Profile: Barb Ewing

Name: Barb Ewing

Current Job: CEO of Youngstown Business Incubator

City: Youngstown

Q: What is it that you and Youngstown Business Incubator do?

We support commercialization of Additive Manufacturing (AM) and digital technologies, as well as technology adoption programs for AM by both industry and government partners. We're also the Minority Business Assistance Center for the eastern corridor of Ohio.

Q: What’s a challenge that you are working to solve?

One of the biggest challenges in AM is the fact that manufacturers often think that the technology can only be used in very advanced, technical applications. We are working to help Ohio firms to understand how and when to use AM in traditional manufacturing settings for things like tooling and advanced metal casting.

Q: What’s a lesson you’ve learned that has helped shaped your work?

Have grand plans, but start small with achievable goals. Don't try to "boil the ocean" as they say. Really great ideas can get bogged down by trying to do too much.

Q: What’s a trend in technology or innovation that you believe doesn’t get enough attention?

There's a low level discussion going on about Industry 4.0, but we aren't doing enough to help our manufacturers engage in new technologies. We're at risk for our industry and workers being left below if we don't find ways to prepare for the coming seismic changes in manufacturing.

Q: What’s a recent book, podcast or news story that you found interesting? And why?

Community by Peter Block explores how to engage with other people and institutions in our region. The traditional meeting structure and engagement processes are generally pretty ineffective in really spurring the change that we want to see happen. To be successful, we've got to rethink how we talk to others, the language that we use, and our community spaces. We really need to create a sense of belonging.

Q: What is your favorite place in Ohio?

The Greenway Bike Trail in Columbiana County. It runs through farm land and deep forests. I can lose myself completely there. It's like you're running back in time.

Q: Why Ohio?

I love its mix of industry and agriculture, rural and urban, sports and arts, the change of seasons. It really is a complete package; there's something for everyone.

About Youngstown Business Incubator, in their own words...

"The Youngstown Business Incubator will leverage its entrepreneurial expertise and resource network to meaningfully impact technology-based economic development and community wealth. Our mission is to facilitate the creation of high-value businesses through collaborative partnerships that promote innovative technologies and long-term, sustainable employment opportunities, with a focus on information technology and advanced manufacturing."

To learn more about the Youngstown Business Incubator and Barb, please visit: https://ybi.org/