A look inside the mind of entrepreneurs
“As things change or shift in the process, having the courage to be honest and upfront about challenges is essential to a profitable transaction.”
How to put your best foot forward pitching corporate VCs
As an entrepreneur looking to raise capital, you’re probably considering multiple avenues of investment, but one in particular that may be beneficial to focus on is corporate investments. More and more, corporations are getting into the startup space, and are looking for the right companies to back for optimal return. Knowing which corporations are leaning […]
What to do in the midst of an uncertain future
There were acute challenges when I started leading the San Francisco Zoo as interim executive director: a tarnished public reputation, absence of corporate donors, a $2.4 million operating deficit and politicians threatening to shut it down. I knew what we needed to do — ensure public safety, emphasize visitor and donor relationships and stabilize the […]
Steven Marks is always thinking about how to make the Akron Marathon better
Running is as popular as ever in Northeast Ohio and one of the reasons for the surge in popularity is the creation of the Akron Marathon. Launched in 2003 by Steven and Jeannine Marks, along with the help of a small staff and thousands of volunteers, it’s become an event that appeals to more than […]
The Akron Marathon has become an economic engine on multiple fronts
Steven Marks and his wife, Jeannine, were avid runners and knew the kind of preparation and training it took to run a marathon when Marks approached the city of Akron in 1999 about bringing a race to the Rubber City. Akron officials liked the idea and were only too happy to give Marks the go-ahead […]
Your approach to culture can say a lot about your business
How do you define the corporate culture in your business? For many, corporate culture is an abstract and intangible concept. It’s not a number or a score, like a good sales quarter or a positive figure at the bottom of a financial statement. It’s more of a feeling, an instinct, a common way of seeing […]
The ability to link luck with skill in business
ABS Materials headquartered in Wooster is celebrating its 8th year in operation offering a range of products based on Osorb® media, a silica that grows in size to encapsulate chemicals ranging from contaminants to fragrances. Chemistry professor Paul Edmiston serendipitously discovered the technology working with students in his College of Wooster laboratory while devising a […]
Days of private equity firms demanding a majority stake in a business are largely over
Business owners often find traditional banking products don’t fit the bill when they need financing or additional capital. Because of the unique needs of small businesses, bank loans often don’t work due to the lack of capital available to lend high monthly amortization payments or onerous terms. If you’re seeking funds to accelerate growth, acquire […]
The value of teaching entrepreneurship to young people
Several times a year, we are fortunate to have groups of young people tour the Akron Global Business Accelerator to learn about entrepreneurship and the exciting innovation happening in our program. These middle school, high school and college students are curious. They ask questions. They are excited. They are engaged in what is going on […]
It’s not only who you know, but who knows you!
Sales Tip 305 It’s not only who you know, but who knows you! Remember the old saying, “It’s not what you know, but who you know.” Well, there is another saying that goes along with that one. It’s also, “who knows you.” Make sure that you are not a secret agent. In other words, are […]