SBDC videos celebrate regional entrepreneurs turning ambition into impact

Across Southeast Ohio, small businesses are often built on determination, community connection and a deep sense of place.

Two new success story videos released by the Ohio Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Ohio University highlight how that determination grows stronger when paired with the right support system.

The videos feature High Street Deli in Guernsey County and Logan Monument in Hocking County, two businesses with distinct histories and goals, each strengthened through one‑on‑one advising with the SBDC.

“These stories show what’s possible when business owners have the right support,” said SBDC Regional Director Lissa Jollick. “The videos reflect the progress and outcomes the business owners have worked hard to achieve. Our role is to provide guidance and tools that help them turn ambition into real, sustainable success.”

High Street Deli: Strengthening a community favorite

In the first video, the owners of High Street Deli speak with SBDC Advisor Cindy Voorhies about their experience navigating growth and long‑term planning.

Known locally for its welcoming atmosphere and homemade meals, the deli has become a community staple. With SBDC guidance, the owners refined their goals, strengthened operations and gained clarity about the future.

Logan Monument: Honoring legacy while planning ahead

The second video features Danielle Lehman, owner of Logan Monument, in a conversation with Jollick. As the manager of a long-standing family business, Lehman sought support during a period of transition to purchase the business.

The SBDC’s assistance equipped Lehman with the confidence and strategic insight needed to transition into ownership and negotiate a purchase structure aligned with her financial and operational goals to ensure long-term success.

A mission rooted in regional impact

The Ohio SBDC at Ohio University, housed within the Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Service, serves a 13‑county region across rural Appalachia, an area where infrastructure limitations and economic challenges can make business ownership especially complex. Through funding from the U.S. Small Business Administration, the Ohio Department of Development and Ohio University, the center provides no‑cost, confidential advising to for‑profit businesses.

The center also operates the Export Assistance Program across 21 southeastern Ohio counties, helping businesses expand into global markets. Its work has earned repeated recognition, including the Best Customer Satisfaction Award in 2024 and the SBDC Excellence and Innovation Award for SBA Region V in 2017.

While the videos highlight two individual businesses, they also reflect the broader mission of the SBDC: to meet entrepreneurs where they are, help them build on their strengths and support them as they grow.

“Every business we serve has its own story,” Jollick said. “These videos capture the partnerships that make those stories possible.”

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