Veteran-owned – Northstar Contracting is on an upward trajectory in Cleveland
Stephen and Pam Coleman finally realized their new company was going to be taken seriously one day in 2009, six months after they had unfairly lost a bid for a critical contract. The Colemans had submitted a proposal for a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers job they felt perfectly suited for. Their company, Northstar Contracting, […]
Fred Koury: Set your goal, then relentlessly pursue it
In the sports world, there is a clearly defined champion each year. Every team strives to be the one that finishes on top, but most don’t make it. Many teams have good seasons and might be satisfied with that, but only one is the true No. 1. The question to ask yourself is, what is […]
Are you branding yourself for the future? Elevate your professional exposure
Are you one of many professionals so busy working in your career that you do not have time to work on your career? How much time do you think you spend each day or week facilitating the right level of relationships and exposure to advance your career trajectory? If you are like many professionals, you […]
Davis Young: Be the business leader others will follow by using these tips
Leaders of organizations are role models — either good or bad. If they cut corners, their people will cut corners. If they wink at bad practices, their managers will wink too. If they verbally abuse colleagues, others will follow their lead. If they focus only on today and ignore tomorrow, associates will do the same. […]
Euro-Pro’s Shark products have real suction in the vacuum appliances marketgreg
Few companies today consider the vacuum cleaner market as an area to grow and expand business. That market four or five years ago, however, was very interesting and caught the attention of executives at Euro-Pro Operating LLC, a Newton, Mass.-based pioneer in innovative cleaning solutions and small household appliances. The company looked at the market […]
Beware of red herrings … why an executive must learn to be both a detective and an interpreter
First, a quick refresher. The term red herring is derived from the practice of training hounds to follow a scent, or distracting them with a different smell, during a fox hunt. In a story it can be a clue that leads the reader towards a false impression or conclusion. Not to muddy the waters, but […]
Swinging for the fences – Andrew Sherman is growing MesoCoat in multiple industries with a revolutionary product
When a company develops an innovative product that is superior to its competition and has applications in multiple industries, chances are it’s on its way to success. That is certainly the case for MesoCoat Inc. and Andrew Sherman, president and CEO. MesoCoat is a venture-backed nanotechnology materials science company fast becoming a world leader in […]
Stewart Kohl: How private equity can help businesses thrive
Capital markets often treat smaller companies like Randy Newman’s song “Short People” suggests: “They got no reason to live.” Access to capital is often the difference between success and failure in business, and that access can be particularly challenging, even for smaller companies. Bank loans are not always possible or favorable, and they can come […]
Grow the city garden – Moving up the entrepreneurial ladder takes innovative thinking
Not long ago my heart sank when I read that the Pittsburgh metropolitan area ranked 48th among the 50 top cities in Entrepreneur magazine’s list of the best cities for entrepreneurs. Entrepreneurship is a Pittsburgh tradition and the life-blood of our future growth. So how can we move up the entrepreneurial ladder? Water the acorns […]
Rivers of Steel exhibit highlights the rise and fall of iron and steel at Jones & Laughlin
Ken Kobus is proud to be a third-generation steelworker, saying, “The mill was always in my life, even as a baby.” He began working at the Jones & Laughlin Steel Corp. in 1965, spending most of his time at the Hazelwood Coke Works. He worked there from December 1966 until the plant closed in 1998. […]