Part Two of Special Coverage
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio — The MidMay edition features more stories related to our Rally Around Small Business campaign.
Response to this coverage, which began in the month’s first edition, has been gratifying, affirming our core belief that the business community here is strong and dedicated to undergirding the regional economy.
Inside the MidMay edition (CLICK HERE to order a copy), you’ll find more numbers that demonstrate the job-creation prowess of small business. On page 7 is a chart that shows small business employment in Ohio and Pennsylvania by industry. In Pennsylvania, 1.1 million firms, or 99.6% of all businesses, are categorized as small businesses. In Ohio, the 949,479 firms qualifying as small businesses account for 99.6% of all businesses.
Our international intern, Nami Nagaoka, has been on the road, meeting “Unsung Hero” nominees as part of the campaign. Some of the nominees are featured in the May and MidMay editions, as well as the Business Journal Daily BUZZ.
While her home country of Japan sets the bar for customer service, she says, Nagaoka saw how business owners here care just as much for their customers and the services they provide.
“It’s more than just selling something,” Nagaoka says. “The business owners and their customers realize that supporting each other helps everyone.”
To nominate an “Unsung Hero,” CLICK HERE and fill out the form. Nominations close May 31, 2019.
This edition also contains the second part of our “Small to BIG” series. This time, we’re profiling four companies that have room to grow and are learning what it will take to reach the next level. They include Keystone Compliance in New Castle, Pa., D.A. Van Dam & Associates in Hubbard, Hometown Pharmacy Solutions in Youngstown and Humtown Products in Columbiana.
On pages 18 and 20 are stories that tell how the Williamson College of Business Administration at Youngstown State University is working with local businesses to help them grow and create jobs. Not only are YSU students solving problems for local companies, they also are holding down internships that often lead to full-time employment here, which helps plug the brain drain.
“Strategic partnerhips with businesses are critical, whether it’s local business or in other parts of the country or around the world,” says Betty Jo Licata, dean of the college. “That’s part of fulfilling our mission of supporting economic development throughout the region.”
Also in this edition, our Industry Report looks at travel and tourism and the Lifestyle and Entertainment section focuses on the business of golf.
Although the Rally Around Small Business campaign officially ends May 31, the deadline for “Unsung Hero” nominations (see page 4), the stories we’ve covered and the how-to resources we’ve provided will remain on our website, and will be regularly updated going forward. Click the Rally Around Small Business tab in the navigation bar.
Pictured: During his “Unsung Hero” interview with Nami Nagaoka, Lew Kachulis, owner and CEO of Synergy Comp in Sharon, Pa., stressed the importance of hiring the next generation of workers.
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