Companiesfor Covington / Entrepreneurship

Four long-time friends and a bar in Chicago created the impetus for what is now a business that operates nine bars in the Cincinnati area, with plans for more soon.

When she was a child, Melinda Kirk was bitten by a dog. As a young adult, however, she was bitten figuratively when she and her partner obtained two Weimaraners. Her passion for pups pushed her to build a unique, specialty pet food business that sources organic ingredients and uses local producers.

 Big Fat Brain creates original content for the Web that aims to make the interactive experience richer, more creative and more entertaining for clients and consumer brands. They've found a way to take some pretty dull stuff and make it very funny -- and that's why their clients are smiling.