Entrepreneurship Archives - JumpStart Inc.

Fostering the Future of Entrepreneurship: JumpStart’s Summer Interns Share Their Experience

JumpStart Team — Wed, 24 Sep 2025 13:20:37 +0000

At JumpStart, we are committed to empowering entrepreneurs throughout our community – wherever they are on their journey. To continue to move our work forward, we keep proximate to the next generation of entrepreneurs and professionals through the Verizon Community Learning Centers, partnerships with universities and events at the MidTown Collaboration Center.

This summer, our Marketing and Communications team hosted two interns; Alijah Newton, a rising third-year student at University of Cincinnati with a double major in entrepreneurship and marketing; and Erin Thomas, a rising senior at The Ohio State University with a major in marketing and a minor in studio art.

Over the course of their internship, they were given direct exposure to our daily operations. Their work focused on content development, social media planning and production.

Their eagerness to engage with our mission, learn from the department’s team members, and be involved in various projects gave them a wide range of exposure over their time at JumpStart. They share their experiences in this blog.

Alijah Newton

As a double major in entrepreneurship and marketing, it’s rare to find an opportunity that bridges both industries so seamlessly. JumpStart is unique in this regard. The organization embodies an entrepreneurial spirit not only through its internal operations but also in its support of startups and small businesses. Simultaneously, I was exposed to the intricacies of event planning, strategic communication, and project management skills that are essential across industries.

An aspect of JumpStart that deeply resonated with me is its mission-driven approach. As a nonprofit, its primary goal is to serve the surrounding community. It was fulfilling to contribute to an organization that prioritizes support, collaboration, and the growth of Ohio’s startup ecosystem.

The Trailblazer Accelerator Program (TAP) Midpoint Event was the most valuable aspect of my internship experience. I had the privilege of observing ten practice pitches from innovative startups, each showcasing their entrepreneurial vision. As an aspiring business owner, witnessing their ideas come to life was incredibly inspiring. I was particularly impressed by their responsiveness to feedback and their ability to refine their pitches in real time. This adaptability resonated deeply with me and aligned perfectly as the overarching theme of my time at JumpStart.

The most challenging part of my internship was acclimating to JumpStart’s structure and initiatives. Given the short timeframe and the fact that we joined mid-cycle, understanding the full scope of the organization’s work was initially overwhelming. However, the team’s willingness to support me made all the difference. I was welcomed into various meetings, and different departments took the time to explain their roles and responsibilities. I especially appreciated the one-on-one time with each member of the MarComm team, which gave me a comprehensive view of JumpStart’s operations and helped me envision potential career paths.

Much of what I learned during my internship came from observing those around me. The company underwent several organizational changes, and many of us were experiencing our “firsts” at JumpStart. Watching everyone quickly navigate these transitions taught me to embrace change and prioritize continuous professional development. I also gained a deeper appreciation for building transferable skills, recognizing the importance of versatility in both hard and soft skill sets.

Overall, my internship at JumpStart has been a wonderful experience, both professionally and personally. From witnessing the entrepreneurial spirit at the TAP Midpoint Event to navigating organizational changes alongside a great team, I’ve gained invaluable insights into adaptability, collaboration, and the power of community-driven work. The exposure to diverse areas of marketing and communication has broadened my understanding of potential career opportunities I can take in the future.

Erin Thomas

As a native Clevelander, I was originally drawn to JumpStart because of its strong local presence. I appreciate the organization’s commitment to giving back to the community by offering education, resources, and support for entrepreneurs, as well as working with and funding innovative startups.

I have always had an entrepreneurial spirit. As a kid, I started small businesses of my own, which led to my more recent watercolor painting business. In high school and college, I participated in pitch competitions and case competitions that further developed my interest in entrepreneurship and problem solving. That experience made me especially interested in contributing to the marketing and planning for JumpStart’s Ohio VC Fest. Seeing the event production and promotion from the inside offered me a new and exciting perspective.

From day one, I was welcomed by JumpStart’s kind, collaborative, and energetic Marketing and Communications team. They foster an environment that balances structure with creativity. The office’s fast pace took some adjustment, but learning about JumpStart and its ongoing projects helped me quickly get up to speed so I could meaningfully contribute.

Over the course of my internship, I worked on a variety of projects that gave me hands-on experience with different aspects of marketing and communications. I drafted copy for Small Business Big Conversations social media posts and prepared the MarCom studio for podcast filming. I also helped set up for meetings and presentations, created social media plans for the Midtown Collaboration Center speaker series, Ohio VC Fest general admission, and supported other Ohio VC Fest-related tasks as needed.

All of this took place during a period of organization restructuring, which gave me insight into how teams adapt to change while keeping projects moving forward. Along the way, I strengthened my communication skills, learned more about Microsoft platforms, SharePoint, and Motion, and developed other transferable skills I will carry into future roles.

This internship helped me grow both professionally and personally. I discovered that I am especially drawn to project management and event planning, particularly large-scale events like Ohio VC Fest. I was able to work on projects that, while small in scope, will have a real impact on the event’s success.

Another valuable part of my experience was simply being in an office setting. Observing how professionals collaborate, communicate, and problem-solve in real time has given me a clearer understanding of workplace dynamics.

My time at JumpStart has been a meaningful step in my career journey. I am grateful for the opportunity to learn, collaborate, and explore new areas of interest.

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Small Business, Big Conversations: Ray & Anasja Vernon of VARR Studios

Freddie Coffey — Tue, 07 Nov 2023 18:02:12 +0000

Ray and Anasja Vernon share two unyielding passions: their love for each other and an insatiable drive for crafting creative content.

With a space inside the world-famous The WORD Church, this visionary duo transformed their combined zeal into a beacon of multimedia content creation: VARR Studios.

Together, they’ve not just built a business but have sculpted a legacy that melds personal commitment with professional brilliance. This harmonious blend of life and work makes their journey all the more captivating, as they push boundaries, constantly innovate and pen a story that exemplifies the power of partnership in every dimension. From video production and photography to web design, VARR Studios stands as a testament to their dedication and talent.

Watch episode seven of Small Business, Big Conversations featuring Ray and Anasja below.

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Entrepreneur Spotlight: Hermes Ortiz of Ortiz Art Drafts Designs

Laura Beans Sika — Fri, 20 Oct 2023 20:30:08 +0000

Like much in life, entrepreneurship often depends on knowing the right people. In Northeast Ohio’s Hispanic-Latino business community, the old adage rings especially true. Hermes Ortiz, owner of Ortiz Art Drafts Designs, is purposefully intertwined with his community. These days, Hermes is an established business owner, and he serves as an ambassador of sorts for Cleveland’s Spanish-speaking entrepreneurs, actively working to strengthen networks, build relationships and foster opportunities.

Along with his wife Jeanette, Hermes started Ortiz Art Drafts Designs in 2017 and for years fulfilled custom embroidery orders out of their basement. Jeanette handles all the administrative requirements – managing payroll, running invoices, processing orders and more.

While the Ortiz’s are originally from Puerto Rico, they moved to Cleveland eight years ago in the dead of winter. Though the lake effect snow gave them a run for their money, the Ortiz’s didn’t leave.

Instead, Hermes settled his family, started a visual design and marketing business and now, less than a decade later, he is a staple in Greater Cleveland’s Hispanic community. Quietly—and earnestly—he connects with others; giving referrals, offering counsel, uncovering opportunities and providing graphic design and marketing services for local entrepreneurs.

Hermes launched his brick-and-mortar as part of Las Tienditas del Mercado, the Northeast Ohio Hispanic Center for Economic Development’s incubator space in the Clark-Fulton neighborhood. In 2020, Hermes again upgraded his operations to his own location in suburban Brooklyn, where he serves his clients in a modest strip of storefronts alongside a nail salon, barbershop and others.

As a Latino-owned company, Spanish-speaking business owners started coming to Ortiz Art Drafts Designs for their marketing collateral – branded pens, stickers, t-shirts, door decals and more. Then came orders for bilingual signs, requests for logo designs and even custom PPE during the COVID-19 pandemic. Soon, Hermes was helping contractors who started construction companies but had trouble reading renderings and floor plans as non-native English speakers.

“The Spanish community helped me make my business. I’m returning the favor.”

Hermes Ortiz

Hermes got involved with JumpStart soon after his 2020 relocation and has since participated in educational programming, secured grants from ECDI and capitalized on available accounting services.

Today, Jeanette and Hermes run an efficient operation and are a fixture in Cleveland’s hyper-local, Hispanic entrepreneurial ecosystem, providing support wherever and however they can. Whether in a Latino business development accelerator or their Ridge Road location, Hermes prefers to remain proximate to his customers, and more importantly his community.

Last month, Hermes served as a panelist for Conversando con la Comunidad: Navegando Conversaciones con Prestamistas, a discussion focused on funding resources for Spanish-speaking Northeast Ohio small business owners. Hermes discussed his experience, improving financial literacy and the importance of a trusted support network.

“Take advantage of every available resource,” Hermes told the crowd. “Keep your books in order and be ready to strike once opportunities reveal themselves.”

The preemptive approach has served Ortiz Art Drafts Designs well. A diligent entrepreneur who understands that conservative spending and commitment to craftsmanship are paramount to success, Hermes has been able to effectively scale his enterprise in just a few short years. He stressesF the importance of paying off expenses and reinvesting profits back into the business.

Not long ago, Hermes be-friended an architect from Honduras who was unsure how her training would translate in America. So, every Saturday, he welcomed her into his shop so she could practice her designs on his computer, where she had access to up-to-date software. Additionally, Hermes has plans to develop workshops and create mentorship programs for budding Spanish-speaking graphic designers in Northeast Ohio.

But the way Hermes tells it, he’s indebted to his community, and is just trying to pay it forward.

“The Spanish community helped me make my business,” he says. “I’m returning the favor.”

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Small Business, Big Conversations: James Barnes of Immaculate Cleaning Co.

Freddie Coffey — Wed, 18 Oct 2023 14:28:59 +0000

James Barnes is building an empire, one mop bucket at a time. A Cleveland-area native, James’s entrepreneurial spark ignited early, propelling him into a journey of creating a business centered around his customer’s every need. It wasn’t long before 2011 saw the rise of Immaculate Cleaning Co., quickly becoming the gold standard for janitorial services in Greater Cleveland.

But James didn’t just aim for clean spaces; he aspired for perfection, tailoring each service plan to match the unique needs of every client.

Through consistent feedback and an unyielding commitment to excellence, Immaculate Cleaning Co ensures its standards never waver. The secret to their success? A blend of innovation, deep-rooted client relationships, and rigorous training – elements that together form the Immaculate Advantage.

Watch episode six of Small Business, Big Conversations featuring James Barnes of Immaculate Cleaning Co. below.

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Celebrating Black Brewers Day: A Toast to Ohio’s Brewing Pioneers

admin — Tue, 10 Oct 2023 00:06:36 +0000

In the heart of Ohio, where the craft beer industry thrives, there’s a brewing revolution quietly gaining momentum. It’s a movement driven by passion, innovation and dedication to overcoming obstacles. This movement is embodied by the Black brewers who have been reshaping the brewing landscape in the Buckeye State. JumpStart is proud to join the City of Cleveland and the City of Toledo in declaring October 10th Black Brewers Day, in celebration of these trailblazing brewmasters.

To truly appreciate the significance of Black Brewers Day, it’s essential to understand the brewing landscape in Ohio. A recent statistic from the Ohio Craft Brewers Association is eye-opening — in the entire state, there are only three Black-owned breweries: Black Frog Brewery in Holland, Alematic Artisan Ales in Huber Heights, and Esoteric Brewery in Cincinnati. Their stories are not just tales of entrepreneurship but also celebrations of culture and community.

One of the most exciting developments in Ohio’s brewing community is the arrival of Cleveland’s first black-owned brewery. Black Frog Brewery is set to open its doors in the Midtown Collaboration Center, promising to add a unique flavor to Cleveland’s craft beer scene. Founded by Chris Harris, Black Frog Brewery is a story of determination, passion and hometown pride.

Chris Harris began his brewing journey like many others, experimenting with recipes in his garage. He wanted to share his creations with friends and family, but little did he know that this humble beginning would lead to something extraordinary. Inspired by his roots and love for Toledo, fondly known as “Frog Town” for its swampy history, Chris launched Black Frog Brewery.

What started as a few gallons of homemade brews quickly evolved into something much larger. Chris Harris opened his taproom in 2016, marking a historic moment as the first Black-owned brewery in Northwest Ohio. Black Frog Brewery has since become a beloved community cornerstone in Holland, Ohio, where residents gather over “great beer with great people.” It’s not just a brewery; it’s a place where stories are shared and friendships are forged.

Black Brewers Day is a day to celebrate the contributions of Black brewers who have overcome challenges and paved the way for others. By officially recognizing this day, cities like Toledo and Cleveland are acknowledging the importance of representation and honoring the voices that make the craft beer industry vibrant.

As we raise our glasses on Black Brewers Day, we toast to the creativity, resilience and passion of Black brewers in Ohio. This day marks a new chapter in Ohio’s brewing history, and we are proud to support this effort.

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Breakthrough Science, Based in Cleveland: Afif Ghannoum of BIOHM

Freddie Coffey — Thu, 06 Jul 2023 04:01:21 +0000

Afif Ghannoum calls himself an ignition entrepreneur; he thrives on turning ideas into reality. As CEO of BIOHM, an innovative microbiome company, he has done just that. Founded on his father Dr. Mahmoud Ghannoum’s discovery of the important role fungus plays in digestive health, Afif converted biotechnology into commercial opportunities.

Born and raised in Lebanon, Dr. Mahmoud Ghannoum is a world-renowned scientist who now serves as the Director of the Center for Medical Mycology at Case Western Reserve University. It was Afif’s vision to take his father’s academic science out of the research setting and transform it into a commodity that helps people. BIOHM is the first company to purposefully engineer consumer products that address both bacteria and fungus in the gut.

JumpStart Ventures has supported BIOHM since its early days; advising on fundraising, growth planning and helping them find their footing.

Afif says JumpStart Ventures offered something rare in the world of raising capital: a tight-knit community – one that not only rooted for the BIOHM team but came to the table with a whole network of valuable resources.

Learn more about Afif and his story in the video below.

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Making Hiring Personal: Beth Potratz of Drive My Way

Freddie Coffey — Fri, 23 Jun 2023 17:21:55 +0000

As a seasoned HR professional, Beth Potratz is passionate about helping people find jobs that fit their lifestyles. But the way people work has changed drastically in recent years – and Beth understood that the hiring process needed to shift as well.

While consulting for a large carrier that needed drivers, Potratz realized that the trucking industry – vital to the economy and struggling to attract new talent – would be the perfect test case for the personalized, match-making recruitment service she’d been envisioning.

From there, the first iteration of Drive My Way, a SaaS startup that pairs CDL truck drivers with available jobs based on their qualifications and preferences, was born. After initial support from local entrepreneurial support organizations, Potratz partnered with JumpStart Ventures to scale her marketplace solution to hiring in the trucking industry.

With JumpStart Ventures’ support, Potratz accelerated her company’s growth from Seed to a recently closed a $4.4M Series A round that she will use to expand the capabilities of the tech platform to enhance user experience and corner the market on commercial driver recruitment.

Learn more about Beth and her story in the video below.

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Mentoring Minute: A Conversation with Mark Hoersten

Freddie Coffey — Thu, 09 Feb 2023 16:12:53 +0000

The Entrepreneurship Education Consortium (EEC) is ramping up for its Spring 2023 Tech Side Hustle. Offered each semester to member colleges and universities in Northeast Ohio, Tech Side Hustle is an extracurricular program designed to attract, coach, and fund student entrepreneurs. Participating student cohorts are paired with experienced local mentors like Mark Hoersten, who guide them through a myriad of startup obstacles such as understanding competitive advantage, building a prototype or finding a first customer. Hoersten also serves as a mentor for JumpStart’s Burton D. Morgan Mentoring Program, where he advises early-stage tech companies with high growth potential.

In this conversation, Ali King, Director, Burton D. Morgan Mentoring Program, speaks with Mark about his most recent role as mentor to PolyVolt, a company in EEC’s Fall 2022 Tech Side Hustle Cohort.

AK: Hi Mark! Tell us about the team you mentored as part of Entrepreneurship Education Consortium’s (EEC) Tech Side Hustle Fall 2022 Cohort.

MH: Each week of the program, I met remotely with four material science and marketing students from Kent State University to work on their venture, PolyVolt Technologies. Their core innovation is very interesting and smart — flexible, stretchable circuits to solve for situations with unknown length and bending requirements. That extra degree of freedom is the differentiator.

AK: As a mentor, what drew you to work with PolyVolt Technologies?

MH: I’ve spent my entire career in the electronics industry — electrical engineering is in my DNA. Whether you’re a Nasdaq company or PolyVolt, it’s easy to get caught up in the technical details and forget what the customer really needs. It was exciting to me to see how the team approached this challenge with critical thinking.

AK: Over the course of the program, what progress did the team make?

MH: By the end of the program, the team was exploring all the many applications of their technology — the entire ecosystem of its utility. They were also thinking about how customers could discover their product even without knowing its underlying technical capability.

AK: What do you hope the team accomplishes next?

MH: We spent a lot of time talking about a complete solution to their primary application — what other types of circuitry, microprocessors, and control chips would be required — as well as additional applications that might be a little simpler. It’s good to have options as they move forward with product development and revenue models.

AK: Is mentoring college students different than mentoring more developed ventures, like you do with the Burton D. Morgan Mentoring Program at JumpStart?

MH: It is and it isn’t. Mentoring is always a learning experience for me, which is part of what I enjoy about it. No matter who I’m mentoring, I try to be a good listener and have an open mind. Many entrepreneurs are tremendously passionate about their ideas, and students are no different. Because students are less professionally experienced, though, they tend to be more eager for feedback. They have fresh eyes on the problem, which is fun.

AK: What would you tell other college students in Northeast Ohio who are considering participating in EEC’s Tech Side Hustle?

MH: Exposure to the entrepreneurial process is so important. Many new business ideas fail, it’s true, but the opportunity to grow an idea with some real stakes is a strong foundation to build from — Tech Side Hustle plants seeds around good ideas, and that’s what matters.

To learn more about Tech Side Hustle, visit eecohio.org/tech-side-hustle or reach out to the Entrepreneurship Education Consortium via email at eec@eecohio.org.

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[VIDEO] Portfolio Company Spotlight: Inphlu

marketingteam — Mon, 13 Sep 2021 14:27:46 +0000

JumpStart’s Focus Fund recently led Inphlu’s $500K funding round, along with participation from angel investors.

Inphlu is a Dayton-based social media management platform that helps marketers automate content creation and posting as well as view real-time analytics.

The company was founded by Josh Reid, who ran his own digital marketing agency and knew there was a gap in the market his solution could fill.

We sat down with Josh to talk about his new AI-driven content curation and social marketing platform. Learn more about how the Inphlu team will use their investment and what the future holds for this exciting new startup.

Watch the video above to meet Josh and learn more about Inphlu.

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Five Questions with Leatron Twitty of My Smart Home Ohio

marketingteam — Thu, 27 May 2021 13:30:11 +0000

My Smart Home Ohio is a company that specializes in the installation, sale and service of smart home and business technology, including security, energy-saving and comfort devices.

How did you get the idea for your business?

My uncle needed some security cameras installed at his residence. His friend offered to pay me to install his system as well. I figured, why not start a business out of this.

What were your goals coming into the impact Program?

My goal was to meet people who were once where I was in my business so I could acquire some knowledge on the steps it takes to scale my business.

What was The most enjoyable part of your time in the program?

The most enjoyable part of the program to me was the 5-minute pitch. It was fun creating it and also sharing it amongst the other participants.

How was it working with other local business owners in your cohort?

It was enjoyable to experience other people that had strong entrepreneurial spirits like myself. Learning about their businesses and how they grew was something terrific to experience.

What advice do you have for aspiring entrepreneurs?

Be completely confident about what your business has to offer the world.

Want to take your business to the next level? Join the dozens of successful business owners like Leatron who have benefited from the Small Business Impact Program. Click here to find out more.

Learn more about My Smart Home Ohio at mysmarthomeohio.com.

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