COSE Honors Exemplary Small Businesses with 10 or Fewer Full-Time Employees.

Third Annual COSE Ten Under 10 Award Winners Announced

CLEVELAND -- The Council of Smaller Enterprises (COSE), the small business arm of the Greater Cleveland Partnership, today announced the winners of its Ten Under 10 awards. The awards program recognizes 10 Northeast Ohio small businesses with 10 or fewer full-time employees for their best practices in innovation, growth/success, value to the community and the environment, diversity promotion and customer service excellence. Based on judges' scores, this year, however, 11 companies made the cut.

"The accomplishments of this year's winners are inspiring," said Louis J. Licata, COSE chairman and president of Licata & Toerek . "In three short years, COSE's Ten Under 10 has become a tradition to honor the best of Northeast Ohio's entrepreneurs who look beyond revenue and focus on how business is done."

Winners were honored this morning at a breakfast awards ceremony. They will be featured in the June issue of COSE Update magazine and a special insert in the June issue of Inside Business magazine.

The 2007 Ten Under 10 winners are:

Alphaport Inc., Rosella and Tony Miranda--Founded in 1999, this nine-employee Cleveland-based company connects businesses with its roster of retired technical experts to provide retention and transfer of knowledge to government, industry and academic organizations.

Brian Sooy & Co., Brian Sooy--Founded in 1995, this six-employee talented marketing communications agency is focused on client relationships. Based in Elyria, the agency's services include identity and brand development; web and interactive development and integrated communications campaigns.

InterFaith Hospitality Network of Greater Cleveland, Ed Gemerchak--This non-profit organization provides hospitality, meals and support to homeless families. Founded in 1998 in Cleveland, it has grown to include seven full-time equivalent employees, 62 congregations with more than 3,000 active volunteers.

Studio Graphique, Rachel Downey--This six-employee graphic design firm focuses on strategic brand development along with environmental graphic design. Founded in 1997, this Shaker Square firm works with clients in the architecture, engineering, construction and property management industries.

American Winds Flight Academy, Denise Hobart--This Federal Aviation Administration-licensed flight school based in Akron was founded in 2001 and has four employees and five flight instructors. Its contributions to the community include aerial tours to promote the greater Akron area, internships for high school and college students, and flights to seriously ill patients who need treatment from medial centers across the Midwest.

The Wise Group, Tammy Wise--This downtown Cleveland communications firm focuses on emerging businesses and organizations. It was founded as Custom Publishing Group and changed its name in 2006. With its eight employees, The Wise Group offers a strategic focus and talented staff to help clients communicate better with their customers.

Youth Challenge, Mary Sue Anter Tanis--Established in 1983, this Westlake-based organization is a network of seven employees and hundreds of volunteers focused on enriching the lives of children with disabilities such as muscular dystrophy, cerebral palsy, spina bifida and hearing impairments through participation in nearly 180 activities, including arts and crafts, bowling, canoeing, and horseback riding.

JCF Marketing, Peter Frantz--Founded in 1995, this eight-employee agency handles regional and national PR, advertising and internal marketing for the hospitality industry. The Chagrin Falls company also handles clients in sales training, medical equipment, real estate, and the software and pyrotechnics industries.

Balanced Living Magazine, Bob Perkoski and Maggie Busser--Launched in 2003, this bi-monthly publication is a source of educational content focused on holistic health and well-being. With a staff of just two - the founders -- this Lakewood-based magazine reaches 90,000 readers across Northeast Ohio.

Gianfagna Marketing and Communications, Jean Gianfagna--This data-driven direct marketing and communications firm based in Westlake is the only Northeast Ohio marketing firm certified by the Women's Business Enterprise National Council. The firm, founded in 1993, currently has five employees.

Country Stove Patio and Spa, Dominic and Gloria Federico--This nine-employee North Royalton company specializes in quality outdoor products. Purchased by its current owners in 1981, this company has remained competitive in a world of deep discounts and big-box stores through its focus on quality products and exceptional customer service.

"COSE recognizes that most innovation and new jobs come from smaller businesses," said Steve Millard, executive director of COSE. "We honor them with the Ten Under 10 to acknowledge their contributions to Northeast Ohio's economy."

COSE member businesses that have 10 or fewer full-time employees and have been in business for one year or longer were eligible for the award. Nominees were reviewed by a committee of volunteer COSE members. The awards were sponsored by The Minute Men Human Resource System.

COSE serves as a one-stop resource for its members by providing: group-purchasing programs that reduce the cost of doing business; education and development programs for small- and mid-sized businesses; advocacy on legislative and regulatory issues affecting the business community; a wide range of resources focused on helping firms grow; and economic development partners that can address business concerns. (www.cose.org)