Weighing in on health care reform: Akron
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, often called the Affordable Care Act represents some of the most far-reaching government overhaul of the U.S. healthcare system since 1965 when Medicare and Medicaid came into being. It will be phased in over time, but a number of changes have been delayed and won’t be in effect […]
Staying true to the core – How Alan Jaffa has doubled the growth at Safeguard Properties
The recent real estate crisis has left cities, towns and neighborhoods with real potential as well as real problems. Alan Jaffa and Safeguard Properties see both the potential and problems as growing business opportunities. Founded in 1990 by Robert Klein, Safeguard Properties has grown from a regional preservation company with a few employees and a […]
Jim Beck helped Nature’s Best make a fresh start that set the company on a new path to growth
This wasn’t the same company Jim Beck had joined right out of high school back in 1972. Beck had married into Nature’s Best, a distributor of vitamins and health and beauty aids. It was owned by the family of Beck’s wife and he went right to work as the company’s technology guy. “I was responsible […]
Bjorn Rebney – Be ready for anything at your next big event
Each year, we produce and promote 25 nationally and internationally televised mixed martial arts events to more than 125 countries around the world that are seen live here in the U.S. on Spike TV in 100 million homes. In the complex world of live sports event production, everything that comes before the actual event produces […]
Deborah Sweeney – Four tips to help give your business a clearer direction in 2014
It’s still 2013 as I’m writing this, but by the time everyone else reads it, we’ll be closing in on 2014 and kicking off the New Year, working to make good on the resolutions and plans we promised our businesses. What’s one area to take a closer look at? The company mission statement. Typically defined […]
Mark Scott – Why it’s so important to value every moment in life
Anyone who has been a fan of the “Fast & Furious” movies had to do a double take upon hearing the news that actor Paul Walker had been killed in a car crash. It just didn’t seem real that the 40-year-old actor, who rose to fame in high-octane street racing scenes in the fantasy world […]
Craig Dupper – Manage investor relationships through all types of adversity
After more than a decade of private equity investing with business owners as partners, I’ve learned that the relationship can seem like a marriage. This is especially true in situations where things don’t go as planned. For the business owner/private equity marriage to withstand challenging circumstances and generate value for both parties upon conclusion (a […]
Jet Tila – Three questions to ask yourself before launching your great idea
The odds are not in your favor when it comes to breaking out and becoming the next shining star. To make it happen, you need to use every tool in your arsenal. I’ve come up with a checklist that I’ve used to create five successful brands, including my own, in the food/culinary/hospitality industry space. Side […]
Paul Damico: Preparing your organization for growth requires a sound strategy
The downturn of the economy is clearly behind us. Companies have their feet back under them and are once again focused on expanding, acquiring, adding clients and hiring employees. Now is a great time to grow. Moe’s Southwest Grill is one of those fortunate companies that made it through and, for the past few years, […]
William Baker turned down-and-out Irwin Car and Equipment into a growing niche company
Over the course of the 120-plus years that Irwin Car and Equipment has been in operation, the company has undergone several ownership and identity changes — but it wasn’t until William Baker took over the company in 1993 that Irwin Car and Equipment started to reach its full potential. Founded in 1891, Irwin Car started […]