Local Leaders Invited to Share Insights on Growth and Leadership

Ohio’s success depends on the hard work of its business owners, employees, and community leaders. As a native Ohioan, I saw this dedication first-hand in visits to all corners, from Lima to Coshocton and from Xenia to Ashtabula.

The state of Ohio has remained important to me as I watch how cities like Cleveland, Akron, and Zanesville showed incredible resilience and growth despite many challenges. Now I am excited to be part of an exciting project that taps into that strength—the Northeast Ohio Business Survey.

In collaboration with undergraduate students at Kent State University, this initiative is designed to gather insights directly from the leaders who are shaping the local economy. Your experiences and leadership are key to helping us understand what drives growth, resilience, and innovation in Ohio. Our goal is to identify steps that can strengthen businesses across our communities for the future.

Working as a business consultant with owners who seek to improve their business profit and valuation, I’m excited to share an opportunity for Ohio business leaders to make their voices heard. While the U.S. economy is evolving rapidly, it is crucial for all decision-makers to weigh in on which problems and opportunities they face. Together, we can create strategies that will not only help businesses grow but also enhance the economic vitality of our communities in Ohio and beyond.

The Northeast Ohio Business Survey is not just a data-gathering exercise—it’s a chance for community leaders to shape the region’s future. The insights we gather from this project can allow us to face challenges, capitalize on growth opportunities, and ensure that Northeast Ohio continues to thrive as a hub for innovation and leadership. Leader input is crucial to this effort.

Purpose of the Survey

This specialized survey aims to gather perspectives from business leaders in key metro areas such as Cleveland, Akron, and Youngstown. By focusing on a variety of business sectors, we hope to gain insights into the unique challenges faced by the local economy in this important region.

Voices from Across the Region

Leaders from various communities play a vital role in shaping the economic landscape. For this survey, we are inviting responses from leaders in Ohio cities and towns including:

• Akron
• Alliance
• Amherst
• Ashtabula
• Aurora
• Avon Lake
• Barberton
• Bay Village
• Beachwood
• Bedford
• Bedford Heights
• Berea
• Boardman
• Brecksville
• Broadview Heights
• Brook Park
• Brunswick
• Burton
• Canton
• Chardon
• Cleveland
• Cuyahoga Falls
• Eastlake
• Elyria
• Fairlawn
• Garfield Heights
• Highland Heights
• Hudson
• Independence
• Kent
• Lakewood
• Lorain
• Macedonia
• Mansfield
• Maple Heights
• Massillon
• Mayfield Heights
• Medina
• Mentor
• Mentor-on-the-Lake
• Middlefield
• Mogadore
• Newbury
• North Canton
• North Olmsted
• North Ridgeville
• North Royalton
• Northfield
• Norton
• Olmsted Falls
• Painesville
• Parma
• Peninsula
• Perry
• Rocky River
• Sandusky
• Shaker Heights
• Solon
• Strongsville
• Tallmadge
• Warren
• Willoughby
• Wooster
• Youngstown

Why Your Insights Matter

Developed in collaboration with students in a Kent State University undergraduate business class, this survey seeks to gather critical insights from decision-makers across our region. Participants can help shape the future of Ohio’s local economy by sharing their experiences, ideas, and challenges. The project is designed to create actionable strategies that can drive growth, innovation, and resilience.

The Benefits of Participation

This is more than just a survey—it’s a chance to influence the policies and strategies that will guide the economic future of the region. Whether navigating supply chain disruptions, talent shortages, or identifying new market opportunities, your input will help develop best practices that benefit you and your peers.

Expert Collaboration with Local Students

This project also presents a unique opportunity for local undergraduate students at Kent State University to gain real-world experience by learning from the region’s top business minds. Students will gain valuable insights that go beyond the classroom and prepare them for their future careers.

Many thanks to James Ferguson, adjunct professor of Management & Information Systems at Kent State University’s Ambassador Crawford College of Business and Entrepreneurship, who made this project possible.

Confidentiality and Impact

All responses will be kept confidential, and the collective findings will be used to create practical, results-driven recommendations. These insights will benefit the broader business community and contribute to a more resilient economic landscape. Those who participate will have the chance to make a real difference—not just for their company, but also for the future of businesses across the region.

Limited Time to Share Your Perspective

The survey will be open until the first week of November, providing a limited window for participation. If you are part of a business based in Northeast Ohio, I encourage you to take part and connect with us to share your experiences, challenges, and ideas in our survey.

How to Get Involved

Interested in sharing your insights? Business leaders from across the region can request an invitation to participate by reaching out to me, Grace LaConte at grace@laconteconsulting.com or 936-380-1756.

Find the Official Press Release

For more detailed information about the Northeast Ohio Business Survey, you can access the official press release on Kent State’s website here:
Northeast Ohio business leaders invited to share insights on regional growth and leadership | Kent State University.

Join the Conversation

Business owners are under tremendous pressure to keep their company profitable and successful in spite of tremendous negative pressure. Our aim is to ensure that Ohio companies continue to thrive despite change. Our survey participants will be part of a broader effort to create sustainable strategies for the growth and success of local companies.

Ready to share your insights and help drive meaningful change? Contact Grace LaConte today to request your exclusive invitation to the survey. For more information, reach out at grace@laconteconsulting.com or call 936-380-1756.

Let’s work together to shape the future of Ohio’s business landscape.