My Cincy Small Business Story

Who is using a travel agency these days? The answer may surprise you. Byrd Bergeron, CEO of The Travel Byrds and "Extreme Vacation Enthusiast," shares how her business model serves an evolving clientele as well as a niche employment market. SCORE Mentor George Cordes joins her in this episode to talk about how he and other volunteers put their business experience to work for Byrd's business. 

Kip Hatcher is minding her own business. When she decided to parlay more three decades of experience as a therapist and substance abuse counselor into a private practice, she knew she needed a business mentor. With SCORE Greater Cincinnati, she gained a team of mentors and has been named 2023 Client of the Year Finalist! In this episode of My Cincy Small Business Story, Kip is joined by one of her...

Mentorship is a beautiful thing. When SCORE Client of the Year Finalist and Beauty Artistry Academy Founder Chris Daily looks in the mirror, she sees an opportunity to help others succeed. In this episode of My Cincy Small Business Story, Chris is joined by her SCORE Mentor, Tony Aiello, to talk about opportunities and challenges in the beauty school marketplace. 

Mavis Linnemann-Clark loves three things: cooking, a good party, and a challenge. The Owner of The Delish Dish and SCORE Client of the Year Finalist shares how mentorship has seasoned her recipe for success and what’s to come for her catering business. 

For every award, accolade and expansion of Sweets & Meats BBQ, there have been numerous obstacles that most people don't know about! Owner Kristen Bailey shares how she has swerved,  sought mentorship and succeeded in becoming one of Cincinnati's top food trucks and caterers. 

When award-winning business owner Bambi Merz got started as a chocolatier, she was like a kid in a candy store. In this episode of My Cincy Small Business Story, the owner of Tickled Sweet shares her journey to entrepreneurship, candy-making, and how mentorship sweetened the pot.

Annetta Waters is the owner of Annetta's Beauty Bar and creator of Eleven 22 vegan beauty products. She was a guest on My Cincy Small Business Story with her SCORE mentor, Gordon Daniels, to talk about challenges, opportunities and success in the beauty industry.

Anthony Brown started Inflate Ur Fun in 2019 with creative games for festivals and parties. In 2023, his business was named a finalist for SCORE Greater Cincinnati Client of the Year. His mentor, Bob Leslie, joins him on My Cincy Small Business Story to talk about blowing up business.

Haley Kummer talks about serving working parents and their children with a highly-rated childcare program. Listen to hear how she and her husband juggle three locations and a growing family.

Maximum Plumbing is a 2023 BBB Spark Award Winner! Listen to hear how Donald Hoskins took the business from spare bedroom startup to Spark-worthy business in the span of three years.

Aftab Pureval, the Mayor of Cincinnati and Patti Foster, a Certified Score Mentor and chairperson for Score’s Confluence event, join host Michael Dawson on the show to preview the second annual Confluence event. Confluence will be a place for entrepreneurs to connect with each other, learn about doing business in Cincinnati, and most of all, to be inspired.

Colleen Pfaller started A Slice of HR in 2017 to help mid-size companies improve employee relations and recruit effectively. In 2023, her business was named SCORE Greater Cincinnati Client of the Year. Her SCORE mentor, Barbara Fried, joins her on My Cincy Small Business Story to talk about their slice of success.

Business Owner Tripp Eldredge talks about the next step in his journey. Tripp is putting his experience and energy to work as a SCORE mentor for up-and-coming entrepreneurs.

SCORE Volunteer Wayne Sloan is helping to turn the tables. In this episode of My Cincy Small Business Story, he talks about serving food and beverage entrepreneurs, including restaurant and bar operators, with free business mentorship. The conversation includes the lingering impact of the pandemic and a new business roundtable to to exchange ideas, get information and share concerns.

Terry Bolden of the US. Small Business Administration and Greg Bedel of SCORE Greater Cincinnati talk about working together to help small businesses succeed... and why the work is critical.

Willis Music learned to play on the big retail stage thanks in part to mentorship provided by SCORE Greater Cincinnati. CEO Kevin Cranley and his SCORE mentor, Bill DiGrezio, talk about overcoming ecommerce and big box competition.

Things are really cooking for Bailey Family Catering. Owner Deanna Bailey-Sanchez and her SCORE mentor, Thane Brown, talk about what's on the front burner for this thriving business.

Can mentorship make a difference for historically marginalized entrepreneurs? Sean Simpson, program manager for MORTAR and a huge supporter of small businesses, explores the role of mentorship in their business development program.

Love is in the air. For 100 people who volunteer at SCORE Greater Cincinnati, there is something to love about helping small business owners succeed. Kelly Dehan and Jan Tribbey talk about their experience as mentors.

It's been a wild ride for Sofia Mimendi and Emily Bruns. The Aclipse Campervans founders share their entrepreneurial journey and how they "keep the tank full" juggling their business, travel, family and more.