Family Roofers for Over 50 Years - John McNamara, a fireman by trade, was a part-time contractor who painted houses and handled roofing projects. As he began to build a reputation in the roofing industry, he was approached by a Cleveland roofing contractor who suggested he use his Irish gift of gab to sell roofing jobs for them rather than doing the work himself. John accepted their proposal, and was soon one of the company's leading salesmen. Before long, the company decided to place him in charge of their newly opened Akron office. - read more...

The Perfect One-Stop-Shop for Mom-To-Be and Baby - Coming from a background in the hospitality industry, Lori Miles founded Details in Avon, Ohio in 2003. Specializing in "gifts from the heart", Details had a small section devoted specifically to babies that underwent tremendous growth, eventually growing to the point that it needed a home of its own. In 2005, Lori opened The Littlest Details at 36840 Detroit Road at The Shoppes of Olde Avon Village dedicated to items for mothers-to-be and babies. We visited with Lori recently, and listened as she provided this overview of The Littlest Details' offerings; - read more...

For All of Your Residential and Commercial Remodeling Needs - R.J. Kearney Construction Co., Inc. was founded in 1972 by Russ Kearney. His son, Joe, began working for his father part-time during high school, and later attended Lorain Community College followed by a four year apprenticeship through the carpenters union. Today Joe serves as the President of R.J. Kearney Construction Co., Inc., and continues to build the reputation for quality construction his father began thirty-six years ago. We met with Joe recently, and listened as he provided this overview of R.J. Kearney Construction's services; - read more...

Lifestyle. Quality. Philosophy. - Devon Oaks assisted living is proud to be part of Eliza Jennings Senior Care Network, a non-profit organization caring for older adults in the Cleveland area for 120 years. Devon Oaks opened its doors in 2000 in the heart of Westlake on Crocker Road, across from (what is now known as) Crocker Park. We met recently with Executive Director Danielle Maur, Director of Marketing Carrie Cuadrado, and Administrator of Clinical Services Melissa Foldi, and listened as they provided this overview of Devon Oaks: - read more...

It's Never Too Late to Start - Frank Versagi traveled to China in 1995 to train in the martial arts at the Shao-Lin Temple in the Henan Province. After returning home, he founded Shao-Lin Center for Martial Arts in North Olmsted, Ohio in March 1996 so he could begin to share what he had learned with residents of Northeast Ohio. Frank returned to China in 1998 and again in 2005 where he has lived in the mountains with the Shao-Lin monks and Taoist Priests while continuing to study. Master Sifu Frank Versagi has earned his 5th Degree Black Sash in Chinese Martial Arts, 3rd Degree Black Belt in Shorin-Ryu Karate, and has trained in Shao-Lin Kung-fu, Yang Style Tai Chi, Qi Gong, Bagua, Xing-Yi, Iron Palm, and Iron Body. We met with Sifu Frank recently, and listened as he provided this overview of Shao-Lin Center for Martial Arts' offerings; - read more...

Complete Accounting and Financial Services - Levy, Black, & Sneiderman was founded in Independence, Ohio in 1991 as a result of a merger between Dale Black & Co. of Lakewood, Ohio and Levy & Sneiderman of Euclid, Ohio. When Richard Tomola, CPA merged his company with Levy, Black, & Sneiderman in 2000, the company name was changed once more to Sneiderman, Tomola & Co. We met recently with Richard Tomola, a 1983 graduate of Bowling Green State University, and listened as he provided this overview of Sneiderman, Tomola & Co.'s offerings; - read more...

Creating Success Through Optimized Learning Solutions - Mary Beth Larsen's twenty years of experience in the corporate world includes management consulting, sales, marketing, organization development, training, and performance improvement. With her expertise and her Master's Degree in Organization Development and Instructional Design, Mary Beth founded Larsen Learning Inc. in 1996. We visited with Mary Beth recently, and listened while she offered this overview of the services Larsen Learning Inc. provides; - read more...

Committed to Quality and Customer Value - After Tom Brunner graduated from Ohio State in 1972, he went to work for a national lawn care company where he remained employed for several years. Late in the fall of 1976 he returned to Northeast Ohio and founded Personal Lawn Care, starting with himself, his brother, and a friend. Focusing on providing their customers with quality workmanship on each and every job, the company specialized in mowing and fertilization services. - read more...

Specializing in Amish-Made Outbuildings and Outdoor Furniture - While working for a Strongsville homebuilder, John Rumancik was placed in charge of landscaping their model homes. He next accepted a foreman's position with a Columbia Station firm where his expertise was instrumental in helping the company win a first place award from PPG for their landscaping. In 1983 John founded his own landscaping company which has grown not only into one of the area's top landscaping firms, but has become a leading supplier of a wide range of Amish-made gazebos, sheds, and outdoor furniture. We met with John recently, and listened as he provided this overview of his companies products and services; - read more...

Tradition and Quality for Over 65 Years - Shortly after graduating from high school, Michelle Carter completed the floral design course at Hixson's School of Floral Design in Lakewood, Ohio. After gaining experience at several Northeast Ohio flower shops, including Sissons, she purchased the shop in 1995. Sissons Flowers & Gifts was founded in 1939, and Michelle continues to help people express their feelings with flowers. We visited with Michelle recently, and listened as she provided this overview of the products and services Sissons Flowers & Gifts provides; - read more...

Expert Tree Care Since 1973 - Mike Wechter began working for a local tree service while still in high school. After gaining a few years' experience and attending courses at Ohio State along the way, Mike decided to open his own business. In 1973 he founded Mike's Tree Service Inc. which originally consisted only of himself and one truck. Throughout the years, the fledgling company continued to grow as a result of plenty of hard work and dedication to complete customer satisfaction. To accommodate this consistent growth, Mike built a new facility on Just Imagine Drive to house his business in the 1980s. We met with Mike recently, and listened as he described the services Mike's Tree Service Inc. provides; - read more...

Promoting Good Health Through Eating Well - Phiner Dike-Jelden, a native of Lagos, Nigeria, has built a career as an author, model, dancer, and actress. While growing up, she was taught by her parents the secrets and importance of great nutrition and eating well. In fact, her hometown is home to many people who, due to proper nutrition, live very productive lives well into their 100s. After moving to Avon, Ohio, Phiner decided the best way to help her new community was to open a restaurant where she could educate local residents about health. She opened A Phiner Bistro in August 2006 where she shares her God-given talent for improving health through proper nutrition. We met with Phiner recently, and listened as she provided this overview of A Phiner Bistro's offerings; - read more...

Specializing in Plumbing & Heating Sales and Service Since 1971 - Working indoors as a machinist, George R. Leonard longed for a job that would present the opportunity to be outside more. He found a job as a plumber's helper, liked the work, and in 1971 founded Leonard's Plumbing & Heating, LLC. We visited with George recently, and listened as he provided this overview of the services Leonard's Plumbing & Heating provides; - read more...

Catering to Your Individual Borrowing Needs - With a Masters Degree in Finance and twenty years banking experience, Michael B. Sartor determined to find the most effective way to help consumers searching for mortgages on residential and commercial real estate. Naturally, they could always approach their bank or another financial institution for their lending needs, although Michael knew that mortgage brokers could offer a wider variety of loan choices coupled with a level of personalized service that banks simply couldn't match. In 2004, he founded Gold Medal Mortgage, Inc. to aid borrowers in finding loan options tailored to their individual needs. We met with Michael recently, and listened as he provided this overview of the products and services available from Gold Medal Mortgage, Inc.; - read more...

An Unrivaled Reputation for Top Quality Craftsmanship - Greg Allen's first summer job during his high school days was with an Amish contractor in Geauga County, Ohio. Starting as a laborer, he carried blocks and mixed cement before being promoted to the carpentry crew. He continued working for the same contractor every summer throughout his four years at Kent State University. In 1975, Greg and his wife Carolyn moved to Avon, Ohio where they founded Greg Allen Builders & Remodelers. In 2007, they incorporated their business as Greg Allen Builders, Inc. where Greg presides as President, Carolyn handles the secretarial duties, and their son Michael is working under the tutelage of Greg's master carpenters and craftsmen. We met with Greg and Carolyn recently, and listened as they described the keys to their success; - read more...

Your One-Stop Floral Design Center - Avon resident Tammy Gilles-Brandt began working with flowers when she was only sixteen years old. She found employment with Kathy Pawlitfch at A Secret Garden Floral Design, and when Kathy offered the business for sale, Tammy took over ownership on April 1, 2007. We visited with Tammy recently, and listened as she described A Secret Garden's offerings; - read more...