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Where Are All of the Entrepreneurs?

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I keep asking myself this question.  If we want to make Dayton spectacular, entrepreneurs are the key.  But where are they?  I can’t find as many as I would like.  What is holding people back?

I am approached by numerous “wannabe” entrepreneurs.  I am dismayed however that the vast majority will remain “wannabes” instead of making the leap to success.  Why aren’t there more entrepreneurs?

Entrepreneurs must have a stomach, insight and passion.  Starting a business is risky.  You have to be willing to work long hours for low pay and take a risk to start your business.  This unwillingness to struggle and risk disqualifies many hopefuls.  A startup business person must have insight into a market or customers that is realistic. (Watch for my next article about marketing) .  Find a niche market and become the king of that niche.  Finally, the startup must have a take no prisoners attitude in its approach.  No problem can get in the way.

In Dayton, Ohio we have great resources for business.  We have The Entrepreneur’s Center. Small Business Development Centers (SBDC’s) in Dayton , Fairborn, Piqua and Springfield, SCORE®, Aileron, universities, access to financing and more.  Yet, the population of startup companies is very small.  I am baffled.

Funny thing, when I started my business, almost none of those support systems existed.  I felt there were more entrepreneurs then vs. now.

I would not trade my journey for anything.  The road during the first five years was hard, even brutal.  In the end, I am living the American dream reaping the rewards of creating a business that increased jobs as well as security for my family for the rest of my life.

If you really want to start a business, I suggest that following:

  • Ask yourself about risk and what you are willing to do.  I find that the risk question is what holds most people back.  They are unwilling to meet the dream because their fear holds them back.  If you want the benefits without the risk, then you don’t have what it takes.  Sorry!
  • Examine your business skills.  If they are weak, your chances of success just went down.  Build your business skills.  Attend classes, read and get a business mentor.  Start a small micro business just to get the test market experience.
  • Get customers.  The philosophy of business is simple.  Get customers who are willing to pay for your products and or services.  Build it at a cost lower than your selling price.  It starts with the customer.  See my next article about marketing
  • Be realistic about your competitive advantage.  Guarantee that your offering is superior.  If you fool yourself, the marketplace will punish you
  • Be the King (or Queen) of a niche.  Don’t try to take on the big boys.  I have seen business plans that want to compete with Google.  Unless you have a millions of dollars to start, the business will fail.  Even the largest of businesses started with a niche.  Walmart built store in rural market at first instead of going head to head with the established players such as Sears.  Southwest flew out of an airport in Dallas that no one else wanted or could use.  Your competition is smart.  if you attack a large market, the will counter punch.  They are more likely to leave you alone if the market is small and you have a special expertise.
  • Solve the startup capital issue.  Too many entrepreneurs spend all of their time raising money.  Their customers become the venture capitalists or bankers instead of the true customers.  I started my business with $500 and never received a penny of venture capital, yet turned the business into a multi million dollar business.  I can’t tell you how many times I see entrepreneurs roll their eyes when I tell them not to use venture capital.  I will write more about this in future articles.

Want to GoGo to GaGa?

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AIDS Resource Center Ohio is raffling off 3 tickets to “The Monster Ball” Tour at The Palace in Auburn Hills, Michigan. It’s the hottest summer tour out there and you can purchase a raffle ticket online for just $10 or up your odds of winning by getting 3 tickets for $25.

“It’s still called Monster Ball, but it’s more of a musical and less of a concert,” Lady Gaga said in a recent interview with KIIS-FM’s Ryan Seacrest. “It has a New York theme, it’s a story, and the story is that me and my friends are in New York and we’re going to the Monster Ball, and we get lost.”

Critics around the world raved about the first leg of The Monster Ball Tour, which Gaga described as “the first-ever pop-electro opera.” The Sun called it “breathtaking stuff” and “the best live show you will see this year,” while London’s Independent wrote: “Gaga’s got it, which is why, right now, the whole pop world wants to take a ride on her disco stick.”  Writing about her show at Radio City Music Hall, the New York Times noted that “her Monster Ball tour always provided something worth a snapshot: a sci-fi tableau, perhaps, or a skimpy, glittery costume. The more her image gets around, the better Lady Gaga does.”

The drawing will be held on Sat, Aug 28th  during the  Northwest Ohio AIDS Walk.  The winner must be 18 or older but need not be present to win. If winner is not present, they will be notified by phone and/or email. Positive ID must be presented in order to claim your prize.

Covering 36 counties and with four offices in the region, ARC Ohio is geographically the largest AIDS Services organization in Ohio today.  In the midst of growing complacency, difficult financial times, and still no cure or preventative vaccine, your help has never been more crucial! 

 AIDS Resource Center Ohio (ARC Ohio) is a nonprofit, community-based organization whose mission is to provide services to those infected, affected and at risk of HIV/AIDS.  They provide comprehensive support services, HIV testing & counseling, prevention education, linkage to care, and advocacy.

Get Outta Town: My Trip East

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My first multi-day, multi-destination road trip was a great experience and I am very glad that I am able to share it with all of you. The basis of the road trip was that we wanted to spend as little money as possible, but still go to some great places that we have never experienced. In this post you will be able to read about where I went, and also the places I ate at along the way. I tried to go to local restaurants that were well-known for their food, atmosphere and culture. My friends, and University of Dayton roommates, Tim and Matt joined me for the trip and enjoyed it just as much as I did.

Awesome view from the top of the mountain

Day 1: Thursday July 22 – Mcgaheysville

Knowing that we had a long eight hour drive to my dad’s house in Mcgaheysville, Va (the resort town in which my dad lives is called Massanutten), we started the drive from Dayton at around 10 a.m. and arrived in Virginia around 6 p.m. The scenery along the way is beautiful as you pass through the Appalachian Mountains.

After we arrived at my dad’s house, we drove to the nearby city of Harrisonburg, which is home to James Madison University, a public university which consistently ranks high in education value and for their business school. My dad is the project superintendent of construction on the additions to the James Madison football stadium, so we were able to take a look at that site. We also took a quick drive around the campus, which was very nice and had many new buildings. Later that night we rode go-karts, one of the many things there is to do in Massanutten, Va.

Day 2: Friday July 23 – Virginia Beach

On Friday we had planned to travel to Virginia Beach, Va, and stay the night at a hotel near the city. About a four hour

Statue of Neptune

drive from my dad’s house, Virginia Beach is a clean and beautiful beach. Our check-in time for our hotel was 3 p.m., so we decided to hit the beach first. We arrived in Virginia Beach at around noon, so we decided to eat lunch first. We ate at Dough Boy’s California Pizza, which…you guessed it serves up a variety of classic California-style pizzas. We ordered the Cordon Bleu Pizza, which was very delicious and topped with four cheeses.

Parking is very easy to find, whether you want to use metered parking or park in a garage. But if you insist on meter parking, make sure to bring plenty of change, as no one gives out change and it can be very frustrating trying to find it. Initially we parked at a meter about a quarter of a mile from the beach, but quickly changed to a garage as we ran out of change. The hotel we stayed at was $120 for one night for three people, which is not bad for being 10 minutes away.

Bad Ass iced coffee

We also stopped at Bad Ass Coffee, which had some great kona! Virginia Beach is a typical tourist locale, as there is a bounty of “beachwear” stores to be found, and plenty of great restaurants. We parked in a garage near Neptune’s park on the beach and were  glad we did, as we were able to sit and enjoy some live music that was playing.

Delicious fish tacos from The Abbey Road Pub

Debating where we wanted to eat for dinner, we walked a long way down Atlantic Ave. to try and find something. It was then around 22nd St. that we found a great pick. The Abbey Road Pub, a Beatles themed restaurant. I figured we had to go in, mostly because I was wearing my Abbey Road Beatles shirt (which happens to be my favorite album). The atmosphere was great, as a ton of Beatles memorabilia hung on every wall, and Beatles music pumped out of the speakers. I had the fish tacos which were very good and among the best I’ve had. There are many Beatles-themed menu items, like the Sgt. Pepper (hamburger) and the Let It Be Brunch.

Day 3: Saturday July 24 – Lake Anna

After a great time and great weather in Virginia Beach, we decided to meet up with my

Driving the jet ski (Me on left, roommate Matt on right)

dad at Lake Anna, one of the largest freshwater lakes in Virginia. We set up at a small campground beach and were able to lay out on the small beach there. My dad had recently purchased a jet ski, so we were able to take that for a few runs, which was so much fun! The lake is very big and full of different ways to turn and explore, so it made for great jet skiing waters.

After driving back to Mcgaheysville, we decided to hike up one of the many mountains that litter the area near my dad’s house. The mountain we hiked up is used as a ski slope during the winter, so it was a very steep climb. It took about a half hour to climb to the top, and it was well worth it as we were able to enjoy an amazing view of the valley below. Massanutten also is great in the winter, as it is a very popular destination for skiers, snowboarders and even some tubers.

Later that night after quick Chipotle stop, we finally saw the movie Inception, which was very good! I had heard so many things about the movie and I think that it lived up to the expectations I had of it of having a deep plot and a ton of action-packed sequences thrown in.

Day 4: Sunday July 25 – Washington D.C.

Best chili/chili dog!

On our last day we decided to go to Washington D.C., only a two hour drive from my dad’s house, and do some sight-seeing. Arriving just before noon, we stopped off at Ben’s Chili Bowl for lunch. Located at 1213 U St. N.W., Ben’s Chili Bowl has been featured on many TV shows and is very highly regarded. We all ordered standard chili dogs, as this is what they are best known for. Not only was it delicious, it was easily the best chili I’ve ever had. The hot dog was cooked perfectly and the chili had just enough zing in it to make it irresistible. If you are ever in D.C., I would say that it is a must to check it out!

After our awesome lunch, we decided to park in a garage near the Smithsonian Museum, which is basically in the heart of the national mall. It was a balmy 95 degrees outside, and without a cloud in sight it seemed that it would be a perfect day…

After parking, we went into the National Air & Space Museum, which is free to the public. The museum was very crowded, as it seemed like every boy scout in America was there, but the exhibits were very interesting and

Of course we had to check out the Wright Brothers section!

informational. Near the museum was the Capital building, so we decided to check it out. We could only take pictures in front of the building, as the steps were fenced off for the day. Next we went into the National Gallery of Art, which features many modern art pieces along with many famous artists like Monet and van Gogh. This gallery is also free and is a great experience for art lovers or really anyone.

As we exited the art gallery, some dark menacing clouds approached. The wind whipped up and sand and trash were blowing everywhere. Soon after, a torrential downpour ensued and went on for a half hour. We took cover under a small information kiosk before deciding to make a run for it. We had to run about three blocks to my car in the garage and proceeded to get completely soaked. After changing into dry clothes, we unfortunately had to leave without seeing many monuments.

In the end this road trip was definitely a successful one, as we got to see many amazing things and eat a lot of amazing food. I will visit D.C. again in the future so I can check out some of the other monuments I missed because of the monsoon. I hope this inspires some of you to plan your own road trip, one that will fill your head with wonderful memories and great new experiences.

Keep it clean

I also learned a few things that will help me on future road trips:

  • ALWAYS bring an umbrella with you
  • Make sure you have lots of change for metered parking
  • No swearing allowed in Virginia Beach

YP Roundup: August Events

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So much to do this month around the region – and SO many groups to explore.  Here’s the round-up:

Wednesday, August 4:

Thursday, August 5:

  • The Young AFCEAns host a Social Hour at The Melting Pot in Centerville.

Friday, August 6:

Sunday, August 8:

Monday, August 9:

Tuesday, August 10:  

Wednesday, August 11:

Thursday, August 12:

Friday, August 13:

Saturday, August 14:

  • Dayton Ballet Barre British Bash at the Packard Museum ($19 members/$26 nonmembers)

Tuesday, August 17:

Thursday, August 19:

Friday, August 20:

Friday, August 27:

Monday, August 30:

Tuesday, August 31:

SO much to do!  Click on the links for further information about each opportunity.

Where Am I- July 28, 2010

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Were the first two Where Am I’s kind of easy? Let’s see if we can stump a few more people with this week’s Where Am I- July 28, 2010

Please feel free to leave your guess, your favorite story, or some insider tip, to any of the posts, in the comments.

Hint: Toto

The answer to Where Am I– July 21, 2010: The Firefly Building, 123 Webster St. in Dayton. Definitely one of Dayton’s most cool buildings! From Rogero + Buckman Architects website:

It’s a building, it’s a brand, it’s the Firefly. Open office lofts in the front section, hip residential lofts in the rear, separated by an outside stairwell/balcony system sheathed in perforated metal screens that shimmer by day and glow by night. Look up to the roof to see the winged roof canopy, and shield your eyes from the day glow green color scheme and you start to see why it’s called the Firefly.

Hey Ladies- One Day Designer Shoe Sale!

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The Clothes That Work Boutique is hosting a one day only sale on new and gently worn shoes…many still in boxes!  Sizes 7AA to 10 will be available-all shoes just $15!  Here are just some of the brands you’ll find:

Coach, Charles Jourdan, Donald J Pliner, Bruno Magli, Clarks, Merrell, Kate Spade, Burberry, A Marinelli, Stuart Weitzman, Cole Haan, Born, Eric Michael, Calvin Klein, Dansko, Mephisto, Margaret Jerrold, Salvatore Ferragamo

The Clothes That Work Boutique sells gently used clothing and shoes that have been donated, but are either not appropriate for job interviews for our clients or we have an abundance in that particular size or style.  The funds raised from the Boutique are used to help support the services of Clothes That Work, which  provides interview appropriate clothing and personalized, confidence building image services for clients.  And while the boutique has clothing for men and women, this shoe sale is just featuring ladies shoes.

Designer Shoe Sale
Thursday, July 29 10am-6pm

Clothes That Work Conference Room
at The Job Center
1133 S. Edwin C Moses Blvd, Suite 392
Dayton, Ohio 45417

Soul’D Out at c{space

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On Wednesday July 28, 2010, some more awesomeness will be happening at c{space… welcome to Soul’D Out!

The event is presented by The Tap Factor ― a new local professional company that offers free dance lessons and community outreach ― in collaboration with The Dayton Playhouse. It will kick off with a pre-show at 7 p.m., featuring live interactive poetry by Robert Paschell, a puppet show, photography by Sarah Babcock, massages by April Kline and other massage therapists, face painting by Jenny Allen Popp, a silent auction, and food and drinks donated by local vendors. The main show will begin at 8 p.m. with an on-stage jam session and performances. An after-show beginning at approximately 9:30 p.m. will conclude the evening with a dance party.

Soul’D Out will help The Tap Factor keep tap dancing and community outreach alive in Dayton following disbandment of Rhythm in Shoes, a Dayton-based performance ensemble that played traditional Appalachian music and performed urban dance styles for 23 years. To purchase tickets for the event, call the Dayton Playhouse at 937-424-8477 between 2 and 5 p.m. Tickets also can be purchased at the door if available. Admission is $20 for seats and $12 for standing room.

“This is the perfect chance to introduce our visitors to what makes the arts scene in Dayton so distinctive and allows for further discovery of the city’s untapped artistic potential,” said Christopher Erk, the event’s organizer and founder of The Tap Factor.

Along with Christopher Erk and The Tap Factor, participating artists include:

• Drummer David Bush, who has performed with Grammy-winning and Grammy-nominated artists from diverse musical styles;
• The Dayton Tap Dance Company, a senior dance ensemble;
• Zoot Theater Company, Dayton’s original puppet and mask company;
• Deron “DB” Bell, a renowned musician and current director of the Dayton Contemporary Dance Company;
• Shaw Pong Liu of Boston, a violinist and operations manager for Dayton’s Blue Sky Project;
• Anthony Russo of St. Louis, a member of the traveling dance workshop Tap the Map;
• Jumaane Taylor of Chicago, a member of the Chicago-based tap group M.A.D.D. Rhythms Inc. and a faculty    member of the workshop Tap the Map (see video below);
• students from Stivers School for the Arts and Wright State University; and
• other very special, surprise guests.

“This is an event that extends beyond age and language barriers,” Erk said. “From the moment you walk into c{space, you will participate in a journey through an array of different experiences.”

According to Erk, the event is an opportunity to showcase local under-discovered talent. Anne Rasmussen, c{space’s operations director, said this is in perfect sync with c{space’s mission to encourage and support emerging local artists while helping improve the cultural vibrancy of downtown Dayton.

“This is going to be a performance of the likes people have never seen before,” Erk said. “It’s a rare opportunity to witness what happens when Dayton’s most talented entities get together under the same roof. We’re going to show everyone what Dayton has to offer.” Erk also would like to thank Wade Hamilton of the Dayton Playhouse for his guidance in developing the show.

Soul’D Out’s guest tap dancers will teach at Tap the Map, a workshop the following night, on Thursday, July 29 from 6 to 9:30 p.m. at Jeanette Popp School of Dance, 7762 Waynetown Blvd. Tickets cost $75. Participants can bring their Soul’D Out ticket stub for a $5 rebate upon registration. For more details on Tap the Map, go to www.tapontour.com.

Jumaane Taylor: “Ile Ife”

Blush Boudoir Photography in Dayton – Ooh La La!

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Most of you SHOULD be aware that Dayton has more artistic talent than many cities even two or three times our size, and that talent includes some amazing photographers.  We will be featuring many of these amazing Dayton photogs over the coming weeks, starting with this one – Tracy Abston of Blush Boudoir.  Tracy’s traditional photography that focuses on portraits, weddings, etc. is amazing in and of itself, and she has many happy clients that rave about their experiences with her.  However, it is the ‘other’ type of photography that has helped Tracy make a name for herself – not only in the Dayton Region but in southwest Ohio!  Ladies and gents – welcome to the world of Blush Boudoir…

Boudoir (which comes from the French word for ‘pout’) is a growing trend in photography today.  Sensual yet classy would be a good phrase to describe these photo sessions, with female clients who might be looking for a unique gift to give their significant others.  Interesting, you say?  We couldn’t agree more (of course) so we sat down with Tracy to get to the bottom of this boudoir business (so to speak)…

Dayton Most Metro: What got you started in boudoir photography?

Tracy: “I have always had a passion for photography and making people feel beautiful. As a wedding photographer my clients started asking about intimate images for their husbands to be. After several sessions I received countless cards and emails expressing what an amazing time they had with comments such as ‘I never felt more gorgeous’, ‘I’ve never felt so confident before’ & ‘these images brought me to tears’. I knew that I was on to something amazing so I started Blush-Boudoir 4 years ago because I really want to encourage other women to have the same experience. At Blush-Boudoir we feel strongly that EVERY woman is absolutely beautiful and we will work with you to find your inner supermodel.”

DMM: Tell me a little more about this niche market – are there others in the region doing this?

Tracy: “Yes, boudoir photography is becoming very popular and although a hand full of other photographers are offering this as an optional session I believe that we are the only studio in the area that specializes in this type of photography. The Blush-Boudoir experience typically starts out as gift for a spouse or significant other but most often becomes an unexpected gift for them too….I would say it is like a rite of passage or a great way to celebrate milestones. In these cases a creative and classy Blush-Boudoir photograph is not just another pretty picture, it is more of a tangible memento reminding women of what they have gone through and what they have achieved in life. Blush-Boudoir photography is sexy, glamorous, fun and can be shared with your significant other in a very intimate way.”

DMM: How do you make your clients feel comfortable? What are common concerns that clients have and how do you address them?

Tracy: “My clients’ comfort is of the utmost importance and our studio is all female staffed in a very relaxing chic downtown studio. During a typical session we’ll start by going over their ideas and I’ll ask a few of my favorite questions like ‘Tell me a little about your best features’, ‘Do you have any concerns or is there anything you want to hide?’. I reassure my clients that they don’t have to have the “perfect body” to look absolutely and positively sexy in their photos. It’s my job to bring out your flirty and beautiful side by coaching you through your session. I’m always very excited to hear all the wonderful experiences my clients share with me after the shoot and how relaxed they feel throughout their session.”

DMM: Who is your average client?

Tracy: “My clients are generally new brides, married women looking for that unique gift for their spouse, and stay at home moms looking for an empowering beautiful experience . As far as professional experience, my clients are women in the medical field, business owners, teachers and so many other professions that it would take me days to list them. What always amazes me is how far some of my clients have traveled for the Blush-Boudoir experience….. We have had clients from Michigan, Chicago, Lexington (KY), Columbus, Cincinnati and Indiana travel to our studios because of recommendations by their friends.”

DMM:  I’m guessing this is something easier for young women to do, but what about those who (how do I say this without getting hate mail)… those who might not be so young?  (whew)

Tracy: “I would say that our clients average around 30 percent in their 20’s, 30 percent in their 30’s and over 35 percent in their 40’s+ (a growing segment). I think that some women turn to our Blush-Boudoir photography as a means to launch their new outlook on life. At 40+ years a woman is dealing with running a household, managing work, raising kids and just life in general. It’s nice to take time out and do something special and rewarding like a Blush-Boudoir session. During their sessions they will receive a day of pampering at our private downtown studio, a professional make-up artist and a photographer who is experienced in making every client feel and look like a supermodel . A Blush-Boudoir photography session is one day out of your life resulting in a gorgeous, stunning, sensual, treasured photograph that you’ll have for a lifetime.”

DMM:. Have you ever gotten criticism for doing boudoir photography?

Tracy:  “I believe that God created women to be beautiful, and that there is a reason the female form has been painted, sculpted, drawn and photographed for centuries.  I’m sure that there is some criticism about my photography but frankly I don’t care because our photos are classy and professional. My entire career has set me on the path to operating Blush-Boudoir and with every session I’m excited to make my clients feel beautiful inside by showing how beautiful they can be on the outside. I firmly believe that every woman that comes into our studio can be magazine cover-worthy.”

DMM:. Tell me an interesting story about a particular session.

Tracy: “A recent Blush client was in tears after her session. I sat down and asked what was wrong…. she  exclaimed… ‘Nothing! I’m just sooo happy. I’ve never felt more beautiful in my entire life’.  A few weeks later she sent me this.”

DMM: Run me through a typical session.

Tracy: “When you arrive we’ll chat about the lingerie and outfits you’ve brought for your session while you enjoy a complimentary glass of wine or bottled water. Once we determine which outfits you will wear then we’ll start your hair and make-up (if you choose this option). Getting your hair and makeup done sets the tone for your session and gives you time to relax while you’re pampered for the next hour. I have worked with the same fantastic makeup artist for over three years and love her! Michelle Richardson from Avoge Idea is simply amazing and you can completely trust her to create your vision. After you are all glammed up we will turn up the music, turn on the camera lights, and begin shooting.”.

“One of the most common things I hear from clients is ‘I’m nervous,’ quickly followed by ‘I have no idea how to pose!’ Don’t worry – it’s normal to be nervous so we’ll start with some warm-up poses to get you in your supermodel frame of mind and by the end of your session you will look and feel gorgeous !!!!!”

DMM:  What is your studio like?

Tracy: “I LOVE my new chic downtown Dayton loft studio! It has elegant exposed brick, a cool staircase and the abundance of yummy natural light. Since our studio has a focus on the Blush-Boudoir session we can offer several scenes that are not only super sexy but are also a very private experience.”

DMM:. What other photographers do you admire?

Tracy: “Tiny Sparrow Foundation and others like her that are providing memories through photography to families with children who are facing life threatening illnesses. This is something I do as well whenever I get the chance because giving back is good for the soul.”

DMM: What other types of photography do you specialize in?

“I also specialize in wedding and lifestyle photography. At one point I was shooting 35+ weddings a year but have since cut back with my growing Blush-Boudoir business.”

DMM: How do you feel about the future of this niche market?

“I started Blush-Boudoir over 4 years ago and I’ve seen steady and incredible growth. Thanks to all of our wonderful clients who continue to recommend us to their friends we are seeing an increasing buzz throughout the Dayton, Cincinnati & Northern Kentucky regions. People seem surprised when I tell them how popular Blush-Boudoir photography is getting but my busy studio is proof that the demand is there!”

_____________________________________________

Two-Way Streets Equal All-Way Confusion

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Photo by jamestraceur on flickr

So, if you haven’t noticed, construction crews are busy messing up converting 18 blocks of downtown Dayton’s one-way streets into two-way streets.

Am I the ONLY one who doesn’t like this idea?? (Don’t answer that, no one asked me anyway.)  But seriously.  WHO are they doing this for?  If you already live, work, or frequent downtown Dayton, like moi, then you already know which streets are one-way and you drive accordingly. It’s not that hard.  If you don’t already live, work, or frequent downtown Dayton, GET A MAP or a GPS!  Again, not that difficult.  I mean, were there a HUGE rash of crazy traffic accidents downtown because people didn’t know which side of the street they should be driving on???  If so, there must be a cover-up because as you know the local news around here covers every fender-bender and flat tire in the region.

2nd Street in the good ol' days. *Sniff* Photo by DDFic on flickr

So, my dear City Commissioners or whoever the heck decided this was a good idea – here’s what you have done.  I, Jenny Rapson, a life-long resident of Dayton who drives through downtown several times a week, NO LONGER KNOW WHERE THE HECK I AM GOING.  At 32 years old, I am already set in my ways, and one of my ways was ONE-WAY streets downtown.  Now, we may have a rash of fiery traffic accidents because the routes I have been driving my whole life are now totally different. AND?  MY GPS DOESN’T KNOW IT YET, EITHER!

Let me reiterate: you have confused and irritated the people who were already frequenting downtown.  Good luck luring all those new customers with your shiny two-way streets.  I’m sure your really good idea will work.

I’m just a *smidge* grumpy about the directional street changes downtown.  How do you feel about them?

Summer Fun for Kids: Wegerzyn Children’s Garden

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DSC04384Two years ago, my kids and I discovered the fun that is the Children’s Discovery Garden at Wegerzyn Gardens Metropark.  Located on Siebenthaler Ave., this Metropark offers not only a gorgeous display of glorious gardens, but a real opportunity for your kids to play, learn, and have fun!  The Discovery Garden features a world of water play – there’s a man-made safe wading creek and fun waterfall.

DSC04407

There’s also a man-made cave to chase your friends (or your sister) through:

laughing at brother

The fun is completed with sand pits and tables to learn how to plant plants in, a play house, a musical maze, and so many more ways to have fun at the Children’s Discovery Garden. It’s a great place for a playdate and to take a picnic lunch. My kids and I love it there – head over to their website and check it out!

Where Am I – July 21, 2010

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The answer to Where Am I – July 14, 2010: Eastwood MetroPark. The photo is of the lagoon.

The Lake held two functions: one was to provide water recreation for the community and also to help protect the city’s water supply by acting as a recharge basin for the aquifer.

It’s a beautiful park with some of the best recreational options in Dayton Ohio: Power boats, sailboats, kayaking, fishing, picnicing, and a popular bike trail. Mountain Days is held there every summer with some nationally known traditional, bluegrass, and country music acts. Check the calendar, here.

Highlights of Eastwood MetroPark include a 185-acre lake, Mad River, picnic shelters and a playground. The 3-mile loop trail offers hiking opportunities on mostly level terrain. Try fishing in Eastwood Lake or the Blue Lake or the Mad River. Bring the family and the boat out to Eastwood MetroPark for a fun-filled day on the water, or just enjoy a serene sojourn on the trails.

This week’s Where Am I?:

Hint: Lampyridae

Get Outta Town: What to Bring Along

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Now that you have picked a place you want to go for your trip, you need to think about all the essentials you need to bring along.

It’s really up to you to pick exactly what you need to bring, but I’m going to try and suggest some things that are important to not forget, and maybe some things you have never thought about.

Emergency Road Kits

A lot of people would probably just push this one aside because they think they will never need them, but who wants to be stuck on the side of the road with a flat tire in the middle of the night during a rainstorm without any help? So for any trip where a lot of driving is inevitable, a simple emergency road kit might just be a smart option. Make sure to include the following when putting one together:

  • A small blanket for warmth
  • A first-aid kit and a spare tire
  • Extra car fuses
  • Jumper cables, roadside flares
  • Duct tape, extra antifreeze and oil
  • A few bottles of water and energy bars

This simple list can help you out if you are in a jam while on the road!

Food and Beverages

If you are planning on going to a warm place like Florida or the Carolinas, chances are you’ll not have the same grocery store options you do back home. A lot of the places I’ve been to on vacation only have a few general stores (the Outer Banks comes to mind first), which often jack up the prices of everything in the store that visitors need. With this in mind, it is smart to bring some food and beverages you can buy at home to save you a lot of money, not only from high store prices, but from the very high price of going out to eat.

Leisure Equipment & Active Equipment

Bring all your own leisure items, like bicycles, chairs and beach umbrellas. These can prove costly to rent, and are a good investment. If you are going to a camping area, bringing your own camping gear is of course a good idea, as whatever you rent or borrow many not be fully-equipped or fully-functioning.

Exercising on your vacation may be the last thing on your mind, but bringing along a pair of running shoes is a great idea. Going on a quick run in the morning will not only wake you up for the day, but can also give you some time to check out the surrounding area.

Navigation

Of course some of you are just stubborn and don’t think you need the aid of GPS navigation, but most of us can really benefit from purchasing one. With many modern features like detour alerts, a GPS will probably prevent this from happening.

For some input on which GPS devices are the best check out some reviews here.

Become a AAA Member

Being an AAA member has many benefits, besides the 24 hour free roadside assistance, they provide many useful services. You can walk into one of their offices and they will make a TripTik for you, which will detail how to get to your destination in a thick booklet, as well as places to see and go once you get there. Many discounts can also be achieved at certain stores and restaurants just by showing your membership card. For more information on pricing and the benefits of AAA, check out their web site

Whatever else you bring is up to you now! Be sure to read next week’s post from me detailing my own road trip. I will be embarking on my own trip this weekend, and will be back next week to deliver what went well, what happened and some tips for if you are ever in the same areas.

Where Am I – July 14, 2010

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I get to see a lot of the city; Realtors can log hundreds of miles a week over the entire Dayton area. We also become good at seeing bits and pieces of buildings and paying close attention to details: An interesting light fixture, a beautiful door, an architectural detail that’s 25 feet above the ground. To us, these are clues to the value, potential appeal, and condition of a property, but on an emotional level, on a daily basis, looking for the little details around us means we get to be delighted and surprised when we take the time to pay attention.

It’s with this in mind that DaytonMostMetro.com is starting a new weekly column called “Where Am I?”  The DMM contributors will grab a photo of something in the Dayton area: A sculpture, a sign, a gargoyle, or an interesting entryway, little gems around the Dayton area that you might miss if you aren’t paying attention or something lovely that you might take for granted if it’s become so much background.

We invite you to share your guess of the location in the comment space. Then on the following week we’ll give the answer and some information about previous “Where Am I”. Some might be easier than others, but mostly we hope it’s fun and it encourages us to see Dayton as a little more interesting. We also hope you might share your own thoughts, stories, and memories of the places we highlight, whether you are a long time resident, or have just moved into town. DaytonMostMetro.com works best the same way the Dayton Ohio area works best- as a community- each of us contributing and sharing what we know so don’t be shy.

Our first week’s “Where Am I” is this:

Hint: Lagoon

Gettin’ geeky with Super-Fly Comics

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Super-Fly Comics at 132 Dayton Street, Yellow Springs.

Remember 7-Eleven in the 1980s? The ubiquitous convenience-store chain was something of a temple of sorts for kids like me who grew up during the era of Pac Man and Reaganomics.

Was it the day-old hot dogs that lured me into the brightly-lit snack shack?  Nope.

Was it the allure of  icy smooth flavorful Slurpee’s that drew me back to the orange and green?  Wrong again.

The thing that I saved my quarters for was not Big Gulps or Snickers bars (well, maybe a few Snickers bars).  What I craved –  even more than the sugar – was comic books.  The comic book was somewhat of a deity to me back in the day.

And the spinner rack was a shrine.

Comics specialty stores popped up in the 1990’s and they quickly became the new destination for geeks to get their weekly fantasy fix.  Though the comic industry peaked in the mid nineties, and independent comic book stores started to disappear, you could still find your favorite funny books in national bookstores like Barnes and Noble and Border’s.

However, it became harder for the loyal, die-hard comic book fans to locate a shop that understood them, attended to their nerdy needs and didn’t have associates that resembled ‘Comic book Guy’ Jeff Albertson from the Simpsons animated television show.  A good comic shop needs to cater to that resiliently loyal fanbase who loves comics, yet still be inviting enough for the casual customers who don’t know the difference between Kryptonite and a cryptogram.

True believers, I have found such a place:  Super-Fly Comics in Yellow Springs.

Thacher Cleveland and Anthony Barry, co-owners of Super-Fly, talked to DMM about their love of the comics medium, the mechanics of a good ( and bad) comic book movie and the future of the industry.

DMM: Tell me about how you got started selling comics?

TC: We both used to work over at Dark Star Comics and Used Books.  We made the owner an offer to buy her new comic business –her subscription services and the stock — and move it over here into a separate store.  She wanted to focus more on used books, and things of that nature.  She accepted, and we brought it over here. It’s grown since then.

Thacher Cleveland (left), and Anthony Barry of Super-Fly Comics.

DMM: When was this?

Thacher Cleveland: This was August of 2007.

DMM: So, were you guys always comic book fans?

TC: Yeah, definitely.

Anthony Barry: I don’t even remember a time in my life when there weren’t comics around.

TC: We actually have what I am 98% sure was my first comic that I had ever got on display [in the store]:  An issue of Batman that my mother had bought for me when I was home sick from school one day…I was probably 8 or 9 years-old.  That’s sort of my first distinct memory of getting and reading a comic.  It sort of grew from there.

DMM: When did you start working at Dark Star?

TC: I started working there in 2002, and began managing in 2004.

AB: [2004] was when I got hired over there.

DMM: Is it safe to describe you guys as comic book geeks?

AB: Oh yeah! [Laughs.]

TC: Yeah, we’re pretty much into a lot of geeky stuff  in general.  When you’ve been around them and enjoy reading them as much as we do, it just becomes sort of a lifestyle.

DMM: Comic books have always had a stigma as being for kids.  What’s the average age of the people who walk through your doors?

Super-Fly's ample lighting, bright colors and open layout create an inviting atmosphere for browsing

TC: It’s hard to say.  I would say that a lot of our regulars are guys over 18.  We don’t see as many younger kids as we would like.  For the most part, its become less of a “Hey, comics are for kids” and more of the notion that comics are for people that enjoy reading them.  Even a lot of our casual guys are of the older variety.

DMM: What was the concept for the store early on?

TC: We wanted a comic shop that was really inclusive for everyone.  There’s a stereotype of comic shops as being, you know, dark and dungeous.  It couldn’t be a comic shop just for “us”  or people that weren’t willing to devote every second of their day to comics.

Comics aren’t just superheroes.  There’s so much other stuff out there.  There’s all kinds of fun genres being explored. There are historical stories being told.  Autobiographical stories being told.  It’s so diverse.  We wanted a shop to be as diverse as the comics medium is.  That was pretty much our goal going into it.

So far, people seem to be responding to that.  And we appreciate it.

DMM: We’ve seen a lot of comic book movies, in the last decade or so.  What’s your opinion of Hollywood’s love affair with comic book characters?

TC: I think it’s great when [the studios] treat the source material respectfully.  I think a lot more movies, nowadays, are being made by people who understand and enjoy the comics.  You have more people working in the entertainment industry that grew up on comics than the previous generations.

When they’re done well with a keen eye towards staying true to the source material, then it’s fine.  In a lot of cases, it increases people’s exposure to comics.  When the Watchmen movie came out, we had so many people wanting to come in and get the graphic novel to read before they saw the movie.

AB: It’s a mixed bag.  We saw exponential sales with the Watchmen film.  We don’t tend to see as much of a bump with movies like Iron Man.  Those are characters that are already known.  Sometimes, and I’m looking at the movie Wanted, for example, the movies can do a disservice when they change the story so much that it’s almost unrecognizable.  People come in and go,”Hey, I want to read the book that the movie was about.”  And, the movie was dramatically different from the book.  That’s not doing anyone any favors.

Super-Fly hosts art shows, in-store gaming events like HeroClix and HeroScape and dance parties featuring live music.

DMM: With devices — like Apple’s iPad– distributing comics electronically, are there any concerns from you guys regarding the future of the bricks-and-mortar comic book retail store?

TC: That’s probably the number one question that comic retailers across the country are wrestling with.  I think what it comes down to is this:  If you have a good shop– a shop that people like coming to– then you’ll be fine.  If you’re providing them a good experience, have a good selection of product and you’re friendly, then people will come back.

There are always gonna be people that want something for free…or for less.  But I like to think that we provide a really good experience and a good environment.  I hope that people browse through the free and cheap stuff [on the iPad] from the ‘Big Two’ (Marvel and DC) and see something they like and start looking for a good shop.

AB: I’ve yet to see a digital reader I’m satisfied with…although, it’s just a matter of time before that comes along.  Also, a lot of comics readers are into the ‘collectability’ of comics and possessing [the books.]  There’s really no replacement for coming into a store and talking to people who know what they’re talking about.  They ability for someone to recommend books or just have someone to share your experiences with…you can’t replace that.  The customer/shopkeeper relationship that develops over time is certainly better than any computer.

DMM: What, do you think, is Super-Fly’s competitive advantage over other comic shops?

TC: Again, I would say selection and customer service.  We’ve also received a lot of feedback from our customers that they like the way our store looks; they like the way us and our staff treat them.  We special order for people.  We ship, for free, within Ohio for people who can’t make it to Yellow Springs.  We try to put in as much effort as we can to making the entire experience really good.  I hope that all shops are doing that.

AB: We provide a quality experience.  The competition isn’t just other comic shops — it’s online,  digital retailers and sites like Amazon.  You really have to provide a unique experience.  Like Thacher said, we special order things for people all the time.  But even if we can’t get it for them, we’ll tell them where they can.  We’ll at least make the connection for them.  I feel, that’s what people value the most; we assist them in finding what they’re looking for.

Super-Fly Comics is located at 132 Dayton Street in Yellow Springs, Ohio. You can reach them at (937) 767-1445 or [email protected].
Hours:
Monday & Tuesday Noon – 7pm
Wednesday through Saturday 11am – 8pm
Sunday Noon – 7pm

facebook.com/superflycomics

superflycomics.com

“Tell ’em DaytonMostMetro.com sent ya!”

The author wishes to thank these two gentleman for their time.  He would also like to add that, despite his attempts, he has yet to successfully develop a method of irradiating spiders in an effort to gain super strength.  He also believes that microwaving spiders was probably not a good idea.

Help the Humane Society of Greater Dayton win $20,000

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The Humane Society of Greater Dayton is a top five finalist in the Jump START Your Nonprofit contest from Modern Office Methods. The winning organization will receive new office equipment valued at $20,000. The second prize is valued at $10,000 and the third prize at $5,000.

This is a great opportunity for us, as you know firsthand the time it takes to raise this amount of money. This makeover would allow us to be more efficient in providing services for those who need it most. And, typically, money raised tends to support our mission, rather than offset business technology costs.

We need your vote! The more votes, the better chance we have to win. Go to www.momnet.com and vote for the Humane Society of Greater Dayton once a day beginning Monday, July 12 at 8am through Sunday, July 25 at midnight. We need this makeover to help us run better and serve our communities better!

Please share this with any friends or colleagues who you feel would be willing to vote for us.

Happy voting and thank you for your support!

Sincerely,

Megan Moon
Humane Society of Greater Dayton
1661 Nicholas Road
Dayton, Ohio 45417
Phone: (937) 262-5929
Fax: (937) 267-5227