​VALHALLA, N.Y., June 27, 2017 – USI Insurance Services (“USI”) has entered into an agreement with Wells Fargo & Company (“Wells Fargo”) (NYSC:WFC), to purchase Wells Fargo Insurance Services USA (WFIS), which includes its Insurance Brokerage and Consulting, Employee Benefits and Property & Casualty national practices, along with Safehold Special Risk, Small Business Insurance, Student Insurance, Individual Health and Private Risk Management Insurance business lines. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. The transaction is expected to close fourth quarter 2017, subject to, among other customary conditions, expiration or termination of the waiting period (and any extension thereof) under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvement Act of 1976, as amended.

By: Charlie Chambers, Lead Consultant, Small Business Development Center

Working with small businesses since the recovery from the last recession I have noticed a disturbing trend.  A number of small businesses have come to me seeking assistance that have made some serious mistakes that are really hard to overcome.  One of the issues I see a lot is past due taxes.  Both federal and State income tax and local property taxes.   Business owners are surprised and disappointed to learn the banks and credit unions have little or no interest in loaning money to an individual that owes these back taxes.  Think about it:  If the business owner was unable to pay a tax liability, what makes the business owner think someone else will take the risk of not getting paid back?

​Coyle Funeral Home has been providing healing funeral services to the Toledo Region for nearly 130 years. The family owned funeral home has been owned and operated by five generations of Coyle’s. Most recent to carry on the family legacy is Megan Coyle-Stamos, who bought the business in 2012.

​Born and raised in Toledo, Amanda Held chose to come home after she served 4 years on active duty in 2003. A lifelong equestrian, Amanda is a veteran who now has 16 years combined service in the United States Air Force and Air National Guard. She has personally overcome PTSD and founded H.O.O.V.E.S (Healing Of Our Veterans Equine Service) with a vision to reach out to other veterans and share her healing experience.

As Advance Auto Parts continued to grow as a company, they saw great potential in Toledo. In 2008 they opened their first location on Reynolds Road and have since opened four stores. On July 13th, 2017 the company will open their sixth location in the Toledo Region at 4920 Monroe Street.​

Videographer: Nick Gaietto, Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce Summer Intern,
Senior Film Student at The University of Toledo

Owner:                 Barry Williamson
Location:             3128 Douglas Road
                              Toledo, OH 43606
Website:              http://crossfitlifesport.com/

​Barry Williamson retired in January 2017 after a 20 year career in the United States Navy. He discovered the CrossFit lifestyle four years ago and bought CrossFit LifeSport on Douglas Road in Toledo early this year.

​By: Colleen Kardasz, Director Ohio SBDC Export Assistance Network