolitan School District (CMSD) is transforming urban education. CMSD has teaching, administration, and other opportunities available. See the full list of openings and apply here. 
 
Have hiring news you’d like to share? Email Karin at Fresh Water Cleveland and send us this information or career links!

From Charles F. Brush to John D. Rockefeller, Cleveland has been home to entrepreneurs with innovations that helped shape the world. We take a look at some of Cleveland’s ground breaking companies -- some old, some new -- to see what makes the company unique, how it achieved its success, and where they stand today. 

After a career in marketing and public relations -- largely in the non-profit sector --Tom Sarago decided to hang out his own shingle and launch Spruce, a full-service marketing and PR company in Lakewood. But the non-profit mentality stuck with Sarago, so he’s offering up his services for free to the right Cleveland company -- a startup or an established company going through transition.
 
“It’s in my roots to always give back,” explains Sarago. “I know I have enough experience to help these businesses.” After pondering the best business advice he ever got from the COSE Best Business Advice Campaign, he came up with “never neglect a volunteer opportunity assisting an intriguing business.”
 
Sarago’s offer isn’t solely about helping new businesses; it’s about expanding his circle and getting the Spruce name out there. “I want to engage as many people as possible,” he says. “The business will come. This is about meeting new people and hearing new stories of companies doing great things in cleveland."

Companies are invited to contact Sarango and explain him why they should receive free help with marketing, PR, branding or strategic planning needs. Sarago is only looking for the most passionate business owners.
 
Sarago has recruited the talents of commercial photography studio Kalman & Pabst to also get in on the offer. The winning company leader will also receive a professional photo shoot.

The deadline to contact Sarago and tell him why you need his services is August 15. 

V.L. Finley is a nature lover. After seeing the success of games like Temple Run and Candy Crush, the filmmaker decided to try his own hand at developing a game that would combine his love for wildlife with his movie background. The result is Bird Fishing, a downloadable app for Android phones where the player is a bird of prey attempting to catch fish.
 
“The objective of the game is to catch fish and survive for the next level,” explains Finley. “As you move up levels, you will get stronger birds. Each level is harder -- from catching the fish, flying and rewards.”
 
A Cleveland native, Finley moved to Phoenix to start his film company, AGP Films, after studying cinematography at Tri-C. The company makes short films based on life in Cleveland. He then decided to move back to Cleveland and dive into the app business with his wife and two other partners.
 
“The goal is to create a major film in Cleveland for the next 10 years and to create a major game app or sequel every year,” Finley says. “I feel this will change the way the people look at Cleveland, and the film and game app scene in Greater Cleveland.”
 
Bird Fishing is designed to appeal to all ages. Finley is hoping to make the game available for free download on National Geographic, zoos and national parks websites. “Bird Fishing will convert many people to the parks, hunting, fishing, birding and all things nature,” he says.
 
Finley is still trying to raise money through gofundme.com. The app should be available in August.
 
 

On Wednesday, June 25, Cleveland will become the 43rd U.S. city to join the 1 Million Cups campaign, a national effort to engage, educate and connect entrepreneurs both locally and nationally -- and eventually internationally. The program, funded by the Kauffman Foundation, is based on the idea that entrepreneurs network and move their ideas forward over one million cups of coffee.

“It’s just about creating a community put together by entrepreneurs, for entrepreneurs, across multiple industries,” explains Jose Vasquez, owner of Quez Media Marketing and one of the organizers of the Cleveland chapter.
 
1 Million Cups Cleveland will host weekly meetings, during which two entrepreneurs each will deliver six-minute presentations followed by 20 minutes of Q&A with the audience. “What can we do for you? is the question to be answered at these weekly engagements,” says Vasquez. “A lot of opportunity can come from the community. This is really about entrepreneurs who need help and advice from the community.”
 
Vasquez explains that 1 Million Cups is different from other entrepreneurial networking organizations in that it spans multiple industries. “It brings all these communities together,” he says. “It’s really just helping people.”
 
The goal of 1 Million Cups is to eventually serve as a worldwide networking organization, where entrepreneurs can call upon other entrepreneurs in similar industries for advice and support.
 
Other Cleveland organizers include Colleen Beyer of Borrow Vintage and Eclectic Rentals; Cole Worley, a co-conductor of StartupBus and GiveCamp volunteer; and Carl Shotwell, a developer and entrepreneur at LeanDog. JumpStart and LaunchHouse worked to help make Cleveland a 1 Million Cups City.
 
Meeting locations will change on a quarterly basis, with the first meetings being held at JumpStart’s offices on June 25th, from 9 to 10 a.m. Vasquez says they are still recruiting entrepreneurs to speak, location sponsors and coffee sponsors. The two entrepreneurial speakers have yet to be announced.
 

Everybody has those days when they just don’t feel like going to work. But some employers offer perks that make coming to work a little less painful. From all-you-can-eat snack bars to pursuing outside interests on company time -- and free beer! -- these companies help make coming to the office a little easier to swallow.

Ethan M. Holmes learned how to make applesauce from his grandfather at a young age. By the time he was 15, he had mastered the recipe and decided to go into business with it. “I looked at the market and saw an opportunity,” says Holmes. “I looked at other applesauces and they were all made with corn syrup and artificial flavoring.”
 
Holmes Mouthwatering Applesauce makes an all-natural product in plain and cinnamon varieties. “My goal was to take all the stuff out of it and make something mothers and kids love,” Holmes explains. “The only ingredients are apples, pears and apple cider.”
 
Today, at age 20, Holmes sells his applesauce at farmers’ markets, area events and through his website. He is in talks with local grocery stores and is joining the Cleveland Culinary Launch and Kitchen.
 
Recently, Holmes gave out samples of his sauce at Entrovation. The attendees voted the company one of the top five at the event, earning Holmes the chance to pitch his applesauce company to a panel of judges at the Innovative Entrepreneur of The Year Competition. Holmes took home $500 from the event, tying for third place.
 
Holmes is using the money to cover the Culinary Launch fees and inventory. “We are on our way this upcoming month to producing our first run in their facility,” Holmes says of his move to the Culinary Launch. “This will help us create a large amount of product and educate us in the licenses and procedures needed to be in retail markets.”
 
Holmes donates 10 percent of his profits toward fighting childhood obesity.
 

Three organizations -- LaunchHouse, Civic Commons Ideastream and Economic and Community Development Institute (ECDI) -- have come together as the lead partners in supporting entrepreneurs with ideas to improve their communities.

SEA Change, a Social Enterprise Accelerator, provides up to $50,000 in funding, coaching and connections to eligible candidates trying to make a difference in Cleveland neighborhoods. “We’re funding people who have ideas to improve their communities in a sustainable way,” says Mike Shafarenko, Civic Commons director. “A number of organizations came together last November to discuss how to revive development and support of social enterprises in Northeast Ohio.”
 
Seven other groups are also involved, including JumpStart, Foundation Center Cleveland and Business Volunteers Unlimited (BVU). SEA Change is funded by the Business of Good Foundation, the Generation Foundation, the Burton D. Morgan Foundation and the George Gund Foundation.
 
Shafarenko says SEA Change emerged as the involved organizations saw a need to support the growing number of social enterprises in Cleveland. “We have a tremendous amount of talented, active people in Northeast Ohio who just don’t have the means to execute their ideas,” he explains. “The entrepreneurial spirit needs a little bit of coaching and support to take it to the next level.”
 
Examples of existing successful social enterprises include Edwins Restaurant at Shaker Square, which employs former inmates, Tunnel Vision Hoops, which manufactures and sells hoop houses to extend the growing season, and From the Blue Bag, which converts recyclables into works of art.
 
Sea Change will host training sessions on Friday, June 13 and Friday, July 11 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The events will provide training, one-on-one consultation and networking to help participants get social enterprise ideas off the ground.

 

Youth Opportunities Unlimited (Y.O.U.) and Ernst & Young named Thomas W. Harvey High School junior Brandon McClain "Young Entrepreneur of the Year" during its annual ceremony. McClain is CEO of B Kind Cards, which features his original photography of Cleveland landmarks. He received $1,000 and the chance to compete in the national Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE) competition in November at the Computer History Museum in Mountain View, California.
 
Y.O.U. is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping at-risk teens succeed in life. The E-City program uses the NFTE curriculum to teach entrepreneurship, business and leadership skills and encourages participants to start their own companies. “They can go to school, take the E-City class, enter the workforce and pursue their own ideas,” explains Emily Bacha, development and marketing administrator for Y.O.U. “Lots of students go on to continue their businesses after taking the class.”
 
Y.O.U.’s E-City classes prepare students for the real business world, especially when finding a decent job or going to college can be difficult right out of high school.
 
“Teaching our students about entrepreneurism and how to start their own business is important because it provides another route to economic and personal success,” says Bacha. “A number of our alumni have sustained their businesses after finishing the program and the income they’re earning is helping them pay bills and pay for college.”
 
Eight high school entrepreneurs from Horizon Science Academy, John F. Kennedy High School, Shaw High School and Thomas W. Harvey High School had eight minutes to present their business plans to a panel of three judges on May 22 at E&Y’s new Flats-based offices.
 
The experience of presenting provides its own rewards in putting classroom lessons into practice. “Youth are tasked with presenting their business plans, but are rewarded with practical advice on how to grow their businesses from successful entrepreneurs,” says Bacha. “Our finalists are rewarded with financial investments in their businesses.”
 
In addition to McCain, Harvey senior Byron Alston, CEO of Jazzy Scarves, took second place and won $500 from Y.O.U. to put towards his business and a trip to the NFTE competition. Shaw senior and CEO of KJ’s Steam Clean Service Kevin Alexander took third place, winning $250.
 

An annual economic impact study conducted by Center for Economic Development at Cleveland State University’s Levin College of Urban Affairs shows that companies that received support from 16 of the area’s business accelerators, incubators and other organizations generated $424 million for Ohio.
 
Of the 245 companies surveyed, 236 companies are in Northeast Ohio, generating $306.2 million in the region. These numbers reflect good news for the startup community in Cleveland. “Companies that start here are growing,” says JumpStart chief marketing officer Cathy Belk. “The fact that companies are growing and generating jobs reflects that those courageous folks jumping into the startup world are able to access great people, capital and the expertise -- and are able to lead their companies forward. The ecosystem here is robust and getting more robust all the time.”
 
Of the companies included in the latest study, 42 local businesses have participated each year over the past four years. “Over that time, they have grown payroll by $14.7 million and created and retained 134 jobs in this region,” says Belk. “This reflects that startups here are able to be successful, creating sustainable jobs for people who live here.”  
 
Belk wants to see these trends grow. “We want entrepreneurs to continue to decide to start companies in this area, and keep them here because of their ability to be successful here,” she explains. “We have to make sure we continue to have the successful startup programs and ecosystem in this region, ensuring companies are able to access the capital they need. And we must continue to help a broader number of small businesses -- including those that could create a significant number of jobs. These are all next steps for our community to maintain and accelerate our momentum.”

 

Startup accelerator Bizdom is looking for its ninth group of tech companies to join its three-month summer/fall session. Bizdom’s accelerator program mentors and provides companies with up to $125,000 to launch and grow their tech-based businesses in Cleveland.

"We're looking for amazing founders -- founders with passion, uncommon ideas and the technical, design and leadership skills to build a business," says Bizdom Cleveland leader Paul Allen. "We're looking for everything from an idea on a napkin to a business that's already developed a product and has one or two customers."
 
Bizdom primarily is looking for web and mobile software, and technology-enabled services companies. "We're especially interested in seeing sports, wellness, healthcare, financial tech, marketing, real estate and hospitality related business ideas," explains Allen. "Those are ones where we can really leverage the over 100 business in the Quicken Loans Family of Companies to help the startups grow bigger faster."
 
Startups are a critical part of Cleveland’s economic success, says Allen, and he describes Bizdom as the first rung on the ladder to success. "To have a thriving economy you need to have lots of smaller, more agile companies that push the boundaries with new technologies and business models," he says. "Not all of these businesses will succeed, but many will. Over time, these businesses will contribute greatly to the regional GDP. But just as importantly, they attract a highly desirable type of creative worker to the region."
 
Twelve tech companies will be accepted into the next session. The deadline to apply is Monday, June 2. The session begins on July 7. The summer session is funded $240,000 grant from the Ohio New Entrepreneurs (ONE) Fund.
 

Area schools are offering entrepreneurship education to high school, middle school and even elementary school students. Aside from the extra cash, entrepreneurship teaches skills that will last a lifetime, including self confidence, time management, problem solving and creative thinking.

Navigating the streets of Cleveland on a bicycle is nothing new to Will Ansley; he's an experienced and dedicated bike messenger. “A lot of people do it for a little bit and either can’t handle it or don’t like it,” Ansley says of the high rate of turnover in his vocation.
 
The only problem Ansley has encountered is that he wasn't earning his fair share. “A lot of [messenger] companies these days don’t give you a fair percentage of the rate they are charging,” Ansley says. “Since you’re not getting that much money and the company doesn’t care about their workers, people leave.”
 
So Ansley decided to take matters into his own hands. This past March he launched Ohio City-based North Coast Courier, the only employee-owned bike courier service in Cleveland. He based the company on a trend he’d seen in Chicago, where many courier companies are worker-owned and everyone gets a say in company decisions.
 
Right now, North Coast Courier is focused on personal deliveries, like food and groceries. But the company will deliver pretty much whatever a customer wants. The delivery zones are downtown from the lake to Carnegie Avenue and E. 30th Street, Tremont, Ohio City and Gordon Square. The cost is only $5 for delivery in any of these zones and $7 for delivery beyond E. 9th Street.
 
There are a few spots that North Coast Courier also will deliver to: The Hildebrandt Building, 78th Street Studios, the Flats and Jakprints. “It’s because we know a lot of people in those buildings and lots of them are worker-owned businesses or solo-owned,” explains Ansley.
 

Welcome to the latest edition of Who’s Hiring in Cleveland?
 
There are plenty of good jobs to be found here in Cleveland. This is the latest installment in a regular series of posts in which we feature companies that are hiring, what those employers are looking for, and how to apply.
 
Here’s the latest Cleveland hiring news:
 
Lazorpoint, a customer-service driven information systems consulting company, has positions available within their IT help desk. The company also needs support/system engineers, .NET application developer and a CRM architect. Visit the Lazorpoint careers page for more information on each position and how to apply.
 
JumpStart, an organization that partners with community leaders to spark the growth of new entrepreneurial companies and builds resources and support for those companies, has three positions open: a marketing principal; a director of the mentoring program development; and a product development manager. Register with JumpStart’s career center to apply for these jobs.
 
Beachwood-based Luscious Verde, creators of handmade cards, invitations and announcements, needs a rock star full time salesperson. The position pays a base salary plus commission. The candidate with a great track record will be compensated accordingly. Send resume and cover letter to the hiring manager.
 
Have hiring news you’d like to share? Email Karin at Fresh Water Cleveland and send us this information or career links!