Farewell, 2017! As another year winds down, we’re taking a look back at some of the most interesting stories and best advice published over the last 12 months. Established businesses celebrated success with expansions, entrepreneurs launched new concepts and experts doled out advice! Take a read through the best of the last six months!
July
The city welcomed its new Small Business Concierge Henry A. Golatt. With 25 years of experience in small business development, Golatt will usher in some changes to the role. Mother-daughter entrepreneurial team Lisa Laine Miller and Emily Laine Miller launched Laine Avenue. Teens tout a specially-designed backpack through a social selling model. Fashion met manicure when Zoom Mani launched its quick manicure kiosk inside the Polaris Mall. It’s been a journey of Kickstarter highs and year-long lows for two best friends at the helm of Launch Labs. The team are now finding success with a portfolio entrepreneurship approach. Event Marketing Strategies gave businesses advice on how to maximize their event sponsorships.
August
Over 60 of Columbus’ food makers retained their commercial kitchen facilities when Brad DeHays and Scott Humphrys stepped in to take over The Commissary, rebranding it to 1400 Food Lab. A warehouse on the South Side is finding new life. Fortner Upholstery set up shop and will soon welcome a number of other businesses into the 220,000 square foot space. No allergies are going to stop 8-year-old Emerson Metropoulos from enjoying her cookies. With the help of her parents, the pint-sized entrepreneur launched Sweet E’s Cookies. Telhio put numbers to the impact of doing business and shopping local.
September
After unveiling the initiative in July, ECDI caught up with a business owner that has benefitted from their Capital for Construction program targeted at minority-owned subcontractors. The ScaleUp Success Series which highlighted small business owners participating in YMT’s Entrepreneur Exchange program wrapped up. Do you need a right hand? Beth Dekker launched a consultancy to train the next generation of superhero managers.
October
Four local businesses sharing space makes for an interesting setup. Boxes of tampons pile high across the aisle from an extrusion line manufacturing filament for 3D printers. Natural skincare products are concocted in one corner, while drones are built not 50 feet away. The entrepreneurs involved shared why it works. Diners can take a lunchtime trip to Ghana thanks to the Asempe Kitchen pop-up at Hills Market Downtown. Waxxpot celebrated its third location in as many years with its latest salon in Clintonville and talked about the factors that have led to its success. Vegan food truck The Little Kitchen hit the Columbus streets. From Bolivia to Ohio, Cecilia Osorio Menacho gifted Columbus with a family recipe that became Solo Merengues.
November
Barnes & Thornburg provided a solid outline of the boxes an employer should be able to check when it comes to addressing workplace harassment. Two neighborhood residents are doing their part to stimulate economic activity in the greater Hilltop area with the Westgate BusinessWorks. Spanning two buildings, the collective has brought in three small businesses and a coffee shop. Restaurateur Brad Hobbs opened up about finding funding for his endeavors. Seven Studios teamed up with Snap Fitness in Bexley for its second location, making the fitness studio one of the most successful businesses of the Kickstart Columbus campaign. Columbus’ grades for small business friendliness fell in Thumbtack.com’s annual survey.
December
Experience Columbus’ Made in Cbus Trail is turning visitors and residents on to a host of local small businesses featuring everything from jewelry to spirits. TAPTAGSIGN wants to help brands eliminate liability risks for user generated content. The system is working for System of Strength which opened its third fitness center in Clintonville. Worthington’s House Wine celebrated a decade in business with a 2018 expansion to Bexley on the horizon.
Additional Reading: 2017 Year in Review: January – June
Additional Reading: 2017 Year In Review: Coworking, Social Entrepreneurship & Trends to Look for in 2018
