Cousins Brenda Forristell and Joe Sessa provide a patriotic way to shop at their newly opened U.S. Mart

By Nina Polien Light  |  Photo by Thomas Skernivitz

When Joe Sessa moved to a new apartment last summer, he shopped for plates, flatware, and other furnishings for his new digs. It was an eye-opening experience.

“I looked down in my cart and realized that almost everything I had put in there was imported,” he says. “My spending decisions were contributing to the loss of American job

Ursuline College Department chair shares her fashion design skills to make a difference in impoverished Malawi

By Natalie R. Schrimpf | Photo by Don Bensman

Constance Korosec has worked with many spools of thread over the years as professor and chair of the fashion, design, and merchandising department at Ursuline College in Pepper Pike. But never in her wildest dreams did she expect to one day become a thread of knowledge to help impoverished youngsters halfway around the world.

Last Novembe

The best things about life in Northeast Ohio can often be found on the front of a locally produced T-shirt

Story and photo by Nicolette Vala

Proud Clevelanders like to wear their hearts on more than just their sleeves. That makes for good business for a handful of local T-shirt makers, each of which shares its own sense of local pride. CBC magazine highlights three of those companies:

On Point Promos

Keeping business in Cleveland is what keeps good people in Cleveland. Nick Dadas and Joe H

Cleveland’s African-American business community flaunts its fashion sense at a variety of boutiques

Cleveland Business Connects magazine, with the help of Vivian L. Sharp, the founder of Sharp Communications, polled more than a dozen local African-American retailers, most of whom specialize in the fashion industry. The following questions and answers represent the first of a three-part series that will continue in the October issue and conclude in the December issue:

How did you get started ...
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Established in 1947, Westlake-based Yeager Jewelers keeps pace with online competition

By Harriet Tramer

Gems look shiny and beautiful enough when displayed on a computer screen. In addition, the professionals who market jewelry through websites are experts at supplying potential customers with just enough information to make them feel comfortable about buying something sight unseen.

With that in mind, according to Debbie Yeager, it can be difficult for a small jewelry store such as the one s

Development group makes Kamm’s Corners sparkle

By Tracey Walker | Photo by Thomas Skernivitz

When Wal-Mart or Best Buy move into the neighborhood, does that mean local retailers have to close shop because they cannot compete? Not at all, according to Cindy Janis, the manager of commercial development with Kamm’s Corners Development Corp., the neighborhood-based nonprofit planning and development organization that serves the Cleveland community.

“The economy is making it more challenging

In Touch With - Traci McBride, founder, TeeMcBee Image Consulting

Photo by McKinley Wiley

As an image consultant and founder of TeeMcBee Image Consulting, Traci McBride applies her 30-plus years of experience in the sales/marketing and fashion fields to aid people and businesses in polishing their most valuable assets – themselves. She customizes personal image services with closet audits, color analysis, and a variety of a la carte services. She is also a board member with Dress for Success

Influential Networking Groups in Northeast Ohio

CBC requested information from Northeast Ohio networking organizations throughout July 2011, and published a list of 50 groups in the August 2011 50th print issue based on a variety of factors, including membership size, number of events, and proximity.  CBC will publish omitted and additionally submitted groups at a later date.

To submit changes or additions to this list, please contact us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 216.831.9557.

Click her...
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eTrends | Design/build center markets through high-tech events

Story and photo by Thomas Skernivitz

Local event planners in search of a high-tech venue to convey their message need look no further than a retail business scheduled to open this month in Middleburg Heights.

Environments by Design sells cutting-edge technology along with design principles, which it incorporates to create commercial and residential environments for high-end clientele. Although not a traditional event venue, the de

Montrose Auto Group’s John Allensworth steers local professionals to dealerships through networking events

Story and photo by Thomas Skernivitz

John Allensworth has a vision, one that he jokingly admits his colleagues might be tired of hearing. As a community relations manager with the Montrose Auto Group, he wants to turn the dealership into a vehicle for community participation and networking.

“Why can’t an automobile dealership become a community center?” he asks. “Why can’t th

Never give your business cards to anyone!

By Phil Stella

As part of my social media strategy, I belong to a dozen business-related LinkedIn groups and regularly engage in their discussion threads. It’s a great way to learn new things, share ideas, and regularly stay connected with your LinkedIn network through the weekly activity updates.

In a recent thread, a member posted a comment encouraging people to give out their business cards all the time at networking events. Regular readers of m
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Saving Money, One Show at a Time…

By Ryan C. McKay

I just got back from Philly, and, boy, are my arms tired…

…from reaching for my wallet. A LOT.

Just for fun, I thought I would take a look at just where most of the costs associated with trade show/conference travel go to. How much of it is spent on staff, how much on your exhibit? How much in incidentals, and how much goes into ” show services?”

I have to disclose that I already had a pretty good estimate going into things, but an educ
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Has Casual Friday gotten too casual?

By Colleen Harding

Many times the question has been asked, “Has Casual Friday gotten too casual?“

Many would respond, “yes.”

Originally Casual Friday was a treat. It was an opportunity to eliminate the ties and hose for one day of the week. It was a nice change and allowed us to relax a bit.

Then we slid into casual sweater sets, a starched white blouse, an oxford and jacket, a golf shirt and kaki pants, all of which was OK as long as you were not
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Panty hose goes … as long as it’s natural looking

By Traci McBride

Question: Bare leg vs. panty hose? I am often asked this question. Women that despise hose actually get mad at me for not saying bare leg only! But there is a place for panty hose.

Answer: Think of hosiery as you would foundation for your face. The better the skin looks, the less concealer you need. Use these steps to determine what is best for you.

• First, look to your company’s dress code — some require hosiery.
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Cleveland Sports and Business Alliance hands off to Mack

Former Browns running back Kevin Mack will speak Wednesday, Aug. 17, at the monthly luncheon of the Cleveland Sports and Business Alliance. The event will take place at Mavis Winkles in Independence from 11:15 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. It costs $20.

Mack will share his NFL experiences and career since leaving the league.

Presented by ESPN Cleveland and the 212 Capital Group, the Cleveland Sports and Business Alliance mixes sports, business, an
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in the green | better living through hydroponics at the galleria

By Isaac Mell | Photo by McKinley Wiley

Where does retail meet reuse … for-profit meet nonprofit … nature meet technology … and hungry meet healthy?

Right here in Northeast Ohio.

Specifically, inside the Galleria — thanks to Vicky Poole, the director of marketing and events at the Galleria and Tower at Erieview, She created Gardens Under Glass, an umbrella project for sustainability initiatives.

Funded by a Civic Innov