Small Business, Big Conversations: DaRon Henderson of LO-KEY Entertainment
When DaRon Henderson was a sophomore in high school, he was approached by a friend about the possibility of playing music at an upcoming junior high dance. He owned a pair of speakers and a set of turntables, so they decided to give it a shot to see what they could pull off. They brought
Entrepreneur Spotlight: Nicole Paolozzi, OndeCare
It is often said that ‘necessity is the mother of invention,’ and for Nicole Paolozzi, founder of OndeCare, her past life as a single mom working a demanding job in Chicago planted the seeds for her current company’s success. “Back then, when I was traveling to the UK every six weeks, I used to dream
Meet Our Team: Mery Sanchez, Latino/Hispanic Deal Flow Analyst
As the Latino/Hispanic Deal Flow Analyst, Mery Sanchez helps Latino entrepreneurs develop business plans and business ideas, and guides them through the process of building their companies. She is responsible for connecting clients with other support resources in the community that can also contribute to this process. Mery is passionate about providing Northeast Ohio’s Latino/Hispanic
Rise Above the Rest: How To Outrank Your Competitors Using Google Ads
Pop quiz: How do new customers find your business? Other than word-of-mouth from your devoted clientele (you have that, right?) and any traditional advertising campaigns you’re running, chances are high that you were Googled. Nowadays, it’s absolutely essential for small businesses to rank high in Google search results to attract new customers and grow their
Celebrating Women’s History Month: The Importance of Supporting Women-Owned Businesses
March is Women’s History Month, a time to honor the countless contributions and accomplishments of women throughout history. One way to celebrate Women’s History Month is to support women-owned businesses. Not only is it a way to uplift and empower women, but it also has tangible benefits for society as a whole. Here are four
Meet the Participants of the Cleveland Small Business Impact Program’s 17th Cohort
JumpStart’s Small Business Impact Program is a 12-week business accelerator that provides hands-on advising and industry-specific mentoring to participants. The program focuses on helping these entrepreneurs overcome key business issues, with a significant emphasis on financial projections and capital pitches. Throughout the program, participants will have the opportunity to work closely with the Impact Program
10 Essential Marketing Activities for Small Business Owners: From Beginner to Advanced
As a small business owner, it can be overwhelming to know where to start when it comes to marketing your new venture. The first few months after opening your doors are crucial for establishing your brand, building awareness and attracting customers. Here are the first five marketing activities you should prioritize for your business: 1.
Don’t Wait, Update! Why Small Businesses Need to Optimize Their Google Business Profile Right Now
Stop me if you’ve heard this one… Knock, Knock. Who’s there? Nobody… because your customers couldn’t easily find you online. **Pause for uproarious laughter.** As a small business owner, you hopefully already have a website and social media presence to promote your products or services online. However, these tools alone aren’t necessarily enough to attract
Entrepreneur Spotlight: Saidah Farrell, Marshmallow of the Month Club
Business growth looks different for every entrepreneur. For some, it could mean product diversification or entering new markets, for others it could mean opening a storefront or upgrading technology. For Saidah Farrell, owner of Marshmallow of the Month Club, growing her company that creates subscription boxes of artisan marshmallows, freshly baked graham crackers and chef-inspired
Mentoring Minute: A Conversation with Mark Hoersten
The Entrepreneurship Education Consortium (EEC) is ramping up for its Spring 2023 Tech Side Hustle. Offered each semester to member colleges and universities in Northeast Ohio, Tech Side Hustle is an extracurricular program designed to attract, coach, and fund student entrepreneurs. Participating student cohorts are paired with experienced local mentors like Mark Hoersten, who guide
Black History Perspective on Confronting Disparities in Tech
As a Black American, Black History Month brings forth many mixed emotions. For me, there are feelings of pride and inspiration as I dive into our country’s rich heritage and the foundational role Black people played in nearly every aspect of American history. But there’s also a sense of frustration with the influx of performative
Profit Plan vs. Budget: Creating A Profit Plan with Purpose
As a small business owner, chances are you’ve been told countless times how important it is to have a business plan or a budget for your small business. Budgets are the worst! Hopefully, you don’t use one for your business. What you really need is a Profit Plan which shows how your business is going