Lay of The Land

Jeffrey Stern
  • 5.0 (37)
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Updated Weekly

Telling the stories of entrepreneurship and builders in Cleveland and throughout Northeast Ohio. Every Thursday, Jeffrey Stern helps map the Cleveland/NEO business ecosystem by talking to founders, investors, and community builders to learn what makes Cleveland/NEO special.

  1. 5h ago

    #258 Kumar Arora — Arora Ventures

    Kumar Arora — entrepreneur, investor, brand-builder, and the founder of Arora Ventures, a venture studio and portfolio of businesses spanning hospitality, apparel, events, creative agency work, and consumer brands. Born and raised in Cleveland’s Little Italy, Kumar grew up between science and art, a duality that continues to shape how he builds today. In our conversation, Kumar and I explore the cohort of ambitious Clevelanders he came up alongside, his early path through nightlife, events, and entertainment, the lessons embedded in failure and reinvention, and how ventures like Sora, ILTHY, Underdogs, and FutureLAND reflect a broader vision for Cleveland — one rooted in creativity, collaboration, and the belief that this city can think bigger, see in color, and export far more of its talent, culture, and ambition to the world beyond it. 00:00 Introduction to Kumar Arora and Cleveland's Building Scene00:27 Kumar's Background and Cleveland Roots01:15 Changing Perceptions of Cleveland02:11 The Cohort of Cleveland Disruptors03:24 Early Entrepreneurial Ventures and Failures05:17 The Role of Personal Taste in Business06:24 LA vs Cleveland: Roots and Energy07:59 High Standards and Ambition in Cleveland08:53 Evolution of Entrepreneurship in Cleveland10:25 The Importance of Human Connection11:49 Arora Ventures: From Exit to Investment13:17 Brand and Taste: Living, Breathing Systems15:35 Can You Improve Taste? Insights from Kumar Arora17:17 The Pillars of Kumar's Business Evolution19:00 Systems and Processes in Portfolio Management20:07 Lessons from Failures and Resilience22:30 Working Towards Freedom and Empowerment23:52 Cleveland's Unique Perspective and Color25:30 The Subjectivity of Color and Perception26:55 Building Cleveland's National Profile28:22 Cleveland's Identity and Future Potential29:19 What Keeps Kumar Arora Up at Night30:17 Empowering Local Operators and Artists32:53 Futureland and Supporting Black and Brown Entrepreneurs35:12 Lessons from Restaurant to CPG Business36:48 Building Relationships with Big Brands40:08 Planting Seeds for Cleveland's Future42:33 Upcoming Projects and Cleveland's Visibility43:31 The Power of Collaboration and Local Pride44:16 Follow Kumar Arora and Stay Connected ----- LINKS:https://www.kumar-arora.com/ ----- SPONSOR:Cerity PartnersCerity Partners, a full-service investment and wealth management firm serving high-net-worth individuals, entrepreneurs, and business owners, is proud to sponsor Lay of The Land. The firm has local roots in Cleveland and across Ohio, and like this podcast, Cerity Partners advisors specialize in serving the interests of local entrepreneurs and business leaders. The firm’s national presence means it can offer the resources and specialized knowledge of the largest institutions with the independence and service of a neighbor. The Cerity Partners Cleveland team understands the complexity that comes with wealth, and they adhere to fiduciary standards. Discover the financial lay of your land. Learn more at https://ceritypartners.com/NPR or call 216-464-6266. Roundstone InsuranceRoundstone Insurance is proud to sponsor Lay of The Land. Founder and CEO, Michael Schroeder, has committed full-year support for the podcast, recognizing its alignment with the company’s passion for entrepreneurship, innovation, and community leadership.Headquartered in Rocky River, Ohio, Roundstone was founded in 2005 with a vision to deliver better healthcare outcomes at a more affordable cost. Over the past two decades, Roundstone has grown rapidly, creating nearly 200 jobs in Northeast Ohio. The company works closely with employers and benefits advisors to navigate the complexities of commercial health insurance and build custom plans that prioritize employee well-being over shareholder returns. By focusing on aligned incentives and better health outcomes, Roundstone is helping businesses save thousands in Per Employee Per Year healthcare costs. Roundstone Insurance — Built for entrepreneurs. Backed by innovation. Committed to Cleveland. Learn more at https://roundstoneinsurance.com/ ----- Stay up to date by signing up for Lay of The Land's weekly newsletter — sign up here: https://layoftheland.ck.page/5f0c1e28fa Connect with Jeffrey Stern on LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffreypstern/ Follow Lay of The Land on X @podlayoftheland https://www.jeffreys.page/

    #258 Kumar Arora — Arora Ventures

  2. Jul 23

    #257 Alec Shankman — HeartRock Partners

    Alec Shankman is the founder of HeartRock Partners. Alec has spent more than two decades at the forefront of entertainment, talent representation, reality television, digital media, podcasting, brand-building, and the creator economy. Before launching HeartRock, he was a Senior Partner at The Gersh Agency, following its acquisition of his division from A3 Artists Agency, where he built the Alternative Programming and Digital Media Division into a nine-figure 60-person bi-coastal team. In our conversation, Alec and I explore his path from Cleveland to LA and back again, how he built new lanes in Hollywood by being early to unscripted TV, digital talent, and creator-led brands, and why he returned home to launch HeartRock. We also talk about the shifting power dynamics in media, why talent is increasingly becoming the network, what separates fleeting attention from durable enterprise value, why work ethic still matters the most, and why Cleveland’s strengths in entrepreneurship, manufacturing, consumer products, and community make it a compelling place to build this next chapter. please enjoy my conversation with Alec Shankman. 00:00 Introduction and Alec's Cleveland roots02:18 Alec's childhood exposure to entertainment05:06 Seeds of a career in entertainment06:45 Moving to LA and industry insights09:59 Early waves of entertainment and Alec’s entrepreneurial approach12:25 Leaving agency work to pursue entrepreneurship14:54 Lessons from Hollywood and industry shifts20:41 The evolution of media and talent representation33:40 The vision behind HeartRock Partners37:26 Why Cleveland? The geographic thesis44:26 The creator economy and future opportunities58:30 Looking ahead and Alec’s excitement for Cleveland01:00:47 Closing thoughts and Alec’s advice for success----- LINKS:https://www.linkedin.com/in/alecshankmanhttps://heartrockpartners.com/ ----- SPONSOR:Cerity PartnersCerity Partners, a full-service investment and wealth management firm serving high-net-worth individuals, entrepreneurs, and business owners, is proud to sponsor Lay of The Land. The firm has local roots in Cleveland and across Ohio, and like this podcast, Cerity Partners advisors specialize in serving the interests of local entrepreneurs and business leaders. The firm’s national presence means it can offer the resources and specialized knowledge of the largest institutions with the independence and service of a neighbor. The Cerity Partners Cleveland team understands the complexity that comes with wealth, and they adhere to fiduciary standards. Discover the financial lay of your land. Learn more at https://ceritypartners.com/NPR or call 216-464-6266. Roundstone InsuranceRoundstone Insurance is proud to sponsor Lay of The Land. Founder and CEO, Michael Schroeder, has committed full-year support for the podcast, recognizing its alignment with the company’s passion for entrepreneurship, innovation, and community leadership.Headquartered in Rocky River, Ohio, Roundstone was founded in 2005 with a vision to deliver better healthcare outcomes at a more affordable cost. Over the past two decades, Roundstone has grown rapidly, creating nearly 200 jobs in Northeast Ohio. The company works closely with employers and benefits advisors to navigate the complexities of commercial health insurance and build custom plans that prioritize employee well-being over shareholder returns. By focusing on aligned incentives and better health outcomes, Roundstone is helping businesses save thousands in Per Employee Per Year healthcare costs. Roundstone Insurance — Built for entrepreneurs. Backed by innovation. Committed to Cleveland. Learn more at https://roundstoneinsurance.com/ ----- Stay up to date by signing up for Lay of The Land's weekly newsletter — sign up here: https://layoftheland.ck.page/5f0c1e28faConnect with Jeffrey Stern on LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffreypstern/ Follow Lay of The Land on X @podlayoftheland https://www.jeffreys.page/

    #257 Alec Shankman — HeartRock Partners

  3. Jul 9

    #256 David Gilbert — Destination Cleveland And Greater Cleveland Sports Commission

    David Gilbert is the President and CEO of Destination Cleveland and the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission. For more than three decades, David has worked to help Cleveland compete, attract visitors, host major events, and change the way the city is perceived — both by the outside world and by Clevelanders ourselves. Under his leadership, Cleveland has hosted events like the NFL Draft, NBA All-Star Game, MLB All-Star Game, NCAA Women’s Final Four, and the Republican National Convention, while Destination Cleveland has helped drive meaningful growth in visitation and visitor spending across the region. In our conversation, David and I explore what it means to get people to “say yes” to Cleveland, the evolution of the city’s brand and civic pride, the role of major events in building momentum, the importance of place branding, and the generational opportunity to reconnect Cleveland to its lakefront. David has been one of Cleveland’s most important civic storytellers and builders, and this was a thoughtful conversation about pride, perception, and helping a city more fully believe in itself — please enjoy. 00:00 The Mission to Change Perceptions of Cleveland08:30 David Gilbert's Journey and Community Engagement09:07 Understanding the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission and Destination Cleveland19:52 The Emotional Connection of Place Branding24:18 The Evolution of Cleveland's Brand and Local Perception27:27 Transforming Cleveland's Image30:48 Cleveland's Pride and Community Engagement36:48 The Future of Cleveland: Growth and Development44:02 Harnessing Cleveland's Natural Assets47:57 Hidden Gems of Cleveland51:23 Outro----- LINKS:https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-gilbert-26427b7https://www.clevelandsports.org/https://www.thisiscleveland.com/ ----- SPONSOR:Cerity PartnersCerity Partners, a full-service investment and wealth management firm serving high-net-worth individuals, entrepreneurs, and business owners, is proud to sponsor Lay of The Land. The firm has local roots in Cleveland and across Ohio, and like this podcast, Cerity Partners advisors specialize in serving the interests of local entrepreneurs and business leaders. The firm’s national presence means it can offer the resources and specialized knowledge of the largest institutions with the independence and service of a neighbor. The Cerity Partners Cleveland team understands the complexity that comes with wealth, and they adhere to fiduciary standards. Discover the financial lay of your land. Learn more at https://www.ceritypartners.com/NPR or call 216-464-6266. Roundstone InsuranceRoundstone Insurance is proud to sponsor Lay of The Land. Founder and CEO, Michael Schroeder, has committed full-year support for the podcast, recognizing its alignment with the company’s passion for entrepreneurship, innovation, and community leadership.Headquartered in Rocky River, Ohio, Roundstone was founded in 2005 with a vision to deliver better healthcare outcomes at a more affordable cost. Over the past two decades, Roundstone has grown rapidly, creating nearly 200 jobs in Northeast Ohio. The company works closely with employers and benefits advisors to navigate the complexities of commercial health insurance and build custom plans that prioritize employee well-being over shareholder returns. By focusing on aligned incentives and better health outcomes, Roundstone is helping businesses save thousands in Per Employee Per Year healthcare costs. Roundstone Insurance — Built for entrepreneurs. Backed by innovation. Committed to Cleveland. Learn more at https://roundstoneinsurance.com/ ----- Stay up to date by signing up for Lay of The Land's weekly newsletter — sign up here: https://layoftheland.ck.page/5f0c1e28fa Connect with Jeffrey Stern on LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffreypstern/ Follow Lay of The Land on X @podlayoftheland https://www.jeffreys.page/

    #256 David Gilbert — Destination Cleveland And Greater Cleveland Sports Commission

  4. Jul 2

    #255 Duane Mancini — Project MedTech

    Duane Mancini, Founder and CEO of Project Medtech, a Cleveland-based platform helping medical technology companies move from promising invention to real patient impact. What began as a podcast has evolved into a broader ecosystem of consulting, events, education, investor connectivity, and community-building for Medtech founders navigating the difficult path from idea to market. In our conversation, Duane and I explore his path from science and research into entrepreneurship, how Project Medtech grew from a curiosity-driven podcast into a larger platform, and what founders often underestimate about building in Medtech. We talk about regulatory strategy, reimbursement, clinical validation, fundraising, the importance of team over product, and why Ohio may have a unique opportunity to become a more important node in healthcare innovation. Duane is thoughtful, mission-driven, and deeply committed to helping more life-changing technologies reach patients. Please enjoy my conversation with Duane Mancini. 00:00 Building Trust Through Storytelling07:53 The Evolution of Project MedTech12:30 The Entrepreneurial Journey Begins20:37 The Founding Team Dynamics23:43 Lessons from 250+ Conversations28:58 De-risking in Life Sciences33:38 Navigating Capital in Life Sciences38:35 Redesigning the Market Entry Process41:24 Understanding Economic Impact in Healthcare44:18 Measuring Impact and Success48:11 Optimism in Life Sciences and Med Tech50:46 Opportunities for Ohio's Life Sciences54:44 Building Supportive Ecosystems59:23 Outro----- LINKS:https://www.linkedin.com/in/duanemancinihttps://www.projectmedtech.com/ ----- SPONSOR:Cerity PartnersCerity Partners, a full-service investment and wealth management firm serving high-net-worth individuals, entrepreneurs, and business owners, is proud to sponsor Lay of The Land. The firm has local roots in Cleveland and across Ohio, and like this podcast, Cerity Partners advisors specialize in serving the interests of local entrepreneurs and business leaders. The firm’s national presence means it can offer the resources and specialized knowledge of the largest institutions with the independence and service of a neighbor. The Cerity Partners Cleveland team understands the complexity that comes with wealth, and they adhere to fiduciary standards. Discover the financial lay of your land. Learn more at https://ceritypartners.com/NPR or call 216-464-6266. Roundstone InsuranceRoundstone Insurance is proud to sponsor Lay of The Land. Founder and CEO, Michael Schroeder, has committed full-year support for the podcast, recognizing its alignment with the company’s passion for entrepreneurship, innovation, and community leadership.Headquartered in Rocky River, Ohio, Roundstone was founded in 2005 with a vision to deliver better healthcare outcomes at a more affordable cost. Over the past two decades, Roundstone has grown rapidly, creating nearly 200 jobs in Northeast Ohio. The company works closely with employers and benefits advisors to navigate the complexities of commercial health insurance and build custom plans that prioritize employee well-being over shareholder returns. By focusing on aligned incentives and better health outcomes, Roundstone is helping businesses save thousands in Per Employee Per Year healthcare costs. Roundstone Insurance — Built for entrepreneurs. Backed by innovation. Committed to Cleveland. Learn more at https://roundstoneinsurance.com/ ----- Stay up to date by signing up for Lay of The Land's weekly newsletter — sign up here: https://layoftheland.ck.page/5f0c1e28fa Connect with Jeffrey Stern on LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffreypstern/ Follow Lay of The Land on X @podlayoftheland https://www.jeffreys.page/

    #255 Duane Mancini — Project MedTech

  5. Jun 25

    #254 EASE Logistics & jakib

    What does it take for AI to matter inside a real operating business? Not as a demo, not as a dashboard, and not as a generic productivity tool — but as something that answers calls, reduces clicks, quotes freight, improves service, and helps people spend more time doing the work that actually moves the business forward. Today we're republishing an episode from The O.H.I.O. Fund Report with Mark Kvamme — co-founder, CEO, and CIO of The O.H.I.O. Fund — Peter Coratola, founder and CEO of EASE Logistics, and Andy Jenks, co-founder of JAKIB.ai. Together, they unpack one of the clearest examples we’ve seen of applied AI in Ohio: a service-heavy logistics business navigating a difficult freight market, partnering with an AI company to start small, solve real operational bottlenecks, and eventually build Amy — an AI layer embedded directly into how EASE works. They discuss track-and-trace calls, customer service, quoting, user adoption, CEO-level ownership, and why AI at its best may be less about replacing people and more about multiplying their output. So please enjoy this conversation with Mark Kvamme, Peter Coratola, and Andy Jenks. 00:00 Introduction to the Ohio Fund and Ease Logistics05:12 Challenges in the Logistics Industry09:50 AI Transformation in Logistics13:55 First AI Project Implementation17:26 Integrating AI with Existing Systems20:12 User Adoption and Trust in AI23:20 Operational Efficiency and Cost Savings26:36 AI as a Knowledge Transfer Tool31:39 Lessons Learned in AI Implementation33:04 The Supercharged Engineer: AI's Impact on Productivity34:28 Empowering Non-Technical Users: AI for Everyone38:03 AI as a Multiplier: Enhancing Workforce Efficiency40:47 Customer-Centric AI: Transforming Client Interactions44:26 Mindset for AI Adoption: Insights for Business Leaders47:26 Evaluating Business Readiness for AI Implementation51:03 The Ohio Advantage: Why Midwestern Companies Thrive53:28 Future Predictions: The Next Big Leap in AI and Business----- LINKS: https://easelogistics.com/https://www.jakib.ai/https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-coratola-jrhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/ajenks/https://www.linkedin.com/in/markkvamme/----- SPONSOR:Cerity PartnersCerity Partners, a full-service investment and wealth management firm serving high-net-worth individuals, entrepreneurs, and business owners, is proud to sponsor Lay of The Land. The firm has local roots in Cleveland and across Ohio, and like this podcast, Cerity Partners advisors specialize in serving the interests of local entrepreneurs and business leaders. The firm’s national presence means it can offer the resources and specialized knowledge of the largest institutions with the independence and service of a neighbor. The Cerity Partners Cleveland team understands the complexity that comes with wealth, and they adhere to fiduciary standards. Discover the financial lay of your land. Learn more at ceritypartners.com/NPR or call 216-464-6266. Roundstone InsuranceRoundstone Insurance is proud to sponsor Lay of The Land. Founder and CEO, Michael Schroeder, has committed full-year support for the podcast, recognizing its alignment with the company’s passion for entrepreneurship, innovation, and community leadership.Headquartered in Rocky River, Ohio, Roundstone was founded in 2005 with a vision to deliver better healthcare outcomes at a more affordable cost.  Over the past two decades, Roundstone has grown rapidly, creating nearly 200 jobs in Northeast Ohio. The company works closely with employers and benefits advisors to navigate the complexities of commercial health insurance and build custom plans that prioritize employee well-being over shareholder returns. By focusing on aligned incentives and better health outcomes, Roundstone is helping businesses save thousands in Per Employee Per Year healthcare costs. Roundstone Insurance — Built for entrepreneurs. Backed by innovation. Committed to Cleveland. Learn more at https://roundstoneinsurance.com/ ----- Stay up to date by signing up for Lay of The Land's weekly newsletter — sign up here: https://layoftheland.ck.page/5f0c1e28fa Connect with Jeffrey Stern on LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffreypstern/ Follow Lay of The Land on X @podlayoftheland https://www.jeffreys.page/

    #254 EASE Logistics & jakib

  6. Jun 11

    #253 Teddy Baldassarre — How Teddy Baldassarre Built His Brand

    Teddy Baldassarre has built one of the most influential watch platforms in the world — and just as compelling as the watches themselves is the entrepreneurial story behind it. I first met Teddy almost ten years ago at StartMart in Terminal Tower, before any of this existed: before millions of followers, before the global audience, before the authorized retail partnerships, and before the beautiful physical boutique we recorded this conversation in at Crocker Park. In this episode, Teddy and I explore where his passion for watches began, how a first YouTube video evolved into one of the largest educational platforms in the watch world, and how he turned content into trust, trust into community, and community into a real business. We talk about entrepreneurship, self-expression, building online credibility, navigating the leap from digital media to commerce and physical retail, working with traditional watch brands, the enduring appeal of mechanical watches in an age where no one technically needs one, and what watches can teach us about craft, memory, status, meaning, and time itself. At its core, this is a conversation about building something that is an honest extension of who you are — and what can happen when curiosity, taste, discipline, and timing compound over the course of a decade. 00:00 Introduction & Meeting Teddy01:00 Early Days: Startups, YouTube Beginnings03:00 Discovering a Passion for Watches06:00 Watches as Craft & Self-Expression08:00 Turning Passion into Business & Monetization11:00 Launching E-Commerce & the Pandemic Pivot13:00 Brand, Community, and Content16:00 Building an Approachable Watch Platform18:00 Opening the First Store & Physical Expansion20:00 Partnering with Legacy Watch Brands22:00 Storytelling, Heritage, and the Value of Watches25:00 Watches in Modern Culture & Technology28:00 Entrepreneurial Learnings & Scaling a Personal Brand32:00 Team Building and Company Culture34:00 Pride, Impact, and Alignment with Life’s Work36:00 Building Trust Online38:00 Defining Success39:00 Personal Curiosity & The Future of Watchmaking41:00 Looking Ahead: Growth, Retail, and Community42:00 Why Cleveland? Building Local Roots45:00 Reflections on the Journey46:00 Cleveland Hidden Gems & City Pride49:00 Outro & Closing Remarks----- LINKS:https://www.youtube.com/teddybaldassarrehttps://teddybaldassarre.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/teddy-baldassarre-70795890/ ----- Stay up to date by signing up for Lay of The Land's weekly newsletter — sign up here: https://layoftheland.ck.page/5f0c1e28fa Connect with Jeffrey Stern on LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffreypstern/ Follow Lay of The Land on X @podlayoftheland https://www.jeffreys.page/

    #253 Teddy Baldassarre — How Teddy Baldassarre Built His Brand

  7. Jun 4

    #252 CJ Jang (Balance) — No Shortcuts

    Hochan (CJ) Jang is the co-founder of Balance Pan-Asian Grille. What began for CJ as an effort to build a healthier, more creative, and more everyday kind of Asian fast casual concept more than 16 years ago has grown into a beloved regional brand with locations across Toledo and Cleveland — one defined by scratch-made food, bold flavors, affordability, and a real commitment to hospitality. In our conversation, CJ and I explore his journey from growing up in his mother’s restaurant after immigrating from South Korea, to discovering the potential of fast casual, to building Balance with little more than conviction, credit cards, and a willingness to learn everything the hard way. We talk about how the business found its footing, why location and customer feedback were so pivotal early on, how he thinks about quality, pricing, and menu innovation today, and what it takes to scale a restaurant brand without losing the culture and standards that made it special in the first place. I very much enjoyed this conversation, and I think you’ll hear in CJ both a deep humility and a real love for the craft — I hope you enjoy it as well. 00:00 Introduction & Entrepreneurial Roots00:26 Welcome & Background03:00 Early Relationship with Food06:19 From Food to Entrepreneurship12:09 Inspiration from Fast Casual Concepts13:36 Challenges of Ethnic Fast Casual16:20 Launching Balance Pan Asian Grill19:40 Opening the First Location22:58 Importance of Location & Customer Feedback27:53 Balance’s Identity & Values31:07 Navigating Pricing & Affordability35:41 Scaling & Building Culture40:11 Vision for the Future44:57 Hard-Earned Lessons49:02 The Role of Upbringing & Community51:47 Closing & Hidden Gem in Cleveland----- LINKS:https://www.linkedin.com/in/hochan-j-88513510a/https://www.linkedin.com/posts/balancegrille_2-first-generation-entrepreneurs-are-redefining-activity-7351709996880998400-LM0l/https://balancegrille.com/the-balance-grille-leadership-advantage/https://balancegrille.com/story/ ----- SPONSOR:Cerity PartnersCerity Partners, a full-service investment and wealth management firm serving high-net-worth individuals, entrepreneurs, and business owners, is proud to sponsor Lay of The Land. The firm has local roots in Cleveland and across Ohio, and like this podcast, Cerity Partners advisors specialize in serving the interests of local entrepreneurs and business leaders. The firm’s national presence means it can offer the resources and specialized knowledge of the largest institutions with the independence and service of a neighbor. The Cerity Partners Cleveland team understands the complexity that comes with wealth, and they adhere to fiduciary standards. Discover the financial lay of your land. Learn more at https://ceritypartners.com/NPR or call 216-464-6266. Roundstone InsuranceRoundstone Insurance is proud to sponsor Lay of The Land. Founder and CEO, Michael Schroeder, has committed full-year support for the podcast, recognizing its alignment with the company’s passion for entrepreneurship, innovation, and community leadership.Headquartered in Rocky River, Ohio, Roundstone was founded in 2005 with a vision to deliver better healthcare outcomes at a more affordable cost. Over the past two decades, Roundstone has grown rapidly, creating nearly 200 jobs in Northeast Ohio. The company works closely with employers and benefits advisors to navigate the complexities of commercial health insurance and build custom plans that prioritize employee well-being over shareholder returns. By focusing on aligned incentives and better health outcomes, Roundstone is helping businesses save thousands in Per Employee Per Year healthcare costs. Roundstone Insurance — Built for entrepreneurs. Backed by innovation. Committed to Cleveland. Learn more at https://roundstoneinsurance.com/ ----- Stay up to date by signing up for Lay of The Land's weekly newsletter — sign up here: https://layoftheland.ck.page/5f0c1e28fa Connect with Jeffrey Stern on LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffreypstern/ Follow Lay of The Land on X @podlayoftheland https://www.jeffreys.page/

    #252 CJ Jang (Balance) — No Shortcuts

  8. May 28

    #251 Aidan Meany (Found Surface) — Building the Future of American Knitwear Manufacturing

    Aidan Meany, Founder and CEO of Found Surface. Aidan is building a programmable knitwear factory in Cleveland that is reimagining what American apparel manufacturing can look like What began for him with learning to sew from his grandmother and making clothes as a teenager has evolved into a much larger ambition — rebuilding the whole infrastructure to make apparel at scale here in the United States. Today, Found Surface develops its own yarn relationships from American farms and spinning partners, uses digital flatbed knitting and rapid assembly to make product close to home, and is building toward a future where brands can design, iterate, and produce without the waste, delay, and opacity of the traditional offshore model. In our conversation, Aidan and I explore the through line from his early fascination with clothing and making, to researching the fragmented state of American manufacturing during college, to building Found Surface first as a kind of supply chain connector and eventually into a serious manufacturing operation in Cleveland.  We talk about why he believes this city is uniquely suited for the work, the deeper thesis behind vertical integration and domestic production, how digital knitting changes the economics of speed, customization, and minimum order size, and why overproduction — not just outsourcing — sits at the heart of so much of the apparel industry’s dysfunction. We also discuss the partnership between Found Surface, the Cleveland Cavaliers, and the Cleveland Museum of Art, the company’s broader sustainability philosophy around natural fibers and proximity, the challenge of building an organization where young people can find meaningful work, and Aidan’s belief that Ohio has a real opportunity to help lead the next chapter of American industrial renewal. Aidan is a genuine inspiration and I hope you enjoy our conversation 00:00 Inflection Point in Apparel Manufacturing09:48 Found Surface: Origins and Evolution15:20 The Made in America Challenge21:43 Building a Smart Factory: The Future of Production30:30 Sustainability in Apparel: A Dual Approach35:08 Sustainable Fashion and Health Concerns41:29 Cleveland: A Hub for Innovation and Collaboration49:47 Rewriting History: The Future of Manufacturing55:19 Lessons in Leadership and Trust01:02:57 Outro----- LINKS:https://foundsurface.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/aidanmeany ----- SPONSOR:Cerity PartnersCerity Partners, a full-service investment and wealth management firm serving high-net-worth individuals, entrepreneurs, and business owners, is proud to sponsor Lay of The Land. The firm has local roots in Cleveland and across Ohio, and like this podcast, Cerity Partners advisors specialize in serving the interests of local entrepreneurs and business leaders. The firm’s national presence means it can offer the resources and specialized knowledge of the largest institutions with the independence and service of a neighbor. The Cerity Partners Cleveland team understands the complexity that comes with wealth, and they adhere to fiduciary standards. Discover the financial lay of your land. Learn more at https://ceritypartners.com/NPR or call 216-464-6266. Roundstone InsuranceRoundstone Insurance is proud to sponsor Lay of The Land. Founder and CEO, Michael Schroeder, has committed full-year support for the podcast, recognizing its alignment with the company’s passion for entrepreneurship, innovation, and community leadership.Headquartered in Rocky River, Ohio, Roundstone was founded in 2005 with a vision to deliver better healthcare outcomes at a more affordable cost. Over the past two decades, Roundstone has grown rapidly, creating nearly 200 jobs in Northeast Ohio. The company works closely with employers and benefits advisors to navigate the complexities of commercial health insurance and build custom plans that prioritize employee well-being over shareholder returns. By focusing on aligned incentives and better health outcomes, Roundstone is helping businesses save thousands in Per Employee Per Year healthcare costs. Roundstone Insurance — Built for entrepreneurs. Backed by innovation. Committed to Cleveland. Learn more at https://roundstoneinsurance.com/ ----- Stay up to date by signing up for Lay of The Land's weekly newsletter — sign up here: https://layoftheland.ck.page/5f0c1e28fa Connect with Jeffrey Stern on LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffreypstern/ Follow Lay of The Land on X @podlayoftheland https://www.jeffreys.page/

    #251 Aidan Meany (Found Surface) — Building the Future of American Knitwear Manufacturing
See All (265)

5
out of 5
37 Ratings

About

Telling the stories of entrepreneurship and builders in Cleveland and throughout Northeast Ohio. Every Thursday, Jeffrey Stern helps map the Cleveland/NEO business ecosystem by talking to founders, investors, and community builders to learn what makes Cleveland/NEO special.

Information

  • Creator
    Jeffrey Stern
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    265
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2024 Lay of The Land
  • Show Website
    Lay of The Land

You Might Also Like