Meet Erica Boose | Ohio Girl Bakes Owner & Operator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Erica Boose and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Erica, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
When we moved back to Ohio in 2018, I was ready to start my own company. I wanted to have my own rules and decide what my product offerings were going to be. I really wanted to teach our children business ownership. It was important for me to show them you can make your own income, without someone limiting you. I tell them all the time there is always money on the table anytime you work for it. My grandfather told my mom this as a kid and I share the same thoughts with our kids–you can have anything you want in this life, as long as you work hard for it.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I am a self-taught business owner who was able to bring products to market that I had been making for friends and family for years. Starting a company with products that already had a positive response from really helped. When I first started the company, we had just moved back to Ohio. We didn’t know anyone in this area, so I focused on getting in front of people through markets and door to door introductions. I passed out a lot of samples in the beginning and started forming relationships immediately.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
We would go to The Coffee Vault in the morning for coffee, a breakfast sandwich and a homemade muffin. Then we would head to uptown Westerville. We would stop by Pure Roots to pick up Ohio themed souvenirs. Then for lunch we would go to Northstar Cafe. For dessert, we would head to Graeter’s for ice cream!

If the visit was in October, I would definitely take them to the Columbus Coffee Fest (October 5th & 6th). This 2 day everything coffee event happens once a year. At the door you are presented with a coffee mug. Once inside, you get to taste coffee from all around. Ohio Girl Bakes brings baked goods and chocolates that are infused with coffee. We also bring coffee themed merchandise. This is our 6th year participating and it’s an event we look forward to every year!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Growing up in Dresden, Ohio during the mid 70’s through the 90’s, I was surrounded by self-starters and hard workers. Not only did I get the influence directly from my hard working parents, but Dave Longaberger and both set of my grandparents were self-made and successful business owners. I had the pleasure of working at the Longaberger Company during the boom. Being surrounded by all of these influences helped me realize the possibilities of a very strong work ethic. I was very fortunate to have witnessed first-hand how things can be done with some hard work.

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