Dayton Original:  Devon Berry
Devon Berry came home to find his place in the world—a neighborhood patented by history and rich with character and originality. With a natural curiosity, creative spirit and an advanced education degree, the Dayton native could have found work and success most anywhere. In fact, he traveled the globe and taught in several countries before choosing to build a family life in Dayton’s Wright-Dunbar Village. For Devon, the attraction is clear: “Dayton is a city of original thinkers and doers,” he says. “The Wright-Dunbar neighborhood is alive with the best of the past and with families creating their futures.”  As Devon demonstrates, you can come home again.

Dayton Original:  Gerstner & Sons
One hundred years ago, Harry Gerstner dreamed the beginnings of a practical, artful masterpiece and a family business that would survive a century of change. A dedicated craftsman, Harry wanted to keep tools organized and dry. The hand-built tool chest he created was soon in demand by those who appreciated quality, durability and the beauty of fine woodcrafting.  Even Orville Wright, another inventive Daytonian, treasured a Gerstner chest. Today, Gerstner tool and collectors’ chests are still crafted by Dayton artisans and sold to loyal customers around the world.  H. Gerstner & Sons – founded in 1906 and operating from the same facility it built along the banks of the Great Miami River in 1913 – is proud to remain a Dayton Original.

Dayton Original:  Composite Advantage
He saw an opportunity and grabbed hold.  Scott Reeve is an aerospace industry expert who came to Dayton to be part of the National Composite Center - pioneers in the new science of composite fiber/polymer materials.  Scott believed that these durable yet light-weight construction materials could re-shape the future. That future is now.

Scott’s ground-breaking new company, Composite Advantage, was among the first to graduate from the National Composite Center’s incubation class.  With financial and site selection assistance from the City of Dayton and CityWide Development Corporation, Composite Advantage invested more than $1 million to relocate and expand its operation on Kiser Street in Dayton.  As these next-generation products help re-define the changing marketplace, the number of skilled professionals working for the company is only expected to grow in the years ahead.

Why did he choose Dayton to launch his new business? “We like it here,” Scott says. “There’s an abundance of advanced materials supplies, the labor pool is great, and we received all the help we needed to establish our niche!”

Dayton Originals:  Bob & Nancy Schiffler
Bob and Nancy Schiffler -- Dayton Originals.  Bob’s vision for architectural innovation and Nancy’s bold interior designs are rejuvenating downtown Dayton treasures.  As their success clearly demonstrates, Dayton is a city where originality flourishes, where the old becomes new, and the new is welcomed warmly.

Looking for space for your business? An environment where you can imprint your own stamp of originality?  Do what Bob and Nancy Schiffler did -- check out downtown Dayton and learn how your dream can take shape. Special incentives, start-up assistance, and financing packages can offer a great start for your own patented innovations.

Dayton Original:  Wanda Wiedman
Wanda has been a Dayton community supporter for decades, starting out as a community activist in South Park.  Over the years, she has worked for various public sector organizations, including Congressman Chuck Whalen's Dayton office, as well as the City of Dayton. When U.S. Route 35 was constructed, Wanda helped rename many of the streets that were dissected by the highway. Given her proud German heritage, in most cases, she simply gave them the German equivalent of their existing names (High became Hoch, for example). She was also the brainchild behind the popular German Picnic at Carillon Park, and she served as the event’s Chairperson for more than 20 years. Through her own love and devotion to the Dayton community, Wanda has inspired others to carry on in her footsteps.

Dayton Original:  Bill Pote
Bill Pote started the independent Dayton.MostMetro.com web site as a way to showcase all the unique and exciting things that are happening in Dayton. He took a unique idea and built a product that has had a tremendous impact – from introducing visitors and potential residents to our city to creating a community of like-minded advocates for positive change. He is truly a Dayton original with a passion for this city.

Dayton Originals: Michael and Sandy Bashaw
Michael and Sandy Bashaw represent the best of Dayton's creative class. Michael's innovative artwork and Sandy's original musical compositions are recognized internationally, and they have been superb ambassadors of Dayton around the world.

Michael's Sound Sculpture Ensemble performed for the International Sculpture Center's 1996 Conference in Providence, RI. His Dance Company Collaborations include: the Maori National Dance Ensemble of New Zealand; Dayton Contemporary Dance Company; University of Dayton Dance Company; and Rhythm in Shoes. Bashaw taught at the award winning Dayton Living Arts Center. He worked as a resident artist for the Dayton Art Institute, and continues as a resident artist for the Muse Machine in Dayton. He has conducted workshops and residencies in hundreds of schools and art centers in the tri-state area, and is on the artists' roster of the South Carolina Arts Council. He was a featured artist/presenter at the national Muse Machine teacher training conference in Colorado Springs, CO, July, 1999.

With acoustic guitar as her main instrument, Sandy has performed professionally over the years in a variety of genres (folk, blues, rock, western). She has shared the stage with widely renowned artists such as: Odetta, Ramblin' Jack Elliot, Eric Anderson, Maria Muldaur, John Renbourne, Tom Paxton, Dougie MacLean, Riders in the Sky, and Peggy Seeger & Ewan McColl. She currently creates and plays traditional and experimental, improvisational music with Puzzle of Light, as well as with the Sound Sculpture Ensemble. Michael and Sandy traveled to Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzegovina with Dayton's "Sister Cities" delegation. While in Bosnia, they performed for children in the hospital in Sarajevo, and for an international audience of dignitaries at a reception given by U.S. Ambassador Kauzlarich. The Bashaws presently are establishing the cutting-edge Theater of Sound in downtown Dayton that will provide a venue for many of Dayton's art programs and be an anchor for the adjacent Oregon Arts District. They truly are Dayton Originals.

Dayton Original: DONet
Since 1997, founders Leigh Sandy and David Mezera have been providing Internet access to residential customers of the Dayton region.  DONet (Dayton Ohio Network) now provides broadband, dial-up, web hosting and other services to a wide range of business and residential customers.  Since DONet’s beginning, internet and computer technologies  have undergone drastic changes and advancements.  DONet and its technology products are no exception.  This is evident with the launch of their new product, Ethernet Express technology.  Leigh Sandy says Ethernet Express “thinks outside the box,” because it provides business with a faster internet connection without using fiber optic cables.  Instead, connection is provided over traditional copper lines. 

So what’s the big deal about Ethernet Express, anyway?  It’s a faster and easier way to provide businesses with an internet connection...The reality is that Leigh and David’s product is perhaps the only company offering such internet technology in the Midwest and possibly anywhere in the U.S.  The best thing about it is this  innovative product is being developed and offered right here in Dayton.

Both Leigh and David were born, raised, and attended high school in the Dayton area--Leigh at Fairborn and David at Carroll.  They could have taken their entrepreneurial spirit and technical know-how anywhere, but they gladly opted to build their dreams here. “Dayton is home. We love it here, want our kids to grow up here, and simply want to give back to our community by keeping Dayton up to par with technological advances and innovations,”  Leigh said.

It’s fair to say DONet and its founders have done just that with their smart, insightful, remarkably workable internet solutions. 

Square One Salon & Spa
Brent Johnson, Doug Henderson and Josh Stucky have built a resounding small business success through commitment to customers and community. The three owners of Square One--downtown Dayton's first luxury salon and day spa--started with a desire to bring a new level of salon services to the urban environment. Since opening with 2,600 square feet in 1999, Square One has doubled in size, expanded its repertoire of beauty and spa services and built a loyal and growing client community of downtown workers, urban residents and suburban customers who enjoy a visit to downtown Dayton's Cannery development. A late-2008 remodel capped off the most successful year to date and added resort-quality treatment rooms, state-of-the-art education space and flourishes including a flat-screen fireplace. Square One's community focus includes sponsorship of charitable events and green work practices throughout.

"Dayton is the right size for making an impact as an entrepreneur and a member of the community," says Brent Johnson. "We received a lot of support from other business people when we were getting started, and we haven't forgotten how good Dayton has been to us." 

Theresa Gasper
Theresa's desire to improve and promote the historic South Park neighborhood is all about putting her money where her mouth is. Her company, Full Circle Development, has made an impact buying and rehabbing old houses in the South Park neighborhood.  She played a major role in its recently being awarded Neighborhood of the Year by a national organization, and she isn't even a resident there -- just a passionate promoter and a true Dayton Original!