Presentation Topic: "Muffins and Marathons: an Entrepreneurial Story"
Main Street Muffin (now known as Main Street Gourmet) was founded in 1987 by Steve Marks and his partner, Harvey Nelson. Main Street Gourmet is a manufacturer of gourmet frozen bakery products with sales throughout the United States.
Main Street Gourmet was selected to the 1992 and 1993 "Inc. 500," a listing of the fastest growing companies in the United States. In 1993, Steve and Harvey were chosen by Inc. Magazine and Ernst & Young as the "1993 Entrepreneurs of the Year Award for Northeastern Ohio." In 1994 and 2011 the U.S. Small Business Administration selected Steve and Harvey as the "Small Business Person(s) of the Year." In 2000, Main Street Gourmet was chosen as the Number One Fastest Growing Company in the Weatherhead 100, a listing of the fastest growing companies in Northeastern Ohio. Steve and Harvey received the 2004 "Entrepreneurial Achievement Award" from Sales & Marketing Executives International. Main Street Gourmet has also received the Pillar Award from SBN Magazine in 2000, 2005 and 2009 for their commitment to Community Service. In 2006, The Greater Akron Chamber recognized Steve and Harvey with the "Entrepreneur(s) of the Year" Award. In 2009, Main Street Gourmet was presented with the Richard Shatten Civic Distinction Award from Crain's Leading EDGE Awards. The Shatten Award is presented each year to an exceptional company that goes well beyond the norm in giving back and supporting the Northeastern Ohio community. In 2011, Main Street Gourmet was selected as the Wellness@Work Grand Prize winner from the Cleveland Museum of Natural History.
Senator John Glenn selected Steve Marks as his sole choice to be a Delegate for the 1995 White House Conference on Small Business. Steve is a 1993 graduate of Leadership Akron and The Leadership Akron Alumni Association has recognized him with their "2004 Distinguished Leadership Award." The University of Akron has also recognized Steve with the "1999 Simonetti Distinguished Business Alumni Award," the "2000 Outstanding Beta Alpha Psi Alumnus Award" and the "2006 University of Akron Alumni Honor Award."
Steve is also the founder and President of the Road Runner Akron Marathon, launched in 2003 by a family foundation he started. The mission of the marathon is to promote health and fitness and bring national attention to this region. In 2005, the Road Runner Akron Marathon was recognized as one of the "50 Greatest US Marathons." In 2007, Steve Marks was recognized by the Dapper Dan Club with "The William Schlemmer Award" for meritorious service exemplifying dedication and contribution to the sports community.
Main Street Gourmet founded an award winning program with Akron General Medical Center called "Muffins for Mammograms," designed to raise money for women who cannot afford breast cancer screening costs. To date, the program has raised more than $250,000.
Steve currently serves as a Board of Trustee Member of the Akron Community Foundation and recently completed service as a trustee for the All American Soap Box Derby, Akron Civic Theatre and the American Red Cross of Summit County. He is a graduate of The University of Akron with a BS in Accounting. He began his career with Coopers and Lybrand as a CPA before becoming a "Muffin Man."
