The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
MyBoard Advisors acquires Hartfiel Medical
MyBoard Advisors, a private small business advisory firm launched in 2018 by founding partners Kip Marlow and Jerry C. Cirino, recently acquired another new client, Hartfiel Medical, based in Stow.
Melissa Egts, Hartfiel’s founder and CEO, engaged MyBoard to help develop, source manufacturing and implement a marketing plan for her new products, patent-pending nasal cannula covers.
MyBoard, which provides a complete advisory board for businesses, is already serving clients in medical distribution, construction, information technology, manufacturing and textile services.
Cirino and Marlow established the firm because they saw that “many private businesses needed to have a non-statutory board to work with them” on valuecreation, growth, organizational structure, exit planning and diversification.
“Many business owners we have talked with clearly see the need for an advisory board but they just don’t know how to get one together,” Cirino said. “What MyBoard does is put it all together for the client and brings an advisory board to their door in a matter of days.”
Marlow said having an advisory board has become popular in business circles today.
“The challenge is to find the right people with the right experience who are available not just for periodic board meetings but whenever the owner/CEO needs guidance,” he added.
Egts said the firm is excellent at making connections and solving problems for start-ups or existing businesses.
“My covers will be available on Amazon this fall and for sale to hospitals and nursing homes, and were created out of real patient need,” she added. “They will be a breath of fresh air for those who use oxygen.”
Partial funding for the covers came from the National Science Foundation and from a grant through the United States Department of Defense and administered by Ohio State University.
Development in 2020, Hartfiel Medical is named for Egts’ father, who taught her the values of hard work and commitment.
“I really believe in entrepreneurship,” she said. “You can help solve a lot of problems.”
For product information, including availability, follow Egts’ Instagram account @o2livingwithcopd.
Visit www.MyBoardAdvisors.com or call Jerry Cirino at 216-409-0383 or Kip Marlow at 216-214-4859.
Founding Partner Kip Marlow was the founder and president of Marlow Surgical Technologies for 22 years and sold it to a New York Stock Exchange company in 1997. Marlow has been a mentor, advisor and coach to a variety of companies in numerous industries. He has also worked with several early-stage companies and provided advice to a variety of startup businesses.
Founding Partner Jerry C. Cirino was the founding CEO of SourceOne Healthcare technologies, one of the largest radiology distribution companies in the world with revenues in excess of $1 billion. He has served as chairman and CEO of numerous companies since, including portfolio companies with private equity. He has substantial transactional experience and has managed companies through growth, turnaround, and exit. He is currently serving as an Ohio state senator in District 18.