Bob Simpson ensures Jelly Belly always does right by its product line

The Jelly Belly Candy Co.’s roots go back to Gustav Goelitz opening a candy business in 1869 in Belleville, Illinois — but the introduction of the company’s namesake candy in 1976 was what really put the business on the map. Today the beans represent 85 percent of sales, according to President and COO Bob Simpson.

EY Entrepreneur Of The Year™ 2014 Northeast Ohio Awards

Since 1986, EY has celebrated the entrepreneurial spirit of men and women who have followed and achieved their dreams. These leaders have changed the lives of countless others by building their businesses and giving back to their communities. Their passion, vision and persistence stand as a testament to their dedication. Twenty-eight years ago, EY founded […]

‘Good taste’ takes on a new meaning in Tremont this July

Behind any successful product, service or event, there was likely a germ of an idea — something that if nurtured, might develop into that very thing. So when a group of Tremont businesses got together 12 years ago, they decided that the tried and true idea of a summer street festival would shine a spotlight […]

Consider a leveraged buyout as a faster, easier way to own a company

The vogue in today’s business world is to start a business, and you may hear how an idea was fostered out of a garage. The chances that a bank will support such a venture are zero. The chances you will find a venture capitalist interested in funding a garage startup are slight. You really must […]

10 steps to help you communicate your desired results to employees

Failure to set clear expectations is one of the most common mistakes that I see business leaders make. They often assume that they’ve communicated clearly when they really haven’t. These 10 steps will help you clarify and communicate your expectations: 1. List your desired results.  Do: Put your desired outcomes in writing. The process forces […]