We’ve all seen and felt the impacts of Covid in our personal and professional lives. Many businesses were forced to pivot from their original plans. When Ashland County Community Foundation was forced to pivot and reallocate funds during the 2020 pandemic, they were able to help others in the community when they needed it most and truly demonstrate their purpose. Ashland County Community Foundation has a unique opportunity to impact the people in Ashland County, and President/CEO, Jim Cutright, talks through the impact he has seen over the years and the exciting new things to come.

Grit and grind can feel like an escape from anxiety, but until you confront your mental health, what could be seen as a great strength could be your greatest weakness. After Dan Flowers, President and CEO of Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank, was diagnosed with anxiety, he jumped right back into work and pushed himself harder than ever. But the fear of having another anxiety attack wouldn’t go away. It took years of self reflection to come to terms with his diagnosis and honor it. Now, he is a strong advocate for mental health and has been more successful, personally and professionally, than ever before.

Humans are creatures of habit who tend to not like change. Fred Boll, Executive Director of Little Buckeye Children’s Museum fully understands the hurdles and challenges brought on by running a business differently than it’s been run in the past. While it may have taken him nearly five years and countless hours of hard work, he found a way to overcome these challenges and drastically improve the museum.

It takes a lot of grit to become an entrepreneur, but it never stops with that first leap of building a business. From the Marines to starting a business from scratch to expanding that business across multiple locations and learning to releasing responsibility and trust the people around him, Brian Krusz has been through it all. Hear how he was able to navigate some of the toughest and greatest moments throughout his entrepreneurial journey.

Welcome to season 6 of Dash of Grit podcast! How do you combat a crowded market with a lot of competitors, high financial stakes, and pressure from your partners? Grit, adaptation, and investing in your relationships with others. There will always be challenges and pressures that arise as an entrepreneur, especially in the banking industry. Let’s hear how founding CEO of Westfield Bank, Jon Park, was able to break through the crowd and stand out as one of the largest banks in Northeast Ohio. Never miss a chance to listen in for tips on building professional or personal development. Subscribe to our monthly newsletter, inSpire, and the Dash of Grit podcast.

Confidence is key. It’s easier said than done, but believing in yourself can be the difference between starting your lifelong career and missing out on an amazing opportunity. Dani Kimble is no stranger to self-confidence and success. After a tragic leg injury ending her dancing career, she was forced to seek new employment opportunities. After entering a marketing interview with no marketing experience or degree, her confidence and grit are what landed her the undeniably beneficial job.

Did someone teach you grit, or were you just born prewired to persevere through your challenges? Lots of us just have that instinct to dig in our heels and not give up, but Cy Smith, Superintendent of Mansfield Christian Schools is seeing that quality dwindle in our younger generations. He now has to put emphasis on encouraging grit in the classroom to help prepare his students for overcoming obstacles and challenges in their life both now and in the future.

Love. The one thing in life that can make us do crazy things. Even when your water is turned off and you don’t know if you’ll be able to pay your next bill, love is what makes you keep showing up. Michelle Powell has not let anything stop her from helping the children in need in her community, especially when the odds are stacked against them. Love and a lot of grit allow her to make a drastic difference to those around her.

We all have problems. Men have different problems than women. Being a single working mother brings its own set of challenges and Sarah Robinson can attest to that. Luckily, with determination and keeping your goals in sight, she has proven you can accomplish your dreams without letting down your family.

Imagine living more than two years without a paid job. Could you do it? Sounds crazy, right? Maybe to some. But, for former NFL athlete Marques Ogden, the grit and perseverance it takes to get through was just what he needed to pursue his passions and calling.