LOCALLY GROWN

Creating and owning a business can be a great challenge. Though it might seem daunting trying to get your business idea off the ground, it is entirely doable. Here is some advice from some of the area’s well-known business owners.

Sarah Schnurr

Director Of Marketing

OHIO LIVING SWAN CREEK

5916 Cresthaven Ln.

419-865-4445 ohioliving.org

How was this business started?

Ohio Living opened its first community, Dorothy Love Presbyterian Home in Sidney, Ohio, in 1922. This is where our legacy of faith, compassion and community was birthed and still stands 100 years later.

What does your support system look like? Ohio Living is one of the largest and most experienced not-forprofit, multi-site senior living organizations. With 12 life plan communities (including independent living, assisted living, skilled rehabilitation, memory care and long-term nursing), Ohio Living Home Health & Hospice and Palliative Medicine, our total service area covers over 10 million Ohioans wherever they call home. Additional service lines include provider-owned physician and nurse practitioner services, a Medicare Advantage plan and pharmacy services. Ohio Living Foundation raises several million dollars annually to support charity care, special programs, capital expansion and Endowment. Ohio

Living currently has more than 2,700 employees who are all dedicated to providing high level care to our residents, patients and their families.

Who do you see as your primary customers, and what do you try to provide for that demographic? Ohio Living has a proud history of serving adults for more than 100 years, as one of the nation’s largest not-for-profit, multi-site aging services organizations. We strive to introduce industry best practices and make a positive impact on the communities we serve, aligning with our mission to provide adults with caring and quality services toward the enhancement of physical, mental and spiritual well-being consistent with the Christian Gospel.

Bill McConnell

OWNER

DUNRIGHT BUILDING SERVICES Custer Drive, Toledo, OH 419.518.2279

How was the business started? We had previously owned another business and decided to work for other companies when we realized we could do it better on our own.

Jeff Hoffman PROPRIETOR

JEFF’S HAULING

310 Mulberry St. 419-508-3782

Jeff’s Hauling & Cleanup on Facebook

How was this business started?

This business started when I moved a couch for my grandmother’s neighbor. I quickly realized that removing junk was fun, as it provided me with a wonderful opportunity to meet new people and assist them with a problem that we all have: too much junk.

What inspired you to enter into this field? Word spread quickly and I soon had more calls coming to help with junk removal.

What does your support system look like? I have a wonderful support system consisting of friends, family, other business owners, previous clients and others. The support system allows for exchange of ideas, knowledge and other factors that may come into play when needed. Having a great support system in place is essential to keeping things moving in an efficient manner.

Who do you see as your primary customers, and what do you try to provide for that demographic? Everyone is a customer. We provide quality service at a fair price.

What’s the best advice you have ever received? It is easier to provide superior customer service than it is to address a customer complaint.

What sets you apart from other businesses in your industry? After nearly 25 years in business I have seen them come and go. What sets us apart is our longevity in the industry. We have seen it all and done it all. We have also been voted the Best of Toledo for four years in a row and we have also won the Mature Living Reader’s Choice award.

What were the steepest challenges in creating this business? Finding likeminded people with the same goals.

What does your support system look like? I could not have reached the level of success we have without the unwavering support of my lovely wife Robin, my friends and family and a strong faith in God.

How did you determine your business’ big picture goals? Have you met them? Big picture goals including working with integrity above all else. Our goal was to be the best and we have been awarded with national, state and local awards.

Who do you see as your primary customers, and what do you try to provide for that demographic?

Homeowners of all stripes. Our target market is homeowners 35 to 75 that are looking for a good contractor at a fair price.

Who or what business do you admire in your industry? Why? My father had always been my hero and had always given me a role model to follow and gave me wonderful advice on customers, personnel and success.