By Ralph Zerbonia
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – In 1984, the nation was recovering from a recession and the Mahoning Valley was still reeling from the demise of the steel industry.
The closure of the region’s steel plants meant the loss of over 40,000 jobs, and at least 400 satellite businesses had also closed.
Further hindering the Valley’s economic recovery was the corruption caused by the mob’s grip – the despicable people holding the reins of those elected to power
The region’s long dependence on the steel industry meant its economic development capacity was lacking.
Further holding the area back was a general attitude that the federal government should come to our rescue, or perhaps some large company would open a plant with thousands of jobs.
There was also a refusal to recognize that steel was NOT coming back.
The populace that didn’t move away developed a negative view of the region and its future.
What would prompt someone to start a business during such bleak times? The answer is different for every entrepreneur.
I was a successful stockbroker who decided in 1983 to start a business publication for the region – three counties in Ohio and two in Pennsylvania. The Youngstown Business Journal began publishing 40 years ago.
This issue includes the stories of nine other companies that began in 1984. Each business owner had his own motivation – and a positive attitude during dark times.
I believe that entrepreneurs talk themselves into launching a startup. It may be that they even overstate the advantages of doing so, or minimize the risk, just because they like the overall plan.
For me, the decision was several pieces coming together. I managed to find enough resources to guarantee at least three issues would be published before revenues needed to cover costs.
My good friend and ad agency genius, the late Vic Rubenstein, designed the look and logo of the publication. I found the publication’s editor-in-chief in Andrea Wood, then the anchor and executive producer of WYTV 33 Eyewitness News.
Just having people like Vic and Andrea see the same vision and join with me in this endeavor further propelled me to take the leap.
It would turn out we also had that one item critical to any startup’s survival: good luck.
Luck requires you to first do all the work, and only then might it visit you.
We had excellent key players from the start and even though the economy would struggle for another 10 years, the vision of a greater Youngstown would sustain this newspaper.
The editorial policy of seeking out news that showed the good of the region was inspired by the feeling that the community was looking for signs of hope.
Today, the region is prospering. We are a force in Columbus and Washington, D.C. We have matured into an economic development powerhouse.
Make no mistake, a lot of attitudes and dynamics had to be changed for us to begin climbing out of the hole we were in.
But those adjustments were made and they gave our community the ability to succeed.