Thinking Outside the Corrugated Box

geauga
Winter 2015
Thinking
Outside the
Corrugated
Box
Packaging
to Perfection
PLUS:
A “Dying” Business
Burr Funeral Home & Cremation pg 4
Mar-Bal
One of America’s Fastest-Growing
Private Businesses pg 8
Hitting The Slopes
At New and Improved Alpine Valley
PUBLISHER
Chris Yuhasz
Owner, Persistence of Vision, Inc.
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Margie Wilber
Owner, Write 2 the Point
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Kim Breyley
Rebekah Maple
Gina McVey
Jennifer Seward
Chris Taylor
Margie Wilber
DESIGN
Ellen Seguin
Write 2 the Point
A special thanks to our partners whose financial
contributions make this publication possible.
Junction Auto Family
1931
Our 81st Anniversary
2012
1
T H I N K I N G O U T S I D E T H E C O R R U G AT E D B O X
PA C K A G I N G T O P E R F E C T I O N
4
A “DYI N G” B U S I N E S S
FUNERAL SERVICE INDUSTRY ALIVE AND WELL
B U R R F U N E R A L H O M E & C R E M AT I O N C E L E B R AT E S
6 T H G E N E R AT I O N A S A FA M I LY - O W N E D B U S I N E S S
7
C H E M T E C H E X PA N S I O N I N M I D D L E F I E L D
8
MAR-BAL
O N E O F A M E R I C A ’ S FA S T E S T - G R O W I N G , P R I V AT E B U S I N E S S E S
12
K E N T S T AT E U N I V E R S I T Y PA R T N E R S W I T H B U S I N E S S T O
FILL LABOR NEEDS IN COUNTY
14
RED MAPLE INN: A LIT TLE BIT OF COUNTRY
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H I T T H E S L O P E S AT N E W A N D I M P R O V E D A L P I N E V A L L E Y
18
V E N T U R E L A U N C H C O N S U LT I N G G R O U P :
H A R N E S S I N G ‘ T H E L I F E C YC L E O F A N I D E A’ F O R
C O R P O R AT E P R O F I T S
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NEWBURY’S CULINARY RENAISSANCE
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W E N E E D YO U
G E A U G A L I B R A R Y F O U N D AT I O N M I N I - G O L F C O R P O R AT E SPONSORS NEEDED
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R A I S I N G T H E B A R F O R F A M I LY - F R I E N D LY G Y M N A S T I C S
26
M A R I LY N ’ S V O I C E
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A TRIBUTE TO FRANK SAMUEL
28
CIC
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C O N S I D E R T H E I M PA C T Y O U C A N M A K E
R A V E N W O O D M E N T A L H E A LT H C E N T E R
SEEKS BOARD VOLUNTEERS
Geauga Business articles are written and selected for their general interest and
entertainment value. Authors’ views do not necessarily represent the policies
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endorsement by POV Print Communication or Write 2 the Point. All submissions
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submissions, contact POV Print Communication, Inc.
on cover: Louie Dejesus, President and CEO, Third Dimensions.
Also: (l-r): Marc H. Burr and Marc “Burrly” Burr of Burr Funeral
Home & Cremation Services
Persistence of Vision, Inc.
16715 West Park Circle
Chagrin Falls, OH 44023
www.povcommunications.net
[email protected]
p. 440.591.5443 x222
Write 2 the Point
PO Box 385
Newbury, OH 44065
www.write2thepoint.com
[email protected]
p. 216.410.2395
Thinking
Outside the
Corrugated
Box KAGING
PAC ECTION
F
R
E
P
TO
By Margie Wilber
Louie Dejesus knows a bit about packaging.
In fact, the President and CEO of Third
Dimensions understands a great deal after
logging in more than 30 years of innovative
printing and packaging experience. His
limitless passion along with his creative
approaches in solving even the most
complex packaging dilemmas has rewarded
Third Dimensions with some very strong
business partnerships with clients that
include such Fortune 100 and Fortune 500
companies as Chiquita, Kraftmaid, Trico
Corp., USG Corp. and Great Lakes Cheese.
C O N T I N U E D O N PA G E 2
GEAUGA BUSINESS
Winter 2015
1
T
Thinking
Outside the
Corrugated
Box
C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 1
“Everything can be figured out. I
am passionate about finding the
perfect packaging solution for
my clients. Thankfully, I have
surrounded myself with smart
people who enjoy what they do
and share the same passion.”
- Louie Dejesus,
President and CEO of Third Dimensions
hird Dimensions designs and
implements packaging solutions
for their customers. “We save our clients
millions of dollars in damages by providing
the best custom, protective-packaging
solutions to solve packaging problems
and enhance the brand,” explains Dejesus.
“We handle small- to large-scale runs and
specialize in protecting oddly shaped and
fragile product, point-of-purchase displays
and sales kits. Unlike competitors who are
locked into using corrugated exclusively,
Third Dimensions will design and implement
the best packaging solutions for our clients
– whether that involves fabricated and
molded foams, triple-wall corrugated boxes,
specialty pallets, or simply the traditional
brown corrugated box.”
The self-professed “rebel in the packaging
industry” is no stranger to hard work.
Dejesus remembers his first job at the age
of eight, working at Wayside Gardens, a
nursery in Mentor. Other jobs growing
up included a cashier at A&P and Tasty
Freeze, and a gas station clerk. “At one
time, I had three jobs,” Dejesus laughs. He
earned a bachelor’s degree in business
and accounting from Edinboro University
in Pennsylvania in 1977. After working
in finance at Society National Bank (Key
Bank), he was hired in sales and design at
Smurfit Stone Container where he learned
the ins and outs of the packaging industry.
The drive to control his own destiny
resulted in Dejesus opening his own
packaging company. “My wife Jeanette
and I started Third Dimensions in 1985 in
Geneva, Ohio as a fulfillment center and
non-traditional source of packaging,” says
the consummate entrepreneur. “We always
felt that to solve the many packaging
issues, a company must embrace the use
of all available media – not just brown
corrugated sheets. “If you take care of your
customer needs, your customer will reward
you with their business and loyalty.
The couple has stayed true to this belief.
Third Dimensions utilizes 600,000 square
2
feet of production and warehousing
space to produce packaging – from a
brown corrugated box and four-color P.O.P.
(Point of Purchase) displays, to certified,
heat-treated export crates, pallets and
molded and fabricated foams. To its credit,
Third Dimensions owns the largest eps
molding presses, corrugated die cutter, and
automated, four-color, large corrugated
press, and large format printer this side of
the Mississippi.
“All of this production equipment is at our
immediate disposal to serve the unique
needs of our customers,” the high-energy
Dejesus says with a smile. “We specialize in
custom-printed displays, protective product
packaging, short-run custom boxes and
fulfillment solutions. We have state-of-theart equipment, experienced production
managers, and creative designers to
manage a supply-chain solution for you.”
Third Dimensions is a certified-minority
company due to Dejesus’ Puerto Rican
roots. AIB certified, it currently has 80 fulltime and 12 part-time employees including
six structural and graphic designers. The
company recently invested $1.5 million
on a hp Scitex 15000 printer which does
six- and eight-color, large-format UV digital
corrugated printing – one of only two such
printers in the country. The packaging
process starts with fast prototype
development and often concludes
with pick-and-pull service where Third
Dimensions’ fulfillment team warehouses
their clients’ product and ships it directly
to end users as orders are received on a
daily basis. Third Dimensions provides fast
turnaround and has custom-kitting and
full-assembly capabilities as well.
Dejesus is always willing to invest in
equipment and go the extra mile for his
customers.
“I have a problem saying no,” admits the
successful business owner. “Everything
can be figured out. I am passionate about
finding the perfect packaging solution
“We work very hard to innovate and design new solutions
to meet the new the changing market. We also push the
envelope on what we can do with a corrugated box.”
- Louie Dejesus, President and CEO of Third Dimensions
for my clients. Thankfully, I have
surrounded myself with smart people
who enjoy what they do and share
the same passion. I also never
micro-manage.”
Five years ago, Dejesus decided to
expand his business into Geauga
County, purchasing the old Carlisle
Building in Middlefield. This facility
warehouses corrugated boxes for such
customers as Kraftmaid, Dillen, Great
Lakes Cheese and Flambeau. Third
Dimensions employs 18 individuals at
this 250,000-square-foot plant, located
at 15322 Old State Road in Middlefield,
who sequence boxes to match part
numbers and then ships the packaging
to customers on an as-needed basis.
Terry Geraci, warehouse manager at
the Third Dimensions Middlefield site,
says there is intensive labor, time, and
logistics involved in the packaging
industry. “Our customers do not have
the design and storage capabilities that
we offer,” says Geraci. Third Dimensions
also owns three additional warehouses
in Middlefield: a 15,000-sq.-ft. facility on
Rt. 87, a 20,000-square-foot plant on
Navoo Road, and another 20,000-sq.-ft.
building on Valplast Street. “Basically,
we take orders, warehouse and
sequence boxes, and ship them to
customers at this Middlefield site,”
states Geraci.
GEAUGA BUSINESS
Winter 2015
“I’ve known Louie for 10 years. He is
a real mover and a shaker,” describes
Geraci, who is responsible for all
shipping, receiving, logistics and
warehousing at the Middlefield
warehouse. “Louie is very progressive. I
love working for him.” Geraci is pleased
with the labor force in this area.
“They are hardworking, responsible
individuals,” he states.
Third Dimensions also expanded
to Charlotte, North Carolina, where
their employees design and produce
four-color P.O.P. and houses a CNC
work center. His son Kyle, who has a
background in marketing and design,
serves as operations manager at this
facility. (Louie and Jeanette also have
two married daughters, Rhea Greene
and Nara Skipper.)
Third Dimensions recently purchased
their fourth main facility in Geauga
County on Rt. 87 in Burton (formerly
Shade Tree). This facility will do
light assembly work and serve as
a repacking center in addition to
warehousing products.
Dejesus hopes to triple his business in
the next three years. A large part of this
growth will come from the P.O.P. side of
the business. He says, “Currently 10%
P.O.P. should grow to 25% percent of
our business in the next few years.” The
P.O.P. includes murals, life-size cutouts,
sales kits and trade show displays.
“Combine these services with our
warehousing/fulfillment and in-house
logistics, and our customer have a total
solution company. It all works together
to the benefit of our customers,”
Dejesus describes.
“I’m on vacation when I am working
10-hour days,” admits the packaging
leader. “I love this work. It is my
passion. Packaging is about reducing
damage to zero – that is the goal.
In order to accomplish that goal,
you cannot forget about the other
packaging medias. If you do, you may
not be solving the shipping problems.
We always think outside the box and
look at all the possibilities. We work
very hard to innovate and design new
solutions to meet the new changing
market. We also push the envelope on
what we can do with a corrugated box.”
If you are interested in increasing brand
awareness and sales with stunning
packaging that will create a strong
identity for your company and your
products, visit their Web site: Thirdinc.
com or call Third Dimensions at
440.466.4040 or 877.926.3223, or
email [email protected].
3
(l-r): Marc H. Burr and Marc “Burrly” Burr
A “Dying”
Business
Funeral Service Industry
Alive and Well
Burr Funeral Home & Cremation
Celebrates 6th Generation
as a Family-Owned Business
By Margie Wilber
4
T
he funeral service industry across
the United States is alive and well.
Consider these facts. More than 2.5
million people die each year in the United
States, with approximately 20,000 funeral
service establishments generating around
$16 billion in annual revenue. In the coming
decades, baby boomers – members of
America’s largest natural growth spurt
(born between 1946 and 1964) – will die
at a steady rate. That is an estimated 76
million people. The sheer numbers spell big
business for the funeral service industry.
Burr Funeral Home & Cremation Services, in
Chardon, is one of several Geauga County
funeral homes positioned to experience a
steady increase in caring for local families
in the next few decades. It has earned the
distinction of being the oldest continuously
operated business in Geauga County. And
with the addition of Marc H. and Nan Burr’s
son, Marc F. or “Burrly,” the family celebrates its
sixth generation as a family-owned business.
Started in 1859 by great-great grandfather
John Burr, Marc. H. Burr recalls how he
originally did not want to go into the family
funeral business as a young man. “I wanted
to be a doctor, but my first year of college
was very enjoyable at the University of
Mount Union. So enjoyable, in fact, that
it didn’t set the table for medical school,”
laughs Marc. “Still, my father never said I
should go into this business. He left the
decision to me, as I did with my son.”
His son Burrly concurs, “I majored in Theater
Production at Allegheny College but always
wanted to go into this line of work. As a
little boy, I would go into the basement and
watch my grandpa and dad embalm the
bodies. I would also put on my little suit and
help my dad and grandpa set up chairs for
funeral services or ride in the hearse to the
cemeteries. I never thought it strange or odd
living at a funeral home. It was simply home.”
Located at 116 South Street, this is Burr
Funeral Home’s fourth location in Chardon.
“Grandpa bought this house as his home,
but when his partner Fleet Smith suffered a
heart attack, Grandpa began having funerals
here so Fleet could recover,” Marc recalls.
(Members of the Smith family still reside in
the Chardon area.)
With more than 150 consecutive years in
business, the Burr family remains committed
to the same business principles since
opening – honesty, dignity and service.
“We are still learning how we can do
something more to make it easier on
families,” admits Marc. “All we can do is to
help a family go through a bad time and
make it tolerable. It will never be ‘good’
because of the nature of this service.”
He continues, “Shopping for funeral services
can be emotionally overwhelming. Our job
is to help simplify the process and make it
easier. Unlike what is commonly depicted
on television shows and in the movies, the
vast majority of funeral directors across the
country do not take advantage because
people are distraught when they come in
their doors. It is our job to direct them –
hence the name funeral ‘director.’ If a family
wants a simple service, fine. If they want it to
be extravagant, that is also fine. We’ve even
been asked to have fireworks. “
Burrly concurs, “Our name is on the door.
We have a reputation to maintain: a
reputation for professionalism, sensitivity
and commitment to excellence.”
Both gentlemen reflect on how the funeral
industry has changed.
“A lot of small, family-owned funeral homes
are shutting their doors. SCI (Service Corp
International) has been buying many
of these homes, which was particularly
pronounced 25 years ago,” notes Marc. “They
do not change the name because they don’t
want communities to know they are no
longer family owned.”
C O N T I N U E D O N PA G E 6
GEAUGA BUSINESS
Winter 2015
5
A “Dying” Business
C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 5
Marc “Burrly” Burr
In 2013, Service Corp International bought
Stewart Enterprises, Inc. for $1.13 billion,
merging the two largest U.S. funeral home
operators as the industry gears up for
serving baby boomers. The group owns
1,653 funeral homes and 515 cemeteries
in 48 states, eight Canadian provinces, and
in Puerto Rico, with revenues of nearly $3
billion, according to Reuters. In fact, in the
U.S., the 50 largest companies account for
about 25 percent of industry revenue.
Despite such consolidations, small operators
can successfully compete with national
companies because the funeral business is
intensely local.
Where are the dollars made? Today, preburial services, which include embalming
and cosmetic preparation, transportation,
facility rental for wakes and memorial services,
account for 50 percent of revenue. Sale
of caskets and other funeral goods – urns,
wreaths, etc. – make up about 45 percent
of revenue. Other revenue sources include
obituary placements online and in local
newspapers, food, remembrance cards, etc.
Burr Funeral Home & Cremation Services
has a selection room on site offering various
steel and wood caskets, decorative urns
and outer burial containers. All of their
prices are conveniently itemized online at
burrservice.com. Families will know what
they can expect to pay for funeral costs –
generally $10,000 to $12,000 before coming
in, according to Burrly. Burr Funeral Home
also provides a host of special services
including online obituaries, certified copies
of Death Certificates, Ohio Burial/Transit
and Cremation permits, limousine service,
newspaper death notices, coordinating
wishes with the florist of your choice and
6
aftercare. In 2008, Burr Funeral Home
installed its own crematorium for their
families’ peace of mind and offer the
“Cremation with Confidence” guarantee.
“Their loved one is always in our care,”
ensures Burrly. And this past summer, the
parking area was enlarged from 33 to 83
spaces and a new “handicap accessible”
entrance is currently being installed to aid
the families and their guests.
“At Burr Funeral Home, we focus on our
families. We go out of our way to make
sure all their needs are met – whether it is
serving particular food during the wake to
butterflies, doves or balloon launches at the
cemetery, we make it happen,” states Burrly.
“We take the same view as the Ritz Carlton –
‘It’s our pleasure, whatever the request.’”
not a business, it is a life. Unless you give
yourself completely to serving others, this
field is not for you.”
Marc remembers, “My wife Nan was having
shoulder surgery recently, but I could not be
there during the operation. I had a funeral
service scheduled that I had to attend to. I
was serving that other family. Many people
have no idea how much effort goes into
making a service perfect. It isn’t their job to
think about it. It is our pleasure to help. “
The Burr family believes in giving back to
a community that has supported them for
six generations. Burrly coaches football at
Chardon High School and will be president
of the Burton/Middlefield Rotary. The
33-year-old husband (wife Ashley) and
father of eleven-month-old Warner also
enjoys playing Santa for local schools and
Breakfasts with Santa. For years, Marc has
If baby boomers are recognized for
anything, it is their desire to “have it their
way.” This desire is
extending to death, “At Burr Funeral Home, we focus on our families. We go out
as aging boomers
of our way to make sure all their needs are met – whether it is
buy pre-arranged
funeral packages
serving particular food during the wake to butterflies, doves
designed to leave
or balloon launches at the cemetery, we make it happen.”
the world as they
- Mark F. “Burrly” Burr
lived in it. The very
nature of funeral
services is changing, says Burrly. Many baby
dressed as President Abraham Lincoln
boomers are opting for fun, more elaborate
and performed at the Chardon Memorial
services – from a farm-themed service
Day Ceremonies and at local schools and
complete with a tractor pulling the casket
nursing homes. He remains a long-term
to the cemetery to tie-dyed caskets.
member of the Chardon rotary.
“As long as there is a need, we will be
needed. Since the beginning of time,
people were buried with some ceremony.
Even the name ‘funeral’ is derived from the
Greek and means ‘torch-lit procession,’”
Burrly explains. “Being a funeral director is
Marc concludes, “My hope is that when I
meet a family we have provided funeral
services for in the grocery store a few
months later, we meet as friends. Geauga
County is our home, and it is our pleasure to
assist families in their time of need.”
Chem Tech Expansion
in Middlefield
By Kim Breyley
S
ince August, construction crews have
been preparing an expansion site on
15 acres southeast of Routes 528 and 87
for Chem Technologies. Chem Tech is a privately
owned, state-of-the-art custom mixer of rubber
as well as a chemical dispersion and blend
manufacturing company. The corporate offices
and a seven-line production facility are housed
on Bonner Drive near the northeast end of the
Village of Middlefield.
“Our objective has always been to stay ahead
of customer demands,” says Randy Vancura,
COO of Chem Tech. “In fact, before we finish
building the first phase, industry needs may
call for the installation of two production
lines and we might have to jump right into
building the second attaching facility.” Chem
Tech, in operation since 2001, experienced its
best month on record this past June.
When Vancura and Chem Tech founder, CEO
and chairman of the board, Jim Schill, initially
began contemplating expansion, they looked
to secure acreage inside Village boundaries
directly across the street just south of their
current facility. But due to topographical
issues, building there was ruled out.
Aware of Chem Tech’s expansion needs
and determined to facilitate job growth
and additional tax revenue for Middlefield
Village residents and schools, Mayor Ben
Garlich approached the Middlefield Township
trustees with a financially amenable proposal
to annex almost 200 acres just east of the
Village, on the east side of Route 528 and
south of Route 87.
This annexation, the first in Geauga County
in many years, provided Chem Tech with
opportunity to purchase land and have
GEAUGA BUSINESS
Winter 2015
access to Village utilities. In 2013, the
198-acre property was annexed into
the Village and zoned industrial. Maps
outlining the area are on the web at www.
middlefieldmeansbusiness.com.
Chem Tech’s first-phase plans call for a
36,000-square-foot building, currently in
construction, which will operate production
Line 8 and utilize a state-of-the-art rubber
compound mixer, awaiting delivery in Akron.
This will increase Chem Tech’s rubber mixing
capacity by 50 percent. Chem Tech, under
Vancura’s direction, is acting as general
contractor for the project, hiring many local
companies such as Sayre Construction,
Mullett Construction and Osborne Concrete.
Seven phases are planned for this facility.
“Every one to three years another phase will
be added,” Vancura states. “When finished,
it will look like one building; each phase is
designed with no interior gutter, carrying
the ridgeline back to expansion four so that
the rain water will flow south on the balance
of the building. The building in its finished
state will cover a quarter of a million square
feet. For now, it will be somewhat utilitarian
in appearance especially if compared to the
impressive newly added offices and entrance
at the existing facility on Bonner Drive.
“This expansion can only be ‘good’ for current
employees,” says Schill, who has worked in
the rubber industry for many years. His career
began with Burton Rubber and taking those
skills, he co-founded Elastochem in Chardon.
After selling that facility, he co-founded
Gold Key in Middlefield in 1998, which was
sold in 2007, and now Chem Tech competes
with Hexpol in the custom rubber mixing
market. Vancura joined Schill at Gold Key
as COO. Another key player in the future of
Chem Tech is Vice President Donna Decker.
(l-r): Jim Schill, CEO & Chairman; Randy Vancura, COO;
Kevin Cohill, Vice President – Sales & Marketing;
Donna Decker, Vice President – Purchasing & Customer
Relations; Dan Breit, Director; Jack Menosky, Director
She has worked with Schill since their days
at Elastochem. These three, along with Vice
President Kevin Cohill make up the executive
committee and half of the Board of Directors.
“Our corporate headquarters will remain on
Bonner Drive,” says Schill, who lives in Florida
and travels monthly to Ohio to handle Chem
Tech financial affairs and oversee business
strategies. “This company is privately owned
and I am committed to keeping it that way,
now and after I am no longer here, because
inevitably,” he adds, “When a company is sold, it
is almost always the employees that lose out.”
Initially, several new personnel will be needed in
the Bonner Drive facility and up to 30 to run the
new production line around the clock. Currently,
Chem Tech employs 86, and boasts almost no
annual turnover. “We value our employees and
we treat them well,” says Schill. “And we pay
100 percent of their health insurance; to do
otherwise would be like giving them a pay cut.
When the expansion is complete,” he continues,
“We will be one of the largest employers in the
area, probably supporting somewhere between
200 to 300 employees.”
“Our corporate mantra is: Do the right thing,”
Schill states emphatically.
“That’s right, “ adds Vancura. “By the customer,
by the vendor and by the employees.”
Operations in the Chem Tech first phase
should be in full production this year. The
Middlefield community is fortunate to be the
home of this exemplary corporation.
7
Mar-Bal
O N E O F A M E R I C A ’ S F A S T E S T- G R O W I N G P R I V A T E B U S I N E S S E S
By Rebekah Maple
I
t started with an immigrant with a can-do
spirit who didn’t speak English and was
willing to take a risk. Now, his Geauga County
composites manufacturing company has been
recognized for two consecutive years as one of
America’s fastest-growing private businesses.
Hungarian born and raised Jim Balogh knew
nothing of the American culture and hadn’t a
penny to his name but that didn’t stop him from
jumping headfirst into a business endeavor many
people wouldn’t attempt. Despite overwhelming
obstacles, Balogh started Mar-Bal, Inc. in 1970,
now headquartered in Auburn Township.
“By accident I ended up here and started my
own company just like my grandfather did,” he
explains. “When you come to America, you leave
everything behind and have the mentality that
you want to prove it to yourself that you’re going
to make it in this country.”
Balogh’s grandparents came to Ellis Island from
Hungary in the 1900s. His mother lived in Akron
for 25 years then returned to Hungary before
WWII. Balogh grew up under communist rule
and served in the Hungarian military during
the Hungarian Revolution of 1956, was shot in
combat, and jailed.
After escaping jail and leaving Hungary at 18
years old, Balogh served five years in the U.S.
Army then studied mechanical engineering in
community college. He worked for a familyowned company in Euclid as a tooling engineer
and designer, which gave him his start in mold
design. After working a difficult job for little
money, he thought, “If I could buy a beat-up
machine and start my own company, maybe
I could make a good living.” That’s what he
eventually did. He started with one machine and
kept growing and growing.
Balogh’s sons Scott and Steven are now president
and vice president of the family business. Scott
joined Mar-Bal in 1992 and has been president
and chief executive officer since 1998. With
Scott’s leadership, the company opened its
state-of-the-art research and development
technical center in 2007 and expanded globally
by opening a sales office in Shanghai, China in
8
2012. Vice President Steven started with
Mar-Bal in 1993 focusing on the development
of new materials and production techniques.
Through his research and development, he
enabled the company to support an annual
compound-sales-growth rate of more than
10 percent.
Mar-Bal operates from five different locations
across America: a research and development
center and corporate office on Queens Way
in Auburn Township, a manufacturing plant
on Munn Road in Auburn Township, two
Missouri plants and a Virginia plant. They also
operate from their Asia sales office in China.
As a one-source solutions provider, Mar-Bal
designs, formulates, compounds, molds and
finishes products for their customers. The
company serves the appliance, electrical,
industrial, food service and transportation
industries as the leading compounder and
molder of BMC (Bulk Molding Compound)
Thermoset composite products and finishing
services. It is a one-source-solutions
provider that takes a product from start
to finish for the customer. Whirlpool is its
largest customer in appliances and Eaton
Corporation, a power management company,
is its largest customer in industrial equipment.
chemical reaction and pressure to form
an inter-linked molecular structure that
permanently maintains its form and cannot
be melted, reformed or dissolved.
“We’re different than a lot of plastics,” Scott
Balogh explains. “A lot of plastics are mostly oil,
whereas our stuff is mostly mineral fillers and
fiberglass, so really the carbon footprint of our
composite is a lot lower than most plastics.”
“Regular plastic,” Jim Balogh adds, “like the
junk plastic you see every day, is almost 100%
petroleum products.”
Because of the plethora of benefits,
composites can be used in more diverse
applications as a replacement for traditional
engineering materials such as wood,
metal, aluminum, ceramic and steel. These
beneficial characteristics as listed by the
American Composites Manufacturers
Association include: light weight, high
strength, high strength-to-weight ratio,
corrosion resistant, chemical resistant,
heat resistant, low to no smoke emissions,
nonconductive, non-magnetic, low
maintenance and long-term durability.
On the electrical side, Mar-Bal makes standoff
insulators for such products as tow motors,
windmills and different kinds of electrical
Mar-Bal is the largest manufacturer and
supplier of electrical insulators in North
America with 139 customers, plus or minus.
By definition, composites are the result of two
or more significantly different materials that,
when combined, produce a substance with
characteristics different than the individual
elements. Each element independently
contributes its physical properties to the
combined material.
Mar-Bal composites are blends of various
resins, such as polyester and epoxy, and fillers,
like glass and limestone, that are combined in
large, dough-like mixers with many different
pigments added to reach an end material.
Thermoset composites cure through heat,
equipment like circuit breakers and electrical
switches. For appliances, it makes products
like knobs, control panels, appliance vents
and handles. The company also has its own
proprietary items: a fire resistant wastebasket
and iron organizer.
In Mar-Bal’s Research and Development (R&D)
Center, materials engineers test the products
to comply with industry-set standards. The
R&D center is where Scott Balogh says they
“bust ‘em, break ‘em and burn ‘em.” They will
bend test bars and measure pounds of force
and deflection until it breaks, angle changes
C O N T I N U E D O N PA G E 1 0
9
(l-r): Scott Balogh, President and
Chief Executive Officer of Mar-Bal, Inc.,
Steven Balogh, Vice-President of Mar-Bal, Inc.
Mar-Bal
C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 9
and how long the test bar burns before it
extinguishes. They measure for and perform
various tests – such as scratch and stain tests
and even real-life scenarios like cooking
ketchup, mustard and vinegar on the oven
handles. Scott Balogh says, “You don’t want
your appliances to burn.”
The analytical equipment performs different
kinds of breakdowns, but mostly thermal,
and looks at what happens to the base
material as it is broken down and decomposes
over time. It creates an organic fingerprint
for the material itself that is inspected by
Underwriters Laboratories (UL), a global
independent safety science company, to make
sure everything is compliant and all electrical
equipment is safe.
Scott Balogh says that within Mar-Bal, they
customize used machines to run their own
materials, and they design their own molds.
“It takes a minimum of three months but
usually closer to six months before a machine
is finished, but it’s brand new when it leaves.
There’s a group of six people working in
equipment and equipment rebuilding and five
materials engineers, plus a group who does all
the part and product design.”
“It’s like a hot rod shop,” he explains. “We
literally change a lot of the equipment, then
we rebuild it. We add a lot more in terms
of electrics, safety devices, and large circuit
breakers made of our composites. We also
rebuild all the hydraulics if it’s a molding press
or hydraulic machine. We replace hoses and
rebuild valves. Like a frame-off restoration, we
really restore the whole piece of equipment.”
The molds they design take approximately six
months to finish, but can take up to a year from
day one. They are expensive, chrome-plated
molds that go through many steps before
completion. Mar-Bal samples them, and the
customer must approve it before it is used.
“When a customer says they want to design
something, we help figure out how to
manufacture it,” Scott Balogh says. “They
10
know what they want it to look like but not
necessarily how to design and detail it.”
Ron Poff, global marketing and brands
manager, revamped the company’s web
site in April 2014, and soon after saw a
20 percent hit rate due to search engine
optimization and utilization of key words.
He is also responsible for Mar-Bal’s insulator
line, materials and branding. He says Mar-Bal
is the largest manufacturer and supplier of
electrical insulators in North America with 139
customers, plus or minus.
Because of the availability of raw materials
over the years, there is some competition
and quite a hotbed of thermoset composite
manufacturers in northeast Ohio. Poff says
Mar-Bal led over the past 20-25 years because of
the investments they made with their injection
molding machines, automation and robotics.
“We compete on a global scale,” he explains.
“So Geauga County is actually competing with
folks in Mexico, India, China and Vietnam, and
we’re winning business.”
Poff says their investments and integration are
important to drive innovation and successfully
compete with other low-cost countries. “And
good people,” he adds. “We hire good people
within Geauga County.”
Mar-Bal was recently honored by Inc.
magazine, a premier entrepreneurial
publication focused on growing companies,
with an Inc. 5,000 award for the second
consecutive year. This exclusive list ranks
the nation’s top 5,000 fastest-growing private
companies according to percentage revenue
growth over a four-year period.
Currently Mar-Bal employs 525 people companywide. To put this number into perspective,
there were only 380 employees three years
ago. Mar-Bal is still growing with a range of
$50 million to $100 million in annual sales.
In 2010, Mar-Bal researchers developed a new
metalized finishing process called Thermital.
Poff explains, “The finished product really looks
“Geauga County
is actually
competing with
folks in Mexico,
India, China and
Vietnam, and
we’re winning
business.”
- Ron Poff, Global Marketing
and feels like
metal, but
it allows for
geometric
design
freedoms
where
and Brands Manager, Mar-Bal
metals can
be limiting.”
Stainless steel,
chrome and brass are some examples of the
limitless options for consideration. While
many metal-finishing processes are toxic and
harmful to the environment, the physical
vapor deposition (PVD) process utilized
by Mar-Bal is environmentally friendly and
considered a “green” application.
Applications for Thermital include
appliance handles, control knobs for
stoves, oven control panels, washer, dryer
and dishwasher components, counter top
kitchen appliances, and under-the-hood
automotive and heavy truck parts.
Scott Balogh says their competition isn’t just
people who make composites – since Mar-Bal
is the premier supplier within its market – but
it’s metals, and not just in the finishing process,
but overall parts consolidation as well.
Appliances and control panels are made
of metal, but by using composites, many
different parts, such as brackets and weld
pieces, can be consolidated. A single piece
made of composite material can replace an
entire assembly of metal parts. Reducing
parts saves time and cuts down on the
maintenance needed over the life of the item.
From a marketing standpoint, Poff focuses
on market development opportunities by
identifying where Mar-Bal can fit in to grow
and expand. He also delivers the message
that the products are made in America, which
resonates with many of their customers.
“A lot of people don’t even know what the
material is,” Jim Balogh says. “Marketing is
very important. We’re replacing aluminum,
cast iron, cheap plastic and brass, which can
save a customer a lot of money.”
GEAUGA BUSINESS
Winter 2015
Their type of material hasn’t even been
around 100 years, so there’s still a small niche
and not a lot of competition compared to
other plastics.
Poff adds that many composites companies
don’t even know what thermoplastics
are either. He helps educate by doing
knowledge-share events where he presents
the benefits and advantages of thermoset
composites to the customer. There’s an
awareness that needs built. If the industry is
growing, the business is growing.
“We’re a good neighbor, an innovative
neighbor,” Poff says. “We’re a global company
with multi facilities right here in Geauga
County and are probably one, if not the only
one, of America’s fastest-growing companies
in Geauga County.”
Stealing a line from German chemical
company BASF, Scott Balogh adds, “We don’t
make a lot of the products you buy. We
make a lot of the products you buy better.”
So although people don’t necessarily know
who makes all these parts, they are all still
there. Consumers come into contact with
composite materials every day.
Ohio has almost every major manufacturing
technology someone could want: plastics,
ceramics, paints, steel, metal stampings,
etc. A perk of being in Geauga County,
Scott Balogh says, is that people have a
work ethic that’s very positive, and it’s a safe
environment where people come to work to
do their job, enjoy what they do, and then go
home and have dinner with their family. “We
all want to grow the industry, in terms of jobs
in the community,” Scott Balogh says. “We’ve
got a good state and a good region.”
Mar-Bal invests in the community in a
number of different ways. It contributes to
the volunteer fire department every year,
participates in fundraisers for United Way
Services of Geauga County and helps during
community days for WomenSafe, Inc. in
Chardon. Scott Balogh says they also like
to take the day off a couple times a year to
do things like landscaping as community
service work. For veterans’ organizations,
they worked on a brick-paving project and
donated to them. In addition, Mar-Bal and
the Balogh family have always supported
the Geauga Park District financially, both as a
company and privately.
In May 2014, Mar-Bal received the legacy
award from the Geauga County Community
Improvement Corporation (CIC). Anita
Stocker, director for the Geauga County
Department of Community and Economic
Development (CED) and member of the
CIC Board of Trustees, explains that winning
as a legacy company means they have a
long-standing history with the county, they
continue revenue growth, increase jobs and
continue to be a presence in the community.
Jim Balogh’s wife, Carolyn, has done a lot
of volunteer work for the CIC and has also
served on the Geauga Growth Partnership
(GGP) board.
“They’re a good model for any other business
to look at because company comes first before
egos or anything else,” Stocker says. “They
provide customers, community and family
with the best. They’re really a poster child.”
Scott Balogh says first and foremost Mar-Bal’s
goal is to be the premier supplier within
the industry – meaning the best in terms
of its materials, technology and people. To
accomplish this, he adds that they need to
exemplify world-class quality and continue
improving technology, which drives the cost
structure because automating improves
quality and reduces labor costs. The other way
to become the premier is through materials
and materials development since the basis
of competition is in development and great
people within the engineering team.
“It’s a true American dream,” Poff adds. “And
Jim had that dream in 1970. Even with all the
challenges, his can-do spirit created a secongenerational business in manufacturing.
There’s not a lot of that left, but we’re surviving.”
11
“Many of our students on
the Geauga campus have
already decided they want
to stay in the area, which
is good news for local
business and industry.”
- LuAnn Linson Coldwell,
(l-r): Maxim Bushuev, Assistant Professor of Management;
Susan Emens, Ph.D., Interim Assistant Dean for Academic Affairs;
Joseph Muscatello, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Business
Management Technology; and LuAnn Linson Coldwell, Career Adviser
M.A., Career Adviser at
Kent State Geauga
Kent State Partners with Business
to Fill Labor Needs in County
By Margie Wilber
T
alk with any major Geauga County
employer in the manufacturing sector,
and you will hear loud and clear, “We need
to fill our labor needs, particularly entrylevel and middle-management positions.”
Kent State University’s Geauga campus has
taken steps to help the business sector fill
these critical openings.
businesses – for-profit as well as nonprofit – in terms of career development.
Our students desire experience in the real
world, which, hopefully, will transition into
full-time jobs. Many of our students on
the Geauga campus have already decided
they want to stay in the area, which is good
news for local business and industry.”
For instance, a Kent State University at
Geauga representative serves on the
Business Resource Network, where
representatives interview area businesses
regarding their needs, and confidentially,
respond with resources to assist them.
According to Dr. Emens, students interested
in business can pursue two pathways: one
of several Associate of Applied Business
Management in Technology degrees, which
allows them to move seamlessly toward a
variety of four-year degrees; or a Bachelor
of Business Administration in Business
Management or Bachelor of Technical and
Applied Studies degree.
“Kent State Geauga is also among those
resources, when appropriate,” states Susan
Emens, Ph.D., Interim Assistant Dean for
Academic Affairs, Kent State University
at Geauga & Regional Academic Center
at Twinsburg. “In addition, our Career
Services department provides information
about area job openings, internships, and
volunteer postings for our students, faculty
and staff. These postings are also placed
on campus bulletin boards and ‘Hot Jobs &
Cool Internships’ notebooks.”
LuAnn Linson Coldwell, M.A., Career Adviser
at Kent State Geauga, says, “It is vital for
our regional campus to partner with local
12
the Geauga campus,” Emens explains. “My
goal is to work closely with the business
community here in Geauga County and
build the business program at KSU-Geauga
and build pathways for our working
students to achieve associate and bachelor
degrees in business.”
One such pathway is Kent State Geauga’s
accelerated degree program where
students can take up to two classes at a
time each semester over a two-year period
and complete an associate degree while
working full time. “This ‘hybrid’ program is
primarily a face-to-face experience with a
few online courses,” she describes.
On the KSU Geauga campus, students
enjoy face-to-face courses with such highquality, credentialed faculty as Dr. Joseph
Muscatello, Ph. D., CFPIM, associate professor
of Business Management Technology;
Maxim Bushuev, Ph. D., assistant professor of
Management; and Velvet Landingham, Ph. D.,
associate professor of Management, as well
as take some distant-learning courses.
Professor Muscatello says many Geauga
County residents may not be aware that
college credits are still viable, even if they
were earned 20 years ago. “They are still
valid,” he explains. “We can help you finish
your degree, no matter what college you
attended. Many people would be surprised
to learn that they have already earned
the equivalent of an associate degree. By
simply applying here, we can get them
that degree.”
“These professors are part of the College
of Business at Kent State University and
bring a wide variety of business courses to
Emens says Kent State Geauga also has
active connections with area Chambers of
Commerce, Geauga Growth Partnership, GEL,
r
and other area business organizations which
prove pivotal in helping fill vacant positions.
“From the Business Resource Network,
we have identified a strong current need
for manufacturing employees. Our goal is
to not only meet the needs of the market
today but prepare our students for jobs that
don’t even exist yet,” Coldwell states. “We
do this by providing a strong foundation in
critical-thinking skills and communication.
Our graduates are prepared to be adaptable
because they have demonstrated the ability
to learn and grasp concepts from a wide
variety of perspectives.”
Kent State Geauga currently offers six
associate degrees and two bachelor
degrees related to business. (See sidebar.)
“We can also offer Lean Management
Training and 6 SIGMA certifications at KSUGeauga,” Muscatello, adds. The businesssavvy professor owns six businesses himself
in addition to teaching business courses
at Kent State. “We’ve also completed XL
training for Geauga Growth Partnership.”
Many other majors, while not specific
to any one particular business focus,
provide students the opportunity to
gain the key managerial skills of problem
solving, motivating others, creativity,
communication, working with others
towards a common goal, leadership, and
more, says Emens.
“We are constantly in the community
talking to business leaders in venues such
as our regular meetings with our campus
advisery board members, GEL breakfasts
held monthly on campus, attendance to
area Chamber meetings, etc.,” notes Emens.
Kent State Geauga also sponsored a “Career
Fair” on campus in March of 2014 and will be
co-sponsoring a “Jobs & Majors” Fair with the
Chardon Chamber of Commerce in spring
2015. (Wednesday, March 18, 2015, 4-7 pm,
Kent State Geauga, Clark Commons)
Much progress has been made to give high
school students on-the-job experience
thanks to Geauga Growth Partnership
initiatives. Since most employers view
college internships as a recruitment step
towards possible full-time employment
within their organization (59-82 percent
of college interns are offered full-time jobs
GEAUGA BUSINESS
Winter 2015
by their intern employer), and since each
academic department may have specific
requirements for their internships, creating
one, unified college internship program
is not a usual approach, Coldwell says.
“Instead, our Career Services department
can serve as a liaison to make those
opportunities available to our students.”
Kent State Geauga
currently offers six
associate degrees and
two bachelor’s degrees
related to business:
She continues, “Many students at KSUGeauga need to work while they attend
college. Because of that fact, we encourage
our students to seek part-time and fulltime jobs that relate to their career goals.
Students can gain valuable career experience
through working and volunteering, as well
as internships.” Paid internships are desired
for KSU-Geauga students who often struggle
with financial constraints.
• Management Technology in
Emens added, “We are not just in
the community. We are a part of this
community. We feel this philosophy
resonates throughout Kent State University,
beginning at the top of our leadership
pyramid with KSU President Dr. Beverly
Warren. President Warren understands
the role Kent State University plays in
this community. During her first few
months as president, she visited the
regional campuses and engaged in
campus conversations to hear about the
community’s expectations and desires.”
Management Technology
in General Management,
Entrepreneurship, and
Manufacturing
Any employer seeking interns, or who has
questions about setting up internships
(including information on the Department
of Labor’s 6-point test for for-profit
organization’s internships), can contact
Kent State University at Geauga Career
Adviser LuAnn Coldwell at lcoldwel@
kent.edu or call 440.834.4187. Available
internship positions can be posted to Kent
State University’s Experience job/internship
database, accessible to all 45,000 Kent
students at http://www.kent.edu/career/
welcome-employers.
Any business or non-profit organization
seeking to hire part-time or full-time
employees, or with volunteer (non-profit
groups only) opportunities, may also
contact LuAnn Coldwell. Businesses and
organization wishing to broaden their
recruiting to all eight KSU campus locations
can post openings to Experience job/
internship database by clicking on: http://
www.kent.edu/career/welcome-employers.
Accounting Technology
• Associate of Applied Business
Management Technology in
Business Administration
• Associate of Applied Business
• Associate of Applied Business
Management Technology in
Information Technology
• Associate of Applied Business
Management Technology in
Marketing and Sales
• Associate of Applied Business
Management Technology
in Computer Applications
(with options in: Application
Development Technology,
General Technology, Internet/
Multimedia Technology, or
Network Technology)
• Bachelor of Business
Administration in Business
Management
• Bachelor of Technical and
Applied Studies
13
RED MAPLE INN:
A Little Bit of Country
by Gina McVey
A
car full of kids for a spring ride in the
country, a visit to the Apple Butter Festival
and Maple Syrup Festival along with
a panorama of fall colors splashed across the
horizon – sometimes the happiest memories are
the foundation for dreams that do come true. At
least that’s how it worked out for Gordon Safran,
owner of Burton’s Red Maple Inn, located off the
Burton circle.
Gordon and Evie Safran grew up in the suburbs
of Cleveland. It was there that they met, married
and raised their four children. “I was always
drawn to Geauga County. Evie and I often
packed up the kids and took a ride for a day in
the country,” he remembers fondly.
A pharmacist by education, the hard-working
Safran took advantage of opportunity and
wasn’t afraid to take risks. Clearly, these
characteristics led him to a career change
and the eventual purchase of the EB Brown
Opticians– three optical stores in 1975. Over
the next 21 years, the chain expanded to
include 42 stores in four states.
14
In addition to success in business and the
demands of raising a family, Gordon and his
wife are avid volunteers. Perhaps that is why the
couple purchased a second home in Burton as
a retreat from the hustle and bustle. Here, the
family – children and grandchildren—would
come to relax and unwind.
Safran was enamored with country life in Burton
and its surrounding villages. However, like many,
it was the Amish culture that truly piqued his
interest. And so, when the 61-year old Safran
retired from EB Brown Opticians in 1996, the seeds
of a project were already planted.
“This part of Geauga County really has so much
to offer. The quiet, country atmosphere is a great
place to relax, and I always found that business
meetings were much more productive in this
type of atmosphere than in the city. I decided to
build an inn,” he states.
The project took three years to bring to fruition.
First, he purchased three acres just off Burton’s
town square by the historical Century Village. Next,
he sought approval to build. Finally, the inn was
constructed. Each stage was a year in the making!
In March 1999, the Red Maple Inn opened
its doors. The 18-room inn is a hybrid with
both the charm and easy warmth of a bed
and breakfast along with the amenities and
privacy of a small hotel. “What sets the Red
Maple Inn apart is attention to detail. Gordon
really didn’t forget a thing,” explains Red
Maple Inn General Manager Gina Holk.
Guest rooms are charming with a traditional
decor, Amish-built furniture, and a private
bath with Jacuzzi. Many rooms offer
a fireplace and balcony. Each room is
equipped with a unique “always on” night
light, so guests can turn off the lights without
fear of a bump in the night and valet for “his”
jacket and personal effects. Reading glasses,
shoe polishers and his and her interest
magazines are just a few additional niceties
guests appreciate.
Local Amish builders had a strong
influence—on the construction, millwork
and custom furniture. The main rooms
are immaculate and engaging, offering
expansive views of the horizon that includes
historical buildings, barns and pastures of
Century Village. On occasion, a guest might
even peek into yesteryear as an Amish farmer
tends the animals grazing on the property.
A visit to the Red Maple Inn Library offers a
comfy couch, a place to play a game, try a
puzzle or watch a movie. The Burton Room
is used for receptions and as a business
conference center; a lower level offers
exercise equipment and a place for a little
ping pong and pool.
The inn offers a delicious Amish-made hot
breakfast featuring homemade granola
offered to guests each morning as well
as wine and cheese in the afternoon. A
partnership with the Welshfield Inn and their
excellent chefs provides catering services.
Twice a month, a local Mennonite family
with their Amish neighbors serve guests a
delicious Amish dinner with all the fixings!
The Red Maple Inn has all the makings of a
lovely getaway. In fact, the Red Maple Inn is
a 4-Diamond AAA award winner since 2003.
But, there is more.
Immediately upon entering the inn, guests
know that they are part of a community
where friendships and partnerships are easy
and true. The lobby shelves hold treasures
of local wares: Burton’s finest maple syrup,
hand- painted wine glasses, hand-knitted
GEAUGA BUSINESS
Winter 2015
“I set out to build
an inn where people
could enjoy a bit of the
country, and I believe
we have done just that.”
- Gordon Safran, owner of
Burton’s Red Maple Inn
hats and throws, Miller’s homemade jellies
and jams, and Amish wood crafts.
Look a little closer and the bulletin board
announces local events going on – from a
Middlefield craft show, a performance at the
Chardon Geauga Lyric Theatre, or an art fair
in Chagrin Falls.
Yes, it seems the Red Maple Inn is truly vested
in the community.
Safran continues to be involved in
volunteerism and has been recognized by
several local organizations, including Burton/
Middlefield Rotary, Leadership Geauga and
the Geauga County Commissioners. He
serves on the board of the DDC, a clinic
concerned with improving the quality of life
for those with genetic disorders, particularly
that of the Amish community. In May 2012
Gordon was honored with the first DDC
Clinic Champion Award.
Both Safran and Holk served for several
years on the local tourism board. That
makes sense. However, the inn does
many things to advertise beyond internet
marketing, word of mouth and providing
interviews for articles such as this. Their
efforts are making their mark, as the inn
sees many guests time and again and
boasts a higher than average occupancy.
“More and more, we host corporate retreats,”
states Holk. “And, we have many clubs
and organizations that visit us on a regular
basis.” Favorite guests include the ladies club
that makes an annual trip to the inn for a
weekend of scrapbooking while making a
few fond memories in the process.
Gordon and Evie Safran
Yet, both Safran and Holk know their Amish
neighbors and local manufacturers and
businesses are the real draw to the state’s
second-largest Amish community.
“We want to showcase Geauga County,” adds
Safran. So, for those that make the trip to
Geauga County the inn offers a two-hour,
back-road tour that includes a visit to an
Amish school house and a glimpse into a
culture so very different from our own.
Now, remember, this is a man that knows a
thing or two about growing a business.
As homage to the community, Safran
commissioned local artisan Chris McConnell
of Mesopotamia, Ohio, to produce a
sculpture – a seven-foot horse and buggy
fashioned from scrap metal for his inn.
Gordon looks very much forward to doing
another in the near future.
“For me, the best part of the job is reading
the heartwarming stories in the guest diaries,”
Safran shares. “I set out to build an inn where
people could enjoy a bit of the country, and I
believe we have done just that.”
For more information on the Red Maple
Inn or to make a reservation, please call
440.834.8334.
www.redmapleinn.com
14707 S Cheshire St, Burton, OH 44021
15
Hit the slopes
at new and improved
Alpine Valley
By Jennifer Seward
It’s the most wonderful time of the year at
Alpine Valley Ski Resort.
Snow-sport season is upon us, and at Alpine Valley, it’s better
than ever thanks to multi-million-dollar improvements
undertaken by its new owners in 2013.
“They’ve done a lot to improve the hills and make them more
user-friendly,” enthuses Elaine Kuhl of Chardon, whose family
has been going to Alpine Valley for years. “We’ve been really
happy with them and all of the changes they’ve made.”
Jason Boyd is general manager of the full-service ski resort,
located on Mayfield Road in Munson Township. “We have
great beginner terrain and really wide, mellow runs for people
of all abilities to come out and have a great time skiing and
snowboarding,” Boyd says.
Alpine Valley offers all three types of ski terrain – beginner,
intermediate and advanced – as well as Polar Blast snow tubing.
The resort was bought in November 2012 by St. Louis,
Missouri-based Peak Resorts Inc., which also owns Boston
Mills/Brandywine Ski Resort in Peninsula. In addition, Peak
Resorts owns 10 other ski areas in the Midwest, Mid-Atlantic
region and New England.
“It was a great opportunity and felt right in our wheelhouse of
ski operations,” Boyd reflects. “We’ve been running Boston Mills/
Brandywine since the early 2000s, and we’ve been very satisfied
with their performance and with the resilience of the winter
enthusiasts of the Cleveland area and surrounding region.
“Having Alpine Valley here to serve the same consumer base
made a lot of sense for us,” he continues. “We are also able to
have some synergies from an operations standpoint because
the resorts are so close together.”
There’s also the obvious advantage of a location in the
snow belt.
“We had 125 inches of natural snow at Alpine Valley last year,”
Boyd states. By comparison, Boston Mills and Brandywine,
about 45 minutes away, tallied 85 inches.
Alpine Valley also came with a built-in, loyal customer base
that is growing.
“We’ve had some pretty encouraging increases in our base
since we made the improvements,” Boyd notes.
“That was our goal,” he adds. “We knew there were some
improvements we could make and that were short term that
would get results in a short period of time.”
Alpine Valley recorded about 40,000 visits to its slopes last
year, its first year after making $2.5 million in improvements in
the off-season.
Among the major capital improvements at the resort was the
installation/replacement of about 3,500 feet of underground
snowmaking pipe, and adding 20 snow guns to the previous
inventory of 13.
16
“When we bought the property, the snowmaking was really
lacking from a volume standpoint,” Boyd explains. “That’s our
specialty – snowmaking and grooming – and we knew we
were going to have to make quite a bit of an investment to
ensure we could guarantee every season that we can make
snow for the entire area.”
Snow guns combine high-pressure air with high-pressure
water from the snowmaking pipes and shoot plumes of snow,
with about a 25-foot throw, Boyd explains.
Sno-Cat tractors push out and flatten the piles of snow and
can create jumps in the terrain. “Sno-Cats have a tiller on the
back that grooms the snow, making it a nice, soft, skiable
surface,” Boyd adds.
Another big change was to re-grade an expert terrain area
into a new area for beginning skiers and snowboarders that is
chair-lift accessible. Alpine Valley also doubled its chair lifts by
adding two more – including one that seats four across – and
installing a “magic carpet” conveyor belt lift system for young
skiers and snowboarders.
Two of those chair lifts load right at the base area, with one
leading to the beginner terrain and the other to the top of the
hill, which is 260 vertical feet, Boyd notes.
“ We have great beginner terrain
and really wide, mellow runs
for people of all abilities to
come out and have a great time
skiing and snowboarding.”
Long-time customer Kuhl, who has
two children, sees those changes
as a tremendous benefit. “The kids
don’t have to struggle with the
J-bar or fight with the rope tow,”
she says. “That helps build their
confidence, and they are better
able to get to all of the areas at
Alpine Valley.”
The J-bar and rope-tow systems
can be difficult for children and
even adults to master, she explains.
“Having the magic carpet to get up the little hill or using the
lift makes it so much easier. It was a huge advantage to the
kids when they got into snowboarding.”
- Jason Boyd, general manager
of Alpine Valley
In fact, Kuhl adds, “The changes and renovations at
Alpine Valley really helped me to get a better handle on
snowboarding.”
Other big changes at the resort include widened trails and
the relocation of the Polar Blast snow-tubing hill to the other
side of the property. The new, five-lane tubing area is longer
than a football field, and a handle tow tugs the tubes and
their riders to the top of the hill.
The grounds at Alpine Valley also include a main base lodge,
where patrons can grab a cup of hot cocoa or a sandwich in the
cafeteria, or take a seat in the full-service bar on the third floor.
Next to the lodge is the guest services building, which
provides everything needed for a day on the slopes – lift
tickets, snowboard and ski lessons, and rental equipment
such as ski boots, snowboards and skis.
GEAUGA BUSINESS
Winter 2015
“What’s great about Alpine Valley is
that you don’t have to buy anything;
you can just rent it,” Kuhl points out.
Kuhl, 40, took to skiing about 15
years ago and snowboarding two
years ago. She and her husband
Donald and their 9- and 11-year-old
sons are perennial season passholders; all three ski, snowboard and
tube. The boys have been skiing
since they were 3 years old.
An all-day snow pass for skiing and snowboarding is $43 for
ages 13 and up, plus rental equipment. Discounts are offered
to children and senior citizens, and after 3:30 pm. Snow
tubing is $25 for a three-hour session, $59 all day. The cost for
a season pass varies with age and when it is purchased; the
best deal is to buy one between the end of February and April
for the next season.
At that time, Boyd says, “It’s $299 for an unlimited season pass,
and you can use it for the remaining part of the season.”
“The cool thing about that is that we are able to combine ski
privileges at all three areas – Alpine Valley and Boston Mills/
Brandywine,” he emphasizes. “We felt that was a really nice
value to be able to give to our pass-holders.”
The season typically begins in mid- to late December and
wraps up by mid-March.
“We run between 70 and 95 days in a typical year,” Boyd notes.
Alpine Valley has about 15 full-time, year-round staff, with a
staff about 10 times that during ski season.
“It’s a great, inexpensive way to get the family out and enjoy
the winter weather,” says Kuhl, whose family frequents the
slopes about twice a week.
“It’s nice to have facilities so close to home, and it’s a good
opportunity to expose your kids to something fun and
active to do in the wintertime.”
For more information, visit alpinevalleyohio.com or call
440-285-2211.
17
VENTURE
LAUNCH
CONSULTING
GROUP:
Harnessing
‘The Life Cycle
Of An Idea’ for
Corporate Profits
by Margie Wilber
“There is a
wealth of talent
in North East
Ohio – people
who have great
ideas but just
need help with
the intricacies
to make it
happen.”
-Scott Purvis, Ph.D.,
Owner and Chief
Executive Officer of
Venture Launch
18
H
ow do you take an idea or
a startup company with $0
in revenue and grow it to
a thriving business? According to
Scott Purvis, Ph.D., owner and chief
executive officer of Venture Launch,
the recipe includes these ingredients:
a good product, strong leadership, a
solid strategic plan, and good people.
Venture Launch Consulting Group
helps entrepreneurs and companies
develop strategies for locating
investors; evaluates merger and
acquisition opportunities; builds
financial models to forecast company
cash flow and profit & loss; builds
commercialization plans; prepares
audit documentation; and more. In
addition, the consulting group offers
basic services such as accounting
and IT support that allow the
founders to focus on building the
core business.
Purvis earned a BS degree in biology and chemistry from
Bowling Green State University and an MS degree in
Environmental Health Sciences and Ph.D. in Immunology/
Virology from Case Western Reserve University. This fall,
the innovative, results-oriented operations executive with
entrepreneurial biotechnology and software development
organizations started Venture Launch Consulting Group, LLC.
The seasoned businessman has several successes in his
back pocket.
“In 2009 at Cleveland HeartLab, LLC, we had a great
product that advanced the way doctors managed their
patients’ cardiovascular risk. We developed a good
strategic plan and were able to attract investment during
difficult economic times. After that, we put together an
outstanding team, and the company quickly grew to
become one of Inc.com’s 2013 Top 10 Fastest-Growing
Businesses in Cleveland.”
Prior to Cleveland HeartLab, Dr. Purvis used the same
recipe to build Datatrak International to profitability. “We
had a great team of project and data managers who grew
corporate revenue from $0 to $10 million in four years.
“I enjoy the intellectual stimulation that comes along with
helping companies realize their goals. That’s what keeps
me going,” admits Purvis. “There is a wealth of talent in
Northeast Ohio – people who have great ideas but just
need help with the intricacies to make it happen.’”
Dr. Purvis acknowledges he is a long-time student of the
“life-cycle concept” – taking an idea and turning it into a
real business.
“Very few people bring together science and business into
the mix. My science background allows me to understand
highly technical ideas and products,” says Purvis. “My
business experience in operations management, project
management, mergers and acquisitions, corporate vision,
strategic planning, financial modeling, FDA quality systems,
leadership and team building, software development/
implementation, and good manufacturing practices allows
me to think both tactical and strategic when it comes to
growing a business.
“My experience in start-ups, medical devices, revenue
growth, and finance can assist entrepreneurs, CEOs, and
inventors who are hungry to take their ideas into the
marketplace,” states Purvis. “Think of me as a tool you can
use to bounce off ideas and help with strategic planning to
move ideas into production.”
He explains that, as in nature, not all companies take the same
path to success or travel the same life cycle. But, in general,
the life cycle of a company starts when an inventor has an
early version of the product and has demonstrated some
level of “proof of concept.” At this point, getting a patent is
usually the first hurdle. Northeast Ohio has many business
incubators that can help with this complex process.
“Protecting the invention by a well-written patent
application is important during the very early stages as
this is often the only source of ‘value’ that future investors
consider,” explains Purvis. “With patent in hand, the money
chase starts.”
Purvis admits these companies tend to be very high-risk
investments, so early seed money usually comes from
private individuals, called “investment angels,” government
agencies (in the form of grants), family members, or even
personal credit card loans.
“At this stage, companies usually need help with strategic,
commercialization, and financial planning. Raising money
is hard work and making sure that every dollar is focused on
growth is key,” continues Purvis.
GEAUGA BUSINESS
Winter 2015
He adds, “At
different times
in a company’s
growth, I’ve
also learned
that needs
can change
dramatically.”
If the company
continues to
grow and show success, the next step is usually to approach
venture capital firms (VCs) for investment. To be successful
in raising VC money, the company usually has some form
of revenue or is close to acquiring revenue. According to
Purvis, there are some exceptions – in particular, clinical
trials for new drugs are very time consuming and expensive.
“As a CEO searching for VC money, it’s very important to
pitch to the right firm. In addition, strategic and financial
plans need to be fine-tuned and accurately reflect the
company’s operational growth plan. It’s also important to
understand the expectations associated with this type of
investment. Investors are looking for a 500 to 1,000 percent
return on their investment, and in the venture-capital world,
they are expecting this to occur in a five- to seven-year
term,” Purvis states.
“One of my favorite TV shows is Shark Tank because it shows
different companies at different stages, their different
needs, and it embodies the value Venture Launch strives to
deliver,” says Purvis. “Many of the entrepreneurs give poor
presentations because they did not think through all of the
details and become shark food. But then you see someone
who understands the recipe for success and walks away
with an investment. The goal of Venture Launch is to help
entrepreneurs understand the business landscape so they
can tell a solid, complete, and credible story to whomever
they are talking to.”
Purvis says Shark Tank also teaches people about another
key element that is critical, but not often openly discussed:
talent. “You can have a great product and the perfect plan,
but you need people to put it all in motion and manage
through the inevitable turmoil. Inventors need to know
when to give up leadership to a CEO with business skills.
This is often a difficult discussion as the dream of most
inventors includes leading a company. Smart organizations
find technical roles for inventors and keep them engaged.”
To contact Dr. Scott Purvis and Venture Launch
Consulting Group, call 440.346.5784 or email
[email protected].
19
Newbury’s
Culinary
Renaissance
by Chris Taylor
A
sk Newbury residents where
they buy groceries, and most
will say Chardon, Middlefield,
Chesterland, or Bainbridge. All lovely
places, but not the most convenient
stops for Newbury shoppers.
Thankfully, Newbury is experiencing
a culinary renaissance. Cruise down
Route 87 (Kinsman Road) to witness
industry making way for quality eateries
and specialty food shops. Some of the
newest food-related businesses to
stake claims on the Route 87 corridor
are Paradise Pub and Eatery, Subway,
D.S. Cakes & Sweet Café, Sharon James
Cellars, Newbury Country Meats, and
Familia’s Deli & Fresh Market.
Geauga Business magazine welcomes
all of these fine establishments to the
county. We would like to feature each
one here, but due to space limits, we
will focus on a vintner, a baker, and a
sandwich maker.
Sharon James
Cellars
After years of traveling through and
enjoying Ohio’s wine trails, wine
enthusiasts Jim and Sharon Sciaulino
began making wine at home. It was so
well received by friends and family that
their wine soon took on a life of its own.
In 2007, the Northeast Ohio natives
planted a vineyard on their Mantua
property. After three years, once the
vines matured, the notion of owning
a winery began to take root. What was
once a hobby would soon become a new
business venture.
20
“ To me, running a
In August 2012, the Sciaulinos combined
their first names and Sharon James
Cellars was born. Truly one of Newbury’s
gems, the boutique winery is located
on Kinsman Road, just one mile west of
Punderson State Park. Nestled on five
acres in the former Green Acres Tavern
& Restaurant building, Sharon James is a
local favorite and must-stop destination
for visitors and tourists. The Sciaulinos
renovated their building to include a
tasting room, wine bar, production facility,
and outdoor patio. Rustic elegance and
live entertainment attract patrons looking
for a memorable gastronomic experience.
The warm atmosphere, complete with
wood floors and fireplace, is the ideal
setting in which to relax and enjoy great
wine, food and company.
“We chose Newbury because we’d been
looking for a building for a few years,” says
Jim Sciaulino, who retired from the auto
industry before becoming a professional
vintner. “This building became available,
and it was perfect for our needs. Also,
Geauga County offers so much help
from organizations like Geauga Growth
Partners and Leadership Geauga. The
Geauga County Tourism Council has
been great, too. It is very aggressive in
promoting local businesses and offering
networking opportunities.”
Sharon James wines are produced on
the Newbury premises and named after
virtues. From Vitality (a dry Cabernet
Sauvignon) to Defiance (a sweet
Catawba) to Acceptance (a semi-dry
Riesling), the Sciaulinos offer customers a
balanced variety of eight different wines.
All chilled wines are served through a
tap system, a feature that sets Sharon
James Cellars
boutique winery means
apart from
we are able to connect
many other
wineries—it
more with customers.
is one of
Northeast
Our customers have
Ohio’s only
wineries
become our friends.”
to serve
- Jim Sciaulino,
varieties on
tap. Reds are Sharon James Cellars
in bottles for
temperature control purposes. All wines
are available in bottles for to-go sales.
“The tap helps keep fresh product every
time we serve,” explains Sciaulino. “Also, it’s
greener for the environment. The wines
are served in-house in carafes, nicely
chilled.” Recognizing that not all potential
customers are wine drinkers, Sciaulino says
his establishment serves handcrafted beer
on tap from two local microbreweries:
Chardon BrewWorks and Little Mountain
Brewing Co., Mentor.
“We do not want to be a bar, we are a
winery,” he says. “But, we realize that not
everyone drinks wine. We try to keep it
local and have something for everyone.
To me, running a boutique winery
means we are able to connect more with
customers. Our customers have become
our friends.”
Sharon James Cellars is known for its wine
and atmosphere, but its food is another
top-notch feature. Cheese plates, fresh
hummus, baked pretzels, bruschetta,
warm cellar sliders, and desserts are always
available, while chef-prepared dinner
specials change weekly.
Diane Schneider, owner of D.S.
Cakes & Sweet Café
“We offer more food choices than a typical
winery does, and our menu is expanding,”
says Sciaulino.
When fair weather reaches Northeast
Ohio, Sharon James’ large outdoor
seating area is an al fresco hot spot.
Live entertainment – year-round on
weekends – moves to the patio. No
matter the season, the winery is the
perfect setting for intimate dinners, large
outings, private parties, and fundraisers.
“We try to help the community as much
as possible, and we are getting a good
response,” says Sciaulino, who has hosted
fundraisers for Newbury Local Schools,
Geauga County Dog Shelter & Warden’s
Office, and others.
“It’s been great doing business in Geauga
County,” he adds. “The community
supports us, and the local government
tries to help out as well.”
Sharon James Cellars
11303 Kinsman Road, Newbury, OH 44065.
Phone: (440) 739-4065
Hours: Wednesday - Friday, 1 – 9 pm Saturday, 1 – 10 pm
www.sharonjamescellars.com
D.S. Cakes &
Sweet CAFé
In October 2014, Diane Schneider, 30-year
Newbury resident and baker, opened her
shop doors. After 25 years of running her
home-based baking business, Diane and
husband Fred Schneider knew it was time
for a change—whether it meant investing
in a storefront or closing shop.
“I was getting busier and busier,” says
Diane. “It was time to either move forward
or discontinue the business.”
Diane, often referred to as the “Cake
Lady” by her customers, is now realizing
her dream of owning a bakery and cafe.
Located at the corner of Kinsman and
Auburn roads, D.S. Cakes & Sweet Café
offers Geauga County residents and
visitors a tasty alternative to processed
baked goods and fast food. From cakes,
cookies and pastries to coffee, chocolates
and
desserts,
D.S. Cakes &
Sweet Café is a
sweet-lover’s dream.
Schneider’s fresh-made
offerings include her wildly popular
cupcakes, s’mores bars, peanut butter bars,
cakes, cookies, four-berry cheese muffins,
and cinnamon rolls. Gluten-free choices
round out the menu.
On the savory side, D.S. creates fresh
homemade soups, salads and wraps daily.
From the looks of the satisfied lunch crowd,
the savories are as popular as the sweets.
For shoppers seeking delicious, homemade gifts, Schneider’s shelves are loaded
with beautifully packaged shortbread, gift
baskets, jars of layered baking mixes, locally
produced jams and honey, and chocolates.
From the moment customers walk into
D.S. Cakes, they feel at home. There is
nothing cookie cutter about the décor—
pale blue walls, white wainscoting,
antique walnut furniture (circa 1920s
-1940s), and one-of-a-kind pendant lights
(repurposed from commercial-grade
mixer whisks, the skilled handiwork of
Schneider’s son Kevin) add to the charm.
Schneider’s husband Fred and other
children, Rachel and Jacob, also pitched in
with planning and construction. The family
effort yielded a comfortable atmosphere
with a vintage yet modern twist.
“I would not have done this anywhere else
but Newbury,” says Schneider of her new
locale. “I love this town. I researched other
areas, but because so many people in the
community have supported me, I wanted
to give back and be more accessible to
my customers. I believe with all my heart
that Newbury is up and coming. I am very
proud to be here.”
Every food item at D.S. Cakes—from batters
to frostings to soups—is made from scratch.
Schneider says she and her staff make things
the hard way, which customers appreciate.
She employs six people, all Newbury
residents. Reflecting on the economics
of running a bakery and café in Geauga
County, Schneider stresses the importance
of supporting small businesses.
“We have to start taking care of small
businesses,” she says. “Too many are
getting gobbled up by big stores. We want
C O N T I N U E D O N PA G E 2 2
GEAUGA BUSINESS
Winter 2015
21
Newbury’s
Culinary
Renaissance
C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 2 1
people to be aware of the importance of
small businesses in local communities. They
are here because they want to be here—
they want to make a difference in a town.”
Since D.S. Cakes & Sweet Café opened its
doors in October, public response has been
very enthusiastic. Many customers have
thanked Schneider for opening.
“We feel blessed to be here, knowing
that God has a plan for each of us,” says
Schneider.
D.S. Cakes & Sweet Café
1110 Kinsman Road, Newbury, Ohio, 44065.
Phone: (440) 564-1106
Hours: Monday - Wednesday, 8 am – 5 pm
Thursday and Friday, 7 am – 7 pm
Saturday, 8 am – 4 pm
www.dscakessweetcafe.com
Familia’s Deli & Fresh
Market
The newest establishment to hit Newbury’s
Kinsman Road corridor is slated to open
in late winter 2015. The former Two Cone
Heads ice cream shop at the corner of
Routes 87 and 44 is now home to Familia’s
Deli & Fresh Market.
Owners Vince and Lisa Dimora say their
vision is to bring Geauga County an inviting
place where Euro-Italian flair meets country
hospitality. Familia’s fresh-made products
will include deli meats and cheeses, hot and
cold sandwiches, daily specials of pasta and
soups, homemade sausages, smoked and
barbequed meats, cold salads, freshly baked
breads, and European-style pastries. Baked
goods will be made daily on premises. Look
for staples like fruits, vegetables, eggs, milk,
olive oils, and spices. Fresh produce will
be provided by local growers; plans for an
outdoor produce stand are underway. For
ice cream aficionados, Familia’s will dish up
soft-serve custard, old-fashion scoop, and
gelato styles.
Perhaps Familia’s most exciting offering is
its eagerlyanticipated morning drive-thru
window. A true godsend to Newburians
and all who travel through their scenic
township, the window will feature hot-offthe-grill breakfast sandwiches, fried dough,
cannoli, fresh-squeezed orange juice,
coffee, and other delights.
22
“We decided to
start the business
because we’ve always had
a passion for food, and we enjoy
the togetherness of family and friends,”
says Vince, who left a 26-year industrial
distribution career to launch his own
business. “We felt it was time to rebalance
our lives and do something locally so we
could spend more time with family and
friends, and possibly leave a legacy for our
children.”
The Dimoras, who reside in Newbury,
wanted their store close to home for
convenience. Also, they are hoping to meet
a real need
in their own
“Part of giving back backyard.
“Newbury is a
great location
because,
being able to hire
except for
gas stations,
folks locally.”
there is
- Vince Dimora,
no place
Familia’s Deli &
close for
Fresh Market
residents to
buy grocery
items,”
says Lisa Dimora. “Driving down Route
87—between the Heinen’s on Chagrin
Boulevard and Lander Road (Pepper Pike)
and Middlefield Giant Eagle—there are
no food stores. The same goes for Route
44, from the 422 exit to Chardon. We think
there is a big need for it in Newbury.”
to the community is
From a
philanthropic
perspective, the
Dimoras firmly believe
that investing in their town is a way to
give back to their community and church.
For example, while the deli and market
underwent extensive renovations, Familia’s
sold fresh Christmas trees and donated 20
percent of its proceeds to St. Helen Catholic
School, Newbury. The couple is making
an effort to support local businesses as
well. They have already contracted several
local companies, including WillowLeaf
Sign Company, Burton, and Hoenigman
Landscaping Co., Newbury.
“Part of giving back to the community is
being able to hire folks locally,” adds Vince.
“We want employees who will go beyond
expectations. Our goal is to provide great
service and fantastic food. When people
leave Familia’s, we want them to feel like
they got value for their buck.”
Familia’s Deli & Fresh Market
12399 Kinsman Rd. - Bldg A, Newbury,
Ohio 44065.
Hours: Monday - Friday, 6 am – 6 pm
(Drive-thru open 6 – 9 am)
Saturday, 7 am – 7 pm
Sunday, 8 am – 12 pm
www.familiasdeli.com
A big need indeed. While Familia’s was
under construction, several future patrons
stopped by, hoping to buy groceries and
sandwiches.
WE NEED YOU!
Geauga Library Foundation Mini-Golf
CORPORATE SPONSORS NEEDED
Each year hundreds of Geauga County residents and families enjoy a day of mini-golf
at the Geauga West Library, where the entire building is converted into an 18-hole
mini-golf course to help raise money for the Geauga Library Foundation. This year,
participants will test their miniature golf skills up and down the library aisles.
Sunday, March 22, 2015 | 10 am - 3 pm
Geauga West Library
13455 Chillicothe Rd (Rt. 306), Chesterland
To make this event a fundraising success, we ask local business owners and corporations to provide corporate
sponsorships at one of these levels:
Event Sponsor $5,000 Sponsors will have their company logo displayed on all signage at the
event and listed in the Library & Links newsletter as well as in all press
Major Sponsor $1,000 releases regarding the event. In addition, each sponsor may decorate their
tee, green or both, creating a fun, engaging tee that may reflect the nature
Tee Sponsor $250 of their business. The Geauga West Library will be open from 5 pm to 9
on Saturday, March 21 and from 9 to 9:30 am on Sunday, March 22 to
Green Sponsor $250 pm
assemble the course. Play will begin at 10 am and continue to 3 pm.
Both
$500 Any decorations you wish to keep must be taken down by 4 pm.
We encourage companies to be creative and make this a lively event!
Name to be advertised
Contact person’s name
Address
Phone
Email address
Please make your check payable to Geauga Library Foundation and mail a copy of this page to: Geauga County Library Foundation,
12700 Ravenwood Drive, Chardon, OH 44024. Payments are due by February 15th. Questions: 440.286.6811, ext. 131.
Please check all that apply
____ Enclosed is my check for $________ to sponsor (circle one)
Event sponsor ($5,000)
Major sponsor ($1,000)
Tee ($250)
Green ($250)
Both ($500)
____ I prefer to make a donation of $________
____ I want my sponsorship to remain anonymous
SignatureDate
23
GEAUGA BUSINESS
Winter 2015
Gymnastics
Raising the Bar for
Family-Friendly
By Jennifer Seward
C
“My girls are awesome
pitchers because of
their strong arms.
They’re good at track,
and great at hurdles
because they know
how to leap. I’m a
hery’s Gymnastics and Beyond in Auburn
Township is an all-around family-friendly
facility and business. Owner/Director Chery
Braun Bessette believes in not only providing flexible
programming and schedules to her customers, but
also to her employees, many of whom have families
and other jobs. As a result, Bessette says, “I have an
energetic, happy staff. They are happy to be part of it,
and that melts into the students.”
Located at 9943 E. Washington St., within the Rad Van
Business Park, Chery’s Gymnastics and Beyond has 16
staff and an enrollment of 350 students ages 1 to 18.
The 6,400-square-foot facility includes a lobby with
a play area, a gym, and a multi-purpose studio. The
studio is used for activities including dance, martial
arts, theater, parent-child classes, and for teaching the
fundamentals of ball sports such as baseball.
For younger gymnasts, the gym offers five sets of
junior-size bars, including parallel bars, a high bar and
rings; a pummel horse; balance beams; a trampoline;
a vault; and smaller-scale equipment and various
mats. For gymnasts ages 7 and older, the gym is
equipped with four sets of regulation-sized uneven
parallel bars, five balance beams, a vaulting table, a
regulation-sized spring floor, and mini trampolines.
“Our philosophy is to develop thinking gymnasts,”
Bessette explains. “We really try to facilitate the
growth of the younger gymnasts by teaching
the movement patterns of gymnastics with the
correct terminology. As children work through the
program, they gradually learn the skills correctly in
a comfortable atmosphere because we don’t push
them to be on a team. They have fun while learning.
fan of swimming,
and I recommend the
butterfly stroke.”
- Chery Braun Bessette, Owner,
Director, Chery’s Gymnastics and Beyond
24
“We also always pick out a leader for the
day for each class, and you really get to see
their different personalities come out,” she
continues. “We want them to learn to be
helpful, to help each other in class, and to
encourage each other.”
When someone learns a new skill, for example,
the whole gym celebrates with a ring of the bell
and an announcement, and the students goes
home with a “new skill” ribbon to celebrate.
“We progress kids at their own speed,” Bessette
notes. “We also challenge the recreational child
just as much as the competitive one, and we
are just as nurturing to both.”
The Junior Olympic facility has five recreational
competitive teams, which opens the door for
her gymnasts to pursue other sports, which
Bessette does not discourage.
“I believe in cross training,” she says. “That
helps develop other skills and self-esteem. My
girls are awesome pitchers because of their
strong arms. They’re good at track, and great
at hurdles because they know how to leap.
I’m a fan of swimming, and I recommend the
butterfly stroke. If they have bad ankles and
are good flippers, I suggest diving.
“I’m a ‘mom’ coach. I look ahead in that child’s
life and think about what benefits them so that
they have a healthy body in their 30s. Parents
appreciate the insight.”
Flexibility is not only part of the curriculum, but
also of Bessette’s philosophy as an employer.
“Those on my staff have other jobs; I don’t
have them teach any more than they want
to teach,” she notes. “I’m very adaptable; for
example, if their kids have summers off, I can
give them summers off.
“I believe in happy families, happy kids; happy
staff, happy students.”
The business is also flexible with its
programming.
“We’re very accommodating to people’s lives
and lifestyle changes,” Bessette points out.
For example, there is an after-school bus stop
at the gym, which parents appreciate, and
summer camps.
“We ask for families’ input all of the time,”
she adds.
Safety and proper training are paramount
when coaching gymnastics. Bessette, a former
emergency medical technician, and all of her
staff are certified in first aid and CPR, and the
gym is certified in safety and risk management
through the U.S. Gymnastics Federation. In
addition, coaches are also certified by the
Positive Coaching Alliance, and the gym
is a member of both the USA Gymnastics
Federation and the Amateur Athletics Union.
“Everyone on my staff is very experienced,”
emphasizes Bessette, who is quite
experienced herself.
A competitive gymnast in her youth, Bessette
joined the sport at age 9 and lettered all four
years in high school. She reached level 8, an
advanced level in the sport. (Levels range
from 1 to 10.) As a teen, she got her first taste
of coaching, when she was recruited by her
coaches to assist.
The U.S. Army veteran taught gymnastics
on the side to military dependents while in
Germany from 1978 to 1982 and also when
the family moved to Louisiana. Bessette
returned to Northeast Ohio when her children
reached school age, working in advertising
for several years while teaching gymnastics
on the side. She then decided to take on
gymnastics as a near-full-time job by working
at three difference facilities in the area before
becoming the gymnastics program director
at Fairmount Fine Arts Center, a program that
served about 400 students.
Parent Dick Clark, of Clark Mechanical, was
pleased by Bessette’s coaching of his children
and owned property in Auburn. He suggested
that she build her own facility on his land.
“We made a deal with a handshake,” Bessette
remembers, “and I came fully staffed with great
instructors.”
Chery’s Gymnastics and Beyond opened its
doors in 2006.
She designed the facility, decked out with
colorful walls, images and shapes that appeal
to young children.
Bessette also manages her own website,
creates her own graphics, and more.
“I don’t farm out a lot of things in my
business, but when I do, I support other local
businesses,” she says.
Bessette, 55, grew up in Bainbridge and
Auburn, and her children, James, 33, and
Patrick, 25, of Mantua, are Kenston graduates,
like their mother.
In her spare time, Bessette is a volunteer
naturalist for the Geauga Park District and
participates as a character in the park district’s
annual Winter Solstice Candlelight Walk.
In the past, she served on the board of the
Bainbridge Historical Society and the board of
the former Centerville Mills YMCA camp, now a
park owned by Bainbridge Township.
For more information, visit
cherysgymnasticsandbeyond.com or
call 440-708-0588.
After 19 years there, staff changes forced
out Bessette and all of her staff. That tough
experience, however, led her to realize a
dream.
“We also challenge the recreational child just as much as the
competitive one, and we are just as nurturing to both.”
- Chery Braun Bessette, Owner, Director, Chery’s Gymnastics and Beyond
GEAUGA BUSINESS
Winter 2015
25
Kristina Lange, Founder, Marilyn’s Voice
W
By Margie Wilber
Marilyn’s Voice
hen the owners of the iniquitous Buckeye Dog
Auction announced its sale and relocation to Geauga
County, Kristina Lange fought back, organizing a peaceful
protest against the auction, known to cater to puppy mills
in Ohio and throughout the United States. After further
research and through personal experience in owning two
puppy-mill rescues – Marilyn Monrow and Jackie-O – the
horrors of what these dogs and puppies go through at mills
and auctions became devastatingly clear to her.
26
“I was appalled to learn that Ohio is one of the worst states
in the number of these puppy mills,” states Lange. “I vowed
to dedicate my life to fighting this despicable practice.”
Thanks to pressure from city officials, the media, and
concerned citizens, the Geauga Dog Auction was
cancelled. Unfortunately, the Buckeye Dog Auction then
returned to Holmes County, according to Lange.
Lange and her compatriots decided to continue the fight,
forming “Marilyn’s Voice,” in 2007. The non-profit, 501(c)
(3) organization was named after Lange’s rescue, Marilyn,
whose vocal cords had been cruelly cut while she was still
at the puppy mill. Such debarking is a common practice at
mills to keep the large number of dogs housed there quiet.
Members of Marilyn’s Voice continue to educate the public
about the inhumane puppy mill practices in Ohio.
The mission of Marilyn’s Voice is to rescue, rehabilitate
and find loving homes for severely neglected and
abused dogs from commercial kennels, puppy mills, and
other unfortunate situations; to eliminate the puppy
mill industry in Ohio by raising awareness through
education, outreach, protests, and other events; and to
help individuals find responsible ways to acquire dogs as
companion animals. Since its founding, Marilyn’s Voice has
rescued and rehabilitated close to 1,200 animals in need.
According to Lange, Marilyn’s Voice is extremely different
from shelters and brick-and-mortar facilities. The major
differences between most shelters and Marilyn’s Voice is
funding and financing, how the animals are housed, and
the risk of euthanasia.
“First, many but not all humane agencies receive some sort
of government funding,” explains Lange. “Marilyn’s Voice
receives no federal funding of any kind. Our funding comes
through adoption fees and direct public support. Basically,
we beg the public to help. We also have no paid staff. Every
dollar received goes directly to helping animals in need.”
Marilyn’s Voice is a foster network and works closely with
several Ohio agencies. “Every dog or puppy is housed
with a foster family that has been carefully screened
and graciously volunteers their home and time. We see
tremendous
progress once
dogs are
removed from
their caged
environment.
Our dedicated
and altruistic
volunteers
are trained in
every aspect
of caring for an
abused or neglected
dog. Most importantly,
these families and individuals
display amazing patience, which
is imperative when caring for damaged
animals.”
The passionate founder of Marilyn’s Voice insists fosters
are the backbone of this organization. “They love every
minute of the fostering experience, even on adoption day
when many tears are shed,” she describes.
No Kill
Marilyn’s Voice proudly works with more than two dozen
shelters across Ohio to help them remain “no kill.” This
term can be misleading. While many organizations and
shelters advertize themselves as no kill, in instances
of overcrowding, many shelters have two choices:
euthanization or work with organizations like Marilyn’s
Voice to save the lives of animals in their care.
“We not only take animals due to overflow, but we
also take animals that cannot be adopted due to poor
behavior,” explains Lange. “Many animals in the shelter
environment bite out of fear. We take these dogs and help
them become less temperamental through patience and
behavior modification.”
Furthermore, Marilyn’s Voice removes dogs and puppies
with severe health issues that shelters cannot afford to
treat. These issues include heartworm-positive dogs, dogs
in need of expensive surgeries, dogs missing limbs or eyes,
and many other concerns.
“We recently accepted a heartworm-positive beagle from
Knox County that would have been euthanized because
the cost to treat was nearly $1,000,” Lange says. “We gladly
accepted Lila to our rescue and treated her, saving her
life. Once Lila received a clean bill of health from our
veterinarian, she was adopted into a loving home.”
Lange says the organization’s largest expense
is medical care for the dogs. Veterinary bills
average $60,000 annually. “We do receive
support from the community through
donations and receive adoption fees. We
also hold large-scale fundraisers as well as
mini-fundraisers to bring in much needed
revenue to care for the animals,” she states.
This year Marilyn’s Voice held a successful
fundraiser at Signature of Solon that netted
$20,000. Another art auction in November at
Gallery One raised $10, 000.
As for Marilyn Monrow and Jackie-O, both girls
experienced health, socialization, behavioral, trust, and
housebreaking issues when they first came to Lange’s
home in 2006. Jackie-O continues to overcome these
issues. Marilyn became a certified therapy dog with
Therapy Dogs International (TDI) and loved visiting
patients at hospitals and nursing homes where people
often are in poor health, lonely and depressed. Lange
believes, “Marilyn had a special gift for making others feel
loved.” Sadly, Marilyn passed away on November 13, 2007.
The cutting of her vocal cords caused severe damage to
her trachea and the subsequent buildup of scar tissue
that led to her untimely death.
“Our dedicated and
altruistic volunteers
are trained in every
aspect of caring for
an abused or neglected
dog. Most importantly,
these families and
individuals display
amazing patience,
which is imperative
when caring for
damaged animals.”
- Kristina Lange
The current mascot for
Marilyn’s Voice is Betty
Davis, a three-pound
Pomeranian/Chihuahua
mix that the group
rescued from a local
puppy mill once she was
done breeding. Betty also
had severe health and
trust issues when rescued
but is now a certified
therapy dog.
“We, the volunteers of
Marilyn’s Voice, are now
and always will be her
voice,” exclaims Lange.
Lange is a cardiovascular
perfusionist at The
Cleveland Clinic in the
Heart & Vascular Institute,
the country’s busiest
and top-rated hospital
for heart surgery and
cardiovascular care.
Anyone interested
in adopting, becoming a foster parent or financially
supporting Marilyn’s Voice may contact Kristina Lange
at [email protected]. To learn more, visit
www.marilynsvoice.org.
GEAUGA BUSINESS
Winter 2015
Frank Samuel
By Tracy Jemison, Geauga Growth Partnership President
It is with great sadness that we must inform the
community that Frank Samuel, the founding executive
director of the Geauga Growth Partnership, was killed
on October 20, 2014 in a car crash on Rapids Road in
Burton. Words cannot begin to say how Frank will be
missed. We would not have an organization of the
caliber of the GGP had it not been for Frank’s leadership
and determination. Frank was a visionary that always
had the community’s best interests in mind. Whatever
he set his sights on, he accomplished. Frank was the executive director of GGP for its
first three years, helping to build the organization
with the assistance and support of the founding
members. The Geauga Growth Partnership under
his leadership advocated for business, entrepreneurs
and workforce development, among other initiatives.
In November 2014, he stepped down to become
president of Columbus-based VentureOhio, Inc. a
trade association focused on financing and building a
strong entrepreneurial community who would have
resources available to them throughout all stages of
development and growth. He served as Science and
Technology adviser to the Governor of Ohio from
2000 to 2007, when he was a principal architect of
Ohio’s Third Frontier Project. Frank also served on
several advisory councils and boards. A graduate of
Hiram College and Harvard Law School, his paper
recommending a venture capital strategy for the Great
Lakes region was published in 2010 by The Brookings
Institution in Washington, D.C. Frank was presented
with the first Frank Samuel Distinguished Service
Award by John Epprecht, board chairman at the
Growth Partnership annual meeting in June, honoring
him for his years of service and his contributions. His
memory will live on, as we lost a great man and good
friend.
Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife,
Jacqueline and his children at this time.
27
What’s On
Your Mind?
Expanding
Your Business?
Looking to
Build or Buy a
New Facility?
Buying New
Equipment or
Machinery?
As a Geauga County
Business You Don’t
Have to Settle for
Expensive SBA Loans.
Take advantage of Geauga County’s own low
interest loan fund to finance your next project.
We can work with your lender to find the
RIGHT government financing for your project.
The Geauga County Revolving Loan Fund
has lower interest rates and lower fees than
any other Government loan program.
Don’t fall for the hype – check us out first.
Call Anita or Kelly at 440.279.1792.
28
Business Legacy Continues
Junction Auto Sales was started in 1931 by Clifford Babcock and his father-in-law, Tracy Spencer. Clifford’s son, Warren Babcock,
worked from 1947 until his retirement in 1992. Warren’s son, Ed Babcock, started full time in 1975 and is the current owner and
President. Ed’s son, Cliff Babcock, started with Junction Auto in December of 2012
after graduating from the University of Dayton and working at Penske
Chevrolet in Indianapolis.
Junction Auto Sales was built next to
Ed and Cliff say, “Thank you!” to all
of our loyal customers and if you
the Junction Tavern Restaurant (never
haven’t been to Junction yet, we
served alcohol since it started during
invite
you to visit and see what 84
Prohibition) which was built and run
years
can do for you. As their motto
by the Babcocks and Spencers. Junction
says,
“If
you want to pay more,
Tavern Auto Sales, as it was originally
that’s your business. If you want to
named, started with Plymouth and
pay
less, that’s Our business!”
Dodge. Clifford’s wife, Dorothy, said
there were many sleepless nights spent
worrying whether they could meet their
commitment to sell twelve cars in a year. Fortunately, they met their goal and grew over the years. Today, the Junction Auto Family
sells over two thousand new Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram, Buick, GMC vehicles, used cars and trucks of all makes.
Junction Auto
Family
The Babcock family has long been deeply involved in the community not only with generous philanthropic giving, but actively
giving of their time. Tracy Spencer was involved with writing the zoning rules for Munson Township, the first such rules in Ohio.
Clifford Babcock was a Claridon Township Trustee on the Chardon School Board and active with Claridon Congregational
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big shoes to fill but is already involved with a few groups.
Outstanding New Products - We offer the
The Junction Auto Family prides itself on retaining the old-fashioned values
most exciting new vehicles around: Buick,
that the company started with eighty-four years ago. We pride ourselves
Chrysler, Dodge, GMC, Ram and Jeep. With
on friendly people, outstanding service and fair deals. Clifford Babcock
quality
at philosophy
all time highs,
more
standard
safety
started
with the
that if
you take
good care
of your customers and
features
than
ever,
our
highest
fuel
economy,
employees, you will be successful. Junction Auto has been one of the top dealers in the country honored by Chrysler including
TWO FULL SE
dynamic
design, the
industry’s
bestEd
warranties,
being the top dealer in the entire Great Lakes area and being
a Time Magazine
Dealer
of the Year.
is more proud of local honors
and hundreds
models,
we will
have thetoright
like Business of the Year and Leadership Geauga’s Emerald Business
Award of
saying,
“We don’t
do business
win awards but we win
Buick • C
car for you! And if we don’t, we’ll get it for you!
Dependability
Since
1931
The
Junction
awards because of
the way
we-do
business.
”
Why Buy From Us?
Celebrating
years! family
Auto Family
is a fourth82
generation
Service
& Dependability
1931
owned
business.
We still runSince
the business
in
a friendly, honest, old-fashioned manner. Ed
Babcock still shares and follows his family’s
Full Service Dealership Featuring:
values. We really do want to help you!
Junction Auto
Family
GM •
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Body Shop - The premier collision center in
12423 Mayfield Road
the area, we offer Icar gold trained technicians
• Used Cars and
and accept all insurance quotes. From door
dings to complete body repair they work
• Award Winnin
magic.
www.JunctionAutoFamily.com
Documented Best Service - Chrysler,
• Factory P
Dodge, Jeep earned “Dealer of the Year”
440-286-6161
Cars and Trucks - We offer
a
U.S. Experienced
322
at
OHIO
44
for a four state area. We have the highest
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440-946-5577 • Modern Col
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12423
Mayfield
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domestic
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440-632-1001
numbers from Youngstown to Toledo. We
• Comm
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71
Special Events - Join us for fun events like our
Community Involvement - The Babcocks www.JunctionAutoFamily.com
Rt. 322
Fall Family Festival, Mopar Classic and Muscle
and the Junction Auto Family have always
Car Show, and our Right From the Start Clinics.
been very active. Our personal involvement
440-286-6161
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