LEXINGTON, Ohio – A new entrepreneur group, Richland County Entrepreneur Organization, better known as Richland CEOs, held its kickoff meeting March 18 at the Happy Grape in Lexington.
The group was organized by entrepreneurs Stephanie Zader and Paul Smith.
Zader founded Immix, a business solutions company. “My business’ goal is to make being in business easier and more affordable, and this was kind of a side thing to that. Just bringing out people that have the entrepreneurial spirit, getting them together, and talking about what we can do to help each other out.”
Smith is the director of the Ohio State Reformatory and owner of the Happy Grape Wine Bars in Lexington and Ashland.
Smith addressed the crowd and explained how the group came about, inspired by discussions over wine one evening at the Happy Grape.
“We were talking about being a small business owner, and everyone thinks you jet off to the Bahamas every few weeks. I knew I had met someone that was going to make a difference for small business owners in this area. The group of us, we understand how hard it is to be in business,” said Smith.
He noted it was important for small business owners to connect at the state level, via state representatives, the attorney general, and senators.
“As a group of people, we can make a statement. As individuals, it’s hard…but we can make a difference in our community by being together and by making things happen,” he said.
Tammy Puff of Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine’s office served as impromptu guest speaker in place of scheduled guest speaker Rep. Mark Romanchuk, who could not attend.
Puff explained services available to small businesses through the attorney general’s office, including consumer protection services. “We do have free workshops for business owners,” she said. “Mike DeWine is all about protecting Ohio families.”
Smith also noted that it was helpful to have a group of business owners together that could support and assist each other.
He added that a variety of speakers have been planned for the group. “We’re not going to try and beat you down with a two hour talk. It’s going to be 15 to 20 minutes with socialization after that.”
“We’re going to try and not make it a complaint thing. But If you guys have run into something, there may be someone in this group that has dealt with it before,” Smith said.
Smith explained that small business owners face issues that non-business owners may not understand. “I’ve felt alone,” he said. “I’ve felt like I’m the only one out there and no one understands me.”
“What we are trying to do is get a group of people together that get that,” he said. “We’re not trying to do the same old thing again and again. We’re trying to make a difference.”
Zader explained that the group is not for people to sell to each other. “That was not my goal…if we have people selling each other on their product, it’s going to drive people away,” she said.
“My goal is to help promote the growth of business in a completely different way, helping each other, coming together, answering questions that each other have,” she added.
Those attending the event included a representative of Richland Bank as well as local entrepreneurs and businesspeople.
Zader said that a $25 annual membership to Richland CEOs will include discounts at local businesses, including UPS. The fee will also help cover costs of events and venues.
More information about the group can be found on their Facebook page.
“My business’ goal is to make being in business easier and more affordable, and this was kind of a side thing to that. Just bringing out people that have the entrepreneurial spirit, getting them together, and talking about what we can do to help each other out,” said Stephanie Zader.
