Category Archives: entrepreneurs

{Mar 12, 2013}
  Being social!

Hey friends, did I tell you how excited I am to have scored one of the coveted tickets to this summer’s Alt Design Summit NYC conference? I’m psyched.

You see, besides posting about all things happening in the CLE; I regularly scour the web for every inspiring design tip, striking image and “how-to” story that I can soak up in my creative head.

As a professional designer I love to surround myself with other creatives and what better location to be infused with creativity than at the offices of the queen of creativity, Martha Stewart. The conference will be hosted by Ms. Martha and her amazing team of creatives at the MSL Omnimedia offices (eeeekkk!)

So I am starting to prep for the workshop and I am doing a bit of blog updating and writing homework. I’m cleaning up my pinterest palace (@charity216) and making a conscious effort to tweet and “RT” on a more regular basis (@iheartclev) I’m exploring new photo apps to share pics on instagram (@charity216) and even making movies on the latest and greatest the creepy, crawly Vine (@iheartcleveland). So much to do in so little time.

Before I know it I will be surrounded by other bloggy, blogsters covered in polka dots and neon prints, this years floral pants and sassy sandals. Spending time sharing tips with one another about life/blog balance, creative apps and design business successes.

This summer can’t come soon enough but this past weekend warm Cleveland temps sure were a treat! Happy Tuesday.

Posted on March 12, 2013 by charity
Posted in adventure, blog, blogs, conference, creative, entrepreneurs, event, events, learning, Uncategorized, website, workshop | Tagged | 1 Comment

{Jan 10, 2013}
  Bridal fun!

While the holiday decorations may be coming down and being packed away for next year, I am sure a few lucky ladies out there are still rocking their new super shiny bling…happy engagement to all of you lovers who said “yes” over the holiday season, let the fun planning begin!

Don’t know where to start? Not to worry I have two free tickets to give away to this years second annual Boutique Bridal Bazaar, Sunday January 20th, 2013!

The girls over at Something White Bridal do such an amazing job organizing this event it truly is the coolest bridal show probably in the midwest! They showcase local photographers, designers, musicians and bakeries that cater to the cool CLE brides (& grooms!) Get your ticket ($5) here ($10 day of)and grab your wedding party…the event is going to be beautiful in the smART Space at the 78th Street Studios.

To win the tickets just tweet me @iheartclev and let me know you’d like to attend. Winner will be drawn at random by Friday, January 18th. Happy wedding planning to all!

Posted on January 10, 2013 by charity
Posted in bridal, decoration, design, entrepreneurs, etsy, event, exhibit, photo, unique, wedding | Tagged | Leave a comment

{Oct 18, 2012}
  CLE in Oprah!

It is always to my surprise and excitement when the people of the CLE get national GREAT press; and from Oprah no less.

Congratulations goes out to Mansfield Frazier and his friends over at Chateau Hough for the inspiring and motivating article about their urban vineyards in the center of the city. This garden produces grapes from over 289 vines which in turn make many bottles of vino; my type of entreprenuer.

For the entire story, volunteer opportunities and more visit the Neighborhood Solutions website where they have a PDF of the article! CLE a place that makes things, where people are visionaries and stuff get’s done! Keep up the great work everybody. :)

Posted on October 18, 2012 by charity
Posted in entrepreneurs, public | 1 Comment

{May 25, 2011}
  Summer yummies!

Morning CLEV! Only a few more work days until we embark on the first summer holiday weekend. Kicking off beach season at a warm & sunny 70 degrees!

Over the past few weeks I have had the privilege of attending two new food and spirits tastings/introductions.

The first was the opening of the rather new Washington Place patio. Owner Scott has cleaned it up, added some new landscaping and even carved out a special private table for those romantic outdoor evenings. That evening Scott and his team carved up a pig for the group to enjoy. I must admit that while I determined pig skin is not my thing, deviled eggs made with a touch of bacon fat was, super yummy! We all enjoyed the outdoor barbeque AND the new Washington Place patio. Great job Scott, thanks for introducing us to your new summer patio destination.

The next little delight I was introduced too was the new boutique spirit called Crav vodka (www.cravspirits.com)  Local entrepreneur Tom Rini (a St Ignatius Grad) shared his story or passion and the learning curve it took to get his own vodka up and running. He told us about the high-quality distillery process and what goes into starting your own vodka line. The tasting was held at Pier W (Love that place!) who’s mixologist whipped up a few lovely cocktails using the new Crav product. The vodka was clean and fresh, not bitter or rubbing alcohol like it could easily be sipped chilled. The vodka is slowly making it’s debut in area bars and restaurants including some of great places like Fahrenheit and Market. Next time you order your summer vodka tonic, specify Crav in your cocktail. Good luck Tom and thank you for having us!

Posted on May 25, 2011 by charity
Posted in bar, chef, drink, entrepreneurs, explore, outdoor, restaurant, Uncategorized | 1 Comment

{Apr 19, 2011}
  CIA Spring Show TONIGHT!

For all the details of tonight’s big CIA Spring Show (including the Craft + Material Culture, Foundations, Integrated Media & Visual Arts + Technologies Spring Show!) visit their site for locations, times, details, etc.

It looks like a wonderful event at CIA! Kudos to all the participating artists.

Posted on April 19, 2011 by charity
Posted in art, art architecture, art photography, artists, arts, artwork, celebrate, craft, crafts, creative, downtown, education, entrepreneurs, event, events, exhibit, explore, free, indoors, ingenuity, jewelry, local, museum, non profit, open house, opening, people, public, public art, students, style | Leave a comment

{Feb 1, 2011}
  a new Blog Friend

So I “met” this new blogger a week or so ago and thought perhaps some of you might like to follow his photography blog….“How’s the Salmon.”

A young photographer, entrepreneur and sneaker collector, Carlos was born and raised in Lorain and currently resides in Elyria, OH. “I’ve been coming to Cleveland for various events, shopping or to experience the restaurants for as long as I can remember” commented Carlos.

After exploring his site, I had to get to know this guy a bit better, so I asked “Mr. How’s the Salmon” a few questions…

Where did the name of your site come from?
“It’s really and inside joke with my friend from high school. We decided to have a mini reunion at Great Lakes Brewery, and we all agreed on bar food (fries, burgers, etc.) and well out of nowhere, one of my friends turns to the waitress and asked “How’s the Salmon?” and we all started to laugh hysterically (You kind of had to be there, but coming from where we’re from, and growing up how we did, you’d understand why we found it so funny)”

As a sneaker conisseour, what’s your favorite pair of sneakers?
“This is a question I get often yet still struggle on an answer. I have to say, it’s hard to pick just one. I’ll say my two favorites are, my Air Jordan Aqua VIII’s and my Air Jordan True Blue III’s.”

Please share one of your pictures of Cleveland with the iheartcleveland readers.
(photo above) “This picture of Lake Erie, I think some people may not realize how great the lake can be (especially due to lake effect snow) but in the summer, relaxing and watching the sun set is one of the best things to do.”

Thanks Carlos for sharing your images, your insight and your blog to me. I hope others find it as fun and unique as I did.

Posted on February 1, 2011 by charity
Posted in blog, blogs, cleveland, creative, entrepreneurs, explore, local, photo, promotion, shoes, website | 3 Comments

{Dec 10, 2010}
  Day 4 : Gatherings Kitchen, Supper Club

Wow, happy Friday Cleveland. What a winter week we’ve had. The snow, the traffic, the sparkling winter decorations, it’s all just lovely.

Thank you to everyone who have commented on Day 1, 2 & 3 of the holiday giveaway. Your comments and facebook traffic have been a great way to support these local businesses and for that we are thankful….Now, onto today’s goods…

Have you ever been inspired to stay in with a group of friends on a Friday and cook a feast fit for a king, all while picking up some new culinary tips (knife skills perhaps?) while downing your favorite cocktail or vino?

If you answered YES have you heard of Gatherings Kitchen? A professional culinary kitchen located in a charming storefront in Lakewood, this complete gourmet catering operation is the brainchild of Chefs and fellow entrepreneurs, Ruth and Doug.

While their weekends and most weeks are filled withwriting recipes, shopping for the finest ingredients, teaching aspiring chefs-both young & old(er) new techniques, catering intimate dinner parties, corporate lunches, hosting birthday, anniversary and engagement soirees, Ruth and Doug take time every week for an event near and dear to their hearts called “Supper Club.”

Once a week you have the opportunity to gather together with a group of fellow food enthusiasts to work on a common goal, a Friday night meal. The menus are pre-set monthly and focus around the time of the year or what’s in season. You enter the warm dining room, drop your bags and bottles of wine at the door and let the evening unfold. Everyone is introduced, the menu gets presented and then the individual recipes divided up. Once the cooking begins the sound level in the kitchen gets louder and louder, or perhaps that’s because of the BYOB beverages.

After dinner has been prepped, the Chefs send you into the dining room where all of your creations are then served to you in a formal “going out to dinner” manner. No details unturned, so much food you can’t imagine, so much fun learning about new recipes and new people.

For todays giveaway Gatherings Kitchen would like to offer i heart cleveland readers a pair of “Supper Club” passes (valued at $110). So invite your fellow foodie to enter the contest to increase your chances of winning.

To enter please “Like” Gatherings Kitchen on thier Facebook page and tell us why you would like to attend a Supper Club. Are you looking to learn to make pasta? Are french maccaroons something you’ve been hoping to master (that one would be mine)? Do you like the idea of communal cooking? Why would you like to be part of a weekly Supper Club? (please include your email, winner will be drawn Thursday, December 16th)

On a similar food note, please take the time to read my fellow blogger and friend Cleveland Foodies post about the aspiring program called Veggie U. This national orgainzation gives teachers and students the opportunity to educate and learn more about nutrition, agiriculture, farming and the like. There are 157 participating classrooms in Northeast Ohio and we MUST support this continued leaning. Donate today to this intitiative and have the opportunity to win over $2,000 worth of gift cards to area restaurants, just for donating. It’s a win win for everyone. Winner will be drawn December 23rd, please support this effort.

Posted on December 10, 2010 by charity
Posted in amazing, benefit, blog, business, celebrate, chef, class, deal, donation, eat, eating, entrepreneurs, food, giveaway | 39 Comments

{Sep 14, 2010}
  Blog on a Road Trip

So over Labor Day weekend I met these two brothers going cross country in their Airstream Trailer. After spending the weekend they had so many nice things to say about Cleveland, our sense of creativity and passion for the area…I just had to share.

“The Million Dollar Road Trip is a yearlong mobile marketing business. Until July 4, 2011 my brother, Walter, and I are traveling 48 states in order to promote American small businesses and to find people who are taking risks to pursue their passions. We want to tell these stories in an effort to inspire others to take a chance and create something. We came in search of passion and creativity in Cleveland. Honestly, we were taken by surprise.

MORE! →

Posted on September 14, 2010 by charity
Posted in adventure, entrepreneurs, passion, promotion, travel | Leave a comment