Here’s how The Northern Medina County Chamber Alliance is making our area a better place to live and work
By Ken McEntee
With close to 300 members, the Northern Medina County Chamber Alliance works to strengthen the community by promoting local businesses and providing economic opportunities and support to its members, says Executive Director Debbie Boehmke. Sharing in the close relationship among the chamber members makes her job fulfilling, she says.
“This chamber is a group of businesses and people who truly care,” she emphasizes. “It’s definitely a business-oriented group, but I feel like I have genuine personal relationships with the folks who are involved.”
The chamber’s focus is on the northern tier of Medina County, but it has members from around the surrounding areas, from Strongsville to Wadsworth to the Akron area. The chamber hosts and supports events that provide consumer exposure to its member businesses while also providing networking and educational opportunities among its members.
“We work very closely with cities like Brunswick on things like grand openings and ribbon cutting ceremonies for new businesses,” Debbie says. “We’re able to use the city’s access television studios so we can do interviews with our business members. We spotlight members on a monthly basis on our social media and our website. We do a welcome program for new residents where we drop off bags of useful items from our members.”
An annual golf outing, held each June, is among the alliance’s signature events. Others include the annual Business at the Barn, a business showcase that’s held annually in August at Mapleside Farms and the chamber’s annual Amazing Race competition that is based on the hit TV show.
Networking opportunities include monthly lunch meetings and monthly “Connection Groups.”
“The Connection meetings are groups of up to about 20 and feature one company per business type, like one real estate agent or one banker, and they meet to get to know one another and to talk about business issues, like maybe some struggles they’re having and getting some advice from the other members of the group,” Debbie says.
Chamber Chomps is a program the alliance started last year to help local restaurants that were severely impacted by the pandemic, Debbie says.
“On the first Wednesday of every month we feature a local restaurant and encourage all of our members to go there to join us for lunch,” she explains. “Our office staff goes at noon and welcomes as many members as we can to come, or we encourage people who can’t come for lunch to place a takeout order or dine in for dinner. It’s a unique way to support our local restaurants. I don’t think any of the other chambers are doing anything quite like that.”
Debbie also works to provide chamber members with updates on legislation that may impact their businesses.
“I belong to a legislature group with the large chambers in the county,” she says. “We meet once a month with our government representatives or their aids who brief us on any bills that are going through the house or the senate, then we will relay that to our businesses.”
Along with Debbie, the chamber office is staffed by Charlene Valvoda, the office administrator, and Isabelle Carvaines, office assistant.
“Isabelle is a freshman in college who started here as an intern,” Debbie says. “We absolutely love her, and we kept her on after her internship ended.”
Member benefits include cost-saving plans for healthcare, energy, freight shipping, high speed Internet service and workers compensation.
You can learn more about the Northern Medina County Chamber Alliance by visiting NMCCAlliance.com or by calling 330-225-8411. The alliance is located at 2947 Interstate Parkway, in Brunswick.
AMKO Lending
AMKO Lending LLC is a “small and mighty” mortgage broker that does everything the big players do—but with the attentive, personal service of an intimate, locally-owned business, emphasizes Marshall Kutz, owner and CEO.
“Being a broker, we offer more choices, so we can match up better with a borrower’s specific needs,” Marshall explains. “We build the client’s profile, get all of the client’s information, then we go to all eight of the lenders we work with to find the right fit. Some of our lenders might specialize in self-employed borrowers, for example. Others might work better with investment properties. Whatever your niche, we will find the perfect partner for you.”
Marshall started AMKO Lending in his hometown of Brunswick three years ago, along with his good friend, Andrew Otter. Marshall and Andrew previously learned the intricacies of the mortgage business while working for a large mortgage company for about 15 years.
“Communication is our main focus,” Marshall says. “We believe it’s important to keep people in the loop so they’re never wondering what’s going on in the process. Being small, we can offer better rates than the bigger players because we don’t need to cover massive advertising and overhead costs. And we’re able to close loans quicker as well. Our goal is to get loans closed within 20 days.”
Having grown up in Brunswick, Marshall says he enjoys helping people in the local community to buy homes.
“Our goal is not to grow into a massive corporation,” he reveals. “Our goal is to stay small and have a team that is committed to serving our community and become the go-to mortgage company in our area.”
2019 Center Street, Suite 103, Brunswick / 216-727-3525 / AMKOLending.com / Facebook: @AMKOlending
Goosefoot Acres - Home of Dandy Blend
Dandy Blend, insists Karin Reale, isn’t just a coffee alternative.
“It’s a movement to build warm souls, kind hearts and peaceful minds through a cup of Joe that isn’t going to give you jitters, panic attacks or an upset stomach,” explains Karin, owner of Goosefoot Acres, the Valley City producer of Dandy Blend. The caffeine-free beverage was developed by Karin’s father, Dr. Peter Gail.
What started as a basement business has become a family operation that distributes Dandy Blend through grocery stores, health markets, doctors’ offices, restaurants, cafés and boutiques across the U.S. and Canada, as well as via Amazon.
The healthy beverage is made from roasted barley extracts, roasted rye extracts, roasted chicory root extracts, and the “star” ingredient, roasted dandelion root extracts.
“Dandy Blend existed before the alternative coffee trend became a thing,” Karin emphasizes. “One thing that makes Dandy Blend stand out is the combination of being 100% caffeine-free and soluble in any kind of liquid at any kind of temperature. Unlike coffee alternatives that require steeping, Dandy Blend is a powder that you also can bake or cook with.”
Goosefoot Acres was launched to help people learn how to use the resources nature provides to make the things they need instead of buying them. Chief among these items are the edible and useful wild plants growing underfoot, Karin says.
“I love working where I’m surrounded by family, love, kindness and a ton of happy customers and clients,” she shares. “It’s always good vibes and that’s what my dad founded this company on—good intentions and good vibes. It’s an honor to serve the Northern Medina County community and the other communities we serve all around the world.”
800-697-4858 / DandyBlend.com / Facebook: DandyBlend
Goosehead Insurance
Goosehead Insurance, promises agent Jeremy Webb, emphasizes the power of choice in buying home, life and automobile insurance.
“We’re changing the industry,” Jeremy says. “The old model of buying insurance from captive agents is going away and we’re now putting the consumer at the center of the market. The companies who do things the old way aren’t very happy about the change, but it’s great for the consumer, who is now able to conveniently shop the best rates and insurance coverage on their PC or mobile device.”
The process begins by visiting Goosehead’s website or logging onto its mobile app. After quickly providing some basic information about yourself, your home and your automobiles, you’ll almost instantly see more than a dozen insurance quotes to explore.
“As the local franchise owner, I’m here to provide a view of all of the options out there,” Jeremy explains. “We work with 20 to 30 different carriers and we work on behalf of the consumer—not the insurance companies—to get the best rates and coverage. It’s very unusual in the insurance business. Goosehead is the only insurance agency designed around the home buying process. We created the Digital Agent Platform out of our commitment to making insurance the smoothest part of your transaction.”
Webb’s Brunswick-based franchise is one of Goosehead’s first locations in Ohio, he says.
“There’s a lot of opportunity in Northern Medina County and I enjoy working with the people here,” he says. “Serving the community is important. As the president of the Brigham Young University alumni for the Cleveland chapter, my wife and I recently helped with a Habitat for Humanity project to help put a building here in Brunswick and being a part of the Northern Medina Area Chamber Alliance has opened up a new group of friends.”
2888 Nationwide Parkway, Suite 216, Brunswick / 234-803-8106 / goosehead.com/jeremy-webb / Facebook: @gooseheadinsuranceagency
KMS Beauty Lab
Master Stylist Sasha Vilimonovic is bringing the latest hair and beauty trends to Valley City.
“Success is when I see my client walk out with a smile,” says Sasha, who spent 10 years serving clients at a high-end salon in Pepper Pike before opening KMS on September 1.
“Sasha had a wonderful following there as a master stylist/colorist, but it was a long 2-hour drive there and back every day, so I surprised her for her birthday and bought her a salon here in our hometown, where we’ve lived for 23 years, says Mike Vilimonovic, Sasha’s husband and co-owner of KMS Beauty Lab.
KMS Beauty Lab, offers the friendly ambiance of a small-town salon combined with the chic styles of the country’s fashion centers. “We strive to maintain the highest level of customer satisfaction, professionalism, and integrity. Education and a commitment to creativity and individualism are at the center of our constant pursuit for excellence. KMS Beauty Lab strives to produce the highest quality of work by meeting the demands of our customers and providing them with the different colors and different cuts that the higher end salons give you,” says Sasha.
During her career, Sasha has gained exceptional skills, specializing in color, cuts, styles, keratin treatment, Brazilian blowouts, extensions and special-occasion hairstyles and makeup. She has attended trainings by such notables as Gold Well, in New York City, and Sassoon Academy for Advanced Cutting, in Chicago.
“Our friends and neighbors in Valley City, Brunswick, Medina and the surrounding areas have been fantastic and extremely supportive since we opened the salon,” says Sasha.
Tired of your look? You are always welcome to come in and talk to us about it. Free complimentary consultations are available (15-minute appointment).
6689 Center Road, Valley City / 330-288-7000 / KMSBeautyLab.com
Medina County Veterans Service
Your neighbors who staff the Medina County Veterans Service Office have a compassionate understanding of the problems that confront veterans, widows, widowers and their families, assures director and service officer Edward Zackery, 1SG, U.S. Army (retired).
“We are deeply concerned with the assistance, care and support that our veterans receive,” Edward says. “We understand that alleviating the suffering that accompanies an accident, illness or death is important. In most cases we are able to offer veterans, their surviving spouses and/or dependent children the assistance they need and deserve.”
The office offers a wide variety of services—all free of charge—that typically fall under the general categories of temporary immediate financial aid and assistance, and assistance to veterans, family members and survivors when applying to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for benefits.
The Veterans Service Assistance program was established in 1886 to assist the Union soldiers and their families in times of need. Each of the 88 counties in Ohio has a board of five appointed Veterans Service Commissioners who administer the program for their respective county.
After serving more than 20 years in the service, Edward considers his work in the Veterans Service Office as a continuation of taking care of the troops by being able to advocate and assist them at the end of their service.
“I love serving the veterans of Medina County and their families,” he says. “Our communities love our veterans. It shows each and every day how they are so willing to serve those who served in time of need. It’s not only an honor to do what we do, but it’s an honor to do it within a community that also does so much for our veterans. We love to make a difference in peoples’ lives. Whether it’s the veteran or the veteran’s family, we’ve been able to put people back on their feet.”
210 Northland Drive, Medina / 330-722-9368 / MedinaCountyVeterans.org / Facebook: @MedinaCountyVeteransServiceOffice
Ravine’s Edge
Bret Gavlak had recently returned home from a tour of duty in the U.S. Marines when he and his wife, Carly, happened upon an opportunity to buy a 10-acre property close to their home. Three years of sweat equity turned the land into an artisan farm. Today, homemade products—like maple syrup, honey and soap—are offered for sale at their Ravine’s Edge Farm Shop inside The Exchange Market, in Medina.
“We are a small family farm,” Carly explains. “We love providing delish foods, goodies and beauty to our customers so they, too, can enjoy artisan-style products they can’t find elsewhere. Along with our own products, our Farm Shop also has some goodies from several other local vendors. It’s a wonderful way to help and support local businesses.”
After they purchased the Hamilton Road farm, Carly and Bret discovered that it was loaded with sugar maples.
“Our old neighbor taught us how to make syrup just from a few trees that were in our backyard,” Carly recalls. “We started making syrup about eight years ago in the driveway and over the years built our own sugar house. We started doing farmer’s markets and other events until we opened our shop in 2020.”
Along with syrup, Ravine’s Edge Farm Shop specializes in maple candies, jams, spice blends, organic tea blends, lotions, salves and body care items.
“We offer a variety of artisan products that are our own recipes and formulas,” Carly says. “We just started our bee journey with our little apiary housing two hives and also raise a variety of rabbits for fiber, pets and shows.”
320 South Court Street, Medina / 330-969-2686 / RavinesEdge.com / Facebook @RavinesEdgeArtisanFarm
Romancing The Walls
Dee Schippel says her unique home décor creations emanate from her “creative brain space.” The owner of Romancing the Walls uses faux florals with natural and wood products to produce arrangements and decorations that range from elegant to whimsical.
“I have more than 20 years of experience handcrafting wreaths, holiday decorations and just plain fun stuff,” Dee says. “I love to be the maker from the customer’s perspective. For example, I have provided just what brides have asked for in small weddings or parties, as well as restaurants, providing centerpieces or holiday decorations.”
During her 31-year career in real estate, Dee always has been happiest while creating, whether making items for home parties or teaching classes and participating in craft shows. She made Romancing the Walls her full-time gig during the early 2000s, she recalls.
“My husband built a 400-square-foot studio for me, so I can just walk to the back of the property and be in my happy place for as long as I want to each day,” she says. “It was a logical step from retirement to continue to do something that makes me extremely happy. Now I get to use the right side of my brain and be the crazy artist in me all the time.”
Dee loves to take on the challenge of custom orders and helping people figure out exactly what they want to make their home interesting.
“My biggest compliment is when someone sends me a picture of their newly acquired creation in their home,” she reveals. “I take pride in my craftsmanship. I guarantee that if you have an issue with any part of it, just bring it back to me and I will fix it. And I also will fluff your item once a year if needed.”
602-315-9376 / RomancingTheWalls.com / romancingthewalls@gmail.com/ Facebook: @romancingthewalls
The Tangled Vine
Jenn and Tim Lang say they are firm believers that every day should start with coffee and end with wine—and they are excited to give others the opportunity to indulge in those beverages as well.
“Life is too short to not do what you love, so why not start and end every day with something that brings you happiness?” Jenn asks.
Jenn and Tim own The Tangled Vine, a wine retail store, wine bar and small coffee shop. “We offer a variety of craft nights, wine tastings and yoga classes,” Jenn says. “We offer a cozy place to hang out with friends or pick up a bottle of wine. We have many fun events, and we are just getting started. We have lots of events to add in the future.”
The shop, which opened in October, is a venue to bring the community together in an inviting and relaxing environment to learn more about coffee and wines from all around the world.
“We love coffee and wine and we want to create a comfortable environment for people to make lasting memories,” Jenn explains. “Whether you know everything about wine and coffee, nothing about them or you’re somewhere in between, our educated staff will meet you where you are in your journey and provide a friendly, relaxed environment to enjoy the highest quality coffee and wine.”
Jenn and Tim invite guests to sample their small plates, which wonderfully supplement their wines. Small-plate selections include caprese, hummus plate, cream cheese, jam, and cracker plate, chicken salad sandwich, cheese and crackers, soup, brie, baguette and an oil/herb plate. And, they don’t mind if you bring in your own food to enjoy.
3511 Center Road, Brunswick / 330-460-6584 / TheTangledVineBrunswick.com / Facebook: @thetangledvinebrunswick
Top Flite Financial
As a child, Angela Nicholson enjoyed playing with her grandfather’s adding machine.
“He was a loan officer,” Angela recalls. “I didn’t have any idea what he really did. I just knew that he wore a suit and worked at the bank. And I knew that he really enjoyed helping people. I really like it, too.”
That may be why Angela followed her grandfather’s path into a career in mortgage lending. She is now a loan officer with Top Flite Financial, in Medina.
“It’s satisfying to help people build wealth through home ownership because it is such an excellent opportunity for investing,” she explains. “You need somewhere to live anyway, so if you go the route of buying a house, you are essentially building wealth while owning your own home to live in.”
Top Flite offers a variety of mortgages for residential properties. As a direct lender, the company funds its own loans, Angela says.
“We have in-house underwriting, which can make a big difference,” she explains. “As the loan officer, I just need to pick up the phone, call our underwriter and get a quick answer to any question a client might have.”
People looking to buy a home in today’s historically competitive market can make the process easier by getting pre-approved for a loan, Angela suggests.
“My pre-approval letter means that I meticulously checked everything up front, which will help to avoid complications later on,” she explains. “Personal service matters, which is why we work to stay in communication with the home’s listing agent. If something happens that can cause a delay, we want to be on top of it.”
Getting started is easy, she promises.
“Just give me a call,” she says. “It takes maybe twenty minutes and the consultation is free.”
3637 Medina Road, Suite 334, Medina / 330-721-8895 / TFFOhio.com
2022 Calendar of Events
FEBRUARY:
• Wednesday 2/2/22: Chamber Chomps/ Restaurant Day at Gandalf's Pub, in Valley City
• Wednesday 2/16/22: 11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Membership Luncheon: Alternative Workforce Strategies Panel Discussion, at Comfort Inn and Suites, in Brunswick
MARCH:
• Wednesday 3/2/22: Chamber Chomps/Restaurant Day at Serenite, in Medina
• Wednesday 3/16/22: 11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Membership Luncheon: Economic Development with City of Brunswick and Medina County Economic Development Corporation, at Brunswick Recreation Center
• Wednesday 3/23/22: 5:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. After Hours Social, TBD
APRIL:
• Friday 4/1/22: 11:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Lunch-n-Learn: Talk “Birdy” to Me/ Connect and Communicate with Confidence, Presented by Get in Gear, at Brunswick University Center
• Wednesday 4/6/22: Chamber Chomps/ Restaurant Day at Center Café, at the Medina County Career Center
• Wednesday 4/20/22: 11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Membership Luncheon: City and Township Update: Brunswick City, Brunswick Township, Valley City and Hinckley, at Plum Creek Assisted Living, in Brunswick
MAY:
• Wednesday 5/4/22: Chamber Chomps/ Restaurant Day at Winking Lizard, in Brunswick
• Wednesday 5/18/22: 11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Membership Luncheon: Business Success Story: MDG Flooring America - Scene 75, in Brunswick
JUNE:
• Wednesday 6/1/22: Chamber Chomps/ Restaurant Day at Coffee in the Valley, in Valley City
• 6/2022, TBD: NMCCA Annual Golf Outing and Social presented by Dollar Bank
JULY:
• Wednesday 7/20/22: 5:00 p.m.- 7:00 p.m. After Hours Social at The Tangled Vine, in Brunswick
AUGUST:
• Wednesday 8/3/22: Chamber Chomps/Restaurant Day Old World Deli, in Brunswick
• Friday 8/5/22: 11:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Lunch-n-Learn: Trust Based Leadership, Presented by Get in Gear, at Brunswick University Center
• 8/2022, TBD: NMCCA Business at the Barn presented by MDG Flooring America, at Mapleside, in Brunswick