Business

This spring, a new initiative was launched to connect bold ideas to improve Greater Cincinnati with people who have the potential to make significant investments. Transform Cincinnati set out in search of bold ideas, able to affect change for the better in our community. And on September 30th, the finalists who submitted the top six ideas will present them to a group of potential investors at the Transform Cincinnati Marketplace. 

As the recent volatility in the stock market continues, we take a look at some of the reasons the market has been even more unpredictable than usual lately, and what affect the Federal Reserve decision to leave interest rates alone could have on stocks.

  The American Can Company Building in Northside, built in 1921, sat for years, vacant or nearly vacant, subject to decay and vandalism. But the building, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, has undergone a complete transformation over the last decade, and now houses apartments and commercial space. 

The Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber recently held a series of listening sessions for members to meet with the Chamber’'s Government Affairs team and share their views on legislation and regional initiatives that affect business growth.

Bill Tucker, executive director of Flywheel Cincinnati, talks about the events happening as part of Social Enterprise Week, promoting and celebrating "business where society profits." 

  With so many individuals and companies clamoring for attention, through so many different forms of media, it’s a real challenge to do work that resonates with the marketplace and creates a true and lasting impact. 

  Bold Fusion 2015 takes place this Thursday at Horseshoe Casino, in downtown Cincinnati. The annual summit provides an opportunity for young, creative professionals to connect with one another and learn how to advance their career, their company and our community. 

Earlier this month, the New York Stock Exchange suspended trading in its main market for 3½ hours due to a technical issue. The shutdown jarred investors, but it did not have the impact it would have had 20 years ago.

Each year hundreds of thousands of inmates are released from American prisons. It is often extremely difficult for these individuals to re-integrate into society, and one of the main obstacles they face is finding gainful employment.

The deadline for entries to this year'’s Cincinnati Innovates competition is July 15, so there is still time for anyone who thinks they have a ground-breaking idea to enter. Cincinnati Innovates is a competition designed to showcase the technological, artistic, and ingenious innovations of all Cincinnatians.

Innovation is critical to the success of a business, or an individual, coming up with a new product, service, method or procedure. And we’'ve all heard the cliché regarding innovation, that it requires thinking outside the box.

As many Americans sadly discover each year, a sudden change in income or expenses can often cause severe hardship for individuals and families. The loss of a job, a disabling illness, even large, unexpected home or car repairs can suddenly create financial turmoil and a scramble to come up with the money needed to get by. 

This morning Frisch's Restaurants Inc. announced the company is being sold to a private equity fund. Frisch’s hopes the deal will be finalized by September. Joining us for a quick update on the story is WCPO digital reporter Dan Monk. 

The Ambassador of Belgium is making an official visit to Cincinnati this week. He will tour the city, meet with local officials, and deliver the keynote speech at the European-American Chamber of Commerce'’s Gala Dinner. And he visits with us.

It can be difficult for urban entrepreneurs to start new, or maintain existing, businesses, especially without a business background or access to resources. MORTAR is a new program to help low-income urban entrepreneurs build or expand their businesses, using a nine-week entrepreneurship course designed to provide them with the tools to help them grow, as they better their communities.

  D'Artagnan Enterprises is the new Student-Run Business program at Xavier University‘s Williams College of Business.

Applications are now being accepted for the second ArtWorks Big Pitch. Presented by U.S. Bank, the Big Pitch is a 10-week mentorship program and pitch competition for established artists, makers, designers, and creative entrepreneurs competing for up to $20,000 in business grants. 

Massive security breaches at major companies such as Target, Home Depot and Anthem make national headlines, and are certainly real cause for alarm. But more than 75% of data breaches happen to small and medium-sized businesses, since criminals always look for the easiest, most vulnerable targets. 

  We learned yesterday that Kroger has acquired the majority of Cincinnati-based DunnhumbyUSA, the data analysis company that provides it with customer information. 

  For more than 100 years the BBB, formerly known as the Better Business Bureau, has been helping people make better and more informed decisions when dealing with businesses, and setting and monitoring ethical standards for businesses.