Ohio
Average annual sales
$260,000
Items sold
78 million
Ohio dads turn dinner table idea into nationwide baby product success with Amazon
Columbus, OH
The Happy Start
In 2023, two Ohio friends turned a conversation about the high costs of parenting into a thriving business that’s now helping families across America. Jerry Tsai and Phillip Guerra launched The Happy Start, creating affordable, expert-designed baby products available in the Amazon store.
Working with a pediatric occupational therapist, the fathers developed vision cards and books crucial for infant development. Their flagship product is a self-standing board book featuring 14 bold, high-contrast images specifically designed to support early visual and cognitive development in infants, now used by several top U.S. children’s hospitals.
“Growing up in working-class Ohio families, we witnessed firsthand how hard our parents worked to provide us with resources and opportunities they never had. This shaped our values of hard work, giving back, and creating a positive impact in the community,” said the founders.
Working with a pediatric occupational therapist, the fathers developed vision cards and books crucial for infant development. Their flagship product is a self-standing board book featuring 14 bold, high-contrast images specifically designed to support early visual and cognitive development in infants, now used by several top U.S. children’s hospitals.
“Growing up in working-class Ohio families, we witnessed firsthand how hard our parents worked to provide us with resources and opportunities they never had. This shaped our values of hard work, giving back, and creating a positive impact in the community,” said the founders.
Cleveland entrepreneur turns his love of sneakers into his 9-5 with Amazon
Cleveland, OH
Proof Culture
Richard Brown is a self-professed “sneaker head” and “tech geek” who found his niche with Amazon when he combined the two to create Proof Culture, a one-stop shop for shoe care
Brown credits being a “tech head” with his success on Amazon. He has been able to use the data to build out his Amazon Ads campaigns, finding customers for his products when purchases may be top of mind, like Prime Day and around the holidays.
“It’s hard to capture the growth that we’ve experienced with Amazon. We’ve been doubling every year, every month, every quarter,” said Brown.
Brown credits being a “tech head” with his success on Amazon. He has been able to use the data to build out his Amazon Ads campaigns, finding customers for his products when purchases may be top of mind, like Prime Day and around the holidays.
“It’s hard to capture the growth that we’ve experienced with Amazon. We’ve been doubling every year, every month, every quarter,” said Brown.
Amazon accelerator helps Cleveland solopreneur find a Black-owned business community
Cleveland, OH
Phenomenal Foods
Phenomenal Foods Co. is the product of Veronica Blue’s struggle with chronic fatigue. Fed up and without answers from doctors, she decided to try a ketogenic diet, cutting carbs, in an effort to lose weight and regain energy. It worked. Soon after, she transformed her recipes into a business.
Seeing a gap in hot cereal options on grocery store shelves, Blue launched Phenomenal Foods Co. in the Amazon store in September 2021. Three months later, Phenomenal Foods was close to selling $10,000 a month in hot cereal. With her concept proven, she said, she quit her job and never looked back.
Seeing a gap in hot cereal options on grocery store shelves, Blue launched Phenomenal Foods Co. in the Amazon store in September 2021. Three months later, Phenomenal Foods was close to selling $10,000 a month in hot cereal. With her concept proven, she said, she quit her job and never looked back.
Hockey brothers use energy drink empire to give Cleveland kids a chance to play
Cleveland, OH
NOOMA
In the world of energy drinks, NOOMA, aka “No More Artificials,” is one of a kind. The all-organic, plant-based line of energy and sports drinks, sodas and electrolyte mixes have zero added sugars and no artificial ingredients. Brothers Jarred and Brandon Smith developed the concept based on their own experience as athletes.
And, as a certified B-Corp, the motto found on NOOMA’s products, “Sweat + Do Good,” is now the mission statement fueling a campaign to get kids moving.
“There’s so much that my brother and I can do in our local community,” said Jarred Smith. “Sweat + Do Good is not just a catchphrase; it’s a pillar of the company and how we operate in Cleveland.”
And, as a certified B-Corp, the motto found on NOOMA’s products, “Sweat + Do Good,” is now the mission statement fueling a campaign to get kids moving.
“There’s so much that my brother and I can do in our local community,” said Jarred Smith. “Sweat + Do Good is not just a catchphrase; it’s a pillar of the company and how we operate in Cleveland.”