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2011 Small Business Leader Award Finalist: E.E. Ward Moving and Storage Co.

Small Business Leader Awards Finalist: E.E. Moving and Storage Co.  

 In its 27th year, the Small Business Leader Awards honors leaders of small businesses who have achieved company success while contributing to the development of our community. Over the next several days, we'll profile the finalists. Recipients will be announced on Tuesday, Nov. 15 at the Small Business Forum & Leader Awards. 

Brian Brooks and Otto Beatty
Owners
E.E. Ward Moving and Storage Co. 

Award Category: Diversity Leadership

"The key to E.E. Ward’s 130 years of existence and marketplace leadership is our unwavering pursuit to provide each of our customers with an unmatched sense of comfort and security when moving or storing their possessions.  We operate and manage our company with an eye and ear toward our customers and demand that of all of our employees."   –Brian Brooks

Business Description: E.E. Ward Moving and Storage & Co. is a Columbus-based campnay that offers household moving services that include packing, crating, storage and more for local, long distance or international moves.

Established in 1881 as the Ward Transfer Line, E.E. Ward Moving & Storage Co. remained in the Ward family for generations until purchased by Beatty and Brooks in 2001. The company is recognized as one of the oldest African- American owned businesses in the country by the U.S. Department of Commerce. Once known solely as a local moving company, in the past 10 years, the new owners have transformed the company into a nationally recognized leader in the relocation and transportation industry, offering comprehensive relocation and storage services, including office and industrial relocations, employee relocation services, warehousing services and special product delivery services.

wemovecolumbus.com

Time is running out to register for the Small Business Forum & Leader Awards. Go to www.columbus.org/sbfla to register and read more about the 20+ educational sessions. The Small Business Forum & Leader Awards are Presented by Commerce National Bank, Presenting Partner Columbus Business First, and Honorary Chair Mike Rosati of Rosati Windows.

 

2011 Small Business Leader Award Finalists: Portfolio Creative

In its 27th year, the Small Business Leader Awards honors leaders of small businesses who have achieved company success while contributing to the development of our community. Over the next several days, we'll profile the finalists. Recipients will be announced on Tuesday, Nov. 15 at the Small Business Forum & Leader Awards.

Kristin Harris and Catherine Lang-Cline
Owners
Portfolio Creative

“The thing that is really different about Portfolio Creative is that we know, understand, embrace and are passionate about the industry we serve. We work with, hire and place people in the creative industry--advertising, marketing, communications and design—and everyone on our client and talent team has a background in those same industries. For our team, this isn’t just a job; it’s an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of people, including their peers. That’s a really fantastic way to spend your day!”- Kristin Harris

Award Category: Adapt and Innovate

Business Description: Portfolio Creative is a niche staffing, recruiting and executive search firm, helping clients find designers, writers, web designers/developers, project managers, account executives, art/creative directors, marketing managers and more to fill full-time or temporary needs.

http://www.portfolioiscreative.com/ 

Time is running out to register for the Small Business Forum & Leader Awards. Go to www.columbus.org/sbfla to register and read more about the 20+ educational sessions. The Small Business Forum & Leader Awards are Presented by Commerce National Bank, Presenting Partner Columbus Business First, and Honorary Chair Mike Rosati of Rosati Windows.

2011 Small Business Leader Awards Finalists: e-Cycle LLC

In its 27th year, the Small Business Leader Awards honors leaders of small businesses who have achieved company success while contributing to the development of our community. Over the next several days, we'll profile the finalists. Recipients will be announced on Tuesday, Nov. 15 at the Small Business Forum & Leader Awards.

Christopher Irion, CEO
e-cycle LLC

"What gives us the cutting edge and is the secret to our success is passion. Our passion for charitable giving, environmental stewardship and technology is why our team created e-Cycle. Passion is deeply entrenched in our core values.  If you do not love what you do, how could you ever be great at it?”- Christopher Irion

Award Category: Ecobusiness  

Business Description: e-Cycle LLC helps businesses and organizations take a more responsible, secure and profitable approach to wireless mobile phone recycling. Headquartered in Hilliard, Ohio, e-Cycle purchases used iPhones, Blackberrys, smartphones, iPads and other mobile devices that still retain value and recycle all others at no charge to keep toxic e-waste from contaminating landfills. e-Cycle has a strict zero landfill policy. The information on every device is either deleted or destroyed using rigorous mobile security measures. e-Cycle was ranked as the fifth fastest growing environmental services company in the U.S. by Inc. magazine.

http://www.e-cycle.com/ 

Time is running out to register for the Small Business Forum & Leader Awards. Go to www.columbus.org/sbfla to register and read more about the 20+ educational sessions. The Small Business Forum & Leader Awards are Presented by Commerce National Bank, Presenting Partner Columbus Business First, and Honorary Chair Mike Rosati of Rosati Windows.

2011 Small Business Forum Award Finalists: Zipline Logistics

In its 27th year, the Small Business Leader Awards honors leaders of small businesses who have achieved company success while contributing to the development of our community. Over the next several days, we'll profile the finalists. Recipients will be announced on Tuesday, Nov. 15 at the Small Business Forum & Leader Awards.                                                                                                                     

Andrew Lynch, President
J.J. Rodeheffer, Partner
Edward Williams, Partner
Zipline Logistics

“Columbus has an emerging logistics presence and an extremely supportive network.  From the industry organizations to the shippers and carriers alike, this region is nationally ranked for its logistics prowess and for great reason. Since day one, we have been embraced by the local
logistics players, and that has led to our involvement in a lot of Columbus area logistics events.”
- J.J Rodeheffer

Award Category: Emerging Excellence

Business Description: Zipline Logistics is a third-party logistics company that handles transportation throughout North America for shippers and manufacturers. In 2010, the shipment management company grew its revenue to $4.5 million and in April moved to a larger 3,600-square-foot facility. The Zipline pledge is to go above and beyond client expectations of a transportation company and handle all clients and projects with honesty, integrity and loyalty.

http://www.ziplinelogistics.com/ 

Time is running out to register for the Small Business Forum & Leader Awards. Go to www.columbus.org/sbfla to register and read more about the 20+ educational sessions. The Small Business Forum & Leader Awards are Presented by Commerce National Bank, Presenting Partner Columbus Business First, and Honorary Chair Mike Rosati of Rosati Windows.

2011 Small Business Leader Award Finalists: Derek Grosso

Small Business Leader Awards Finalist: 

 In its 27th year, the Small Business Leader Awards honors leaders of small businesses who have achieved company success while contributing to the development of our community. Over the next several days, we'll profile the finalists. Recipients will be announced on Tuesday, Nov. 15 at the Small Business Forum & Leader Awards. 

Derek Grosso
President, CEO and Founder
Columbus Young Professionals Club

“Passion makes for a successful leader. Doing something you really want to do. You can have talent and you can learn. You need time and interest, too. But, if you don’t have passion, then those other things will be wasted.”

Award Category: Young Professional Leadership

Business Description: The Columbus Young Professionals Club (CYP CLUB) is a "for-impact" membership organization made up of young professionals, entrepreneurs, executives, creative thinkers, and social people who live and work in the greater Columbus, Ohio area.

Founded in 2005, the CYP CLUB offers events, activities and athletics on a weekly basis for a growing membership of local young professionals (ages 21-45) and is entering its seventh year as the “go-to” organization for YPs in central Ohio. While out one night, college roommates Derek Grosso and Patrick Preston realized there was a need to form a group of like-minded people to meet new people and experience more throughout the Columbus Region. Fastforward to 2009 when CYP CLUB named Derek Grosso as President/CEO and Founder. Now with a membership of nearly 13,000, CYP CLUB is one of the largest and most active membership organizations for young professionals in the United States.

www.cypclub.com

Time is running out to register for the Small Business Forum & Leader Awards. Go to www.columbus.org/sbfla to register and read more about the 20+ educational sessions. The Small Business Forum & Leader Awards are Presented by Commerce National Bank, Presenting Partner Columbus Business First, and Honorary Chair Mike Rosati of Rosati Windows.

2011 Small Business Leader Award Finalists: Dynamit

Small Business Leader Awards Finalist: Bobby Whitman, Principal and Technical Director, Matt Dopkiss, Principal and Director of Strategy, Dynamit.

In its 27th year, the Small Business Leader Awards honors leaders of small businesses who have achieved company success while contributing to the development of our community. Over the next several days, we'll profile the finalists. Recipients will be announced on Tuesday, Nov. 15 at the Small Business Forum & Leader Awards.

Bobby Whitman, Principal and Technical Director
Matt Dopkiss, Principal and Director of Strategy
Dynamit

"We're here because of hard work, luck, laughter, an incredible team and a burning desire to improve our business." - Bobby Whitman

"Columbus is our hometown. It's a great environment for our team to excel and grow our business. Our success is largely due to the support of the friends, family and business community that helped us build Dynamit to where we are today". - Matt Dopkiss

Award Category: Young Professional Leadership and Adapt & Innovate

Business Despcription: Dynamit is a contemporary digital consultancy solving complex business challenges with strategy, design and technology.

Dynamit was founded in 2004 by Matt Dopkiss and Bobby Whitman, friends who had worked together informally for several years as students. While in graduate programs (physics and mathematics, respectively), the pair had several opportunities that led to the creation of the company. Over the last seven years, Dynamit has defined itself as a consultancy with expertise in information technology, design and marketing. They take the responsibility for entire projects from strategy to design, development, integration, launch and ongoing support. Headquartered in Columbus, Dynamit works with clients throughout the United States and internationally spanning a range of sectors, including retail, healthcare, associations, business-to-business, professional services, start-ups and not-for-profit organizations.

dynamit.us

Time is running out to register for the Small Business Forum & Leader Awards. Go to www.columbus.org/sbfla to register and read more about the 20+ educational sessions. The Small Business Forum & Leader Awards are Presented by Commerce National Bank, Presenting Partner Columbus Business First, and Honorary Chair Mike Rosati of Rosati Windows.

2011 Small Business Leader Award Finalist: DataCenter.BZ

Small Business Leader Awards Finalist: Gordon Scherer, President & CTO and Paul Keinath, Vice President & CFO, DataCenter.BZ

In its 27th year, the Small Business Leader Awards honor leaders of small businesses who have achieved company success while contributing to the development of our community. Over the next several days, we'll profile the finalists. Recipients will be announced on Tuesday, Nov. 15 at the Small Business Forum & Leader Awards. 

Gordon Scherer, President & CTO
Paul Keinath, Vice President & CFO
DataCenter.BZ

"The number one thing to being successful: we listen to our customers. They will take you where you need to go."  –Paul Keinath

Award Category: EcoBusiness

Business Description: An energy-efficient data center providing communications services to government agencies, telecom providers and corporate users

Headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, DataCenter.BZ's wholly owned five-acre campus maintains one of Ohio's largest collections of carrier, municipal and private fiber networks, serving as a critical point of interconnection among the carriers, dark fiber networks and last-mile providers in Central Ohio. Such connectivity, together with ample and redundant power sources, including dual power grid feeds and multiple diesel generators, enables DataCenter.BZ to provide enterprise-grade data center and telecom solutions-ultra-high-density collocation, diverse and economical carrier access, metro-area dark fiber, and virtual data center, hosted storage and related disaster recovery solutions-to a variety of regional, national and international customers, including major telecommunications network carriers, government entities, education and healthcare systems and numerous Fortune 1000 companies.

www.datacenter.bz

Time is running out to register for the Small Business Forum & Leader Awards. Go to www.columbus.org/sbfla to register and read more about 20+ educational sessions. The Small Business Forum & Leader Awards are Presented by Commerce National Bank, Presenting Partner Columbus Business First, and Honorary Chair Mike Rosati of Rosati Windows.

 

 

2011 Small Business Leader Award Finalist: Farah Majidzadeh

Small Business Leader Awards Finalist: Farah Majidzadeh, Resource International, Inc.

 

In its 27th year, the Small Business Leader Awards honor leaders of small businesses who have achieved company success while contributing to the development of our community. Over the next several days, we'll profile the finalists. Recipients will be announced on Tuesday, Nov. 15 at the Small Business Forum & Leader Awards. 

Farah Majidzadeh
Chairperson & CEO
Resource International, Inc.

"A good leader must have four things: vision, wisdom, passion—and you have to be a good listener. If you abuse your power, you’re not going to get anywhere."

Award Category: Diversity Leadership

Business Description: A full-service consulting firm specializing in creative solutions in planning, design, construction management and information technology

With her children off at school, Farah Majidzadeh was looking for a new challenge and began exploring business opportunities. At the same time, she accompanied her husband, Kamran, an OSU professor, to a conference in England where he was presenting a paper on pavement design. Kamran began doing research on the first generation of pavement testing equipment called Dynaflect and exploring is application in road maintenance. Farah decided to market the product and, in just two weeks, had her first two clients. And, with her contracts, she launched Resource International, Inc., a small technology firm from the basement of her family home.

 www.resourceinternational.com

Time is running out to register for the Small Business Forum & Leader Awards. Go to www.columbus.org/sbfla to register and read more about 24 educational sessions. 

 

 

 

Congratulations 2010 Small Business Leader Award Recipients

This week the Columbus Chamber and its Small Business Council honored three successful local businesses at the Small Business Forum and Leader Awards.

For more than 25 years, the Small Business Leader Awards have celebrated the best of the best—an elite group of business owners and entrepreneurs representing some of the most successful businesses in the Columbus region.

Recipients of the 2010 Small Business Leader Awards included:

• Mike Figliuolo of thoughtLEADERS, LLC - under $1 million category
• Ron Stokes, Mark Hall and Lavita Stokes of Three Leaf Productions - over $1 million category
• Stephanie Leader of Leaderpromos.com - over $5 million category.

“Small businesses are vital to economic growth and development of our region,” said Parker MacDonell, principal, Invergarry Partners and chair of the Columbus Chamber Small Business Council. “We’re proud to recognize these three outstanding local businesses for their accomplishments. With their passion, vision and determination, they exemplify the spirit of entrepreneurship that drives Columbus forward.”

Small Business Leader Award finalists and recipients were selected from applications by a panel of Small Business Council and Columbus Chamber representatives.

The 2010 Small Business Leader Awards finalists for the under $1 million in revenues category were Steve Hartono and Andi Sie of eSolutech. The finalists for the over $1 million category were Jeff Burt of Eclipse Corp., Richard Schuen of Colliers International/Greater Columbus Region and Mark Pukita of Fast Switch, LTD.