Our Guest Drinker is Rachael Torchia the Founder of Gateway Title. She started the business over 15 years ago and has seen many gyrations in the business cycle but nothing like the last 12 months. Somewhere around 30% of her competition has gone out of business during the Great Recession. However she did not take the challenge lightly. A consistent out reach to customers and solid business planning have kept her above water and looking for a great 2010.
The Five Minute Business Plan in February is Marylee Gotch. She is starting a business called Commuter Cuffs. Come here the dreams of new entrepreeneur kicking her business to the first level.
Registration is on line.
Our Guest Drinker is Margaret Judd the owner of
Executive Arrangements. No this is not a flower or bridal shop. The company provides B2B services for corporations bringing CxO level personnel into Cleveland. They handle a myriad details from help in the recruitment process, to the relocation and special events. They have worked with every major firm in the region.
The decision to pull the trigger was made from the inside. Margaret started as an employee and bought out the Founder of the business. This is a very different story of entrepreneurship, Due Diligence and risk taking. There is also something to negotiating with the boss…….
The British are Coming! The British are Coming!
It is that time of year again. We are having a joint meeting on Tuesday the 1st of December with the British American Chamber of Commerce.
Our Guest Drinker is Colin Ingram the founder of Form Fire. Originally from England Coling now calls Cleveland home. The idea for the company came from a client where Colin was consulting. He and his business partner Mike successfully negotiated with them to get the idea rolling. They are in a unique space in the health care market where they massively reduce the paperwork required to enroll and manage employees in benefits plans.
The decision to pull the trigger was made over a couple of pints of beer at the Harp on the Detroit Shoreway. Now that is the way to perform Due Diligence. They virtually invented this space and are now a national leader and growing rapidly. The sales channel is complex and requires the coordination and cooperation of major insurance carriers.
Registration is now open on line.
The November Meeting will be at the Touch Supper Club in Ohio City on Tuesday the 3rd. Besides the great food we always get there will be a culinary theme to the whole evening
Our Guest Drinker is George Schindler from Hospitality Restaurants. You have probably never heard of Hospitality Restaurants and are certain that you did not eat there. How about the Cabin Club, Salmon Dave’s and Blue Point?
George is a business guy running some of the best dining in town. He is not on the Food Network nor is he the celebrity in the kitchen. After 20 years of highs and lows in the food industry he has carved out a very respectable niche, By the way his newest location is being built in Hudson inside a 170 year old Saw Mill.
On the Hot Seat is Amanda Montague. She owns Lilly’s Handmade Chocolates in Tremont. This is not like going to get a Hershey Bar. She also has very high end selection of custom crafted confections and a exotic array of fine wines and beers.
This is not one to miss. We will see you back at the Touch Supper Club on Tuesday November 3rd. Members Preregister for $10. Non members are $20.
The October Meeting will be at the Touch Supper Club in Ohio City on Tuesday the 6th. Our Guest Drinker is John Davis. John was a E & W guy before it was E&Y. He developed a strong sense that he did not fit with the Big 7 and had to go own his own business.
Now he is a serial entrepreneur who has owned a number of companies including a CPA firm, a vending machine manufacturer and a plastics plant. But all was not always well in everyone of his firms. We will have a tale of sane partners that go certifiable and investors that disappear in the night. This is one that everyone who has ever thought they had hit rock bottom can be sure that there is further to fall. However that does not mean you can not rise from the ashes like the proverbial Phoenix.
This is not one to miss. We will see you back at the Touch Supper Club on Tuesday October 6th. Preregister for $10 until Monday night. It is $15 at the door on Tuesday night.
