Economics Prof Explores Values as Brand

Crain's Cleveland Business called on BW economics professor Kay Strong for insight into businesses that focus on fair trade.

The article, in the latest issue of the magazine, explores the conundrum of small, local firms in NE Ohio that face challenges due to their fair trade practices, but believe in what they do.

“Companies who step out and say, 'These are my values and these are the values of my business,' and brand those values, I think, there are niches for those companies," Strong says. "There is an advantage to putting it (your vision) out there because it's a way of branding yourself.”