Don’t Ignore The Innovative Power Of Inclusion
According to a recent report from Cisco, about 40 percent of today’s leading companies will be displaced from their market position by digital disruption in the next few years. In the words of entrepreneur and author Grant Cardone, “To get to the next level of whatever you are doing, you must think and act in
Diversity & Inclusion: Looking Forward To 2017, But First A Look Back
From an entrepreneurial perspective, 2016 was an incredible year for women— particularly for those with businesses located in economically distressed areas of Northeast Ohio, including JumpStart’s four female Core City Cleveland program graduates. While Cleveland’s female entrepreneurs spent the better part of the year capitalizing on new opportunities, breaking boundaries, and raising the bar, diverse
No, Female Entrepreneurs Should Not Have To Hide Their Gender To Get Funding
Silicon Valley bros are seriously misguided. On Wednesday, venture capitalist John Greathouse published a piece in The Wall Street Journal titled, “Why Women in Tech Might Consider Just Using Their Initials Online.” In a nutshell, he argues that the world of VC is so gender-biased that the best way for women to access opportunity is
Five Questions With Kareem’s Landscaping Founder Kareem Hardy
Transitioning his work ethic and skills honed as part of the landscaping team with the City of Cleveland, Kareem Hardy is successfully navigating the world of entrepreneurship. As a certified landscape designer, Kareem has a passion for creating and maintaining beautiful green residential and commercial spaces in Greater Cleveland. He also values the opportunity he
Core City Cleveland: Entrepreneur Showcase In Pictures
On August 11, our second group of Core City: Cleveland Impact Program participants took the stage to present their fine-tuned, demo day-style pitches to an audience of friends, family, community members and a panel of judges. The event also featured a small exhibition hall, where attendees could network with alumni of the impact program and
Five Questions With Owens Print & Creative Solutions Founder James Owens
After spending 10 years in the commercial print and graphic design industry working for big box retailers, James Owens made a decision to start working for himself. In late 2014, he founded Owens Print & Creative Solutions, a company that specializes in the quick turnaround of commercial printing, graphic design, web design and other marketing
Five Questions With Connie’s Affogato Founder Jason Minter
Taking inspiration from his grandmother Connie’s love of cultural exploration, and a semester spent as a teaching assistant in Italy, Jason Minter founded Connie’s Affogato, an ice cream truck for adults. The affogato, consisting of freshly brewed espresso poured over locally produced gelato or ice cream, is a traditional Italian treat that Jason looks forward
Five Questions With Making A Difference Consulting Founder Angela Flowers
As a licensed social worker, Angela Flowers has a knack for nurturing children and families that deal with difficult issues in their daily lives. While working in the school system, Angela realized that the mental health care for students was insufficient. Angela decided to tackle this problem by co-founding Making A Difference Consulting, an in-school
Five Questions With Triogen Founder Tasheika Johnson
Tasheika Johnson understands the negative consequences that inconsistent prescription drug use can have on patients and those around them. Recognizing an opportunity to solve this problem, she created a software designed to keep physicians updated on their chronic disease/mental health patient’s medication adherence, allowing for improved healthcare. Tasheika is also part of JumpStart’s Core City:
Five Questions With Asbestek Founder William Beard
Experience is usually the best teacher. For William Beard, his hands-on business experience as an asbestos contractor helped him to see a major opportunity for a technology-based tool that can improve process for other contractors in the industry. We recently sat down with William to talk about the idea behind his startup, Asbestek, his participation
Five Questions With hand-n-hand Founder Deborah Armstrong
Upon meeting Deborah Armstrong, one thing is clear—she is absolutely passionate about helping others. That’s why she founded hand-n-hand, a company that makes neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) swaddling blankets to provide a better experience for parents holding their premature babies. Deborah is also part of JumpStart’s Core City: Cleveland Impact program, an intensive business assistance program
Five Questions With Rust Belt Riders Co-Founder Dan Brown
Every entrepreneur needs fertile soil and a thriving ecosystem to flourish. But it’s not just a metaphor for Rust Belt Riders—the business literally converts food waste to high quality compost that enriches the soil. Recently we sat down with co-founder Dan Brown to learn more about how his business took root. What inspired you to