There are a lot of great ice cream places in town...I should know, as I frequent most of them! One of my favorites has always been Mason's Creamery. Not only is their ice cream delicious, but their shop/outdoor area is adorable and the owners are two of the nicest people you'll ever want to meet or interact with on social media. Despite summer being such a busy time for the shop, Helen and Jesse, the owners of Mason's Creamery, were kind enough to take the time to let us get to know a little bit more about them and their business. What gave you the idea to start Mason's Creamery? We'd … [Read more...] about Mason’s Creamery
People
Love Doesn’t Shove
If you're a baseball fan, you probably know Gabriella Kreuz for her peppy, fun crowd commentary during Indians home games. But what impresses me even more is Gabriella's work off the field with her own non-profit: Love Doesn't Shove. Gabriella's inspiration for this organization came out of her own personal experience in an abusive relationship in college. Gabriella found the help she needed from the Domestic Violence and Child Advocacy Center. And while she initially began fundraising for that organization, she was driven to do more. Love Doesn't Shove began in 2014 and has grown into … [Read more...] about Love Doesn’t Shove
Annie’s Signature Sweets
A few years ago, I met up with a lady who was launching a new business. We had been following each other on social media and decided to get to know each other in real life. Not only was I inspired by her passion for her business, but I also became quick friends with her, which was something awfully sweet. Annie's Signature Sweets is a small business started by Cleveland native Ann LoParo. Ann has grown her business exponentially, receiving local and even national press attention. Let's learn more about her sweet success in her own words... What gave you the idea to start Annie's Signature … [Read more...] about Annie’s Signature Sweets
Boss Ladies of CLE
While I was still writing Why CLE?, Maggie Sullivan approached me about a book she wrote called "Boss Ladies of CLE." I already had the idea for Authentically CLE in the works and this seemed like a perfect place to delve into this book and the Boss Ladies that it features. "Boss Ladies of CLE" profiles 20 diverse, amazing, accomplished Cleveland women, who tell their own stories in their own words. These woman are of different ages, races, sexual orientations, abilities, and avocations. Each has blazed her own trail, not only for herself, but for those around her and after her. Included … [Read more...] about Boss Ladies of CLE
M Cellars
Back in February, I had a chance to spend some time getting to know Matt and Tara Meineke, the owners of M Cellars. I wrote a piece about their winery, their backstory, and their vision for Why CLE and that piece was part of what inspired me to start Authentically CLE: to be able to tell more stories like theirs. Not only is M Cellars a small business that is relentlessly committed to quality, they are also committed to supporting other local small businesses in the products they use in their tasting room. To put it simply, they’re doing it right and putting out tremendous wines in the … [Read more...] about M Cellars
Craig Rich
In my next profile of someone who is authentically Cleveland, I invite you to get to know Craig Rich. Craig is a musician who is not only creating awesome music, but is also focused on giving back to the community. And as a two-time Cleveland boomerang myself, Craig's story of having to leave Ohio to truly appreciate it and be drawn back really speaks to me. Read on! Tell me about your music. What/who inspires you? I'm fascinated with exploration of both the inner self and the natural world. Social constructs and expectations are mostly folly to me; futile efforts to prove we're above … [Read more...] about Craig Rich