Karin Connelly Rice
Stories by: Karin Connelly Rice
Karin Connelly Rice enjoys telling people's stories, whether it's a promising startup or a life's passion. Over the past 20 years she has reported on the local business community for publications such as Inside Business and Cleveland Magazine. She was editor of the Rocky River/Lakewood edition of In the Neighborhood and was a reporter and photographer for the Amherst News-Times. At Fresh Water she enjoys telling the stories of Clevelanders who are shaping and embracing the business and research climate in Cleveland.
As the processing of shale oil increases, oil refineries are looking for an ecologically effective way to dispose of catalyst. Three local companies -- Metaloy, Redimet and Evergreen Environmental -- have teamed up to create METPro Recovery, working with Skye Metal in Marietta.
“It’s a joint venture relationship to deal with the increased amount of catalyst coming from oil refineries and shale oil mining,” explains Claude Kennard, Metaloy president. “Four refineries in Ohio will be processing these new crudes.”
METPro Recovery identifies companies producing catalysts containing heavy metals such as molybdenum, nickel, iron, titanium and cobalt. METPro then delivers these catalysts to Skye Metal’s Marietta facility to produce super alloys and usable raw materials.
METPro is able to accept hazardous and non-hazardous “K Waste” materials through a variance granted by the state. The company’s process focuses on sustainability and being environmentally safe. “It goes from the refinery to METPro and the customer without creating additional waste,” explains Kennard. “The gasses that come off in the process go through a scrubber. There’s nothing bad coming out of our plants.”
The added benefit to METPro’s process is that there is demand for a product. “The sweet spot of our application is the steel mills will always need the materials we have,” says Kennard. In fact, the recycled materials are cheaper than sourcing naturally occurring materials. The company is reaching out to all of the major industry players.
Kennard says the partnership will create jobs within all four of the partnering companies. Metaloy will hire three to five people in the next year, while Redimet plans to hire two people and Evergreen plans to hire four.
METPro plans to start with processing 500 tons of catalyst a month and eventually ramp up to its 4,000-ton capacity, with a potential to generate $10 million in sales.
Source: Claude Kennard
Writer: Karin Connelly
“It’s a joint venture relationship to deal with the increased amount of catalyst coming from oil refineries and shale oil mining,” explains Claude Kennard, Metaloy president. “Four refineries in Ohio will be processing these new crudes.”
METPro Recovery identifies companies producing catalysts containing heavy metals such as molybdenum, nickel, iron, titanium and cobalt. METPro then delivers these catalysts to Skye Metal’s Marietta facility to produce super alloys and usable raw materials.
METPro is able to accept hazardous and non-hazardous “K Waste” materials through a variance granted by the state. The company’s process focuses on sustainability and being environmentally safe. “It goes from the refinery to METPro and the customer without creating additional waste,” explains Kennard. “The gasses that come off in the process go through a scrubber. There’s nothing bad coming out of our plants.”
The added benefit to METPro’s process is that there is demand for a product. “The sweet spot of our application is the steel mills will always need the materials we have,” says Kennard. In fact, the recycled materials are cheaper than sourcing naturally occurring materials. The company is reaching out to all of the major industry players.
Kennard says the partnership will create jobs within all four of the partnering companies. Metaloy will hire three to five people in the next year, while Redimet plans to hire two people and Evergreen plans to hire four.
METPro plans to start with processing 500 tons of catalyst a month and eventually ramp up to its 4,000-ton capacity, with a potential to generate $10 million in sales.
Source: Claude Kennard
Writer: Karin Connelly
More than 100 business-minded entrepreneurs are expected to attend this weekend’s Cleveland Startup Weekend in Tyler Village (3615 Superior Ave.) to present their business ideas, mingle and team up to create business plans.
Startup Weekend, an international event, returned to Cleveland last year for the first time in five years to a warm reception. So organizers Ryan Marimon and Bryan Adams decided to do it again this year.
The weekend, which runs from Friday night, April 11, through Sunday, April 13, is about education, mentoring and hands-on skill development. “Startup Weekends are all about learning by doing, whether you’re learning a new skill or a new way of thinking,” says Marimon. “Don’t just listen to theory; build your own strategy and test it as you go.”
Participants will gather on Friday to pitch their ideas. Teams are then formed around the best ideas, via vote, and the teams spend the rest of the weekend working on a business model. The weekend culminates with pitch sessions and a winner is selected by a panel of judges.
Last year, eight teams pitched on Sunday night. Marimon says he expects as many as 16 teams to pitch at the end of the weekend this year.
Marimon says there’s nothing to lose in exploring ideas. “The risk of failure for the weekend is really low, so there is no reason not to get out and try things,” he says. “At the end of the day, we are all about fostering lasting relationships and fostering a community of doers right here in Cleveland.”
Registration for the event is $99 and is open up until the weekend’s start. As a special for Fresh Water readers, use the code FRESH to register for only $59.
Source: Ryan Marimon
Writer: Karin Connelly
Startup Weekend, an international event, returned to Cleveland last year for the first time in five years to a warm reception. So organizers Ryan Marimon and Bryan Adams decided to do it again this year.
The weekend, which runs from Friday night, April 11, through Sunday, April 13, is about education, mentoring and hands-on skill development. “Startup Weekends are all about learning by doing, whether you’re learning a new skill or a new way of thinking,” says Marimon. “Don’t just listen to theory; build your own strategy and test it as you go.”
Participants will gather on Friday to pitch their ideas. Teams are then formed around the best ideas, via vote, and the teams spend the rest of the weekend working on a business model. The weekend culminates with pitch sessions and a winner is selected by a panel of judges.
Last year, eight teams pitched on Sunday night. Marimon says he expects as many as 16 teams to pitch at the end of the weekend this year.
Marimon says there’s nothing to lose in exploring ideas. “The risk of failure for the weekend is really low, so there is no reason not to get out and try things,” he says. “At the end of the day, we are all about fostering lasting relationships and fostering a community of doers right here in Cleveland.”
Registration for the event is $99 and is open up until the weekend’s start. As a special for Fresh Water readers, use the code FRESH to register for only $59.
Source: Ryan Marimon
Writer: Karin Connelly
Deacon Burns, front man for the alternative punk-hop group Kounterclockwise, is the star of a new sci-fi animated movie, “Kounterclockwise in Forever-Land.” Burns, who attended Cleveland Heights High School, worked with Los Angeles-based animator Jim Lujan for more than a year to create the film, which takes place in Cleveland.
The movie chronicles the adventures of Burns and bandmate Kaya Rogue through the streets of Cleveland in search of a magical glove that was stolen from the Rock Hall. The project has been a lifelong dream for Burns. “It was just incredible,” he says. “I always wanted to do an animated show and it was a blast. I loved every minute of it.”
Burns and Lujas have never met; Lujas actually hasn’t even been to Cleveland. But the two put the film together long-distance. “It just goes to show how far technology has come that we can do this,” says Burns.
Forever-Land features scenes from the Lake Erie shore, Coventry and Stevenson’s Bar and Grille in Euclid (renamed the Wandering Eye in the movie). Burns, who was left paralyzed after an accident in 2007, describes the movie as positive, inspirational and for all ages. “Kounterclockwise in Forever-Land is the first-ever disabled hip-hop inter-galactic animated hero that saves the day in a wheelchair,” boasts Burns.
The Greater Cleveland Urban Film Festival will sponsor the movie’s big screen premier on April 24 at the Atlas Theater in Euclid.
Sources: Deacon Burns, Jim Lujan
Writer: Karin Connelly
The movie chronicles the adventures of Burns and bandmate Kaya Rogue through the streets of Cleveland in search of a magical glove that was stolen from the Rock Hall. The project has been a lifelong dream for Burns. “It was just incredible,” he says. “I always wanted to do an animated show and it was a blast. I loved every minute of it.”
Burns and Lujas have never met; Lujas actually hasn’t even been to Cleveland. But the two put the film together long-distance. “It just goes to show how far technology has come that we can do this,” says Burns.
Forever-Land features scenes from the Lake Erie shore, Coventry and Stevenson’s Bar and Grille in Euclid (renamed the Wandering Eye in the movie). Burns, who was left paralyzed after an accident in 2007, describes the movie as positive, inspirational and for all ages. “Kounterclockwise in Forever-Land is the first-ever disabled hip-hop inter-galactic animated hero that saves the day in a wheelchair,” boasts Burns.
The Greater Cleveland Urban Film Festival will sponsor the movie’s big screen premier on April 24 at the Atlas Theater in Euclid.
Sources: Deacon Burns, Jim Lujan
Writer: Karin Connelly
The students in the Math Corps at CSU program are not just there to sharpen their math skills. For the third summer, a group of middle school and high school students will come to the CSU campus from Cleveland schools for a four-week program that not only teaches math through mentoring, but also provides a nurturing, supportive environment.
The Math Corps at CSU is a spinoff of a program at Wayne State University in Detroit, which has since 1990 offered a combined academic enrichment and mentoring program to Detroit Public Schools students. Since 1995, more than 95 percent of Detroit’s Math Corps students have graduated from high school and 80 percent have gone on to college.
Organizers in Cleveland looked to Detroit when launching a similar program here. Beyond strong mathematical foundations, the Math Corps provides a safe, caring environment in which children are able to recognize and nurture excellence.
“It’s really about a way of seeing kids and a way of seeing math,” explains Dionissi Aliprantis, associate director of the Math Corps. “It’s about helping kids realize their greatness. All kids have greatness in them. We use math as a way to bring it out of them.”
The seventh and eighth graders learn from high school teaching assistants (TAs), who have been through the program. There also are six college instructors. The participants are divided into teams of 10 middle school students at the same grade level, one college student who serves as team leader, and five TAs. Students emerge loving math, loving themselves and knowing how to respect others.
“There’s a lot you can learn from math: hard work, the courage to fail and it’s kind of fun,” says Aliprantis. “We do all that in the context of a caring community. We have high expectations and we tell them we actually care about each other and take care of each other.”
While the program is open to all Cleveland area middle and high school students, organizers see the Math Corps as a way to support struggling Cleveland public schools. “It’s about creating this community,” says Math Corps co-founder and instructor Francisca Richter. “You have to have commitment, a sense of responsibility and the drive to want to learn. We hope to reach out to more children.”
This year the Math Corps will accept 40 incoming seventh graders to attend the camp from July 14 to Aug. 7, as well as 20 eighth graders and 30 high school teaching assistants. Applications are due by Friday, April 11.
Sources: Dionissi Aliprantis and Francisca Richter
Writer: Karin Connelly
The Math Corps at CSU is a spinoff of a program at Wayne State University in Detroit, which has since 1990 offered a combined academic enrichment and mentoring program to Detroit Public Schools students. Since 1995, more than 95 percent of Detroit’s Math Corps students have graduated from high school and 80 percent have gone on to college.
Organizers in Cleveland looked to Detroit when launching a similar program here. Beyond strong mathematical foundations, the Math Corps provides a safe, caring environment in which children are able to recognize and nurture excellence.
“It’s really about a way of seeing kids and a way of seeing math,” explains Dionissi Aliprantis, associate director of the Math Corps. “It’s about helping kids realize their greatness. All kids have greatness in them. We use math as a way to bring it out of them.”
The seventh and eighth graders learn from high school teaching assistants (TAs), who have been through the program. There also are six college instructors. The participants are divided into teams of 10 middle school students at the same grade level, one college student who serves as team leader, and five TAs. Students emerge loving math, loving themselves and knowing how to respect others.
“There’s a lot you can learn from math: hard work, the courage to fail and it’s kind of fun,” says Aliprantis. “We do all that in the context of a caring community. We have high expectations and we tell them we actually care about each other and take care of each other.”
While the program is open to all Cleveland area middle and high school students, organizers see the Math Corps as a way to support struggling Cleveland public schools. “It’s about creating this community,” says Math Corps co-founder and instructor Francisca Richter. “You have to have commitment, a sense of responsibility and the drive to want to learn. We hope to reach out to more children.”
This year the Math Corps will accept 40 incoming seventh graders to attend the camp from July 14 to Aug. 7, as well as 20 eighth graders and 30 high school teaching assistants. Applications are due by Friday, April 11.
Sources: Dionissi Aliprantis and Francisca Richter
Writer: Karin Connelly
Meet Michael Croley, Jeff Draeger, Dave Lucas and Matthew Stipe, founders of Brews + Prose at Market Garden Brewery, a monthly literary series featuring readings by established and emerging authors in one of Cleveland’s most popular places to eat and drink.
latest report shows that cle is gaining, not losing, jobs
Despite the disheartening news from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) monthly jobs reports, the latest news is that Cleveland actually is gaining jobs and moving forward.
The BLS’ monthly jobs report shows that Cleveland lost 2,100 jobs since May 2012, more than any other metropolitan area in the country. However, the latest BLS report, the Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW), released last week, shows that Cleveland in fact gained 7,669 jobs in the third quarter of 2013. While this report takes a little longer to come out than the monthly report, it is much more accurate. Cleveland had an average of 992,570 employed between May and September of 2013.
The difference, says Team NEO CEO Tom Waltermire, is that the monthly Current Employment Statistics (CES) report is based on data from only six percent of the country’s business community, while the QCEW is based on data from 98 percent of businesses.
“The CES data is very premature and should never have been released,” says Waltermire. “The numbers are so preliminary they’re inaccurate. What it means for Cleveland is we have been subjected to nine months of regular and increasingly inflammatory headlines that report we’re the worst big city region from a jobs perspective. That is not the case.”
The latest QCEW report marks the 13th consecutive quarter of year-over-year job growth in Northeast Ohio.
Team NEO is now working to reverse the impressions created by the monthly reports. The organization has teamed up with Cleveland State’s Levin College of Urban Affairs and the Cleveland Federal Reserve to better analyze the data. Team NEO also is working with the Greater Cleveland Partnership in lobbying Ohio’s congressional representatives about the way employment data is released.
“People should think of the economy in Cleveland as gradually growing,” says Waltermire. “Every month has shown a higher number of jobs than the year before. We’re on a winning streak here.”
Source: Tom Waltermire
Writer: Karin Connelly
The BLS’ monthly jobs report shows that Cleveland lost 2,100 jobs since May 2012, more than any other metropolitan area in the country. However, the latest BLS report, the Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW), released last week, shows that Cleveland in fact gained 7,669 jobs in the third quarter of 2013. While this report takes a little longer to come out than the monthly report, it is much more accurate. Cleveland had an average of 992,570 employed between May and September of 2013.
The difference, says Team NEO CEO Tom Waltermire, is that the monthly Current Employment Statistics (CES) report is based on data from only six percent of the country’s business community, while the QCEW is based on data from 98 percent of businesses.
“The CES data is very premature and should never have been released,” says Waltermire. “The numbers are so preliminary they’re inaccurate. What it means for Cleveland is we have been subjected to nine months of regular and increasingly inflammatory headlines that report we’re the worst big city region from a jobs perspective. That is not the case.”
The latest QCEW report marks the 13th consecutive quarter of year-over-year job growth in Northeast Ohio.
Team NEO is now working to reverse the impressions created by the monthly reports. The organization has teamed up with Cleveland State’s Levin College of Urban Affairs and the Cleveland Federal Reserve to better analyze the data. Team NEO also is working with the Greater Cleveland Partnership in lobbying Ohio’s congressional representatives about the way employment data is released.
“People should think of the economy in Cleveland as gradually growing,” says Waltermire. “Every month has shown a higher number of jobs than the year before. We’re on a winning streak here.”
Source: Tom Waltermire
Writer: Karin Connelly
The second annual Mini Maker Faire will be held on Saturday, March 29 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the downtown Cleveland Public Library. This free event not only showcases some of the innovative ideas local makers have explored, it is also a hands-on event where attendees can learn to knit, or even create an LED light. It’s all about the growing maker movement, which includes everyone from tech enthusiasts and crafters to scientists and garage tinkerers.
“It’s an interesting movement,” says Mini Make Faire organizer James Krouse. “The maker movement runs the spectrum of people working in robotics and 3D printing to the more traditional people who do knitting. But it’s a thought process of how something is made.”
Approximately 100 exhibitors will be at this year’s Faire, including MakerGear, a Beachwood-based manufacturer of 3D printers and Robogaia Industries, which will have its web-controlled robot on hand. Threadwitch Light and Fabric, which specializes in electronic textiles, will teach guests how to light up a simple LED, while the Red Heart Method will teach metal hand-stamping for jewelry and kids’ crafts.
Many of the exhibitors will be selling their creations, but sales are not the primary goal of the event.
"It’s the world’s greatest show and tell,” says Krouse. “It’s where people say, ‘I’m going to show off what I’m doing.’”
Source: James Krouse
Writer: Karin Connelly
“It’s an interesting movement,” says Mini Make Faire organizer James Krouse. “The maker movement runs the spectrum of people working in robotics and 3D printing to the more traditional people who do knitting. But it’s a thought process of how something is made.”
Approximately 100 exhibitors will be at this year’s Faire, including MakerGear, a Beachwood-based manufacturer of 3D printers and Robogaia Industries, which will have its web-controlled robot on hand. Threadwitch Light and Fabric, which specializes in electronic textiles, will teach guests how to light up a simple LED, while the Red Heart Method will teach metal hand-stamping for jewelry and kids’ crafts.
Many of the exhibitors will be selling their creations, but sales are not the primary goal of the event.
"It’s the world’s greatest show and tell,” says Krouse. “It’s where people say, ‘I’m going to show off what I’m doing.’”
Source: James Krouse
Writer: Karin Connelly
northeast ohio entrepreneur expo focuses on making connections
JumpStart’s 2014 Northeast Ohio Entrepreneur Expo is slated to be the largest one yet with 1,000 attendees and 100 exhibitors expected for its seventh year. The event on Monday, April 7 at the Cleveland Museum of Art is slated to be chock-full of resources and events for business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs.
This year’s theme is “Connections Matter,” with a focus on helping entrepreneurs make the connections that will help their business succeed and move forward.
New this year is a speed advising session, during which entrepreneurs will be paired with investors, support organizations, service providers and the media to get quick tips on improving their pitches and selling their businesses. “All of last year’s attendees liked the energy and the people who were there, but they wanted more interaction,” says JumpStart’s Samantha Fryberger of the decision to add the speed advising. “This way we have more interaction.”
The session is followed by an investor panel discussion, “Attracting Capital Between the Coasts,” which will focus on raising money in Ohio. “Obviously, raising capital in Boston or the Silicon Valley is very different than in the Midwest,” notes Fryberger.
Returning this year is the Charter One Foundation Student Business Idea Competition. Six teams will be chosen by a judging panel and public vote, based on their business plans and a video. Three teams will be chosen to receive $400, $600 and $1,500 prizes.
The day will be capped off with a networking happy hour. The event runs from noon to 5:30 p.m. and is free to the general public. The cost is $85 for entrepreneurs, who have until Monday to register.
Source: Samantha Fryberger
Writer: Karin Connelly
This year’s theme is “Connections Matter,” with a focus on helping entrepreneurs make the connections that will help their business succeed and move forward.
New this year is a speed advising session, during which entrepreneurs will be paired with investors, support organizations, service providers and the media to get quick tips on improving their pitches and selling their businesses. “All of last year’s attendees liked the energy and the people who were there, but they wanted more interaction,” says JumpStart’s Samantha Fryberger of the decision to add the speed advising. “This way we have more interaction.”
The session is followed by an investor panel discussion, “Attracting Capital Between the Coasts,” which will focus on raising money in Ohio. “Obviously, raising capital in Boston or the Silicon Valley is very different than in the Midwest,” notes Fryberger.
Returning this year is the Charter One Foundation Student Business Idea Competition. Six teams will be chosen by a judging panel and public vote, based on their business plans and a video. Three teams will be chosen to receive $400, $600 and $1,500 prizes.
The day will be capped off with a networking happy hour. The event runs from noon to 5:30 p.m. and is free to the general public. The cost is $85 for entrepreneurs, who have until Monday to register.
Source: Samantha Fryberger
Writer: Karin Connelly
cleveland state university to host popular ted event this fall
Cleveland State University announced that it will host the popular TED series in October. TED, which stands to Technology, Entertainment and Design, shares original ideas through talks and programs held around the world.
Sponsored by CSU’s Monte Ahuja College of Business to highlight the imagination, innovation and entrepreneurship of the Cleveland and CSU communities, TEDxClevelandStateUniversity will be held on October 3.
“We’re really excited we’re able to host a TEDx event,” says Colette Hart, senior director of outreach and engagement centers at the college of business. “The TED community works hard to identify potential TED hosts that are consistent with the goals and objectives to inspire and innovate.”
TEDxClevelandStateUniversity should put Cleveland in the national spotlight, at least among TED followers. “Most people who have heard a TED talk have been moved because it’s very personal,” Hart says. “It has a global following and our job is to make sure Cleveland State and Cleveland are part of that global community.”
Ahuja College dean Joseph Mazzola sees the TEDx conference as a growth opportunity. “For people who watch TEDx presentations, the whole idea is to be around innovative thinkers and innovative ideas,” he says. “They want to connect the dots and see the world in a way that hasn’t been seen before.”
While the speakers have yet to be chosen, interest has been high. “We’ve had people contact us globally who are interested in participating,” says Hart. “It allows us to showcase the talent of our local community on a global basis.”
Hart says they will be sure to include students and the community in the programming. A portion of the event will be dedicated to past TED talks.
Now that CSU has earned a TEDx license, the university plans to host regular events. October’s program will be an annual happening.
Source: Colette Hart, Joseph Mazzola
Writer: Karin Connelly
Sponsored by CSU’s Monte Ahuja College of Business to highlight the imagination, innovation and entrepreneurship of the Cleveland and CSU communities, TEDxClevelandStateUniversity will be held on October 3.
“We’re really excited we’re able to host a TEDx event,” says Colette Hart, senior director of outreach and engagement centers at the college of business. “The TED community works hard to identify potential TED hosts that are consistent with the goals and objectives to inspire and innovate.”
TEDxClevelandStateUniversity should put Cleveland in the national spotlight, at least among TED followers. “Most people who have heard a TED talk have been moved because it’s very personal,” Hart says. “It has a global following and our job is to make sure Cleveland State and Cleveland are part of that global community.”
Ahuja College dean Joseph Mazzola sees the TEDx conference as a growth opportunity. “For people who watch TEDx presentations, the whole idea is to be around innovative thinkers and innovative ideas,” he says. “They want to connect the dots and see the world in a way that hasn’t been seen before.”
While the speakers have yet to be chosen, interest has been high. “We’ve had people contact us globally who are interested in participating,” says Hart. “It allows us to showcase the talent of our local community on a global basis.”
Hart says they will be sure to include students and the community in the programming. A portion of the event will be dedicated to past TED talks.
Now that CSU has earned a TEDx license, the university plans to host regular events. October’s program will be an annual happening.
Source: Colette Hart, Joseph Mazzola
Writer: Karin Connelly
Since 2011, Melissa Hale has been creating fragrance oil blends that are pleasing to the nose. This past holiday season introduced solid perfume lockets to the mix. Now, Yates Apothecary is pleasing the palate with its gluten-free macaroons.
“I began playing with gluten-free coconut macaroons for my own needs,” explains Hale, whose asthma is triggered by gluten. “These past few months I’ve be trying to buy things gluten-free to satisfy my sweet tooth.”
During her search Hale discovered that gluten-free sweets often are expensive, and that she's hardly alone in her gluten allergy. “Lots of people are gluten-free -- as a diet trend, for celiac disease, or they no longer have fibromyalgia or joint pain by staying away from gluten,” Hale says. “It’s really heartwarming to hear everyone’s stories.”
So, with her two sons watching her every move in the kitchen (and serving as taste testers), Hale perfected her gluten-free coconut macaroons. She’s been selling them -- $2 for a “hefty” macaroon or three for $5 -- at festivals and farmers markets around town for the past few months. She sells out every time.
Yates Apothecary is about to expand its line again. Hale is now experimenting with gluten-free coconut eggs, which are made of coconut, maple syrup, orange extract and chocolate. Later this spring Hale plans to introduce aroma oils, pure essential oils with intended purposes like relaxation, calming or energy.
Hale is in talks with a few coffee and tea shops around town about carrying her macaroons. In the meantime, customers can contact Hale directly if they would like to place an order.
Source: Melissa Hale
Writer: Karin Connelly
“I began playing with gluten-free coconut macaroons for my own needs,” explains Hale, whose asthma is triggered by gluten. “These past few months I’ve be trying to buy things gluten-free to satisfy my sweet tooth.”
During her search Hale discovered that gluten-free sweets often are expensive, and that she's hardly alone in her gluten allergy. “Lots of people are gluten-free -- as a diet trend, for celiac disease, or they no longer have fibromyalgia or joint pain by staying away from gluten,” Hale says. “It’s really heartwarming to hear everyone’s stories.”
So, with her two sons watching her every move in the kitchen (and serving as taste testers), Hale perfected her gluten-free coconut macaroons. She’s been selling them -- $2 for a “hefty” macaroon or three for $5 -- at festivals and farmers markets around town for the past few months. She sells out every time.
Yates Apothecary is about to expand its line again. Hale is now experimenting with gluten-free coconut eggs, which are made of coconut, maple syrup, orange extract and chocolate. Later this spring Hale plans to introduce aroma oils, pure essential oils with intended purposes like relaxation, calming or energy.
Hale is in talks with a few coffee and tea shops around town about carrying her macaroons. In the meantime, customers can contact Hale directly if they would like to place an order.
Source: Melissa Hale
Writer: Karin Connelly
As more field service employees rely on their mobile devices for scheduling and to check in with the office, TOA Technologies is keeping up with increased demand. The provider of field service management software experienced record growth in 2013 thanks to the launch of its ETA direct software, landing global telecom company Telefonica as a new customer, and securing a partnership and $66 million investment from Technology Crossover Ventures.
“It’s just a reflection of an ongoing need for people to have scheduling solutions and support,” says John Opdycke, TOA’s vice president of worldwide marketing. “Our goals were not just about revenue growth. We entered new vertical markets and new geographies. We’ve increased our breadth and expansion of our presence throughout the world.”
TOA entered five new countries last year: Finland, Argentina, Chile, Sweden and the Philippines. It experienced 50 percent growth over 2012 in new deals. And had 30 percent staff growth, which translates to 68 employees in the Cleveland headquarters and 514 worldwide. Over the past three years TOA has grown its global team by 71 percent and its Cleveland team by 127 percent.
“You always go into any year budgeting for a year of growth and, yes, we went into last year knowing we were on track to increase business,” says Opdycke. “And we met all of our goals. But if someone had asked me, ‘Will you increase business by 50 percent?’ I would have said, ‘No, that’s a dramatic increase.’”
The Telefonica deal was the largest service deal in the history of the mobile workforce management software industry. TOA is in the process of expanding its Cleveland offices, with plans to more than double its size to accommodate its growth. Every TOA employee around the world comes to Cleveland for training.
Opdycke says he expects 2014 to be an equally successful year. “We continue to push forward and we really feel we’re on the right path,” he says. “
Source: John Opdycke
Writer: Karin Connelly
“It’s just a reflection of an ongoing need for people to have scheduling solutions and support,” says John Opdycke, TOA’s vice president of worldwide marketing. “Our goals were not just about revenue growth. We entered new vertical markets and new geographies. We’ve increased our breadth and expansion of our presence throughout the world.”
TOA entered five new countries last year: Finland, Argentina, Chile, Sweden and the Philippines. It experienced 50 percent growth over 2012 in new deals. And had 30 percent staff growth, which translates to 68 employees in the Cleveland headquarters and 514 worldwide. Over the past three years TOA has grown its global team by 71 percent and its Cleveland team by 127 percent.
“You always go into any year budgeting for a year of growth and, yes, we went into last year knowing we were on track to increase business,” says Opdycke. “And we met all of our goals. But if someone had asked me, ‘Will you increase business by 50 percent?’ I would have said, ‘No, that’s a dramatic increase.’”
The Telefonica deal was the largest service deal in the history of the mobile workforce management software industry. TOA is in the process of expanding its Cleveland offices, with plans to more than double its size to accommodate its growth. Every TOA employee around the world comes to Cleveland for training.
Opdycke says he expects 2014 to be an equally successful year. “We continue to push forward and we really feel we’re on the right path,” he says. “
Source: John Opdycke
Writer: Karin Connelly
Craig Lewis, Andrew Schad and CJ Valle, CWRU and Cleveland Institute of Art students and founders of Sprav Water, won the 2014 Ohio Clean Energy Challenge at Cleveland State last week for their wireless water meter. Sprav won $10,000 and will advance to the regional competition in Chicago in April, where they will compete for the $100,000 grand prize and a place in the Department of Energy’s National Clean Energy Business Plan Competition in Washington, D.C. this summer.
Although Lewis says the competition was “fairly stressful,” it was a good opportunity to showcase Sprav. “I think it means a lot because we’re entering a beta phase where we’re going to start testing it,” he says. “And the cash prize helps.”
The Sprav meter helps users conserve water in the shower by measuring water temperature and usage and relaying that data to a smartphone or tablet.
NorTech director of Cluster Acceleration Rick Earles served as Sprav’s mentor during the competition. “He was really helpful and added a lot of value,” says Lewis. “He gave us access to contacts at manufacturers in Northeast Ohio, which will be very valuable moving forward.”
In fact, Sprav is now a part of NorTech’s Speed to Market Accelerator. “It’s a lot of fun working with promising startups like Sprav Water,” Earles says. “These guys are so passionate about what they do. They have created a beautifully designed product and really understand what it takes to get it to market.”
Sprav just signed contracts with CWRU and Baldwin Wallace to test the meters in 60 of the universities’ showers. “We want to see how people’s behavior changes when they have real-time feedback with our device,” says Lewis.
Eight other teams from around the state competed in the Clean Energy Challenge, five from CWRU, and one each from University of Cincinnati, Wright State University and Ohio University.
Sources: Craig Lewis, Rick Earles
Writer: Karin Connelly
Although Lewis says the competition was “fairly stressful,” it was a good opportunity to showcase Sprav. “I think it means a lot because we’re entering a beta phase where we’re going to start testing it,” he says. “And the cash prize helps.”
The Sprav meter helps users conserve water in the shower by measuring water temperature and usage and relaying that data to a smartphone or tablet.
NorTech director of Cluster Acceleration Rick Earles served as Sprav’s mentor during the competition. “He was really helpful and added a lot of value,” says Lewis. “He gave us access to contacts at manufacturers in Northeast Ohio, which will be very valuable moving forward.”
In fact, Sprav is now a part of NorTech’s Speed to Market Accelerator. “It’s a lot of fun working with promising startups like Sprav Water,” Earles says. “These guys are so passionate about what they do. They have created a beautifully designed product and really understand what it takes to get it to market.”
Sprav just signed contracts with CWRU and Baldwin Wallace to test the meters in 60 of the universities’ showers. “We want to see how people’s behavior changes when they have real-time feedback with our device,” says Lewis.
Eight other teams from around the state competed in the Clean Energy Challenge, five from CWRU, and one each from University of Cincinnati, Wright State University and Ohio University.
Sources: Craig Lewis, Rick Earles
Writer: Karin Connelly
With the loss of the United Airlines hub in Cleveland, LeanDog Software owner Jon Stahl say's he's discovered a way perhaps to cut down on the size of his team while traveling to visit clients. It's a robot named Gilligan -- made by Double Robotics – that roams about the LeanDog boat, checking in with team members on a project.
The investment might be one solution to reduce air travel for businesses that go to customers or bring customers to their offices.
Stahl got Gilligan in January to cut down on the number of team members he needs when traveling to call on customers. “Instead of taking a large team to customer sites, we can send less people and then drive the robot around the boat and talk to anyone we need to,” Stahl explains. “I don’t need to have as many people travel with me just in case I need them in a meeting.”
Gilligan also helps Stahl stay in touch with his staff when he’s on the road for long stretches of time. “I can also use the robot to look at our visual management walls, attend our daily standup meetings, and just make an appearance,” he says. “We have been on the road for three weeks straight, and it’s nice to pop in when we can.”
Stahl finds the robot to be a more flexible alternative to video conferencing, which requires scheduling a time for the meeting. “With Gilligan, we can wake him up and drive him around the boat and talk to someone at any time,” he explains. “Soon, we can even drive it to the recharging docking bay. We tried to use Skype phones in the past and gave them to our customers – we bought 20 of them, but you need someone to answer the phone, so that solution didn’t work so well."
The only disadvantage to Gilligan is that he can’t climb stairs; he has wheels for legs.
LeanDog has a client in San Francisco who also is trying out the robot. Together, the two companies are experimenting with their robots to see if they might replace, or reduce, travel and improve communication.
Source: Jon Stahl
Writer: Karin Connelly
The investment might be one solution to reduce air travel for businesses that go to customers or bring customers to their offices.
Stahl got Gilligan in January to cut down on the number of team members he needs when traveling to call on customers. “Instead of taking a large team to customer sites, we can send less people and then drive the robot around the boat and talk to anyone we need to,” Stahl explains. “I don’t need to have as many people travel with me just in case I need them in a meeting.”
Gilligan also helps Stahl stay in touch with his staff when he’s on the road for long stretches of time. “I can also use the robot to look at our visual management walls, attend our daily standup meetings, and just make an appearance,” he says. “We have been on the road for three weeks straight, and it’s nice to pop in when we can.”
Stahl finds the robot to be a more flexible alternative to video conferencing, which requires scheduling a time for the meeting. “With Gilligan, we can wake him up and drive him around the boat and talk to someone at any time,” he explains. “Soon, we can even drive it to the recharging docking bay. We tried to use Skype phones in the past and gave them to our customers – we bought 20 of them, but you need someone to answer the phone, so that solution didn’t work so well."
The only disadvantage to Gilligan is that he can’t climb stairs; he has wheels for legs.
LeanDog has a client in San Francisco who also is trying out the robot. Together, the two companies are experimenting with their robots to see if they might replace, or reduce, travel and improve communication.
Source: Jon Stahl
Writer: Karin Connelly
Bialosky and Partners Architects, a design firm in Shaker Square known for its design, historic rehab and new construction projects, recently promoted five of its younger employees to senior level positions.
“This particularly young set, all under 40, join the senior leadership at Bialosky and Partners with a high energy, high motivation approach to how we design and how we do business,” says Jack Bialosky, Jr. “We take pride in growing our own. By empowering hard-working and self-confident individuals early in their careers, they end up gaining experience beyond their years.”
David W. Craun was promoted to principal and continues to be one of the firm’s key design leads. Brandon Garrett was named associate principal. Both Craun and Garrett were key players in the development of Crocker Park. Paul Taylor was named associate principal. Craun and Taylor started their careers at the firm as interns.
Taylor has played instrumental roles in projects such as the award-winning designs for Tri-C’s Hospitality Management Center. Ryan Parsons was named senior associate. Parsons currently leads the team in the adaptive reuse restoration of the Schofield Building at E. 9th Street and Euclid Avenue. John Guzik was named senior associate in addition to his role as the firm’s director of sustainability.
“These young and empowered leaders are continuing the virtuous cycle of attracting new talent to the firm,” says Bialosky. “By knowing the skill set and mindset it takes to succeed early in their careers, these newly promoted leaders can effectively seek out compatible hard-working individuals who will stay will one day become principals themselves.”
Bialosky and Partners won numerous design awards and national recognition last year for its projects and designs.
Source: Jack Bialosky, Jr.
Writer: Karin Connelly
“This particularly young set, all under 40, join the senior leadership at Bialosky and Partners with a high energy, high motivation approach to how we design and how we do business,” says Jack Bialosky, Jr. “We take pride in growing our own. By empowering hard-working and self-confident individuals early in their careers, they end up gaining experience beyond their years.”
David W. Craun was promoted to principal and continues to be one of the firm’s key design leads. Brandon Garrett was named associate principal. Both Craun and Garrett were key players in the development of Crocker Park. Paul Taylor was named associate principal. Craun and Taylor started their careers at the firm as interns.
Taylor has played instrumental roles in projects such as the award-winning designs for Tri-C’s Hospitality Management Center. Ryan Parsons was named senior associate. Parsons currently leads the team in the adaptive reuse restoration of the Schofield Building at E. 9th Street and Euclid Avenue. John Guzik was named senior associate in addition to his role as the firm’s director of sustainability.
“These young and empowered leaders are continuing the virtuous cycle of attracting new talent to the firm,” says Bialosky. “By knowing the skill set and mindset it takes to succeed early in their careers, these newly promoted leaders can effectively seek out compatible hard-working individuals who will stay will one day become principals themselves.”
Bialosky and Partners won numerous design awards and national recognition last year for its projects and designs.
Source: Jack Bialosky, Jr.
Writer: Karin Connelly