Norwood Archives – Page 26 of 29

Flywheel’s training series focuses on social entrepreneurship

By Newsroom

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September 18, 2012

Flywheel, Cincinnati's social enterprise hub, has launched a new series of training sessions designed to develop marketing, planning, research and business skills in the nonprofit sector. Meetings run this month through November, beginning with a session on Market Research, Wednesday, Sept. 19. The session will help nonprofit's better use market research to test the feasibility of new programs or to improve existing ones. (The session runs from 2 to 4 pm at The Health Foundation of Greater Cincinnati. You can register at Eventbrite.) This training series fits with Flywheel's mission to help non-profits in generating money through social enterprise, or products or services that have social value. The organization was formed early this year by the Leadership Council for Human Services Executives, the Executive Service Corps of Cincinnati, the Center for Social Entrepreneurship at Miami University, and Centric Consulting. Flywheel has scheduled two other workshops. Click on the links to register for the them. Social Enterprise 201 October 9, 1 - 4 pm Business Planning Training (in partnership with The Health Foundation) November 2, 9 am - 5 pm By Feoshia H. Davis Follow Feoshia on Twitter.

Guerilla marketer helps small-budget companies

By Newsroom

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Architecture + Design

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September 11, 2012

When Cheryl Walters was laid off from her corporate marketing gig last February, she was a victim of the same mindset she describes as the most common misconception about her field: thinking it’s not important. Marketers, Walters says, are often first to be cut in rounds of layoffs. Yet, “You don’t need to do big branding campaigns like [Procter & Gamble] to be effective. You do need to do something,” she says. After the layoff, she launched her own marketing firm, CheronaWorks, to address the marketing needs of smaller companies in a variety of industries. She specializes in budget-conscious work; many of her clients are just starting out, like Walters herself, or don’t have a marketing staff. “I respect that clients don’t want to spend a lot of money,” she says. “I make sure I don’t give them any costs they can’t handle, and I’ll be honest if they do something and I think it’s a bad investment; I’ll tell them not to waste their money.” CheronaWorks offers marketing services from direct response mailings to websites and email campaigns. Like so many startups, Walters is currently finding new clients through referrals and, of course, marketing herself. She says she uses social media to connect with local companies with marketing needs – and frustrations. “When I’ve had to do marketing to drum up business, I’ve had luck with social media. I look for people who are looking for help or seem frustrated or are just blatantly posting that they need something,” she says. Walters says her most common requests are designing logos and websites for new businesses or those “ready to move beyond their WordPress site.” By Robin Donovan

Guerilla marketer helps small-budget companies

By Newsroom

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Architecture + Design

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September 11, 2012

When Cheryl Walters was laid off from her corporate marketing gig last February, she was a victim of the same mindset she describes as the most common misconception about her field: thinking it’s not important. Marketers, Walters says, are often first to be cut in rounds of layoffs. Yet, “You don’t need to do big branding campaigns like [Procter & Gamble] to be effective. You do need to do something,” she says. After the layoff, she launched her own marketing firm, CheronaWorks, to address the marketing needs of smaller companies in a variety of industries. She specializes in budget-conscious work; many of her clients are just starting out, like Walters herself, or don’t have a marketing staff. “I respect that clients don’t want to spend a lot of money,” she says. “I make sure I don’t give them any costs they can’t handle, and I’ll be honest if they do something and I think it’s a bad investment; I’ll tell them not to waste their money.” CheronaWorks offers marketing services from direct response mailings to websites and email campaigns. Like so many startups, Walters is currently finding new clients through referrals and, of course, marketing herself. She says she uses social media to connect with local companies with marketing needs – and frustrations. “When I’ve had to do marketing to drum up business, I’ve had luck with social media. I look for people who are looking for help or seem frustrated or are just blatantly posting that they need something,” she says. Walters says her most common requests are designing logos and websites for new businesses or those “ready to move beyond their WordPress site.” By Robin Donovan

At Woodstone Creek, urban bourbon’s the thing

By Michael Kearns

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Entrepreneurship

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August 28, 2012

Deep in the heart of Evanston, Woodstone Creek, a former factory-turned-winery, houses a meadery and port house. It is also the first licensed microdistillery in Ohio. For master distiller Don Outterson, though, it all comes back to bourbon.

XU, UC communities can leave cars at home this year

By Newsroom

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Development News

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August 21, 2012

Last year, UC pioneered the Zip Car in the city, and since their delivery to campus, two red Zipcars retain prime parking spaces in front of McMicken Hall, while another, a hybrid, sits at Daniels. This fall, Xavier University launches WeCar, an automated car rental option offered through a partnership with Enterprise Rent-A-Car. Thanks to these two options, local students, faculty and staff can reserve cars on an as-needed basis, limiting demand for parking and adding to the convenience of traveling around town. The new WeCar options at Xavier University are two Kia Souls, which will be parked near Flynn Hall. The program offers 24-hour access to hourly, daily and overnight rentals. Both programs benefit younger college students, those aged 18 to 20, who are normally not able to rent cars. XU’s WeCar program even taps into alumni support: with 20 XU alums working for Enterprise in the region, students can feel connected not only to the cars, but the company. All it takes is a driver’s license and a credit card to start the rental process for either option. Both are designed to accommodate sustainability minded students as well as expand transportation options for members of university communities. By Elissa Yancey Follow Elissa on Twitter

X-Lab offers startups opportunities, expertise, community

By Newsroom

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Development News

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August 21, 2012

In 2010, Xavier University’s Williams College of Business launched its X-LAB program (short for Xavier Launch a Business) in an effort to recognize on-campus opportunities for community engagement. The program is returning for its third year, and is accepting applicants until Sept. 7. The X-Lab program is designed for people (including students) in the Cincinnati area who are excited about their ideas, but may not necessarily have the skills to execute them in the business world. “A lot of people understand their ideas and are passionate about them,” says Joe Carter, director of the X-lab competition and a professor at Xavier University, “but they have no idea how to take the next step or how to run a business.” The program will accept 25 applicants from Cincinnati who are interested in starting their own businesses, social enterprises and nonprofits. The businesses and nonprofits are chosen based on the applicants’ ideas and the potential for local and national growth. After the X-Lab committee chooses the program’s 25 finalists, they are invited to attend free workshops conducted by local executives and Xavier students and staff. The free workshops teach applicants how to turn their ideas into actual businesses and nonprofits. “We teach them the components of the business model,” says Carter. “Like how to protect their intellectual property, identifying target audiences and marketing skills.” Then, the X-Lab committee will choose five finalists in the program and introduce them to potential investors and collaborators. Carter says small businesses and nonprofits are important to the community because they help attract and retain jobs and talent in the region. He also says the X-lab members become a community of entrepreneurs, who work together to make their ideas successful. “We teach them how to run a business, and that builds confidence,” says Carter. “They also want to help one another and network, so it’s a positive experience for everyone.” By Jen Saltsman Follow Jen on Twitter

Cybervise fixes web development impasses

By Newsroom

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Diversity

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August 21, 2012

Small businesses looking to maximize their marketing often invest in professional web development. But what happens when the developer steps away and the business takes over? All too often, it’s complete inaction, says Carmen Krupar, web developer and founder of Cybervise. (She advises revisiting your website content at least quarterly, by the way.) Before the launch, Krupar was working with a company that rolled out website after website, shrugging off client requests for ongoing maintenance and updates. Krupar began doing the work herself, first during the evenings after work and, later, out of her Hamilton County Business Center office, where she says she already networks enough each month to cover the rent -- and then some. Cybervise fills the gap between the creation of a website and the ongoing maintenance needed to keep it ranking well on search engines and up-to-date for clients and customers. Sometimes, this means creating new pages or reorganizing a site, but it might also mean simply fixing glitches left behind by other web developers. It can even involve some interpersonal work. “Folks that call us have an existing website, but their web developer has let them down,” Krupar explains. “Usually, the project’s taking too long to finish; they’re at an impasse where nobody can compromise – everyone’s stuck on their own idea of what the website should be, or they’ve lost touch with developer. We’re doing things like updating information, fixing broken functionality and creating graphics (like buttons added to the site), as well as code cleanups for search engine optimization.” Krupar, who is available on retainer, says the best way to avoid needing her services is to build your initial site with room for expansion, and to avoid free, quick-fix tools. Her favorite content management system is WordPress, though her team can handle nearly any system, she says, noting that most people with computer skills can learn to use it, and it’s search-engine friendly. “Ranking for search engine optimization is hard enough -- don’t make a site that search engines aren’t going to move through easily,” she says. By Robin Donovan

Cybervise fixes web development impasses

By Newsroom

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Diversity

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August 21, 2012

Small businesses looking to maximize their marketing often invest in professional web development. But what happens when the developer steps away and the business takes over? All too often, it’s complete inaction, says Carmen Krupar, web developer and founder of Cybervise. (She advises revisiting your website content at least quarterly, by the way.) Before the launch, Krupar was working with a company that rolled out website after website, shrugging off client requests for ongoing maintenance and updates. Krupar began doing the work herself, first during the evenings after work and, later, out of her Hamilton County Business Center office, where she says she already networks enough each month to cover the rent -- and then some. Cybervise fills the gap between the creation of a website and the ongoing maintenance needed to keep it ranking well on search engines and up-to-date for clients and customers. Sometimes, this means creating new pages or reorganizing a site, but it might also mean simply fixing glitches left behind by other web developers. It can even involve some interpersonal work. “Folks that call us have an existing website, but their web developer has let them down,” Krupar explains. “Usually, the project’s taking too long to finish; they’re at an impasse where nobody can compromise – everyone’s stuck on their own idea of what the website should be, or they’ve lost touch with developer. We’re doing things like updating information, fixing broken functionality and creating graphics (like buttons added to the site), as well as code cleanups for search engine optimization.” Krupar, who is available on retainer, says the best way to avoid needing her services is to build your initial site with room for expansion, and to avoid free, quick-fix tools. Her favorite content management system is WordPress, though her team can handle nearly any system, she says, noting that most people with computer skills can learn to use it, and it’s search-engine friendly. “Ranking for search engine optimization is hard enough -- don’t make a site that search engines aren’t going to move through easily,” she says. By Robin Donovan

Neighbor wish lists get chance of boost from PNC Bank

By Newsroom

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Arts + Culture

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August 21, 2012

Mary Lazzari wasn’t quite sure what she was going to do when she retired from a life-long career in nursing. She figured she’d volunteer; maybe spend some time helping out at the Mary Rose Mission Soup Kitchen, which will be the first and only one in Boone County when it opens this fall in Florence. Instead this summer, she’s taught herself about Facebook, viral marketing and grassroots organizing as part of PNC’s Neighborhood Wishlist Challenge. The challenge is a voting contest that will give up to $500 to each of 100 finalists to help kick-start neighborhood-based programs. “I figured I’d be chopping carrots and celery back in the kitchen. I didn’t think I’d be out hustling,’’ Lazzari jokes. Lazzari’s submission, on behalf of the Mary Rose Mission, was one of four local entries chosen from 500 in the 17 states in which PNC Bank operates. To be fully funded, each finalist now has to receive the same number of votes for each dollar they requested. Lazzari asked for $500, so she has to get her friends, family and anyone else she can convince to vote for the soup kitchen. Voting ends Sunday, Aug. 26, at 11:59 p.m. Peg Moertl, a PNC senior vice-president in community development banking based in Cincinnati, said the bank’s goal was to get 500 submissions in two weeks. They got more than that in 48 hours. “We know there’s a lot of really good stuff happening in our neighborhoods,” Moertl says. “And sometimes a small bit of capital can make a huge difference.” That’s exactly what Jeni Jenkins is hoping for. Jenkins, an artist and educator, applied for the full $500 to pilot the Youth ArtBRIDGE project. The youth/artist printmaking collaborative is intended for low-income Northside youth, ages 8 to 18, to create socially conscious artwork. “I’ve always known I’ve wanted to do this … to bring together all kinds of artists and kids with different skills and have them create art with a social justice bent,” says Jenkins, 32, who is the director of Education and Outreach for the Greater Cincinnati Homeless Coalition. Jenkins, whose project still needs a few hundred votes to secure funding, says she was excited to make it to the voting phase. “Five-hundred dollars may not seem like a lot to many people, but it really is. This is about getting funds to do a small project, to provide a kind of jumpstart,” she says. “It’s about getting myself out there; about showing outcomes.” Moertl was delighted to see the local submissions, which also include Bob Ashbrock’s $500 request to provide new landscaping in and around the Reading Veteran’s Memorial Plaza and Joshua Hanauer’s $500 request to buy balls to expand the burgeoning youth rugby program in Norwood. Each winner of the $500 will have 90 days to provide the bank with a project recap that provides outcomes, photos and videos, “so we can see the impact of these,’’ Moertl says. “I’m very eager to see the results,’’ she says. “For any project that really pops, I would think that one of our teams may reach out to these folks and see if we are supporting them.” For Lazzari, winning will likely mean paying for one of the first trips to the grocery store to stock the soup kitchen’s pantry. “Every little bit helps,” Lazzari says. “It may not seem like a lot, but it’s a beginning for us.” Do Good: • Vote on the local projects. • Watch Jeni Jenkin's video. • Contribute to the Mary Rose Mission.

Roller derby doc illuminates life on the flat-track

By Newsroom

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Diversity

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July 31, 2012

While roller derby has been around since 1935, in 2001, it got a makeover. The release of Derby, Baby!, a documentary about flat-track roller derby, coincides with an increased interest in the sport. The Cincinnati Rollergirls think it’s about time the sport got more recognition. “We’re trying to get rid of preconceived notions that we go out there in these staged fights and all are in tutus and make-up and stuff,” says Holly Funk, known in the Cincinnati Rollergirls as Garden of Beatin’. “We want to be regarded as athletes now. It’s become an actual sport.” Derby, Baby!, which premiered last week in Cincinnati, documents the addictive nature of the women's flat-track roller derby. “It’s seems like it’s the first truly big documentary that’s been made about the sport,” says Chrystal Roggenkamp, known in the Cincinnati Rollergirls as Truxtal. Garden of Beatin’, a general chemistry professor at the University of Dayton, and Truxtal, a graphic designer at FRCH Design, both believe that roller derby evolved in the past several decades. “We try to be very family-friendly and I don’t think a lot of people realize that that’s how roller derby has changed now,” Funk says. All of the members of the Cincinnati Rollergirls are volunteers, from the referees to the coaches to the skaters, yet they all spend countless hours dedicated to the sport they love. “I think the thing most people are shocked about when they get into it is the amount of time that it consumes because we have practices three times a week,” Roggenkamp says. “That’s the bare minimum and we’re all competing for rosters and trying to push ourselves to get better, so I would say it’s kind of expected that at least another two nights a week, you’re either going to the gym and weight training or going to the speed skating practices or doing something.” Because the sport is so time-consuming and, like any sport, there is the risk of injury, and in this case, no compensation, what keeps Rollergirls in their gear? “I think a very common thing you’ll hear is that the first time you saw it, you knew it was for you,” Roggenkamp says. While some may believe that it takes special skills and training to become a flat-track derby skater, Funk remembers the first time she saw a bout and wanted to be a part of the sport. “I was looking at all these amazing women, and they were so great, and yet I could tell that they weren’t the epitome of athleticism,” she says. “They were just regular women that work their asses off and are really good at what they did. I thought, ‘This looks like something that is fun and obtainable, and something that I’d like to be involved in.’ ” The Rollergirls hope the documentary Derby, Baby! brings more attention to the sport and help it move from underground to Olympic status. “This’ll be the documentary that hopefully gets more people aware of what we do,” Roggenkamp says. “I think Derby, Baby! provides a very accurate portrayal of roller derby. I particularly appreciate that it explores the business side of the game and the fact that we are all volunteers, spending both our time and money to help run our leagues and do what we love. The film brings up some interesting points about both the opportunities and consequences that we will inevitably have to face as the sport expands.” For more information about the Cincinnati Rollergirls, visit the Cincinnati Rollergirls' and for more information about Derby, Baby!, visit the Derby, Baby! website. Do Good: • Like the Rollergirls on Facebook. • Tweet all about it. Keep up with the Cincinnati Rollergirls via Twitter. • See what the all-volunteer Rollergirls do to support charitable causes. By Jocelyn Short