Stories
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.
On September 16, 2011, Maurice Small will receive such an honor when he receives a Rodale Institute Organic Pioneer Awards. Held annually in Kutztown, Penn., the awards recognize the farmers, scientists and activists who lead the organic movement in America.
Honored for work as youth organizer, Maurice Small was co-director and youth program advisor for Cuyahoga County's City Fresh Project.
“The organic movement has come a long way, and it is largely in thanks to pioneers like Dr. Harwood, Drew and Joan Norman, and Maurice Small, who believed in the power of organic from the beginning and weren't afraid to take a stand early on. They are an inspiration for all of us, especially for the next generation of organic leaders," notes Maria Rodale, chairman and CEO of Rodale Inc.
"Regarded as a visionary, a food broker, an educator, and a friend of worms, Maurice Small has more than twenty years of experience in creating excellent soil, growing delicious food and cultivating young leaders in Northeast Ohio. Deservedly distinguished as an “Urban Action Hero,” Maurice saves lives each day through his mission and work."
Rodale Institute is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to pioneering organic farming through research and outreach. It celebrates its 30th anniversary this fall.
Reap the rest of the awards right 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
Jackson says that Cleveland must do what it takes to bring about LEEDCo's goal of planting a 20-megawatt wind energy pilot project seven miles offshore from downtown. More than just an overblown science experiment, the project will be the country's first freshwater wind farm, creating approximately 600 initial jobs and the potential for 8,000 long-term wind-energy jobs.
Calling on all private and public sector parties to set aside short-term interests in favor of long-term benefits, Jackson says, "If we don't take advantage of this opportunity, someone else will. Some other city will build the first offshore wind farm. Some other region will create thousands of new green-collar jobs."
Read the Mayor's impassioned appeal here.
“I love Cleveland and thought it would be a fun project to undertake,” says Murray. “Our people make our city what it is, so it was an easy choice to focus the project around the people of this city and Northeast Ohio.”
Born and raised in Cleveland, Murray spent seven years in Chicago and Atlanta before returning in 2007. He now has a new appreciation for the city.
“I have a huge amount of passion for our city. I like to support it and show it off with my photography,” he says. “This project is just one way of doing that. We’re nothing without the people that make this city what it is.”
Murray has about 15 portraits in his collection so far, and hopes to add two or three new images each week. His favorite so far is of Samad Samad, a street performer in Ohio City
If given the opportunity to photograph anyone -- living or dead -- Murray goes the political route with Stephanie Tubbs Jones and Dennis Kucinich. “She loved Cleveland and the people she represented," he says of Tubbs Jones. "She was truly an amazing woman. I’d really like to capture Dennis Kucinich. He’s such an interesting person.”
But mostly, Murray wants to shoot average Clevelanders who make the city special. “In the end, I'm not only searching for notable Clevelanders,” he says. “I'm looking for everyday people that call the area their home, are passionate about our city, have a story, or whose work is to continue to make Cleveland a great place."
Source: Greg Murray
Writer: Karin 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
"We all benefit when colleges produce groundbreaking research that drives economic growth, when they offer students from low-income families the path to a better life, and when they shape the character of future leaders," write the mag's editors. "And we all pay for it, through hundreds of billions of dollars in public subsidies. Everyone has a stake in how that money is spent."
This survey ranks schools based on their contribution to the public good in three broad categories: Social Mobility (recruiting and graduating low-income students), Research (producing cutting-edge scholarship and PhDs), and Service (encouraging students to give something back to their country).
Earning the #7 spot in the National Universities category -- and a special note in the introduction -- is Case Western Reserve.
"One of the dangers of charging ever-higher tuition, as colleges have been doing for years, is that it can snuff out the natural altruism students often feel at that point in their lives. It’s hard to think about serving your country or community when you’re worried about servicing your student loans. But some colleges do make a conscious effort to emphasize larger obligations. Case Western Reserve is a well-known Ohio research university that shows up at a respectable number forty-one on the U.S. News rankings. It vaults all the way to number seven on our list due to an unusual commitment to service: Case Western students go into the Peace Corps in high numbers, the university spends a significant amount of work-study money on service, and it reports high levels of service participation by students and faculty."
Also making the grade is John Carroll University, which claimed the #6 in the Masters Universities category.
Read the entire survey here.
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.
“Downtown is where the action is,” says Alex Cortes, an attorney who lives in the Warehouse District. Cortes is one of the 10,000 people who call downtown home. But to reach the 20,000-resident figure that boosters say Cleveland needs to truly become a vibrant neighborhood in the city, more retail, green space, and housing options will have to come online.
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
Last January, a group of religious and community leaders got together under one common goal: To make Cleveland a better place to work and live. The Greater Cleveland Congregations (GCC) was born. A united front of 40 religious and community organizations began collecting input on what the city needed to do to improve.
“Between January and March we asked participating organizations, ‘What makes life better for you and your family in Cleveland?’” explains Ari Lipman, GCC lead organizer. Four hundred participants came up with five areas to focus on: education, healthcare, jobs, criminal justice and sustainable food.
GCC officially kicked off its mission in June with a founding assembly. More than 2,000 Clevelanders attended to put their heads together and come up with a collective bargaining of sorts to improve the living standard.
“Each of the five areas has started action teams,” notes Lipman. “For jobs, we’re looking at job training -- jobs that exist that you can support a family on and primarily on jobs creation.”
The GCC is part of the Industrial Areas Foundation, the nation’s first and largest network of multi-faith coalitions. Lipman cites success stories in other chapters around the nation as proof that the same kind of team power can work in Cleveland.
"In Washington state, the group figured out a way of expanding the number of green jobs,” says Lipman. “They signed up people to get their houses winterized, got 1,000 people signed up and created over 100 jobs.”
While the group is still in the research phase, they plan to unveil their action plan this winter. “By 2012 we’re going to have interesting and exciting ideas,” says Lipman. “We’re going to need some people to help implement them.”
Source: Ari Lipman
Writer: Karin Connelly
A vacant Euclid Avenue storefront has now become a community hub thanks to East 4th Yoga, a new studio that offers free yoga classes and aims to enhance the sense of community downtown.
The studio, which launched last month, offers complimentary, donation-based classes on Saturday mornings at 10 in the former Bang and the Clatter Theatre space at 244 Euclid. While geared towards downtown residents, anyone is welcome to attend. Organizer Tammy Oliver, an East 4th resident, says the studio creates a community gathering space and promotes downtown living.
“There aren’t many opportunities for this kind of gathering space downtown,” says Oliver. “The more opportunities we provide people to live, work and play, the more likely they’ll be to live downtown. We’re trying to create a neighborhood.”
To fund the program, Oliver secured a sponsorship from Oasis Health Care. Additionally, MRN Ltd. has donated the former theatre space, and yoga instructors from across the city volunteer their time. Finally, MVP Valet offers free valet parking for individuals traveling from other parts of the city.
Oliver, who organized the yoga classes as a volunteer, is also the leasing agent for East 4th Street. She says the idea was generated through discussions with friends who can’t afford to take regular yoga classes, and through brainstorming with downtown residents about other amenities that are needed downtown.
“It’s not enough to provide nice living spaces, we need places to shop, hang out and meet our neighbors,” says Oliver. She adds that MRN Ltd. is actively working on plans to recruit additional retailers to the East 4th and Euclid Avenue area.
The funds raised from class donations will be used to purchase equipment such as yoga mats and blocks that will be donated to the Cleveland Metropolitan School District (CMSD). Oliver is hoping to work with a group of yoga instructors and CMSD to create a yoga program that is geared towards urban youth.
“We can use yoga to enrich and bring peace to young people’s lives,” she says.
Source: Tammy Oliver
Writer: Lee Chilcote
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.