Companiesfor talent / Cincinnati

While Brian Hock trained for the Louisville Ironman in 2010, he had an idea for a way to stay hydrated along the way. That idea evolved into Simple Hydration, a start-up company with an innovative product that is being manufactured in the US.

Five months ago, David Johnson and his wife Estelle McNair started a branding company together. Today, Johnson-McNair is beginning to gain traction and serve clients all over the country.

Started all the way back in 1937 by Cyrus L. Baxter, BHDP has been creating spaces that are not only aesthetically pleasing, but also focus on the way space interacts with people and drives results.

Using pure ingredients and plenty of passion, Queen City Cookies owner Peggy Shannon continues to build a sweet and savory empire, one gorgeous bite at a time. From specialty cookie sales in local shops to her own storefront in Findlay Market, Shannon continues to expand her reach. Now her cookies are available at Whole Foods in Rookwood and online through Sur la Table, with more outlets on the way.

After performing with national touring bands for a dozen years, Brian Penick decided he could lend a hand to local bands trying to break into regional and national markets. So Penick created the Counter Rhythm Group in October 2010. In one year, the CRG has worked with six bands on seven album releases and countless tours and shows. It all starts with artist development and promotion.

From cutting, to design and through to the manufacturing of custom jewelry, Koop Diamond Cutters does it all from the fourth floor of the Queen City Building in downtown Cincinnati. Cincinnati native Clarence Koop started the business in 1966, and soon after, his son Butch began designing jewelry pieces on an order-by-order basis. Now in its third generation of family ownership, Koop now has a full manufacturing plant and sales center to provide customers with a complete, in-house shopping experience.

Zone Creative Group, a media development and video production company, started with two employees in 2003. Eight years later, Zone CG now has 10 employees, but keeps the same goal owner John Colmar had in mind when he launched.

CR architecture + design creates extraordinary places that build enduring value for clients and communities. The firm has completed more than 100 education projects, including new construction and renovation projects, many for Cincinnati Public Schools. Recent additions to CR's portfolio include the School for Creative and Performing Arts in Over-the-Rhine and North Avondale Montessori School in North Avondale.
 

Based in the Hamilton County Business Center in Norwood, JYSproductions has resources like those found in New York or L.A. But Cincinnati offers greater visibility because the film production field is less crowded.

Framester merges event photography, social networking and just plain fun into one package.