Starz restaurant operator, other business owners praise benefits of SCMBA training program

CANTON –Twenty four more local business owners have completed the Expanding Resources for All training program offered by the Stark County Minority Business Association.

The program offers workshops on developing business plans, management and techniques. The program also pairs small business owners with mentors who have operated successful businesses around the county.

The ERA program's goal is to help business owners learn and gain insight from professional trainers and coaching from experienced business owners. Members of the second group to complete the 10-month program were recognized during the SCMBA's monthly Lunch and Learn program last week. The first group of 15 business owners completed the program in 2021.

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Starlett M. Isles found herself as a dual participant in this year's program, learning what she could and helping as a mentor.

Isles started her business career in real estate. She opened Fair Play Family Center 18 years ago to provide daycare services, and now has locations in Massillon and the Belden Village area. She opened the SandPit Cafe & Lounge in Massillon 12 years ago and this past year opened Starz and restaurant and music club in downtown Canton.

With that background, Isles believed she had plenty business knowledge to share. She was ready to step in and serve as mentor to Jessica Davis, who operates Lovebugs & Ladybugs childcare center in Canton.

But she also opted to participate in the training, working with local restaurant owner Maury Sullivan. Even after 12 years operating a restaurant, Isles said, she picked up great ideas working with Sullivan. He helped her improve the menu at her restaurants and suggested ways to cut costs and save money. "It gave me some fresh idea," Isles said of the ERA program.

Richard Bennett, another program participant, praised the instructors and gave them credit for helping to shape his business plan. "The lynchpin of the whole thing, to me, was the mentoring," Bennett said during the program last week.

Felicia Bazen, who 18 months ago started Reflections Mind & Body Wellness Center in Canton, also gave credit to the instructors and mentors for giving her the will to continue pursuing her dream. Bazen worked as a medical assistant, but trained as a massage therapist, learned body contouring and picked up other techniques before starting her own business.

"It was good to have somebody to encourage me. It gets you on the path where you're doing it the right way," Bazen said of program.

Isles recommends the ERA program for other small business owners. "If you want to grow your business, want to start your business, this is a great place to start."

Minerva Dairy executive honored by OSU

Phil Mueller, former chief executive officer of family-owned Minerva Dairy, has been inducted into the Hall of Distinction at Ohio State University's Department of Food Science and Technology.

Mueller, who led Minerva Dairy from 1976 to 2010, was inducted to the Hall of Distinction with Dr. Martin R. Okos and John G. Richardson. Mueller, a former president of the Midwest Dairy Association, was recognized for his career in the dairy industry, as well as service to Ohio State University and the local community.

Mueller represents the fourth generation of family members to lead Minerva Dairy. The business now is co-owned by his daughter Vanae Watts and son Adam Mueller. He also represents three generations of the family who have graduated from Ohio State.

The Hall of Distinction recognizes significant contributions to food science by graduates and friends of the Department of Food Science and Technology, part of Ohio State's College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Services.

Mueller said he was humbled and grateful to receive the recognition. “I’m also thankful to my Minerva Dairy family — the ones who came before me and the ones who are so competently carrying the baton today — for allowing me to do the work I love for so long," he said in a press release.

Encino Energy, vendors raise $30,000 for charity

The first Encino Energy vendor appreciation event generated $30,000 for three regional charitable groups.

Encino teamed with more than 25 vendors at the event and raised funds for the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio, the Muskingum Watershed Conservancy Foundation and the Ohio State Parks Foundation. Each organization received $10,000.

Jackie Stewart, director of external affairs for Encino, said the company believes the donations will help bring meaningful change to the region and the state. "This money will make a lasting positive impact on our employees' lives, our vendors' lives and the lives of the citizens in the communities in which we operate,” Stewart said in a press release.

Additional service begins from Akron-Canton Airport

Flights to Orlando and Las Vegas once again are available from Akron-Canton Airport.

Allegiant Air launched nonstop service to Orlando-Sanford airport and Breeze Airways began flights to Las Vegas. Meanwhile, Allegiant will begin service to Fort Lauderdale-Miami on Nov. 19. The airlines announced earlier this year plans to add the destinations.

Orlando and Las Vegas are popular for leisure travel and Akron-Canton is happy that airlines are offering the destinations, said Ren Camacho, the airport's president and CEO.

New car sales decline continues

New car sales continue to trail 2021, according to data the Greater Cleveland Automobile Dealers' Association has collected from dealerships around Northeast Ohio.

Dealers sold 16,531 vehicles in September, a 4.16% drop from the 17,249 sold the previous year. Through the first nine months of 2022, sales have fallen 21.2%, with dealerships reporting 149,404 new vehicles have been sold, compared with 189,551 sold through the end of September 2021.

Dealers are reporting that inventories are improving, but higher interest rates have been a factor for some consumers shopping for cars, the association reported. The Cleveland-based group includes dealerships in Stark and 20 other counties.

Reach Edd at 330-580-8484 or edd.pritchard@cantonrep.com On Twitter: @epritchardREP

This article originally appeared on The Repository: Businesses training with Stark County Minority Business Association