Inner Circle Expands Into Ohio

Inner Circle®, a franchisor of peer groups exclusively for CEOs and owners of privately held businesses, is pleased to announce the award of Ohio’s franchise rights to Blue & Gold, LLC (B&G). B&G is a Cleveland-based entity owned in part by John Davies, Founder and CEO of Merrymeeting, Inc.; Kylene Golubski, Inner Circle’s corporate Brand Manager; and Tim Malarkey, former American Greetings executive. Membership applications are now being accepted for peer groups (known as ‘Circles’) forming in Cleveland’s East and Southern regions. In addition to operating an Inner Circle unit franchise, B&G will also have the right to award additional franchises throughout the state.

"As a former corporate executive responsible for operating both small and mid-size businesses, I know first hand the challenges they face on a daily basis," stated Malarkey, who recently left American Greetings after a 25 year career. "CEO's, Presidents, and owners of small and mid-size companies often don't have a formalized board of directors to act as advisors to their business. At Inner Circle we help them bridge that gap. On a monthly basis we convene Inner Circle meetings where members individually share their vision, goals and issues. As a group we work through each challenge and help our members achieve both their business and personal goals." In addition to being a partner in B&G, Malarkey will also facilitate the monthly three hour meetings.

“Because each Circle is comprised of non-competing businesses, Members can find a safe harbor in their Circle and end the sense of isolation that comes from being ‘at the top,’ stated Golubski, who is B&G’s representative for franchise sales in Ohio. “Each meeting begins with
Members articulating their ‘burning issue’, and includes the presentation of a Member’s Vision Quest. The Vision Quest is Inner Circle’s proprietary process that challenges Members to define what they really want for their business and their life, and to craft a game plan for achieving it. Thereafter, Members hold each others’ feet to the fire to drive accountability and action.”

Topics discussed during Inner Circle meetings are as varied as Members’ companies and include: surviving during an economic slowdown; product and service line diversification; dealing with the special dynamics of family-run businesses; re-branding a product/service; employee compensation plans; and marketing strategy development.

Davies states that B&G’s development of Inner Circle throughout Ohio sends a clear message. “All of us believe in the concept strongly enough to personally invest ourselves in this franchise. That should speak volumes to both prospective Members and franchise owners as we rapidly grow Inner Circle domestically and internationally. Our direct ownership of a franchise will also give us a local test bed for new ideas, enabling us to continually enhance the system of operation for all Inner Circle franchisees worldwide.”

About Inner Circle

Inner Circle is a peer advisory franchise exclusively for CEOs and business owners of small to medium sized companies. Each Circle serves as an interactive think tank, a place where entrepreneurs come to challenge one another and be challenged. By tapping into the wisdom and objectivity of the Circle, Members find they are able to overcome obstacles faster and with greater confidence. Founded in 1985, Inner Circle began franchising in 1997 and was acquired by Cleveland-based franchise investment firm, Merrymeeting, Inc. in 2008. For more information about Inner Circle and to access our online press kit, please visit www.theinnercircle.com. For more information about the Merrymeeting, Inc. family of franchised brands, please visit www.merrymtg.com.