Soapbox Media

UC students dance for a cause

2012-02-21T00:00:00Z

What could be better than a dance party? One in support of a worthy cause. This past weekend, the Cincinnati Dance Marathon held its fourth event in so many years to benefit children and families treated at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center. From disco moves to line dancing, participants danced across the gym floor of the University of Cincinnati Campus Recreation Center for 24 hours, from 1 pm Feb. 18 to 1 pm, Feb. 19, with a kick off ceremony at 1:45 pm. Why dance for 24 hours straight? As Brittany Clawson, public relations director for the marathon, puts it, “As college students, it’s one day that we want to give up as a community for kids who are in the hospital, fighting for their lives every day.” The Cincinnati Dance Marathon was founded by students who had seen pediatric hospital fundraising marathons at other universities. Before the students even started dancing, donations had been coming in from UC student volunteers who fundraised through their organizations, as well as via partnerships with local businesses and corporations and individual donations. Each year, the money raised by the marathon supports the pediatric oncology/hematology patients and families at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. Before the dance began Saturday, more than 50 student organizations supported the event with volunteers, participants and donations. More than 500 participants – most of them UC students – danced to fun tunes spun by award-winning DJ David Logan of Self Diploma and fellow DJ Eddie Traynor. In addition to a donation to the hospital, the $25 registration fee provided food, drinks, a T-shirt and lots of entertainment during the long dance. Fiends and family members of participants came to support the dancers, and student organizers hope that their efforts this weekend notably increase the $45,000 they have raised in just three years. Do Good: Donate: to the Cincinnati Dance Marathon any time of the year. Participate: in the Cincinnati Dance Marathon next year or support those who will be participating. Investigate: the amazing work at the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center’s Hematology and Oncology Departments. By Becky Johnson

Wanted: GOOD designers to work on city issues

2012-02-21T00:00:00Z

In Silicon Valley, GOOD Ideas for Cities spurred development of new transit plans for buses with wi-fi, comfy seats and bike racks traveling business-friendly express routes. In Los Angeles and New York, and just this month in Portland, Ore., like-minded sessions have paired the area’s top design minds with pressing city concerns in an effort to reinvigorate civic problem-solving. Cincinnati marks the next stop of the GOOD Ideas for Cities tour, which pairs designers with city problems proposed by urban leaders and spotlights solutions at public forums. The University of Cincinnati’s Niehoff Urban Studio hosts the program, which will culminate with a public event May 16. “Cincinnati is the perfect city for us to go to next as part of the GOOD Ideas for Cities program,” says Alissa Walker, Los Angeles-based writer and community members at GOOD. “We're seeing many of the challenges there that other mid-sized cities are facing, issues around urban renewal, transportation, and fresh food access. But there's also such a vibrant and established creative community that's already so engaged in the city.” Frank Russell, director of the Niehoff Urban Studio, has begun looking for civic-minded designers who want to be a part of the program. “Cincinnati has the benefit of a tremendous pool of design talent due to its place as a design and brand hub as well as its world-class design educational institutions,” he says. “I am excited to invite these emerging leaders to engage with GOOD to envision creative solutions for Cincinnati.” Since 2008, GOOD has hosted 10 of these events in three cities and at three schools. Last year, GOOD added the urban think tank CEOs for Cities to the mix and changed the name to GOOD Ideas for Cities. This year’s outreach into five mid-sized cities is funded in part by ArtPlace, a collaboration of national foundations, the National Endowment for the Arts and other federal agencies. “We hope GOOD Ideas for Cities will be able to connect these creatives with local urban leaders to design some innovative and exciting ideas for Cincinnati,” Walker says. “We also hope to see some of those ideas become reality, as we've seen happen at several of our events across the country so far.” For examples of previous GOOD Ideas for Cities projects, click here. To apply to be one of Cincinnati’s GOOD Ideas for Cities’ civic-minded designers or design teams, email Frank Russell. By Elissa Yancey Follow Elissa on Twitter.

Mobile coupon innovator Samplesaint gains traction, creates jobs

2012-02-21T00:00:00Z

Just six months after moving from Chicago to Cincinnati, mobile coupon innovator Samplesaint continues to catch major consumer brand and retailer attention. The startup's evolving technology is fueling its growth from eight to 25 employees since coming to the Queen City. “We've had tremendous growth in product development. In terms of hiring, we've brought on a lot of IT and marketing folks. We have 25 employees, but we're not done yet,” says company founder and CEO Lawrence Griffith, a Cincinnati native. Samplesaint was built on its mobile phone couponing technology that allows coupons to be easily scanned. It bypasses the more cumbersome process of printing digital coupons or requiring retailers to manually enter coupon codes from a phone. Samplesaint is more than couponing. It offers a range of mobile marketing, consumer insight, research and experience services. Samplesaint's technology also includes access to a database that ties to retailers' point-of-service, allowing then to immediately identify and determine the redemption and expiration dates of coupons. The company has already worked with major consumer brands, including Lipton, Breyers, Dove, Hellann's and Ragu, Griffith says. “The integration of three pieces are what companies are most excited about: our ability to acquire content, geotargeting and data collection,” Griffith says. “And we can work within their existing systems.” Samplesaint, which still has an office in Chicago, moved to Cincinnati after a $250,000 investment from CincyTech. It was one of the first companies that CincyTech investment attracted from out of state, as well as the first African-American owned company in which CincyTech has invested. Rahul Bawa, director of digital/IT for CincyTech, says the venture development firm recruited Samplesaint from Chicago because of its unique approach to mobile marketing. “Samplesaint has pioneered innovative mobile technologies,” says Bawa. “The company offers new ways of delivering content for consumer-focused companies and their brands. There’s a growing need in the marketplace for mobile-based marketing, and Samplesaint continues to explore ways to serve it. And with our emphasis on consumer marketing in this region, a company like Samplesaint belongs here.” By Feoshia Henderson Follow Feoshia on Twitter

Craft Menagerie to debut at Bockfest

2012-02-21T00:00:00Z

After Tara Heilman, owner of Robot Inside, and Chris Breeden, manager of Arnold’s Bar and Grill, teamed up for Local Night, a one evening celebration of five local artisans and crafters, they decided to take it a step further and create the Craft Menagerie. The menagerie will be held at Arnold’s on Saturday afternoon during Bockfest, March 3. The event, open from 11 am-4 pm, will feature more than 15 local entrepreneurs selling handcrafted items. Heilman is working with Hilary Nauman, of Ceci & Cela, to plan the event. “It’s just grown naturally so far,” Heilman says. “I don’t usually stick with things if they don’t feel right. I haven’t felt like that for a second while planning this.” The products will range from Heilman’s hand-sewn stuffed owls, monsters and robots, to Ovenfried Beads' handmade beads and jewelry to Paper Acorn’s handcrafted paper luminaries, dolls and gift boxes. After Bockfest, Heilman plans on working to make the Craft Menagerie a quarterly event at Arnold’s. In the spirit of Bockfest, the event will even have its own beer, Bell’s Consecrator Dopplebock. “Arnold’s is such a great place,” Heilman says. “People can bring their families, enjoy the crafts, beer and food all in one place.” The event will feature a soundtrack of local music and a photo booth on the stage in the courtyard. Most importantly, though, it gives local vendors a way to get their products seen by new potential customers. Heilman knows this is a necessity for crafty entrepreneurs. She has attended craft shows around the region, including the popular City Flea, and wants to give local vendors an outlet in their hometown. “So many people have great ideas and businesses,” Heilman says. “It would be great if they didn’t have to travel around to craft fairs, but instead could sell their products and make a living in Cincinnati.” By Evan Wallis

New choral collective looks to change perceptions

2012-02-21T00:00:00Z

Last Tuesday, the upstairs of Below Zero Lounge hosted the first performance by the newly formed Young Professional’s Choral Collective (YPCC). KellAnn Nelson and her husband Christopher Eanes formed the YPCC after talking to friends about their love of choral music, but lack of interest in attending concerts. “There’s a disconnect somewhere,” Nelson says. “People used to perform in high school or college for social reasons, so we decided to try to recreate that.” In November, Nelson and Eanes started recruiting and thought they could find around 20 people to form a choir and a practice space with a piano nearby. That’s when Nelson met Nigel, the owner of Below Zero. Nigel allowed the newly formed choir to use the club space, along with a hollowed out piano that houses a keyboard, all for free. The YPCC held two open practices in November to see how much interest they could garner. The results were more than Nelson and Eanes had hoped. Now with more than 60 members, the YPCC did Caroling in the Quarter, performed their first concert to around 200 people at Below Zero and already have another performance scheduled at Memorial Hall, May 22. With only six rehearsals before the first performance, Nelson and Eanes didn’t know what to expect, but the event went off without a hitch. More than 150 people made reservations to attend. “It was this little idea we had,” Nelson says. “Now it’s really happening and we have some momentum.” The YPCC has received attention for its unique structure, so Nelson and Eanes want to find unique venues to perform and different organizations open to collaboration. Because of busy work and social schedules, the YPCC features different singers in each performance. “We need our experiences to be unique,” Nelson says. “We want it to be something that draws new listeners in but still connects to old music fans.” By Evan Wallis

Mile High Club booming in Cincinnati

2012-02-21T00:00:00Z

At $425 a pop, what may be the nation's only Mile High Club has been quietly operating for more than 20 years at Cincinnati Municipal Lunken Airport. Business hit warp speed after Valentine's Day stories featuring Flamingo Air in local and national media. Read the full story here.

Infintech gains national partnership

2012-02-21T00:00:00Z

Ryan Rybolt started his payment processing company, Infintech, almost eight years ago. As a former banker, Rybolt thought small to medium businesses were taken advantage of and underserved. Today, his business levels the playing field through partnerships with chambers of commerce all over the country. He put together a business plan with a focus on being fair and transparent by not overcharging on credit card processing fees. Rybolt, who was already connected with the Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce, began to form a partnership five years ago by offering payment-processing rates much lower than other companies. Many chambers offer members discounted group rates on things like offices supplies and health care by leveraging their collective buying power. By doing that with payment processing, Infintech saves chambers and their members around 40 percent on credit card processing costs. “There’s no reason why a business should pay almost twice what it costs to process a payment,” Rybolt says. Infintech provides services for in-store retail, mobile, online and phone purchases. With pre-negotiated rates and no long-term contracts, Infintech gives companies worry-free service. That service won Infintech the endorsement of the state of Kentucky’s Chamber of Commerce Executives three years ago, and the business started serving 90 chambers across the state. Earlier this month, the American Chamber of Commerce Executives, which is a non-profit that helps manage chambers all over the country, announced their partnership with Infintech. “The took notice of our program and approached us about becoming a partner,” Rybolt says. “This will allow us to grow into any markets we want and at a speed we want.” Already, Rybolt says he has been approached by as far away as Anchorage, Alaska. In the past few years, Infintech has grown by 30 percent or more, and Rybolt expects that to be matched again this year. “This opportunity is going to give us the opportunity to serve clients all over the country,” Rybolt says. “We will really be able to control our own growth.” By Evan Wallis

Cincinnati ready to pass city worker partner benefits

2012-02-21T00:00:00Z

When Chris Seelbach ran for Cincinnati council last year, a platform plank was to make the city more inclusive, more fair, and increase benefits to everyone. Voters responded by overwhelmingly electing Seelbach, making him the first openly gay Cincinnati official.

Seelbach’s first legislative initiative would establish health and pension benefits for unmarried partners of city employees, same-sex and opposite sex.

The measure passed its first reading 8-1 on January 11, Seelbach’s second council meeting. It also has the support of Cincinnati Mayor Mark Mallory.

Read the full story here.

US Airways to have Cincinnati-Washington flights

2012-02-21T00:00:00Z

US Airways is launching a nonstop service between the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport and Reagan National Airport outside Washington. The airline on Monday said the service would begin in May. Read the full story here.

Profile: Rosalie Giesel of 346 Stanley

2012-02-21T00:00:00Z

How did you come to be an entrepreneur? It started with a project in one of our entrepreneurship classes at the University of Cincinnati’s College of Business. We had to come up with an idea for a new business, product, or service and build a business plan around it. Although the class ended in December 2011, we felt that we had a marketable product and decided to continue on with its development by founding 346 Stanley LLC. How did you come up the idea? Some of my favorite perfume leaked from the bottle and onto my cell phone. I found that I loved smelling it every time I used my phone and even continued to spray it on the case when it began to wear off. That’s where the idea was born. I should mention that our original name for the product was Tek-Tak but when our lawyer researched it, we found that the name was already in use. We have since changed the product name to “Akscentz.” What resources here did you take advantage of and how did they help? We’ve had some great help from professors in the College of Business; they are all very supportive of us going forward and taking our product to market. Also, we’ve consulted with lawyers and professionals with expertise in launching new products. What inspires you? The thought of coming up with our own idea and actually taking it to market and making it a success inspires us. Seeing the hard work and passion of other entrepreneurs who have taken their ideas and turned them into something real; that is truly inspiring. What’s next for you and your product? Right now we are consulting with some experts who have experience in launching new products. We want to learn the best way to produce and market Akscentz. By Robin Donovan

Adopt-A-Class connects kids with professionals

2012-02-21T00:00:00Z

Whoever said that one person can’t make a difference has clearly never met Bill Burwinkel. A self-made man, devoted community member and successful entrepreneur, Burwinkel began his career as a high school dropout and worked his way into a successful career in sales and marketing before starting his own business. Today, Burwinkel has transformed his passion for helping others into a well-orchestrated (and highly regarded) community movement. Burwinkel began a career in sales in 1970 after serving with the U.S. Army in Vietnam. From 1970 until 1979, he worked his way from sales representative for General Mills, to zone sales manager for Kroger, to vice president of marketing for the Shur-Good Biscuit Company. With more than a decade of experience in the consumer products industry, Burwinkel founded National Marketshare Group, Inc. in 1983. “I started the company in my basement,” says Burwinkel. “My wife and I ran the business on our credit cards, and it took us five years to become debt free.” That was 24 years ago. Today, Burwinkel has gone from a two-person basement operation to a successful company operating in Cincinnati and Portland, Oregon, and serving clients like Kroger, Fred Meyer, City Markets and many more. After leading NMSG for 20 years, Burwinkel decided it was time to embark on a new venture – this time focused entirely on giving back to the community. In 2003 Burwinkel founded Adopt-A-Class, a mentoring program connecting professionals with kids in Title I schools, or those where at least 40 percent of the students come from low-income families. Hailed as a “superhero of the Cincinnati Public School system,” Burwinkel has become a champion for mentoring, with nearly 200 business and community groups servicing around 6,000 kids in Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky. “These kids made a real impact on us from the beginning." Since its inception, the program has earned the United Way 2011 Clement L. Buenger Award and the 2011 2nd Act Award. In 2008, AAC was selected as finalist for the Jefferson Award for Public Service. Adopt-A-Class provides activities and topics that mentors can share with students, including classroom parties, career exploration, drug-free education, and much more. “This program facilitates important relationships between the mentors and kids. It gives both groups something to look forward to and feel good about,” says Burwinkel. “It only requires around 7 to 10 hours per school year from its adopters, but in reality, volunteers actually commit around 14 hours each year. People love this program.” Some major organizations in the area agree. Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, the Cincinnati Police Department, US Bank, and more have teamed up with AAC to become mentors. Even companies that do not provide mentors can pitch in, including the Cincinnati Reds, who donated some 1,500 tickets last year to children in AAC classrooms. While Burwinkel remains CEO of NMSG, these days his heart really belongs to Adopt-A-Class. “Getting the word out to the business and non-profit community about Adopt-A-Class is part of each day," he says. "It’s a program made by business people, for business people." Do Good: Become an adopter. Learn how. Donate. As a 501(c) 3 non-profit, Adopt-A-Class needs assistance to cover costs. Spread the word if you know a business or organization that would make a good adopter. By Deidra Wiley Necco

SpringBoard diary: Nothing to lose

2012-02-21T00:00:00Z

If I had a dime for every time someone asked me if I thought opening a climbing gym was actually realistic, I might have enough money to pay a month’s worth of rent on a potential building. While there may be a list of reasons why I shouldn’t pursue the gym or why it won’t work, I have a list triple the size of reasons why I should and it will.

Cincy Haus, Startup Bus ready to rock SXSW with ideas

2012-02-21T00:00:00Z

If you are one of dozens of Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky residents heading to the Interactive portion of the huge South by Southwest festival in Austin next month, you’ll find a little bit of home when you get there. Venture development group CincyTech has secured a #SxCincy Haus -- space in downtown Austin for members of the Cincinnati community to recharge themselves and their devices during the interactive portion of SxSW this year. Four local digital pros will speak on panels. Krista Neher of Boot Camp Digital, Jeff Busdieker of Possible Worldwide, Marty Boyer of Possible Worldwide and Glenn Platt, professor of Interactive Studies at Miami University. In addition, CincyTech, the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber and the Greater Cincinnati Venture Association, in partnership with U.S. Bank in Cincinnati, is helping to sponsor a Startup Bus. Twenty-five to 30 software developers, Web designers and business development folks will ride the bus and work on startup company ideas, which they will pitch to judges in Austin. Find out more and register here: startupbus.com. Cincinnati is one of only 12 cities across the country hosting the national Startup Bus program. In Austin each day of Interactive, CincyTech will host a #SxCincy Chat featuring a different digital expert from Cincinnati beginning at 4 pm at the #SxCincy Haus. The chats will take place after panels end and before parties begin each day and give SxSW attendees a chance to unwind while networking with other Cincinnati professionals. #SxCincy Haus will be open from 8 am until 8 pm from Friday, March 9, through Monday, March 12. Participants can hang out, get work done, snack and rest up. Additionally, CincyTech will host a #SxCincy Haus Party from 8-11 pm, Saturday, March 10, featuring Cincinnati beer and chili, music from Cincinnati bands and the opportunity to mingle with Cincy’s consumer, brand and marketing experts. On the morning of March 11, founder and CEO of Cincinnati startup Venturepax will lead a kayak and standup paddle board outing on Austin’s Lady Bird Lake. Anyone interested in getting some fresh air should meet at the #SxCincy Haus at 10 am Sunday, March 11. “We’re promoting Cincinnati as a city that understands the future of consumer interactive,” says Carolyn Pione Micheli, communications director for CincyTech. "We have a large number of innovative thinkers at huge corporations, digital agencies and startup companies. SxSW is a great audience with whom to share our story.” By Sarah Blazak

Students Serve Beyond Cincinnati during break

2012-02-21T00:00:00Z

Serve Beyond Cincinnati broadens the definition of Spring Break “fun” for University of Cincinnati students who commit to one of their spring adventures. Serve Beyond Cincinnati (SBC) is an entirely student-organized and operated group. Known for its “alternative spring break” trips, SBC works with organizations like Homes from the Heart and the Fuller Center for Housing to send UC students to project sites around the world. During Spring Break, for example, young people construct homes and schools, develop better sanitation systems, and introduce useful technology in locations including Mexico, El Salvador, Guatemala, Peru, and Cameroon. SBC also supports local projects with student volunteers. Trips to Louisville are offered on weekends, where SBC partners with the Fuller Center for Housing to renovate local homes. SBC works with partners like the Fuller Center for Housing and Homes from the Heart, both organizations with long-standing ties to the communities they serve, to provide the in-country logistics needed to feed, shelter and transport student participants safely in whatever country or area they are working. Since other groups have focused on local work, SBC is now gearing up for larger projects and the fund-raising that makes them possible. Each trip costs a student about $1,500, usually half of that is airfare. SBC co-president Lane Hart says SBC wants to focus on making these larger trips happen for students. “Students do their own fundraising, and we plan to provide even more support [for that] than we have in the past,” he says. Do Good: Find out: What SBC projects are being planned or are currently underway by joining the listserv. Get involved: by signing up for a service trip or SBC project. By Becky Johnson

Cincinnati could be completely powered by renewables this year

2012-02-21T00:00:00Z

Powering any city with 100 percent renewable energy sources without any significant cost increase for consumers is a no-brainer, right? The answer is definitely “yes” in Cincinnati, Ohio, where city officials are working on a deal that could have only renewable electrons flowing across the city by this summer. Read the full story here.

Website connects Latino community with services

2012-02-21T00:00:00Z

Ligia Gomez, a native of Colombia who after 20 years of residence calls Cincinnati home, is one of more than 8,000 people of Hispanic or Latino heritage in Cincinnati, according to US census data. A former healthcare worker, Gomez says she became aware of the difficulties that many Latino families face when trying to locate and access culturally compatible services delivered in their native language. “Their needs are great,” she says. “I wanted to find a way to help those families.” Gomez now teaches Spanish for social workers at the University of Cincinnati, helping to ensure that the next generation of providers can more easily address the needs of a growing Latino population. Her contributions to supporting Latino families don’t end with teaching, however. Gomez is also the Chair of the Greater Cincinnati Latino Coalition, which collects and shares resource information online. The coalition’s website acts as a central location for community resource information, including social and legal services, religious congregations and bilingual services in a city where Latinos and Hispanics represent about 2.7 percent of the total population. “Latino communities can be found in various neighborhoods in the area,” says Gomez. “We depend on our website to reach those communities, especially low-income families who are struggling.” Since the coalition began in 2005, the local Latino population has continued to grow and more services have become available. As a result, the group’s website could use a makeover. “The coalition is looking for a website developer to make some much-needed changes to both its functioning and content,” says Gomez. “An updated site would enhance our ability to reach families and individuals who need assistance, providing them with timely and centralized information.” As a non-profit, the coalition is looking for a website developer to donate the time and skills needed to make an updated and fully functional site a reality. While the organization’s website is central to its mission of helping Latino families, the coalition also hosts a series of monthly meetings featuring experts on topics ranging from immigration to economic development and more. These meetings are open to the public, and work to bring people together through education concerning issues that face Latinos. “The meetings provide a regular forum for highlighting services and community resources,” says Gomez. Although the coalition is currently challenged by a lack of technical resources to improve their website, it is gaining recognition for its work. On May 18, the GCLC will be honored with an organizational award at Santa Maria Community Services’ annual Bienestar, an event that recognizes both individuals and organizations that have done outstanding work to enhance access to health and educational resources for Hispanics and Latinos. “We are very proud to receive this award,” says Gomez. There are many ways to become active with the GCLC. When it comes to volunteers, the coalition is looking for anyone who is interested in helping the community’s growing Latino population. In addition, donations are welcome, as are community experts willing to serve as speakers for their monthly meetings. Gomez says, “We encourage people to become part of the cause by contributing time, funds or skills to help Latino families living in Cincinnati.” Do Good: If you or your company have website design skills, consider donating your time and services to the GCLC’s website redesign. Donate. Your dollars help fund important work for Latino families and individuals Get educated. Attend a meeting to learn more about issues facing Latino populations and find out how you can help. By Deidra Wiley Necco

Soapdish: On the right track

2012-02-21T00:00:00Z

Last Friday bore witness to one of the most momentous groundbreakings in the modern history of Cincinnati. As an energized and enthusiastic crowd looked on, Mayor Mallory, U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood and other assorted city dignitaries modeled their commemorative, gold spray-painted shovels and ill-fitting hardhats for the assembled media, all in a prelude to the groundbreaking ceremony for the Cincinnati streetcar.

Off the rack: Nizny's Pixel 19 supplies more than vintage kitsch

2012-02-21T00:00:00Z

Pass by 211 Klotter Street in Clifton and you’ll see an oversized turquoise egg, a green glass bottle and a few pieces of driftwood decorating the porch, but nothing that hints that this is the location of Pixel 19, a vintage shop that supplies sellers around the globe. It’s also the home of Stu Nizny.

Survey says: local businesses see brighter futures

2012-02-21T00:00:00Z

Local business owners look forward to hiring and growing, proving more confident in the future than their national peers, according to a first-of-its-kind survey by UC's Carl H. Linder College of Business and the Goering Center for Family and Private Business, launched the Greater Cincinnati Family Business Survey (GCFB). The study was sent to more than 900 local businesses to gage their opinions on the economy and the future. It mirrors the National Federation of Independent Businesses, but adds a local focus. After comparing the local findings to the broader study done by the NFIB, Cincinnati businesses owners expected higher sales and earnings and favored the prospect of expansion. “For a long time, I thought it would be interesting to do a study on the family businesses in the area.” says Sid Barton, executive founder of the Goering Center. “You can get national surveys and indications of large companies, but there wasn’t anything focused on local businesses.” Barton knows the results aren’t the most reliable because of the sample size of 200, but he plans on conducting the survey each quarter to grow the sample size until it is large enough to break apart into specific business types. Barton would also like to measure the accuracy of business owners' projections. “Our intention is to get as much promotion as we can,” Barton says. “We think this can really tell us about the economic landscape. We also want to see how good business owners are at predicting future growth.” Barton says a main focus was employment expansion in the area. “Most of the employment over the past decade has come from private business,” Barton says. “It hasn’t come from the large firms, because those are slowly becoming smaller.” By Evan Wallis

Local Writer Initiative Network's outsourced medical writers team grows

2012-02-21T00:00:00Z

Cincinnati-based Writer Initiative Network, a highly skilled team of medical writers, is growing with more than 300 writers in the WIN network since its 2009 founding. WIN is part of Keith Kleeman's Medical Communication Consultants company founded in 2004. Based in Mt. Lookout, the company provides a wide variety of contract writing services for medical device and pharmaceutical clients. MCC relies on a network of highly educated, experienced writers with medical backgrounds who write clinical reports, patient narratives, risk benefit analysis and more. WIN writers are currently working with five to 15 companies at a time; most clients are referrals. Writers work remotely from across the country and are all contract employees. Kleeman's low-overhead, expertise-based model allows him to match writers with skills specific to client needs quickly and efficiently, he says. He maintains the writers' abilities to work on everything from pre-clinical to marketing trials can shave months off the drug development process and save a company up to $100 million in development costs. The company vets its writers in a 3-stage, rigorous process. The first stage details every aspect of medical writing experience in the last 5 years. If that experience is sufficient, the writers then take an online writing exam. If they pass, they move on to a battery of personal interviews. Only if they pass all phases of the vetting process are they fully approved and available for projects. “We have over 300 writers in the WIN Network, with over 100 of those fully vetted, and the rest at some stage of approval,” Kleeman says. WIN is growing as the drug and medical device development process is changing; companies are outsourcing more processes to experts in this labor-intensive industry. But that trend is just part of WIN's growth, Kleeman says. “We differentiate ourselves greatly from other vendors or suppliers by our unique company structure, which leads to the best writers for a very competitive, if not better, price. So, while outsourcing in the pharma world has grown, our growth has been larger than that of our competitors,” he says. By Feoshia Henderson Follow Feoshia on Twitter

Q&A with Noel Gauthier, founder of Losantiville

2012-02-14T00:00:00Z

To fulfill a need upon graduation, Noel Gauthier and his partners wanted a place they could run their individual business, yet maintain a collaborative atmosphere to could pool our resources. So they created Losantiville Collective in Over-the-Rhine. Read the full story here.

Leukemia, Lypmphoma Society collects spare change for good

2012-02-14T00:00:00Z

It’s not every day that a principal, masquerading as multiplying cancer cells, attempts to attack healthy blood and platelets in front of the entire school.

Rob Hartman, principal of Walton-Verona Elementary School, was good-humoredly assisting the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Cincinnati last week in a student skit demonstrating how cancer affects the body. In the six years that the school has participated in this fundraiser, it has raised more than $15,500, all in loose change, in a program called “Pennies for Pasta.”

Walton-Verona is just one of more than local 330 schools that participate in this Leukemia & Lymphoma Society outreach program. By partnering with the Mayerson Service Learning Initiative and Children, Inc., the local Leukemia & Lymphoma Society visits almost a third of area schools to spread the message about cancer, its causes and treatment, and how school children can help with its cure.

“Children, Inc. comes up with the curriculum connections between service learning so that the kids aren’t just dong community service [through fund-raising], they are learning classroom knowledge, too,” says Annette Zottoli of Children, Inc. By providing books, videos and interactive role playing, even very young students gain a better understanding of the science behind cancer. They are already aware of it personally. “At the assembly, when the kids were asked if they knew someone who had cancer, almost all the hands went up,” recollects Zottoli. “I was shocked.”

“It’s a service learning project in a box,” says Betsy Ruwe, school and youth senior campaign manager for the local Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. The society provides everything from collection boxes and posters to DVDs and lesson plans that can work with a school’s health curriculum. The program is raising almost a half-million dollars yearly, but just as importantly, “the biggest thing we’re after is creating an awareness that we exist.”

Do Good:

• Investigate: how to bring this program to your local school by contacting the society, 800-955-4572.

• Discover: what other else the Mayerson Service Learning Program is supporting.

• Donate: your spare change at a local school fundraiser; contact the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society tri-state chapter to find a participating school near you.

By Becky Johnson

Keianna Matthews

2012-02-14T00:00:00Z

Model entrepreneur builds savory local collective

2012-02-14T00:00:00Z

An international modeling career, a short stint as a magazine editor and owner of two small businesses sounds like a full resume after a decades-long career. But Cincinnati native Margeurite Swallow has accomplished all that, and more, at age 23. Her latest venture, a commercially-licensed community kitchen in Over-the-Rhine, continues to evolve.

The Good Dog offers cheap, local hotdogs for lunch

2012-02-14T00:00:00Z

Adam Easterling stepped away from a nursing career two years ago to open Lunch on Main downtown. Just last month he rebranded his successful restaurant to offer a more streamlined and specialized lunch option to the city's business district. Easterling always wanted to own and run his own business, and says he basically had a menu created in his mind before he decided to open Lunch on Main. With sandwiches like the Main (hot pastrami, Swiss cheese, red onion marmalade and a few other ingredients), and a few gourmet hot dog offerings, Easterling created a restaurant that offers locally sourced lunch for less than $7. “I always loved cooking and trying out new combinations and recipes, so I opened a restaurant," Easterling says. Early in January, Easterling decided to rebrand Lunch on Main as The Good Dog. He now offers a large selection of hot dogs with locally sourced ingredients. For $5, Easterling has creations like the Voodoo Child, a hot dog from Avril-Bleh & Sons, topped with Caribbean jerk sauce, grilled onion, papaya and red pepper. Or try the Mediterranean inspired Kraken, a dog topped with hummus, tzatziki, pepperoncini, kalamata olives and feta cheese. “I wanted to rebrand to offer a more specialized approach,” says Easterling. “There aren’t many gourmet hot dog places around, and now the service and preparation is much more streamlined, so we can lower the price.” So far, Easterling has gotten positive responses from customers. He and his three employees work from 10 am – 3pm, Monday-Friday, but plan on extending the hours to 8 pm in early spring. While being downtown leads to plenty of foot traffic, Easterling knows more businesses nearby would help even more. “There are a lot of good things opening up and downtown in on the mend,” Easterling says. “More things opening up isn’t competition, it's just better for everyone.” By Evan Wallis

'Last Mountain' panel led by Urban Appalachian Council

2012-02-14T00:00:00Z

From the cresting mountain ridges of Appalachia to the rolling hills of Cincinnati, the story of one small community’s fight against big coal corporations resonates with a message of environmental justice. That story will be told during a screening of the documentary, “The Last Mountain,” and a panel discussion afterward, moderated by the executive director of the Urban Appalachian Council, Greg Howard. The free public events kick off the Passport to the World Series Appalachian Culturefest at the Cincinnati Museum Center. The panel includes University of Cincinnati biological sciences professor Eric Maurer; Shanon Rice, photographer and curator of “A Coal Story,” a photographic exhibit now at the Museum Center that delves into the lives of coal miners; coal miner Claude Stamper; Richard Durtsche, Northern Kentucky University biology professor; and associate journalism professor (and SoapboxMedia managing editor) Elissa Yancey. The documentary “Last Mountain” takes an intense look at how the townspeople of Coal River Valley, W.Va., battled to protect a mountaintop from destruction at the hands of big coal corporations. Many Cincinnatians have deep family roots in Appalachia, which led to the formation of the Urban Appalachian Council in the early 1970s. UAC is a service and advocacy organization working to improve the quality of life for urban Appalachians in the Greater Cincinnati area. Families who migrated to Cincinnati generations ago note interesting parallels between what’s taking place in Coal River Valley and the streets of the Queen City. The close-knit Appalachian culture, where complaints are few and publicity shied away from, does not make advocacy a natural path for them. The results have not served the people, or the land upon which they depend, well. In many ways, Coal River Valley sets out a new vision for Appalachians willing to stand up for their own health and well-being, for their own futures. Do Good: • See the movie; hear the panel. The Insights Lecture series event will be held at 6 p.m. Feb. 17 at the Cincinnati Museum Center. Click here for more information. • Like the Urban Appalachian Council on Facebook. • Make a donation to support the work of this local nonprofit.

Cincinnati cracks top 5 in 'romantic city' list

2012-02-14T00:00:00Z

When it comes to romance, Cincinnati places among the top five cities in the country, according to a new survey released just in time for Valentine's Day. Read the full story here.

Sean Parker

2012-02-14T00:00:00Z

Cincinnati moves toward 100 percent renewable energy

2012-02-14T00:00:00Z

Cincinnati could be the first US city to be powered entirely on renewable energy, without any additional cost to taxpayers, reports UrbanCincy. Read the full story here.

Rod Robinson

2012-02-14T00:00:00Z

Building Value hosts third ReUse-apalooza

2012-02-14T00:00:00Z

Have a knack for making things out of unused junk or old items? Local non-profit, Building Value, hosts the second annual Designer Challenge as part of ReUse-apalooza April 27.

The competition is open to amateur and professional designers as either teams or individuals. Each team will receive a $100 credit to shop at Building Value and gather supplies for their functional product. Teams will select their items later this month, and all the items will be revealed April 27, with a ‘People’s Choice’ and a ‘Judge’s Choice.'

“We are very excited about this chance to truly engage the community in reuse with ReUse-apalooza!,” says TinaDyehouse, designer challenge chair. “This is a very cool contest, truly illustrating how Building Value items can be used to make something spectacular. The real magic of the event is it brings the community together to make a positive impact on our neighborhoods by raising awareness about sustainability and helping those with disabilities and disadvantages.”

The finalized designs will be revealed at a silent auction during the third annual ReUse-Apalooza! All proceeds benefit job training program for people with disabilities and disadvantages at Building Value and its parent organization, Easter Seals Work Resource Center. Building Value employs people with disabilities from Easter Seals who staff the reuse center, which sells some of the more than 3,000 tons of building material waste Building Value diverts from landfills each year.

In addition to the The Designer Challenge and silent auction of the items, attendees can enjoy an eclectic mix of entertainment, including headlining local favorites, Messerly and Ewing. To attend Building Value’s annual celebration of reusability and resource conservation, general admission tickets are available online for $20. VIP tickets are available for $50.

By Evan Wallis

Student-designed compactor heads to finals of Acara challenge

2012-02-14T00:00:00Z

Four University of Cincinnati students won the bronze at the Acara Challenge in Minnesota on Feb. 3, advancing the team to the final round in India this summer. They were awarded two paid scholarships, as well as up to $1,000 in matching funds to attend the final round. The four students, all enrolled in a multidisciplinary course at UC, proposed the “Renew Trash Compactor,” a new product and service that reduces trash, increases recycling, improves sanitation and generates income for the Padli Gujar village in India. Read the full story of their journey to the finals here.

Choremonster's apps combine learning, rewards

2012-02-14T00:00:00Z

Two Cincinnati natives have developed Choremonster, a Web-based service and mobile app that lets parents and children interact to complete and actually enjoy housework by combining digital gaming trends with the traditional concept of an allowance. Choremonster co-founders Chris Bergman and Paul Armstrong are capitalizing on the fact that in 2010, 51 percent of children between 4 and 12 years old owned digital devices. Many children receive their parents’ early-generation iPhones, iTouches, Androids and laptops when their parents upgrade. “Technology is a huge part of family life these days and can give parents an advantage that my parents didn’t have when trying to get me to do chores,” says Bergman, CEO of Choremonster. The two, who also were partners in running Over-the-Rhine-based Wiseacre Digital, are creating two separate applications: one for parents and one for children. The parents create a chore list for their children and assign real-life rewards that can be obtained by trading in Choremonster points. The children use the application to mark their chores completed, gain points for real-life rewards and collect monsters. The randomized collection of monsters then interact with users, play games and teach children lessons on responsibility and completing tasks. The company also will look at the market potential of the product as a mix of both online (software and virtual) and physical goods, similar to how Rovio is now marketing Angry Birds with t-shirts and plush toys. Choremonster and its co-founders are graduates of the 2011 Brandery accelerator class, which graduated eight companies from all over the nation in October. Choremonster is the first of those companies to receive seed funding. CincyTech led Choremonster’s seed-stage funding round with a $200,000 investment. The $350,000 round was completed by private angel investors. The investments will go toward product development and growing the application’s user base. “Bergman and Armstrong are a strong team that has executed multiple major digital and design projects for everyone from Maker’s Mark to Facebook,” says CincyTech Managing Director Mike Venerable. “We have a lot of confidence in their abilities, their passion and their product.” By Sarah Blazak for CincyTech

19 new jobs at Post Glover in Northern Kentucky

2012-02-14T00:00:00Z

Post Glover, a power resister developer and manufacturer in Erlanger, is expanding in Northern Kentucky and creating 19 new jobs in the process. The expansion follows the merger of Post Glover and T&B Resistors in Milford in December 2010. The 19 new jobs include four relocations from Milford. The rest are new hires, says Post Glover President Richard Field. “Post Glover is proud of our 118-year heritage in the region,” Field says. “We are pleased to remain in Northern Kentucky and excited with our continuing growth prospects for the future. We appreciate the Commonwealth’s efforts in helping us to expand in Northern Kentucky." When the move is completed, sometime in June, the company will have 120 total employees in two spaces, the current Erlanger space and a second nearby in unincorporated Boone County. Post Glover also employs 20 in Australia. “After we merged with T&B Resistors, we thought we'd benefit from being in the same area, since we make similar products and will be sharing technology,” Field says. As part of its expansion the company will create some manufacturing jobs of components formerly imported from Italy. “We will be bringing manufacturing jobs here,” Field says. Post Glover resisters are sold to large international companies like Rockwell and Siemens, as well to municipal subway systems. The company was founded in 1892 as an electrical and railway supplies manufacturer and dealer. The company was offered several incentives as part of the expansion. The Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority (KEDFA) preliminarily approved Post Glover for tax incentives up to $300,000 through the Kentucky Business Investment Program. The performance-based incentive allows the company to keep a portion of its investment over the term of the agreement through corporate income tax credits and wage assessments by meeting job and investment targets. KEDFA also approved Post Glover for up to $49,000 in tax benefits through the Kentucky Enterprise Initiative Act. This allows eligible companies to recoup Kentucky sales and use tax on construction costs, building fixtures and equipment used in research and development, and electronic processing equipment. By Feoshia Henderson

Cincinnati neighborhood on cusp of renaissance

2012-02-14T00:00:00Z

People of all ages, both white and black, are moving into newly built houses and condos in Walnut Hills, as well as large, older homes. Crime has dropped in recent years. With encouragement and help from the city, the neighborhood is attracting the interest of commercial and residential developers. Read the full story here.

SpringBoard diary: taking an inventory

2012-02-14T00:00:00Z

It's week three of SpringBoard, and fledgling entrepreneur Megan McAuley is taking stock of what it will take to turn her dream of creating a rock-climbing gym in downtown Cincinnati a reality.

Eileen Weisenbach Keller directs NKU Entrepreneurship Institute

2012-02-14T00:00:00Z

Northern Kentucky University professor Eileen Weisenbach Keller brings years of on-the-ground experience in the business world to her new role as director of the NKU Fifth Third Bank Entrepreneurship Institute. She takes the helm of the growing, nationally recognized institute after coming to NKU in 2006 as an assistant marketing professor teaching marketing principles and marketing strategy. She has her business bona fides as well. Before coming to the university, Weisenbach Keller spent nearly 15 years in the private sector working in the pharmaceutical, manufacturing and consumer goods industries, including two years as senior product manager for Mr. Coffee. Weisenbach Keller earned a bachelor’s degree in marketing from Indiana University, a master’s in business administration with concentrations in finance and marketing from the University of Chicago and a doctorate from Kent State University. She continues to serve as a consultant for small and Fortune 500 companies. She honed some impressive skills during that her time in the private sector that will no doubt serve her well in this new role, including new product development, marketing and supply chain and budget management. "Just this week I met with two companies and had quick rapport with their leaders due to our common experiences in the areas of profitabiltiy, product development and management, promotion and marketing communication," she says. "These relationships will allow us to quickly incorporate local entrepreneurs and business people into the Entrepreneurship Insitute for mutual gain. The companies will help us incorporate realistic application of the fundamental principles students must learn and we will help the companies by creating more capable students for internships, and graduates for jobs or new ventures." The NKU Institute has been recognized by both Princeton Review and Entrepreneur magazine for its undergraduate and graduate entrepreneurship programs and outreach. There are plans for expansion of programs including a new entrepreneurship course next fall that will be open to students from any major at the university. "For 10 years the Institute has created value in our region by combining the efforts of the university faculty, administration and staff wtih those of the very generous and innovative local business community," Weisenbach Keller says. "One goal is to continue and enhance that cooperation for one primary purpose: to strengthen the knowledge and skill set of our student graduates so that they are an ever-increasing positive force in the economy. Enhancements such as more internships and increased mentor relationships will play a very important part." By Feoshia Henderson Follow Feoshia on Twitter

Covington Arts District receives state recognition

2012-02-14T00:00:00Z

The Behringer-Crawford Museum, the Frank Duveneck Arts & Cultural Center and The Carnegie Visual and Performing Arts Center and other galleries populate the Covington Arts District, which was one of five Kentucky cities awarded certification by the state to help market its arts collectively.

Out of 26 applicants, Covington was one of five cities chosen by the Kentucky Arts Council (KAC) for the state-wide honor.

“Covington Arts is in the midst of creating a new marketing campaign that will align with a city-wide the mayor is putting together,” says Katie Rentzke, interim art director for the city of Covington. “We will also be working with the KAC to reach specific benchmarks and they will help us utilize our assets and collaborate with the state-wide initiative.”

The opportunity to be certified at a state level coincides with the city's decision to rid itself of the pre-existing Art District zoning boundaries that were initially created to encourage art and technology businesses to take root in the core of downtown. Those boundaries were challenged because of rigid land use zoning restrictions. In contrast, the new state certification calls for mixed-use development. As a result, the city has defined the new Arts & Cultural District to encompass the entire downtown of Covington, spanning from the riverfront to 12th Street and from the Licking River boundary to the 71/75 interstate, and including all of Devou Park.

Since the program is still in its early stages, it hasn’t yet been decided if funding will be given to certified communities and exactly what kind of marketing approaches will be used, but Rentzke thinks it will help bring more tourism to Covington.

“Covington has already had a long-standing support of the arts, this just acknowledges that and lets everybody in the state and country know,” says Rentzke. “It will also increase cultural tourism, which will bring people to the city to spend money. Cultural tourists tend to stay long and get more involved because they want to see what makes the city special.”

By Evan Wallis

Ameenah C. Hall

2012-02-14T00:00:00Z

Young and black in Cincinnati, part 2: Eyes on the prize

2012-02-14T00:00:00Z

Last week you met four young, black Cincinnatians making their marks on the Queen City through entrepreneurship, creativity, networking and old-fashioned hard work. This week, meet four more trailblazers who are thriving in the world of startups, nonprofits, education and corporate marketing.

A taste of spring at Cincinnati Nature Center

2012-02-14T00:00:00Z

Have you ever wondered how thick, sticky, slow-moving tree sap becomes the sublime sweetness known as pure maple syrup? If so, the Cincinnati Nature Center features an upcoming program on tree sugaring that is sure to delight the intellect as much as it does the taste buds. In February and March, the Cincinnati Nature Center presents real, honest-to-goodness maple syrup making. Presented in the center’s Sugar House, visitors can expect an education in producing “liquid gold” maple syrup from sap. The program promises an engaging sensory experience. The excursion features a one-hour maple trail hike where visitors can collect sap, and a trip to the Sugar House to feel the warmth and sense the smell of the maple scented steam that comes from the evaporator during processing. “Collecting sap is a holistic activity and a great way for people to understand the role of humans in the food chain,” says Jason Neumann, experiential education specialist. During the maple trail hike, Neumann says, “We often encounter birds called sap suckers, and other plants and animals that are all part of the food chain, part of the process.” The Cincinnati Nature Center is a non-profit nature education organization dedicated to designing and delivering family-friendly encounters with nature. Emphasizing hands on experiences, the center is open year-round and offers activities that both children and adults can share in a family friendly environment. Between its two locations in Milford and Goshen, visitors can take in over 1600 acres of natural beauty and more than 16 miles of hiking trails. This summer, the center offers popular camps for children that become open to non-members beginning March 1. Throughout the remaining winter months and into the spring, the center offers opportunities to learn from naturalists during interactions with wildlife like The Dance of the Woodcock, the Salamander Celebration and of course maple syrup making. “Focusing on the living creatures and natural surroundings along the way means that each time we do a hike we see and experience something unique,” says Neumann. Do Good: - Visit the center for Maple Syrup Making February 18 & 25, and March 3 & 10. - Become a member of Cincinnati Nature Center. - Volunteer as a land steward or facilitate school groups. - Donate to help ensure continuity of nature programs. By Deidra Wiley Necco

As CyrusOne thrives, Cincinnati Bell eyes spinoff

2012-02-14T00:00:00Z

Cincinnati Bell is studying a spinoff or IPO for its thriving CyrusOne colocation business, the company said yesterday. The move could allow Cincinnati Bell to benefit from investor interest in the data center and cloud computing sector, while shifting significant capital expenses off the telecom company’s balance sheet. Read the full story here.