Setting a New Standard for Retirement Living - Independence Village of Avon Lake was founded in May 2002 by Midwest Management. Senior Village Management, a division of Midwest Management, has managed the property since its opening, and offers a warm and appealing environment where seniors can enjoy a comfortable lifestyle knowing that a caring staff member is responsive to their needs. We met recently with General Manager Karen M. Parker, and listened as she described the whole new world waiting for you at Independence Village of Avon Lake; - read more...

Taking Healthcare to the Next Level - Michael Francus, owner of Larchwood Village, inherited his interest in providing long-term care and skill nursing services from his father, a physician practicing in the State of Maryland and the owner of several nursing homes. Michael, an attorney and Licensed Nursing Home Administrator (LNHA), has followed in his father's footsteps by purchasing seven skilled nursing and rehab centers throughout Cuyahoga, Lake, Medina, and Summit Counties, the latest addition being Larchwood Village in Cleveland. - read more...

The Optimum Choice for All Your Eye Care Needs - After receiving her medical degree from West Virginia University, K. Anne Jacobs, M.D., F.A.C.S., completed her Internship at Alton Ochsner Medical Foundation in New Orleans, LA, and her Residency at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, OH. A member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the American Medical Association, ARVO, ASCRS, and the International Society of Refractive Surgeons, Dr. Jacobs founded Jacobs Eye Center in Avon, OH in July 1986. We met with Dr. Jacobs recently, and listened as she provided this overview of the services available at Jacobs Eye Center; - read more...

Quality Driven, Customer Focused - Jeff Mitchell's career in heating and air conditioning began shortly after his high school graduation. As he gained experience in the employ of others, he quickly realized that the keys to success in his chosen industry would be possessing an uncanny degree of technical expertise coupled with an unswerving dedication to providing a high level of customer satisfaction. In 1985 Jeff founded Westland Heating/Air Conditioning which he continues to run today with the assistance of his wife, Debi, and their son, Zach. We met with Jeff and Debi recently, and listened as they described the services Westland Heating/Air Conditioning provides; - read more...

More Than Just a Home - Shirley M. Horta, a woman with a heart of pure gold, shares her North Olmsted home with up to fourteen roommates at a time. Not just anyone needing a place to call home, mind you, but people needing an extra bit of care and understanding as they navigate the endless little details of daily life. In 1985 Shirley and her husband founded a similar home on W. 117th in Cleveland, and then another near Mochican Park in Ashland, Ohio. In 1995, she opened River Crossing at Bradley Woods, conveniently located at 29794 Lorain Road. We met with Shirley and RN Consultant Carol Hale recently, and listened as they provided this overview of the services available at River Crossing at Bradley Woods; - read more...

Making a Difference - One Resident at a Time - Huntington Woods Care and Rehabilitation Center was founded in Westlake in January 2008 as the premier healthcare provider in Northeast Ohio. With a goal of providing superior care through a positive and healthy environment for residents, their friends and families, and the company's employees, Huntington Woods Care and Rehabilitation Center began accepting residents in March 2008. We met recently with Executive Director Keith Alberts, and listened he described Huntington Woods' services and offerings; - 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...

Building Your Image and Self-Esteem - Diane DeChant learned how makeup could change her life when she was only eight years old. Diane, very self-conscious of the birthmark on the left side of her face, was delighted on picture day in second grade when her mother taught her how a little bit of cover-up could improve her self-image and make her feel more confident in her appearance. Realizing how much better she felt about her birthmark not showing in her class photo, Diane dedicated her life to helping others cover their cosmetic flaws and feel better about their image. Diane entered the skin care and makeup industry in 1979, and in 1994 founded Classic Image at The Landings in Avon Lake, Ohio in 1994. We met with Diane recently, and listened as she described the services Classic Image provides; - read more...

Antique Radio Sales, Parts, and Service - While a high school student, Noel S. Ilg collaborated with one of his instructors in the design of a successful radio repair course. After graduation, he joined the U.S. Navy as a radio technician, and soon became one of the Navy's electronics instructors. Upon returning home, Noel opened his own business in September 1946 where he sold and repaired television sets, radios, stereos, and hi-fi's, and grew his company to employ a staff of twenty-three. By the mid-1970s the consumer electronics industry was becoming extremely competitive and Noel sold his shop in 1979 and turned his full-time attention to church music. Throughout the following years, although, he found he missed fixing old radios, so in 1992 Noel founded Ye Olde Radio Shoppe in Avon Lake, Ohio. We visited with Noel recently, and listened as he provided this overview of Ye Olde Radio Shoppe's services and offerings; - read more...

Senior Living at Its Finest - Our House has been caring for the Westshore community's older adults since the late 1970s. At that time the only options available to older adults were either living at home or moving into a nursing home. When Mattie Maran founded Our House in November 1978, area seniors gained the opportunity to join a community of their peers where they could stay independent, stay involved, and continue to live their lives to the fullest. Since 2000 Our House has been owned and operated by Mattie's daughter, Marguerite L. Van Derwyst, while Mattie continues to enjoy the good life at Our House as a resident. We met with Marguerite and Office Manager Corey Niebes recently, and listened as they provided this overview of Our House's services and offerings; - read more...

An Equestrian Paradise - Hollie Anzenberger became enamored with horses when she was only eight years old. After graduating from high school, Hollie traveled to England where she earned her Certified Instructor credentials from the the British Horse Society. In 1970 her family purchased a thirty-four acre property in Avon Lake, Ohio where Hollie founded Holly Hill Farm in 1970. We visited with Hollie recently, and listened as she offered this overview of the services Holly Hill Farm provides; - read more...

Where Your Dawggy is Guaranteed to be Spoiled and Pampered - While working for a Northeast Ohio pet groomer, Sara Gustafson discovered she not only had a talent for the business, but also a love for the pets placed in her care. When she found Spoiled & Pampered Dawggy in Avon Lake was for sale in 2004, Sara knew it was time to go into business for herself. We visited with Sara recently, and listened as she provided this overview of the services available at Spoiled & Pampered Dawggy; - 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...

Insuring Your Future Since 1935 - In 1954 Michael Herzak, Jr. founded The Herzak Agency to represent the Motorists Insurance Group of Columbus, Ohio. The agency was renamed Insurance Systems Agency, Inc. in the 1980s, and acquired The Beardsley Agency of Warren, Ohio in 1991. The Beardsley Agency had been founded in 1935 and over the years grew to be one of the largest agencies within Grange Insurance Companies. - read more...

A Commercial Printer You Can Count On - Brothers Dave and Bill Kasper combined their talents in January 1995 to found Panther Press Inc. on Brecksville Road. Bill has a degree in graphics art from Kent State University and is in charge of the company's graphics, sales, and customer service departments, while Dave employs his background in engineering and his business degree from Ashland University to oversee the daily operation of the firm. We met with Dave recently, and listened as he provide this overview of Panther Press' 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...

Fast, Accurate Claims Reimbursement - Working for over nineteen years in administration and customer service, Jeanne M. Hall began to search for a business opportunity that would utilize her computer and customer service skills. She discovered in the late 1990s that automated medical billing enabled medical service providers to submit their claims to insurance companies electronically, thereby eliminating their dependence on the mail and improving their cash flow by receiving their payments quickly. Many medical practitioners, although, were not taking advantage of this revolutionary technique due to the high cost of the software needed. Jeanne decided to make the investment in the necessary software, offer her services to the medical community, and in 1999 founded Blue Sky Automated Billing. We visited with Jeanne recently, and listened as she offered this overview of the services Blue Sky Automated Billing 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...

Tradition and Quality for Over 65 Years - Avon Lake, Ohio: 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...

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...

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...

Cleaning and Restoration Specialists Since 1930 - Duraclean International Inc. has been solving restoration, remediation, and cleaning problems since 1930. Recognized as one of the founding fathers of modern carpet cleaning, Duraclean holds several patent on cleaning equipment and chemicals, and has since added multiple services enabling the company to remain at the forefront of the cleaning and restoration industry. We met recently with Todd Wearsch, owner of Duraclean Restoration and Cleaning Services, Inc. in Avon, Ohio, and listened as he provided this overview of the services available from Duraclean; - 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...

Avon, Ohio's Version of Cheers - The owner always dreamed of being in business for himself. He was a hard worker and early in life realized the benefits of dedicating his energy to creating equity in his own company. He discovered a property built in 1952 that has long been the location of an Avon, Ohio tavern. The business is located on the first floor of the building, and the previous owners have always occupied the three bedroom apartment on the second floor. The old North Ridge Tavern became ZZ's Big Top in 1984 and began to transform a dream into a reality. We visited with owner Keith Zeman recently, and listened as he described ZZ's Big Top's offerings; - read more...