Entrepreneurs + Innovators
Venture capitalist and Cleveland native Sean Ammirati's new book from St. Martin's Press delves into Facebook's success over Friendster, McDonald's Golden Arches towering over White Castle and how Gmail smashed Hotmail.
Meet urban winemakers and visit a vineyard in an unlikely corner of the city in this closer look at NEO's fledgling winemaking movement.
Joe Purton had almost two decades in the nonprofit realm when he decided to accelerate into a career as the owner of CycleBar in Beachwood.
Purton, the former vice president of Sisters of Charity Health System, recently opened the high-energy cycling studio in a 3,400-square-foot space at 3355 Richmond Road. Early returns are positive, with CycleBar classes drawing big numbers for what the new entrepreneur calls an intoxicating fusion of mind, body and music.
"It's a kind of multisensory journey," Purton says of an indoor cycling experience that melds thumping electronic music with videos and colorful lighting. "If gives you a feeling like you're in a club."
CycleBar's tiered theater holds 55 custom bikes along with two 80-inch televisions. Rides focus on upper body work and drills of varying speed, while personal data monitors allow participants to go at their own pace or compete with other riders. Instructors, called "CycleStars," lead the classes, which number about 30 a week, a figure Purton expects to increase in the coming months.
Though classes can be rigorous, the up-tempo affair is not meant to be intimidating for newcomers, says Purton, 48.
"That's the beauty of cycling," he says. "You can control how much resistance you have on the flywheel and make it as difficult or easy as you want."
The Beachwood CycleBar, part of a company with 200 studios nationwide, represents Northeast Ohio's first indoor cycling franchise. Purton opened his studio in mid-March, fulfilling an entrepreneurial spirit for fitness that had been gestating for years.
Purton had been working at Sisters of Charity since 1994, organizing budgeting mechanisms and cost report filings across the faith-based healthcare system. The University Heights resident is also a former cycling instructor who taught classes in the late 1990's. While nonprofit work was lucrative, Purton recognized an opportunity at CycleBar he couldn't pass up.
"CycleBar allowed me to combine my passion for cycling with my accounting and finance background as well as a desire to run a business," he says.
Purton is currently working more hours per week than he ever has; a small price to pay for delivering something far beyond a standard cardio-fitness workout. Within the next two years, the burgeoning business owner hopes to open a studio downtown and another on the West Side.
"Everything I've been putting into this I'm going to benefit from," says Purton. "That (hard work) is what makes it more fun and rewarding."
Purton, the former vice president of Sisters of Charity Health System, recently opened the high-energy cycling studio in a 3,400-square-foot space at 3355 Richmond Road. Early returns are positive, with CycleBar classes drawing big numbers for what the new entrepreneur calls an intoxicating fusion of mind, body and music.
"It's a kind of multisensory journey," Purton says of an indoor cycling experience that melds thumping electronic music with videos and colorful lighting. "If gives you a feeling like you're in a club."
CycleBar's tiered theater holds 55 custom bikes along with two 80-inch televisions. Rides focus on upper body work and drills of varying speed, while personal data monitors allow participants to go at their own pace or compete with other riders. Instructors, called "CycleStars," lead the classes, which number about 30 a week, a figure Purton expects to increase in the coming months.
Though classes can be rigorous, the up-tempo affair is not meant to be intimidating for newcomers, says Purton, 48.
"That's the beauty of cycling," he says. "You can control how much resistance you have on the flywheel and make it as difficult or easy as you want."
The Beachwood CycleBar, part of a company with 200 studios nationwide, represents Northeast Ohio's first indoor cycling franchise. Purton opened his studio in mid-March, fulfilling an entrepreneurial spirit for fitness that had been gestating for years.
Purton had been working at Sisters of Charity since 1994, organizing budgeting mechanisms and cost report filings across the faith-based healthcare system. The University Heights resident is also a former cycling instructor who taught classes in the late 1990's. While nonprofit work was lucrative, Purton recognized an opportunity at CycleBar he couldn't pass up.
"CycleBar allowed me to combine my passion for cycling with my accounting and finance background as well as a desire to run a business," he says.
Purton is currently working more hours per week than he ever has; a small price to pay for delivering something far beyond a standard cardio-fitness workout. Within the next two years, the burgeoning business owner hopes to open a studio downtown and another on the West Side.
"Everything I've been putting into this I'm going to benefit from," says Purton. "That (hard work) is what makes it more fun and rewarding."
A group of high school seniors will light up Beachwood High School on April 30 with fun, food trucks and 200 vendors ranging from international giants and local businesses to student entrepreneurs at EntrovationCLE.
YWCA Greater Cleveland is celebrating its 40th anniversary of honoring women in Northeast Ohio through the Women of Achievement awards, in which eight local leaders will be named Women of Achievement and 46 others will be designated as Women of Professional Excellence.
The awards allow companies and groups throughout Northeast Ohio to recognize the contributions of exceptional women in their organizations. Women receiving it exemplify high professional standards and career and personal growth; make significant contributions to the effective, efficient operation of their organizations; display a willingness to support and mentor others; and make a positive impact on the community. Previously known as the Merit Award, more than 1,500 women have received this honor since 1977.
The 2016 "Women of Achievement Award" recipients include:
The women will be recognized at the 40th YWCA Women of Achievement Luncheon and Women’s Leadership Conference on Monday, May 2 at the Renaissance Cleveland Hotel, which will also feature a host of conference workshops. More information about the event and registration details are available online.
The awards allow companies and groups throughout Northeast Ohio to recognize the contributions of exceptional women in their organizations. Women receiving it exemplify high professional standards and career and personal growth; make significant contributions to the effective, efficient operation of their organizations; display a willingness to support and mentor others; and make a positive impact on the community. Previously known as the Merit Award, more than 1,500 women have received this honor since 1977.
The 2016 "Women of Achievement Award" recipients include:
- Micki Byrnes, president and general manager, WKYC
- Lee Friedman, CEO, College Now Greater Cleveland
- Kathryn “Kit” Jensen, COO, ideastream
- Kym Sellers, founder, Kym Sellers Foundation; television and radio personality
- Robyn Minter Smyers, partner-in-charge, Thompson Hine LLP – Cleveland Office
- Maryrose Sylvester, president and CEO, Current Powered by GE
- Nancy Tinsley, president of Parma Medical Center, University Hospitals
- Sue Tyler, executive vice President and chief experience officer, Medical Mutual of Ohio
The women will be recognized at the 40th YWCA Women of Achievement Luncheon and Women’s Leadership Conference on Monday, May 2 at the Renaissance Cleveland Hotel, which will also feature a host of conference workshops. More information about the event and registration details are available online.
On Tuesday, April 19 from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Ariel International Center, 1163 East 40th St., the Women's Business Center of Northern Ohio will host a launch party featuring cocktails and hors d'oeuvres provided by Half Moon Bakery and Fire and Ash Catering.
Representatives from Cuyahoga County, Key4Women Resource Center and the Small Business Administration will be in attendance.
Three ticket options are available for purchase: members ($40), non-members ($55), and new membership with ticket ($100). Registration and ticket purchase is available online. Members interested in having a table at the event please may contact Carrie Rosenfelt.
Representatives from Cuyahoga County, Key4Women Resource Center and the Small Business Administration will be in attendance.
Three ticket options are available for purchase: members ($40), non-members ($55), and new membership with ticket ($100). Registration and ticket purchase is available online. Members interested in having a table at the event please may contact Carrie Rosenfelt.
Cleveland Neighborhood Progress (CNP) has announced 21 finalists for its 2016 Vibrant City Awards. Winners will be revealed on May 2 at the second annual Vibrant City Awards Lunch, hosted by CNP and presented by Key Bank and Community Blight Solutions.
“We are proud to convene community partners and stakeholders to celebrate city neighborhoods. These leading efforts in neighborhood revitalization are what help us all create a vibrant city,” says Joel Ratner, president and CEO of CNP. “The organizations and individuals being honored have displayed tremendous passion, dedication and collaboration. We’re excited to recognize them for their successful efforts in community development.”
CNP received more than 70 nominations for this year's awards.
Learn more about all 21 finalists and continue reading.
“We are proud to convene community partners and stakeholders to celebrate city neighborhoods. These leading efforts in neighborhood revitalization are what help us all create a vibrant city,” says Joel Ratner, president and CEO of CNP. “The organizations and individuals being honored have displayed tremendous passion, dedication and collaboration. We’re excited to recognize them for their successful efforts in community development.”
CNP received more than 70 nominations for this year's awards.
Learn more about all 21 finalists and continue reading.