In our second annual Best in Cincy Business Awards, we honor the many businesses and services that make Cincinnati such a great place to do business. From architectural firms and MBA programs to meeting and event centers and dinner locations, we cover it all in this feature. Thousands of people voted in this online competition for their favorites in 74 categories. We asked our winners why they thought they won in their category and have included a selection of responses in the following pages.
Join us for the Best in Cincy Business 2022 Social on Wednesday, April 6th at The Backstage Event Center! Visit the event website for more information.
LoveCincy
Cincinnati Made Product
Candlespice Co.
PO Box 72585, Newport, KY.
Corporate/Community Citizen
Kroger
Local Company with National Presence
Samuel Adams Cincinnati Taproom
1727 Logan St, Cincinnati.
New Business Opened within Previous Year/Startup
You To The Rescue
9510 Montgomery Rd, Cincinnati.
“You To The Rescue won the Best New Business Opened within Previous Year/Startup paws down due to our shop dog extraordinaire Stella. Our generous donors and patrons rave about our mission, which is to sell/rehome donated items to support Tristate animals, like those at the Animal Adoption Foundation, but they come to wag tails and spend time with her. Our volunteer-based staff gives endlessly to provide a pleasant, unique and affordable shopping experience.”
Sporting Event To Take Client To
Great American Ball Park
100 Joe Nuxhall Way, Cincinnati.
Accounting Services
Accounting Firm – 25 Employees or Larger
VonLehman CPA & Advisory Firm
810 Wright’s Summit Pkwy, Ste 300, Ft Wright, KY.
“By placing an emphasis on the overall client experience. Like a lot of businesses, over the past couple of years we had to adapt and change. But the biggest impact has been the opportunities for us to help our clients—whether it be budgeting and cash flow, tax planning, or forecasting to helping our clients with COVID relief efforts. The ability for us to help our clients navigate some tough times and have a positive impact on their business has been very rewarding.” – Adam Davey, President
Accounting Firm – Bookkeeping
Ducks In A Row
150 E 4th St, Cincinnati.
Accounting Firm – Small Business
UGJ CPAs
7419 Kingsgate Way, West Chester.
Accounting Firm – Tax Service
Tri State CPAs
4735 Cornell Rd, Cincinnati.
“We strive to be our client’s advisers and we go above and beyond to make sure they are satisfied with our services” – Deepak Aggarwal, CPA
Mergers & Acquisitions
A Better View Strategic Consulting, LLC
513-479-1652
“I think we won in the Mergers and Acquisition category on the strength and depth of our network and community of advocates. The clients we have served. The prospects who never became M&A clients, but remained closely connected, some of whom were clients seeking M&A advice. And the huge community of advocates we are blessed to call friends, colleagues, peers and connections.” – John M. Gleason, Founder & President
Construction Services
Architectural Firm
KZF Design
700 Broadway St, Cincinnati.
Commercial Construction Company
HGC Construction
2814 Stanton Ave, Cincinnati.
Dining
After Work Happy Hour
Braxton Brewing Co.
Locations in Cincinnati and Covington, KY.
Coffee Meeting Location
Coffee Emporium
Locations in Over-the-Rhine and Hyde Park.
Education
MBA Program
Xavier University
3800 Victory Pkwy, Cincinnati.
Professional Development Workshop
MB Consulting Solutions LLC
10663 Loveland-Madeira Rd, Ste 170, Loveland.
Financial Services
Business Banking
Kemba Credit Union
Commercial Lender
Union Savings Bank
PPP Lender
Fifth Third Bank
General Interest/Services
Energy Provider
Duke Energy
Golf Course for Business Outings
O’Bannon Creek Golf Club Restaurant
6842 Oakland Rd, Loveland.
Franchise Consultant
Brandon Owens, First Choice Business Brokers
3481 S Dixie Hwy, Ste 300, Middletown.
Place for Office Gifts
Rookwood Pottery
1920 Race St, Cincinnati.
Place to Buy Business Attire
Kenwood Towne Center
7875 Montgomery Rd, Cincinnati.
Relocation Specialist
Sibcy Cline Relocation Services
8044 Montgomery Rd, Ste 306, Cincinnati.
“Sibcy Cline Relocation offers comprehensive relocation services worldwide. We specialize in managing the many moving parts within relocation in an efficient, detailed and personal way. We offer leading-edge solutions to contemporary relocation challenges. Our personal touch enables transferees to feel confident in the high-level service we provide, and at ease with the transition as we guide them through every step of their relocation.”
Sales Training Company
Sandler Sales Training Cincinnati by Lynn McInturf & Associates
1114 Race St, Cincinnati.
Health
Executive Fitness Facility/Trainer
Fitopia
Locations in West Chester and Cincinnati.
Human Resources
Executive Coach Firm
A Slice of HR
512 W Main St, Mason.
“We won this category because we have the best friends, family, coworkers, community and clients in the world! We are proud that 92% of our clients that start with us stick with us for recruiting and HR support and see us as valuable partners in their business.” – Colleen Drennen Pfaller, Founder & CEO
Executive Placement/Recruiting Agency
PEOPLEfirst Talent & Retention Consulting
Staffing Company
Beneficial Talent Source
Veteran Hiring Program
Cintas
Legal Services
Law Firm – Small Business
Law Offices of Shannon C. Smith
Marketing
Advertising Agency
Holland Adhaus
2245 Gilbert Ave, Ste 204, Cincinnati.
“Grit. Transparency. Collaboration. Care. These four characteristics are at the heart of the client feedback we receive. Each year during review time, we hear how who we are as an agency positively impacts our clients and their businesses. They experience our hard work, enthusiasm, open communication and teamwork—and are able to measure the results.” – Allie Honebrink, Creative Director
Graphic Design/Branding Agency
Zeal40: the creative agency
838 Reedy St, Ste 200, Cincinnati.
Graphic Designer
ERA Design
Mailing Services
Addressed for Success
7120 Dunn Rd, Cincinnati.
Photographer
Sara Jasper Photography
“Photography gives me the unique opportunity to capture the lives and milestones of people I have come to know and love. I continue to be grateful that I have found ways to give back to my community and hope to provide every client with a photography experience they will never forget.” – Sara Jasper
PR/Communications Agency
Pomme Communications
“Pomme offers a combination of public relations, marketing and activations and strategic partnerships to help clients make meaningful connections with their key audiences. Through our client partnerships, we’ve engaged millions through meaningful messaging and measurable calls-to-action. Pomme is active in the community, providing sponsorship support to Startup Cincy Week and the Public Relations Society of America, and also supports cancer research and care-related causes, such as Ride Cincinnati and the Cincinnati Cancer Advisors.” – Allison A.B. Schroeder, APR, Owner
Printing Company
IPR Group
Promotional Products Company
OMNI Printing and Promotions
4747 Devitt Dr, Cincinnati.
Sign Company
FASTSIGNS
Social Media Consulting
brn Digital
Meeting and Events
Audio/Visual Provider
Prestige AV & Creative Services
4835 Para Dr, Cincinnati.
Catering Company
Sweets & Meats BBQ
2249 Beechmont Ave, Cincinnati.
“We have established ourselves as the go-to caterer for special events. We cook from scratch daily, using family recipes. Sweets & Meats BBQ specializes in smoked meats, homemade sides and desserts using quality meats and locally sourced produce whenever possible. Our food quality and customer service is unmatched. We are able to cater intimate affairs and events with thousands of guests and the flavor is still the same.” – Kristen Bailey, Owner
Local Team Building Experience
The Summit Hotel
5345 Medpace Way, Cincinnati.
Meeting and Banquet Center
The Phoenix
812 Race St, Cincinnati.
Meeting and Event Planner
Details2Decor Event Planning
Networking Event
The D Event
“I think we won in the Best Networking Event category on the strength and depth of our network and community that we have nurtured for more than 12 years. The D Event gives attendees the opportunity to connect dots… and begin to make their own connections through their unique lens and experiences. At the beginning of the day, many of the attendees are strangers and might not know each other. By the end of the day, many become friends, because they have had the chance to share key challenges with each other, as well as exploring possible solutions to some of these challenges.” – John M. Gleason, Founder & President
Place to Close a Deal
Jeff Ruby’s Steakhouse
700 Walnut St, Cincinnati.
Small Meeting Venue
Devou Golf & Event Center
1201 Park Dr, Covington, KY.
Videographer
Spotted Yeti Media
823 Scott St, Covington, KY.
Office
Landscape/Lawncare Service
Natorp’s
8601 Snider Rd, Cincinnati.
Office Cleaning Service
Jancoa
525 Vine St, Ste 1600, Cincinnati.
Office Designer
Reusch Interior Design
2705 Observatory Ave, Cincinnati.
Office Furniture
LOTH, Inc.
3574 E Kemper Rd, Cincinnati.
Security Service
Securitas Security Services
Professional Services
Employee Benefits Company
Custom Design Benefits
5589 Cheviot Rd, Cincinnati.
“Custom Design Benefits is known for our customer-focused culture and innovative benefits solutions. In our 2021 client satisfaction survey, 97% of our clients rated our customer service as ‘Excellent.’ When a member calls with a benefits question, a live person answers the phone. If an issue arises, we get the facts and own it until it is resolved. Our innovative cost containment solutions for self-funded employers is another factor in our success. Each year we research and develop new products and services to help our employers manage their health plan spend while offering additional services to their employees.” – Julie Mueller, President & CEO
Payroll Services
Payroll Partners, Inc.
810 Wrights Summit Pkwy, Ste 120, Ft Wright, KY.
“Payroll Partners is first and foremost a service company. For us that means we have a dedicated specialist for each client, we answer the phone when you call, we respond timely to your emails and we help you navigate this complex local payroll tax environment. Every department—sales, implementation, tax and support—has a team of experts who go above and beyond to deliver exceptional results. Our advanced HCM software paired with our personal and accessible customer service makes for an unrivaled offering in the market that our clients love!” -Noah Osterhage
Property and Casualty Insurance Agency
Oswald Companies
36 E 7th St, Ste 2625, Cincinnati.
“Oswald Companies is committed to strengthening our client relationships and communities in the Greater Cincinnati area and surrounding counties. Over the last two years, we have added a number of innovative resources and services to guide our clients through the pandemic and will continue to do so in the coming year.” – Moira Lyon, Cincinnati Market Leader
Real Estate
Commercial Mortgage Lender
Cincinnatus Savings and Loan
Commercial Real Estate Developer
Neyer Properties
2135 Dana Ave, Ste 200, Cincinnati.
“Neyer Properties prides itself on transforming the built environment to enhance communities. Some of these transformations include The Baldwin Residential and Office Redevelopment, Montgomery Quarter and Three Oaks in the Oakley neighborhood. We create a ‘sense of place’ that brings people together to live, work and play.” – Chris Dobrozsi, CCIM, Executive Vice President, Development
Commercial Real Estate Firm
Keller Williams Advisors Realty- Cincinnati
Technology
Computer Networking Company
CMIT Solutions of Cincinnati Northeast
9435 Waterstone Blvd, Ste 140-27, Cincinnati.
Data and Security Firm
Intrust IT
9850 Redhill Dr, Cincinnati.
Document Management, Printer & Copiers
Peter Paul Office Equipment
711 Carr St, Cincinnati.
“I think the reason we won this category is because we sell a superior product AND we provide consistently excellent service. We sincerely appreciate our customers choosing Peter Paul Office for their office equipment needs.” – Barb Markey
Telecommunications Provider
Cincinnati Bell
Web Development Firm
Zeal40: the creative agency
838 Reedy St, Ste 200, Cincinnati.
Transportation
Automotive Services/Dealer
Evan’s Auto Care
9190 Plainfield Rd, Cincinnati.
Executive Transportation Services
Executive Transportation
1810 Monmouth St, Newport, KY.
“As a fourth-generation family owned and operated business, it is with great pride that we ensure our staff feels they are not just another employee, but they all believe they are an instrumental part of this family and this business. Our team members are incredibly talented and dedicated. The staff members deserve all the credit for building the success Executive Transportation has maintained over the past 60 years.” – Tamara Bravo, President
Flight Provider
Delta
Hotel for Business Travel
21c Museum & Hotel
609 Walnut St, Cincinnati.
Moving Company
All My Sons Moving & Storage
Third Party Logistics Provider
BM2 Freight Services, Inc.
50 E Rivercenter Blvd, Ste 525, Covington, KY.
Travel Agency
True Direction Travel
