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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 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.

Small Business Leader Awards Finalist: Ron Stokes, Mark Hall and Lavita Stokes, Three Leaf Productions, Inc.

In its 26th year, the Small Business Leader Awards honor leaders of small businesses who have achieved company success while contributing to the development of our community. This week, we'll profile 10 finalists from seven outstanding businesses. Recipients will be announced on Tuesday, Nov. 9 at the Small Business Forum & Leader Awards. 

Finalist: Over $1 Million in Revenue - Ron Stokes, Mark Hall and Lavita Stokes, Three Leaf Productions, Inc.

A Combination of Strengths

Three Leaf Productions, Inc. was born when a Cleveland-based marketing communications company was looking to sell a business and partner with a minority-owned company in Columbus. Ron Stokes saw it as the perfect opportunity to combine his strengths and experience with those of his partners in printing, marketing and electronic media to create Three Leaf Productions, a diversified company unique to the printing industry.

Three Leaf’s team of six grew when Mark Hall and Lavita Stokes came on board as vice presidents. Now, Three Leaf Productions is based here in the Columbus region, but has sales offices and distribution centers across the country.

Competitive Edge: Providing Customers with an Agile, One-Stop Shop
Company size and flexibility have been key to the success of Three Leaf Productions. They also are proud of the variety they offer to clients—a one-stop shop of sorts, saving customers from having to go from vendor to vendor to find what they need. The company also provides innovative graphic design, allowing them to create products to client specifications.

A former basketball player at The Ohio State University, Ron brings his sports discipline to his work sharing that as a point guard, it was his job to lead by example. He says it is the same at Three Leaf Productions, where he wouldn’t ask any team member to do something he wouldn’t do himself.

The Secret of Our Success: Improvement Even in Tough Times
“Since 2003, we’ve been able to maintain growth. We’ve had no setback, even with the economic situation. That kind of challenge has just forced us to really sharpen our blades and become more efficient in what we do. That means our customer service has to be better. The recession has helped us to improve ourselves.” 

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.

Small Business Leader Awards Finalist: Stephanie Leader, Leaderpromos.com

In its 26th year, the Small Business Leader Awards honor leaders of small businesses who have achieved company success while contributing to the development of our community. This week, we'll profile 10 finalists from seven outstanding businesses. Recipients will be announced on Tuesday, Nov. 9 at the Small Business Forum & Leader Awards. 

Finalist: Over $1 Million in Revenue - Stephanie Leader, Leaderpromos.com

“It’s great doing business in Columbus, because you can be more efficient here. You can accomplish more in a shorter amount of time, and I think that’s because of the mentality of the people who live and work here. They are people who are willing to listen and hear what you have to say. It’s great to be a part of this community.” –Stephanie Leader, Leaderpromos.com 

Drive, Vision and Steady Growth
In 1991, while in college, selling promotional advertising was a way for Stephanie Leader to “earn a little extra money.” She could have no way of forecasting that nearly 20 years later she would be the president and CEO of her own highly successful company specializing in promotional products, screen-printed and embroidered apparel, corporate incentive programs, and the beauty and fashion industry.

As a natural saleswoman with drive and vision, Stephanie put her plans for law school on hold to partner in the specialty products business. In 1998, she bought the business from her partner and has been moving forward ever since. With an e-commerce division giving Leaderpromos.com a national reach, the company has seen steady growth. In 2007, it passed the $10 million mark and today employs 43 people and serves thousands of clients around the world with a focus on Fortune 1000 companies, major non-profit organizations and large state and federal agencies.

Competitive Edge: A Valued Partner to Clients
Leader’s website says her staff is “fanatically committed” to the customer and they take the position of partner to clients, not just a supplier. The company’s ability to source from any vendor and to design and develop custom products allows Leaderspromos.com to give customers exactly what they want.

The Secret of Our Success: Companywide Commitment to the Mission
“I’m passionate about what I do and loving what I do. And, I need everyone who works with me to be a part of our company’s overall mission. I know everyone’s contribution is important. I’m not going to be the only one who gets us there.”

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.

Small Business Leader Awards Finalist: Mark Pukita, Fast Switch, Ltd.

In its 26th year, the Small Business Leader Awards honor leaders of small businesses who have achieved company success while contributing to the development of our community. This week, we'll profile 10 finalists from seven outstanding businesses. Recipients will be announced on Tuesday, Nov. 9 at the Small Business Forum & Leader Awards. 

Finalist: Over $1 Million in Revenue - Mark Pukita, Fast Switch, Ltd.

“After living in Dallas and Toronto, we came back to Columbus because we felt it was a better place to raise a family. You have your choice of several great school systems in places that are pleasant to live. It’s Midwestern values where hard work is rewarded.”  --Mark Pukita, Fast Switch, Ltd.

Filling a Void in the IT Industry
Experience and vision have been no small contributors to the success of Fast Switch, Ltd. As Chief Operating officer of the company, Mark Pukita has plenty of both, having worked at large corporations such as IBM, EDS and what is now Accenture. He established Fast Switch in 1996 when he discovered a void in the marketplace of meeting very specific staffing, recruiting and higher-level consulting needs.

Today, Fast Switch has nearly 300 employees, and the company adheres to one simple rule: They work to assist their clients in meeting their business objectives by identifying and delivery the necessary human resources to their organization. Simply, Fast Switch helps clients with the needs of their IT departments whether those are permanent, part-time or contract positions.

Competitive Edge: A Made-from-Scratch Approach to Customer Service
In a business arena that is becoming more tech-savvy by the day, Pukita has incorporated a five-sided competitive advantage model that includes transparency in their work, providing high-quality candidates for jobs, low costs by focusing on managing expenses and overhead, a strong emphasis on eliminating errors and employing creativity that is a “custom fit” for each client.  Approaching every customer with a “made-from-scratch” mentality, Fast Switch creates a “recipe” that creatively and efficiently satisfies for the customer.

The Secret of Our  Success: Always Striving to Add Value
“After being in the IT business for awhile, I saw the mistakes people were making. I thought a different perspective was needed, one that customer focused vs. company focused. How do we add value for the customer vs. make the most money from the customer? The more you can do for your customer, the more business you’ll get from them.”

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.

Small Business Leader Awards Finalist: Jeff Burt, Eclipse Corporation

In its 26th year, the Small Business Leader Awards honor leaders of small businesses who have achieved company success while contributing to the development of our community. This week, we'll profile 10 finalists from seven outstanding businesses. Recipients will be announced on Tuesday, Nov. 9 at the Small Business Forum & Leader Awards. 

Finalist: Over $1 Million in Revenue - Jeff Burt, Eclipse Corporation

“I don’t think I chose Columbus for my business. Columbus chose me. It’s the people. We are family run and base what we do on being good to each other and having moral values we try to apply. The people here in Columbus respond to that.” -Jeff Burt, Eclipse Corporation

Empowering Brands
Jeff Burt has loved photography since he was 15 and, after a stint working with a large studio in California, he found his way to Columbus where he is co-owner of Eclipse Corporation, the parent to three companies including Eclipse Studios, Solar Imaging and PageOne Productions.
Eclipse Studios was founded first in 1994 with the goal of helping clients create images that empower their brands. Today, the company produces works for such well-known brands as DWS, Limited e-commerce, Kahiki Foods, and White Castle. With the customers of the other two divisions, Burt has an enviable client base. He credits growth and good professional health to a willingness to evolve and make changes to meet the needs of clients.

Through a combination of creative staff, investments in technology, and constant commitment to service, quality and character, Eclipse Corporation that began with a staff of two now boasts 20 full-time and three part-time employees.

Competitive Edge: Passion and Confidence
Passion and confidence in the work they create plays a large role in Eclipse Corporation’s success. Burt also credits investments in technology and expansion—even in tough economic times—providing high-quality work that can compete with the larger studios found in New York, a creative and dedicated staff and the ability to take a project from start to finish under one roof.

The Secret of My Success: Having a Game Plan
“Entrepreneurs have to follow their dream, but they also have to be smart, have a game plan and stick with it. Take advantage of the opportunities there are here to meet other people, network, surround yourself with good people. The more you do that, the better off you’ll be. You can’t do it alone.”

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.

Small Business Leader Awards Finalist: Rich Schuen, Colliers International, Greater Columbus Region

In its 26th year, the Small Business Leader Awards honor leaders of small businesses who have achieved company success while contributing to the development of our community. This week, we'll profile 10 finalists from seven outstanding businesses. Recipients will be announced on Tuesday, Nov. 9 at the Small Business Forum & Leader Awards. 

Finalist: Over $1 Million in Revenue - Rich Schuen, Colliers International, Greater Columbus Region

“We have people we entertain daily—owners and tenants from around the country—they come here and it puts a smile on their face. They always mention the hospitality of Columbus and the wonderful people.”  --Rich Schuen

Staying Power in a Risky Business
While commercial real estate might seem like risky business for some, for Rich Schuen it’s been his passion and line of work since the early 1980s. Using his knowledge and entrepreneurial spirit, he formed his own local commercial real estate company in 1997. Now doing business as Colliers International, Greater Columbus Region, the company specializes in office, industrial, retail and investment properties. Services provided within these specialties include project leasing, disposition, tenant and buyer representation, corporate services, property management, construction management, development, and consultation.

In a market that’s certainly had its highs and lows, Colliers continues to have staying power in the Columbus region. Its overall company revenue through July 2010 was up by 26 percent.

Competitive Edge: Ethical and Agile
Schuen shares that Collier’s has outstanding track record of success, ethical business dealings integrated service offerings and the uniqueness of being a locally owned business backed by an international brand.  With local ownership and leadership, Schuen and his team can make quick decisions in the best interest of their clients. In addition, they have the benefit of one of the world’s largest commercial real estate brands to back them and provide them resources as well as an international platform.

The Secret of Our Success: Spirit of Adventure
“To start a business you have to have a crazy and adventurous streak. You must be comfortable with adventure and the unknown because that’s the day-to-day operation of small business ownership. Along with that, you have to have that spirit and desire to do what small business owners do every day, knowing that you have to have the right people in place to show up, know what they’re doing and treat your customers how you want them to be treated.”

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.

Small Business Leader Awards Finalist: Mike Figliuolo, thoughtLEADERS, LLC

In its 26th year, the Small Business Leader Awards honor leaders of small businesses who have achieved company success while contributing to the development of our community. This week, we'll profile 10 finalists from seven outstanding businesses. Recipients will be announced on Tuesday, Nov. 9 at the Small Business Forum & Leader Awards. 

Finalist: Under $1 Million in Revenue - Mike Figliuolo, thoughtLEADERS, LLC

“Columbus is a perfect balance between a vibrant and supportive business community and an outstanding quality of life.”  --Mike Figliuolo, thoughtLEADERS, LLC

Advancing the Art of Business Leadership
As managing director of thoughtLEADERS, LLC, Figliuolo brings his military background and a history of teaching leadership, communications and strategy through multiple executive roles. Since 2004, his company’s mission has remained the same: to advance the art of business leadership through hands-on training and coaching led by dynamic businesspeople. Instructors for thoughtLEADERS include seasoned executives who are practitioners of the concepts they teach. This is thoughtLEADERS, LLC second nomination, having been nominated in 2009.

Competitive Edge: Letting the Work Speak for Itself
Mike says his business approach is innovative in that the company does not sell. Rather, he and his team let their presentations and workshops speak for themselves, providing value to participants who then seek out thoughtLEADERS to teach within their organizations.

Using a flexible and distinctive business model, Figliuolo is able to keep costs low while focusing on delivering the highest quality training possible. Using “real world” experience, instructors are able to communicate using realistic applications that are viable in the marketplace. Figliuolo also makes use of social media as a platform to convey thoughtLEADERS’ message and perspectives out to a global audience.

The Secret of Our Success: Growing the Business by Growing the Team
“From day one you need to recognize that if you are going to build your business, you need to take a smaller slice of the bigger part of the pie. Bring on partners. Share equity. Your personal slice may get small, but the pie grows—those are the companies that are successful.  I’ve brought on other instructors with skill sets that are different than mine. By doing this, about 30 percent of our revenue this year is being generated by other members of my team. I am putting their expertise to use and that’s allowing me to build the company.”

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.