News by SB Informer

COSE Honors 10 Exemplary Small Businesses With 10 or Fewer Full-Time Employees

SB Informer
Wednesday, May 17, 2006; 02:57 AM

CLEVELAND - The Council of Smaller Enterprises (COSE), the small business arm of the Greater Cleveland Partnership, today announced the winners of its Ten Under 10 awards. The awards program recognizes 10 Northeast Ohio small businesses with 10 or fewer full-time employees for their best practices in innovation, growth/success, value to the community and the environment, diversity promotion and customer service excellence.

"I am energized to see the enthusiasm, dedication and innovation displayed by the 10 companies recognized by COSE," said Louis Licata, COSE Chairman and president of Licata & Associates Co. LPA. "We are really pleased with this year's nominees and the winners - quality companies who have been quietly doing good work for many years - companies that absolutely deserve recognition."

Winners were honored this morning at a breakfast awards ceremony. They also will be featured in the June issue of COSE Update magazine and a special insert in the June issue of Inside Business magazine.

2006 Ten Under 10 winners are:
Blue Bridge Networks; Neil Adelman, CEO - With seven employees, this firm focuses on IT business continuity and disaster prevention. Located on Euclid Avenue, the company has helped attract dozens of IT firms to the "Euclid tech corridor."

Contemporary Design Group; Renee Deluca Dolan, president and creative director - This Warrensville Heights-based graphic design firm has a distinct sports marketing niche. With seven full-time employees, they serve clients including the Cleveland Indians, Sports Time Ohio and the Lake County Captains.

CoolCleveland; Thomas Mulready, creator - This weekly newsletter, supported by paid advertisers, has a circulation of 30,000. As a sole proprietor, Mulready focuses on promoting the most exciting and important artistic, political and cultural events of the week in and around Cleveland.

J.R. Potter & Associates; Jim Potter, president - This Bay Village-based aircraft bearing and fastener tools distribution company employs Potter, his wife, and his daughter. They share their expertise and sell directly to 1,400 customers in 55 countries.

Labyrinth Management Group; Lance Traves, managing principal - An innovative business model and more than 20 years experience in the environmental health and safety industry helped create this successful Medina- based small business. Their growth has come from their focus on learning all aspects of their clients' companies.

Marketing Resources & Results; Chris Brown, owner - This Hudson firm helps time-starved companies develop, manage and complete marketing plans and projects. To date, the firm and its five employees have assisted more than 50 companies in Northeast Ohio, as well as in Massachusetts, Michigan, Indiana and North Carolina.

Ten Thousand Villages; Julie Verdon, manager - This store, located near Cleveland State University, features home decor items, ceramics, textiles, jewelry and handmade goods crafted by artisans in poverty-stricken areas in Asia, Africa and Latin America. Items are purchased from more than 100 artisan groups under the terms of the International Fair Trade Association, where artisans are paid an adequate wage to live on while they produce their goods.

The Littlest Heroes; Blazine Monaco, executive director - This non-profit provides complimentary medicine modalities - services such as massage therapy, art therapy, and end of treatment parties - providing children and their families needed relief from the daily regimen of cancer-related treatments.

Townsend Learning Centers of Cleveland; Sarah Littlefield, executive director - While the tutoring market has become saturated, this firm remained competitive by diversifying and providing individualized care. The 10- employee company helps students achieve better grades and higher standardized test scores.

Twist Creative, Inc.; Michael and Connie Ozan, principals - This husband and wife creative team, with seven employees at their Ohio City-based studio, has won more than 100 industry awards and does work in the community that has raised key dollars, built buildings and helped fund worthy causes.

"COSE recognizes that smaller businesses are the unsung heroes of job creation and economic development," said Steve Millard, executive director of COSE. "They deserve acknowledgement for their contributions to Northeast Ohio's economy."

COSE member businesses that have 10 or fewer full-time employees and have been in business for one year or longer were eligible for the award. Nominees were reviewed by a committee of volunteer COSE members. The awards were sponsored by 1-888-OHIOCOMP, Crosby O'Brien and Integrated Consulting Services.

COSE, the small business arm of the Greater Cleveland Partnership, serves as a one-stop resource for its members by providing: group-purchasing programs that reduce the cost of doing business; education and development programs for small- and mid-sized businesses; advocacy on legislative and regulatory issues affecting the business community; a wide range of resources focused on helping firms grow; and economic development partners that can address business concerns. (www.cose.org)

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