Running the Bases with Small Businesses
Running the Bases with Small Businesses
Molly Gebler - The Inn of Chagrin
Running the Bases today with Molly Gebler, Managing Partner of The Inn of Chagrin. The Inn of Chagrin is a 15-room historic inn located in downtown Chagrin Falls. Recently, the Inn celebrated the renovated rooms designed by ‘Project Runway’ star Chrisitan Siriano.
Molly is a LOVER of all things LOCAL - if there was a NATIONAL SMALL BUSINESS Award for promoting one’s LOCAL COMMUNITY - our guest would be at the top of the Podium. As the - former Executive Director for the Chagrin Valley Chamber of Commerce - our guest promoted, celebrated, marketed, and worked 80 hours a week championing over 600 local businesses.
In addition to her day job she is an entrepreneur herself, co-owner of a cooking school business offering cooking classes for children, She is an Author of 5 Children’s Books celebrating local traditions. She is also An Award Winning Local Documentary Film Maker. For 5 Years, She co-hosted a local Pod-Cast, She is known for her fun take on almost everything with her youtube channel videos she makes with friends and family.
She is currently a Managing Partner for the Inn of Chagrin and when she isn’t giving 80 hours a week to the community she is doing her most FAVORITE JOB hanging with her 2 adorable Grandkids - Twins Mary and John.
To learn more about Molly and the Inn of Chagrin visit: https://www.innofchagrin.com/
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I'm Randy Rohde and I'm fascinated with entrepreneurs and small business owners. Plus I love baseball. Every show I sit down with a small business owner and we discuss there running the bases of entrepreneurship. We throw the ball around on strategy management, execution and innovation, plus a little fun baseball talk. Hey, thanks for joining us today. Settle in, grab your cracker jacks and you know what they say, label. Okay. It is a great day for a ballgame and today's guest is a lover of all things local. And if there was a national small business award for promotings one's local community, I think our guest would certainly be at the top of the podium as the executive director for the chamber of commerce locally here, our guest promoted, celebrated, marketed, worked probably 80 hours plus a week champion over 600 local businesses. In addition to her day job, she is an entrepreneur herself co-owner of a cooking school business, offering cooking classes for children. She's an author of five children's books, celebrating local traditions. She is also an award-winning local documentary filmmaker. For five years, she co-hosted a local podcast and she is known for her fun. Take on almost everything with her YouTube channel videos she makes with friends and family. She is currently a managing partner for the chef art poor restaurant group. And when she isn't giving 80 hours a week to the community, she's doing her most favorite job, which is probably hanging with her two adorable grandkids, the twins marry and John. Welcome to the show, Molly. Gebler. Thank you. Oh my gosh. I've been trying to get you behind the mic for about months.
Molly:And I know, I know I'm here. I'm here though, but where are the cracker?
Randy:I know. Sorry. Yeah. So, uh, that's a good idea. That's so I know I did. lure you with food., so listen, our research team dug deep into something and I, this, I can see it, but it completely like, are you serious? This is crazy. They found out that you actually attended clown school. did you know that was coming? Like I think, okay. Here's
Molly:something. Well, they really dug deep. They really dug deep. I think it was, um, Bedford's um, like park and rec, like. You know, little classes. Okay. Um, and I did, I, I took clown school and learned how to, you know, bend all the balloons and I, and I ventured out and did a couple parties. Um, but I was too, I was more worried about what the parent was thinking while I was doing the party, then taking care of the kids. Okay. Um, so I stopped doing but I, yeah, my grandma made me, um, a costume, which I think fun. It may still be out there somewhere. I know my mom had it in closet for a long time.
Randy:yes. Yes. So you were never caught like crammed with a hundred of your best friends and some small little car. You didn't like show up? No, no, I
Molly:was solo. Hey, to Molly's here. I didn't have any clown friends. I was solo. Um, solo clown. Yeah. I think my biggest gig was, uh, my dad was a dentist and, um, the, um, Whatever, uh, group, he was a part of hired me at the, the Cleveland museum of something. The dentists had some big Shinde and I got to go. And that was big,
Randy:big deal. Ben balloons and
Molly:yeah, I made my 50
Randy:bucks. Very fun. Well, there we go. Well, clown school, funny. I read this in the notes. I'm like, that is hilarious. I could definitely say, were you Molly? The clown? Who, who were you? Wow, I think it
Molly:was bubbles. Bubbles. I have a picture. I'll I'll get a picture
Randy:and I'll send it to you bubbles. That's good. Yes. Yeah. Yeah. We'll add it with the show notes. People can go see, uh, bubbles. So you didn't grow up here in chagrin is what I understand.
Molly:I am not a
Randy:lifer. You're not a lifer. And maybe ohoh now the secret is out, right? That's that's big. No secret at all. No, nobody. Um, so. But here's the thing. I, I, I'm not sure exactly how you found your way to chagrin, but I think if anybody engages in a conversation with you, they would never think that you are not just tried and true blue chagrin, orange, orange. Yes. Um, because you embrace the community, like it is, you know, centuries of your heritage. Right. How can you know? So, uh, two questions, I guess one, how did you find your way to chagrin? Uh, and then how did you come to embrace it? Uh, so passionately the way you do.
Molly:Um, I grew up in Wickliffe. Um, and, uh, my, my dad was the, um, athletic director, uh, at Menor high school. And, um, my, we moved in 1970 to wick cliff when I was born. And then, um, the day I graduated eighth grade, my father had passed away when I was four. And then my mom fell in love. Um, years later, and my graduation of eighth grade, we packed the car up, cuz my stepdad was from chagrin. Okay. And we moved into his house with, there were six of his kids and four of us. Oh my, we were blended family of 10. That's a full house. Yeah. We never all lived together. There there's an age difference, but we moved to chagrin. Um, and that, I always say we moved to chagrin so I could meet my husband. Oh. Which I did. Okay. Um, who is a lifer? Um, that, that word just, it's so funny. It's so funny. So then, um, so I moved here when I was 15. Um, and then, uh, got married later on, obviously people and, um, moved back to WCL, bought our house in wick lift. Okay. Which is funny and then lived there, but your
Randy:husband is from chagrin. Yes. Yes. So you went from back, get married. I then go
Molly:back to back to wick and then I did the same thing to my kids and pluck them out. Um, my daughter had just graduated eighth grade, plucked them out and you said, Hey, we're going back to, we move back to chagrin for obviously for obvious reasons, but mainly for the school system. Right. And that's so, um, I don't know. I mean, I was in the chagrin valley women's league early, early, um, maybe in my early twenties, I was in that group and, um, I don't know. My mom was very wise and, um, And, and talked a lot about chagrin and values, and I don't know where it, it came from. Uh, I, I will tell you when I was offered the job at the chamber, um, I had absolutely no idea what a chamber did literally, before I went into that interview, I was researching that . Um, and I, I would say that, that probably just, um, skyrocketed that yeah. That passion, huh. You know, I just discovered all these great things about chagrin and, and local and got to meet the, the owners and the, you know, the, the blood, sweat, and tears that they put into the businesses and just really wanted to fight for them. So, yeah.
Randy:Yeah. Well, um, we're gonna talk about your experience. There was a lot
Molly:long answer for just that one little
Randy:question, sorry. You know, your experience at the chamber, and we're gonna explore that, uh, a little bit later as well. But I can see how that absolutely injected this, you know, embrace that you have and how it, how you as well have just become kind of part of the fabric of the community. Has there ever been a time when you felt that you were the outsider, so used the term lifer or something like that? Mm-hmm , which I think is kind of a common, I'm not a lifer as well. We moved here in 2007. Um, uh, my daughter was born here. My son was like 15 months. I think something like that. Um, when we moved here mm-hmm you know, we are not the lifers now. We feel very embraced and part of the community, but certainly, you know, we know we're not lifers. Uh, have you ever felt like, yeah, yeah, I'm still an outsider.
Molly:Never felt like an outsider. Um, but have been pointed out. Yes that I am an outsider. Yeah. Um, I've never felt like an outsider. I, I, this is my home. This is, you know, um, but when I wrote some of the, one of the books, there was a comment online by somebody, um, who obviously, you know, wanted, didn't even put their name. Those are my favorite. Didn't even put their name on it. such a strong, independent person that is, um, and said something like, you know, who is she to write books about chagrin tradition. She's not even from chagrin or something like that. And that was the only time I was like, are you. Blank and kidding me, like, and I have a potty mouse, so I'm have to be very careful during this
Randy:body. That's alright. We're not PT. So you can just hang it out to,
Molly:you know, like, are you kidding me? Like, I've been here since I was 15 years old. Right. So, and that's why I joke about the word lifer. Yes. Cause it's
Randy:just, I know it's a, it's, it's a ridiculous term.
Molly:That's all good. And, and chagrin is very transient. It really, truly, yeah, it really is. Um, you know, there's a lot of business, um, businesses that move their, um, right. People here mm-hmm um, that then move out. So it's a very, very transient. My mom would always joke and she'd say, you know, who's from chagrin. For a long time and who's not just by going to the grocery store, cuz some people, they dress up to the nines and they're not from, from here for a long time, the people that are from here for a long time, they go to HNS in their slippers and their pajamas from the night before and get their shit and they get out. Right, right, right. Um, whereas, and, and I'm not making God bless anybody who, who spends time to, you know, but you get my point. It,
Randy:that is so funny. So my wife and I went to, uh, one of the cap restaurants, uh, I think that was Saturday night. Um, and I got the picture. Yes. I sent you a picture. Hey, I'm hanging out at your spot. I's love to use it today. Yeah. Um, and, uh, uh, we were walking back because we just live, you know, we're very fortunate. We can just walk into the village. We love it. Um, and uh, we were walking back home and we were like, wow, there are so many like cool hooking people.
Molly:I, I can't even go to Hy ends
Randy:and I'm like, Uh, they're not cha grin people. right. Because these people are like, as you were explaining dress to the night's like, wow, that is a fabulous, I mean, I like nice. I'm like that guy is really, really dressed, dressed up. Wow. Um, and my wife's like, well, they're not, you can really see you is not from sugarin. Yeah. Uh, because I was just wearing like cargo shorts and t-shirt. Yep. Because I think I had just come from outside and my wife's like, Hey, let's go get a, let's go to dinner. Let's go get something to eat and a drink. Or so I'm like, yeah, it sounds fun. We just walked out. Um, but yeah, sugar grin falls now is like, and especially on a weekend, I was like, wow. It is a, a place. Yeah.
Molly:Yeah. Yeah. I, I joke like anytime I have to go into high ends, I cringe everybody is just. There's such pretty people I just I'm like, I
Randy:don't, I'm not kidding. You was, I was like nothing that, you know, Hey, local people that live in Chi green, you're beautiful as well. Yes. Hundred percent. Uh, other folks that come and visit are like, wow. Yeah.
Molly:Yeah. Well, and I, I, when I was saying transient, they live here. Sure, sure. But then they, they move out. It's just this, you know, phase. So
Randy:yes. So very interesting. So moving in today, right now, coming and looking at life today. So you are in this incredible role with the chef art poor restaurant group and. Uh, talk about entrepreneurs. These guys are incredible. I think what, I'll let you tell the story about that group. Um, a little back bit of background. You've been with them for a long time in one fashion, or, or I should stay, you started, uh, at one point several years ago with them left came back. Um, so why don't you explain a little bit of what that group is? Sure. Some of the things they're involved with? Um,
Molly:yeah, sure. So, um, we are, um, originally we were. Uh, Burntwood taverns Leos, um, I'm Italian sushi junkie and be Erin and Moses. Gosh, what am I missing the in now? Um, I said I'm Italian, right? Uh, which is ex it's just so exciting. Everything about this group is always exciting, cuz it's just always growing. So, um, way, way back, um, Brett Adams, who is the owner, um, local. Local dad. He was actually the recess dad when I was working at gurney
Randy:um, the elementary school first. Yeah. Sorry. I I'm trying not to be, so this sh this show with Molly is very local. So our local listeners. Yes. No like, oh yeah. Gurney, da da, da, everything else. But Molly, we actually have a pretty broad audience. I mean, we're, we're quite big over in Germany. I would never have guess. Hi Germany. Yes. So thank you, our listeners there. So, yes. Give you
Molly:all, so the local elementary school, I was an aide, um, and you know, Brett was a recess dad who would come cuz his kids were at the school. Um, and then he had just opened up, hit the first Burntwood Tavern, um, on east Washington street here in tra grand falls. Yes. Um, and I was there one day and just said, oh, I would really rock your host stand. I said to Brett, Randy: really just like that. I totally said it like that. Um, my dad. he was a dentist and he was just, uh, that's my second dad, FYI, cuz I know everyone's gonna be like, well, she already said her dad was the, yeah, my second dad. Um, and he was just reti, starting to transition and, and cut back his hours. And um, so I was like, I would really rock that. And so a couple days later he called and said, were you serious about that? And I was like, okay. I knew nothing about restaurant, right? Absolutely nothing. And so I started working there as a hostess and then I served. And then I managed, um, and then left there to go to the Sherin valley chamber of commerce. Right, right. What, uh, and then I'm back. So
Randy:yeah. Yeah. So there you're back. So, so there's, so you've got the chef art poor restaurant group, um, which is, and Molly just rattled off just a number of different kind of concept restaurants. Um, but, uh, I don't know exactly when, but more recently in the last year or two, the group also acquired this string of properties on west street, which includes, uh, this historic Inn of Chagrin falls. Um, which now you are intimately associated the west. They have
Molly:very intimately. I think I have paint from yesterday on my fingers. Yes. You know what, um, that was always the intent, um, was to leave. Not always when I left the chamber, it was for the in, um, we didn't purchase it until a little later on. I left in may and then we purchased it in September. Okay. So I always knew that that was where I was headed. Um, I mean, it, it was always my dream to, to own an in and wow. Yeah. Yeah.
Randy:So you're fulfilling like a lifelong dream here am even being the end. Keep
Molly:I, and a little bit of my mom's dream too, I think. Oh, very fun.
Randy:Yeah. Wow. She'd be excited. So, um, so we, we talking about the end, so tell us about the in, oh my gosh. Itself. And, and I'll I'll uh, well, I'll just let you lead it. I, we you've done so much and you just had this big monstrous event that I wanna kind of explore as well, so, but take it away,
Molly:Molly. All right. So the in of chagrin, um, was a property. In 1920, that I'm really going back that Mr. Cranes yeah. Um, purchased, um, and the sugar and false historical society can, you know, add any of their comments when this gets posted. If I'm incorrect. Um, Mr. Crane, um, bought it as his summer house. He, um, had a chocolate company Crane's, uh, chocolate in Cleveland and, uh, chagrin was the country. So he bought this property to have a cottage in the country.
Randy:Beautiful. I, I, I have a question. Yeah. Cause, and see if my recollection of history is correct was also, uh, Mr. Crane. Wasn't he also credited with the life savers? Yeah, that's coming. Is that oh, that's coming. Yeah, that's coming. Yeah. No,
Molly:Randy be quiet. All right. No, no. So, um, he purchased it and then he created Crane's Canary cottage, which was a restaurant and it was one of the finest on the property, on the property. Okay. Yeah. So, uh, originally I believe you would walk into M bevies door, which is, is part of our restaurant group. Uh it's it's a piece on the property and that would, that was, would've been the front door. Okay. Um, some of the fireplaces in the, in our original fireplaces from that restaurant, but I always, um, describe the restaurant, um, The, um, how famous it was like a, if Anthony Bourdain met, uh, farmers Al at Almanac, like, so it was a Duncan Hines restaurant and Duncan Hines, right. Was not the person on the box of the, you know, the cupcakes that you make. They purchased his name, Uhhuh. He was an actual person who would go to restaurants and then everyone would wait for his publication to come out right. On what, the best on his review. Correct. Right. And if you were a Dunkin Hines, kind of like a Michelin sure. If you were a Dunkin Hines restaurant, that was a big deal. Well, Crane's Canary cottage was one of his favorite restaurants. Um, so twenties, thirties, forties was when this ran, Mr. Crane lived upstairs. And if there was anybody famous. He would, which there were plenty presidents and the Lindbergs and Lindenburg, um, they would stay upstairs with him in this quarter. Mm-hmm so it was never an Inn at that point as a restaurant. And then, um, the, uh, Mr. Crane died, Mrs. Crane purchased or ran it until the forties until the war, and then it closed. Right? Mr. Crane was at a baseball game, I believe, which is funny, cuz that's your thing. There we go. Great. Um, and he was eating his chocolates and they were melting in his hands and he's like, there's gotta be something better than this for me to be able to enjoy at the baseball game. Maybe cracker jacks weren't invented. I don't know. um, and uh, so he went back, he was a boat. And he went back and, um, he made the lifesaver to look like his, literally his lifesaver on his boat. Oh, great. It was the Peppo mince was the first one he invented was what he invented. Uh, he sold the patent for $2,900. um, but he, you know, if you think about it, I think it was a Mars that bought it. I, I, I have no idea. So, you know, I mean it, when he sold it, it wasn't doing what it was doing now. So, um, so yeah. So when you stay at the. Um, which is a 15 room Inn. You actually get a lifesaver on your pillow with a little story saying, you know, why a lifesaver. Um, but yeah, so back to the end. So we purchased it, uh, it had become an in the late eighties, uh, we purchased it last year and it was, um, just outdated. It needed love and attention. Mm-hmm um, it looked like the late eighties, you know, the curtains match, the bedspread match the pillows. Right. And they were all burgundy hunter green, right? Yeah. That was the style
Randy:back then. I remember that style because when we were looking to move, uh, to she grand, we actually stayed at the end for a few nights. Love this, uh, in some green. Molly: Yeah. And it was lovely. I mean, it, it was, you know, it, it just. It needed some attention and love. Right. Right. And we knew that that would be the plan right off the bat is what we would, you know, we would purchase it in September. We would run for the rest of the year, which is usually the busy time, January, February, March, then as slows. And then that was what we would do, uh, for renovation. And, um, if anyone knows me, I do not do anything in a small way. Right. So, right. Um, I. uh, my daughter is an assistant, uh, is a Christian Sirano from project runway. He's a fashion designer. Um, and she's his assistant. And just one night I was like, Hmm. He was J he just started getting into interior designing. And I was like, what do you think? And she, I said, what do you think if I asked Christian, if he was interested in redesigning the rooms? And she said, well, here's his email mom. That's about as , that's about as much as I'm gonna help you that's as much as the grease of the wheel as she was giving. Okay.
Molly:Thank you. Um, child that I birthed. Um, so. I, you know, it's not hard to sell chagrin. So I sent Christian an email with links and pictures and mm-hmm , you know, that was like the first phase I needed to have him say yes, before I even talked to Brett. Right. I had to get him on board. Um, and he emailed me immediately and said, this is fabulous. Wow. And absolutely. And so next was the number, right. Um, so I got finally got that. And then I went to Brad and pitched it.
Randy:It always comes down
Molly:to the number always, which is never the right number. Let's be honest. So my gosh, um, and you know, the rest is history. He, um, Brad said absolutely. And, uh, really. Uh, Brett is, is not only my boss. He's, he's absolutely my mentor. Mm he's a brilliant, brilliant business, man. And I'm not saying that cuz he writes my paychecks. Um, he truly, truly is. And one of there were many conversations, um, before I left the chamber because I had a nice cushy job. Mm-hmm right. You were um, I, you know, I, I had worked very, very hard to get where I was. Um, and uh, you know, one of the things that I said to Brett was, you know, I wanna work under you. There's a lot of people, you know, that work for, uh, in an administration for, um, our group and you know, I wanna learn and there's no reason to, to come. I wanted to learn from him. And so that was kind of, one of the stipulations is I, I, I want you to mentor me. I wanna learn from you. Um, so he, you know, let me spread my wings and guided me through this renovation cuz you know, we've done. He's done this 20, sometimes in the restaurant world flipped a old restaurant into a new restaurant. And, um, so yeah, so everybody agreed. It was great. And, and the rest is, I just said it, but history, like it, it was, we started in March. We had our grand opening in may. We did, we have three rooms still left to renovate. We didn't get all 15 just due to supply issues. Right. Um, it was fast and, and hard and fun and tears. And, and I have to say Christian, Siriano my gosh. Like I just had no idea what to expect. Right. Um, and he just is probably one of the hardest working people. I know, um, not just in interiors, just in his brand alone. Um, just again, a very smart businessman. Um, but he just transformed, um, the rooms. Just they're. They're amazing. They're absolutely amazing. I love, you know, when we took over in September, you would come and I would literally, and no disrespect to anybody, but I would literally hold my breath. Like, what are they gonna say when they check out like, oh, what are they gonna say? Like about the room or, right, right. Sure. Um, now it's just, you know, I embrace it. Like I can't, we have a lot of restaurants that are connected to, we have a restaurant and a cocktail that are connected to the end. So we have a lot of traffic. Yes. And I love showing up, you know, people come in and that was like, oh, let me, let me give you a tour of the end and come, come see. So it's amazing. Yes. It's amazing. And you can go to. innofchagrin.com and I posted some of the, the pictures, um, of the new rooms. Right, right.
Randy:So yes. And we will have, I'm sure you will a link, uh, in the show notes to, um, to the in and several of the properties with the cap yeah. In
Molly:there follows on social media, which I'm sure you'll do as well. On there, we highlight a room. Every, uh, you know, we're trying every day to do the befores and after, so you're really gonna be able to see the transformation. It's it's it's beautiful.
Randy:Yeah, yeah. Yeah. And then you had this massive party. We did. I don't recall. No. We have a lot of different celebrations and things in sugar grand, but I don't recall ever having something like what you guys blew out, uh, with kind of that celebration of the opening of the Inn,
Molly:you know, I, the, the, um, we wanted to celebrate west street and all that, the businesses. So, you know, a couple years ago, a lot of those places were vacant. Yeah. Um, they, you know, a business had closed, whether it was COVID or before COVID right. But I would say, um, Three out of those four businesses on that side of the street. Yeah. We're all closed. We're all closed. Okay. Um, so when, when Brett purchased that side of the street, um, you know, just a lot of money, a lot of a huge investment. Um, and I think it looks amazing and we just wanted to show it off. Right. And, uh, so we kind of talked to all the. Uh, local businesses on west street and said, Hey, what do you think if we close the street and have a big party. And just, and, and we wanted people to go into the places, right. You know, that's why it wasn't there was music, but we didn't focus too much on the street. The street was closed for safety. Right. Um, you know, in the future, maybe we'll close the street and have a big cell, but we, we wanted people in the doors to see what we did. Right. Um, and Christian was there and I, he was great. He did book signings and, uh, toured the place with some of the people. And, uh, yeah, we had a band and it was just a huge party. I think it kicked off so fun
Randy:everything. Right? Oh, it was great. I mean, it was the place to be seen. I mean, I don't my wife and I went down like, Hey, we gotta go, you know, go check this out. And it was like, Hey, Hey,
Molly:Hey. Yeah, it was, I think everybody wanted to with, so another celebration we have here in chagrin is Blossom Time , which we've had for, I think over 50 years, but, um, Maybe even more than that. So don't quote me on that. But, um, you know, I think we hadn't had that in a couple years due to COVID. So it was just, this was the beginning of just getting out and, and, and chagrin is such a, a tight knit community. Right. Um, that, something like that, you know, we all just wanna come out and say hello to everybody. So, yeah. And believe me, I have the pictures, we had a selfie machine, um, up, I have all the pictures to prove, prove that everybody
Randy:had fun. Everybody had fun. It was a fabulous time. Yeah. Um, so running an in, so this is, it may have been, you know, a childhood dream. Um, but you certainly didn't have at least what I could find or in my notes or our team that you had experience running an in. So. You know, it was new. What was the biggest challenge for you? Um, because knowing you, you embrace things, whether you are the actual owner, you are, you have this entrepreneur spirit, right. I mean, we rolled off all of these other things that you're involved in, in your life and around, um, uh, various kinds of activities, but you're an entrepreneur. And so as an entrepreneur mindset, what were some of those challenges for you? Um, everything coming new, too, everything, Molly: you know, again, I, I knew to be, um, very common in my life. Um, you know, I, I take a job and I embrace it and I, and I learn it and I do it. And, um, I don't, I don't regret and I don't go backwards. Good. So, you know, I, I made this change and I, I knew that I was gonna have to, you know, embrace it. Um, I would say my biggest, you know, I didn't, there's just, there's a lot of, um, juggling. There's a lot of, uh, how many people are staying this night and, um, what are, what are you paying for and how much per person is it? And, uh, so there I am not a numbers person and that's where, um, Brett has spent most of his, um, time mentoring me with, um, or on. And, uh, so that, I think is the, is the challenge is the, the P and LS. Right. Um, um, but I, you know, we had a P and L in, at the chamber and I, I ran through it and did it, but, um, you know, this is each person that walks through the door. Ha you know, it, it costs for them to stay there, even though they're paying, you know, right. So you have to make sure that that cost is low enough where you're actually making a profit, you know, I mean, this is all. Sure business stuff that everyone's like, yeah, duh. Um, but as a chamber, you know, that, that wasn't in my wheelhouse and as a, a dental assistant and running my dad's, you know, doing dental Aing for my dad for 20 years, that Mon that kind of stuff. Wasn't a part of my thing, you know, and then the gurney, you know, cleaning up. Right, right. I remember walking in, into the end you were there. Uh, and I think you were in the midst of, you know, remodel, uh, hell. And, um, and I remember the conversation with you and you were like, I, I think this is my third night straight or something like that. I mean, you know, you were like remodeling facing staffing challenges. Uh, and it was just like, yeah. Only somebody who is so. Completely to the bone committed as an entrepreneurs are to their businesses, you know, would actually probably do what you do. Right. Because that's what an owner would do. Like, well, you do what you gotta do. And hang in there with that. Where did that come from? I mean, is that, was that something that was nurtured in you through
Molly:parents? My mother, my mother and my dad, my, my second dad. Um, my second dad was a dentist hardworking, um, up until I think he retired at like 83 or something. Um, my mom was a single mom. My dad died in 74, like I mentioned, and there were four of us. We were 2, 4, 6 and eight. So from, I was, I was three, just gonna turn four until they, she got married in, um, when I was 15. She was the person. So garbage lawn, cleaning the house, getting the car, done, all those things that, um, maybe in that time, wasn't typical for the, the wife to do. Um, so I grew up with an extremely strong mother and dedicated families, everything to us. Um, and, you know, work was. The house and she did it a hundred percent. So I would say that I got it from her and then, and my second dad as well, cause I worked for him. He was my first mentor. He actually would always joke with Brett that Brett stole me from him cuz he was just retiring. And then I went to work, uh, as the host, isn't always say, you know, I, I made her who she was and you're getting the benefit of her. Um, every time we would go in for dinner, I would cringe cuz I knew that conversation was gonna be had with Brett. But um, he took it like a champ, but I would, I would say that I trust me, there were days that I, I wanted to leave, especially during that time. Cuz there, I think COVID was a lot with our staff. Yeah. Um, but at the end of the day I just had this conversation with somebody with an in someone's gonna be there for 24 hours. Right. Right. So if half your staff, more than half your staff has C um, I don't have a, I don't have a choice. Right. Business owners don't have a choice. You gotta get it done. Right. So what's the point of whining about it. Just fucking get it done. right. Yeah. Just you gotta do it. So, um, and that's, you know, I mean, there's no award for that. It's just common sense. Uh, someone needed to be there from 11 to 7:00 AM. And even though I had worked the first shift and the second shift there were there, there were just no options. You were, were, you were just still going. Yeah. Yeah. So yeah, I always say I'll sleep in my coffin and my dad. I know I mentioned this died early. My mom died at 73, so I have a lot. their life that I need to live. Right, right. So I'll pack it all into
Randy:my life. Well, you're a great example and, uh, you know, such a, a great person to learn from, I think in many, in many instances. So, um, and we're gonna talk a little bit about that as well, and what you, I think have given and what you have taught to other small business owners when we're gonna explore your time at the chamber here in a, in a minute or so, but it's that time, Molly. And it's time for the inning stretch. Do you like baseball?
Molly:I do. I that's of fond memory.
Randy:Yes. So you're so local. Right. And so I would imagine that you probably as well enjoy the, uh, local sports teams and such mm-hmm and have fun. So
Molly:the twins just started teeball this past weekend. Oh,
Randy:yes, yes. Yeah. I think I actually saw that maybe.
Molly:Oh, the video Mary, the social or something, Mary kind of made her own for second and
Randy:third. so fun. I know. Oh yeah. Yes, yes. And you know, it's such a fun experience for the kids. Uh, my daughter started doing that same thing probably about the same age and now she's playing, she's looking forward to playing softball at high school. So yeah.
Molly:We used to take the rapid down with my grandpa.
Randy:Oh. To the games green. Yes. Yeah.
Molly:Very fun. My daughter just did that last weekend. Oh, how fun.
Randy:So it's still doing there. It's still there. Yeah. All right. So we are gonna talk about baseball. So I get to throw, uh, a baseball question at our guest. Um, So you've had some great success and I'm so impressed with everything that you do, but you've written five children's books. Um, there is no shortage for children's books about baseball, uh, nor is there a shortage of MLB players, writing children, books, uh, Cal Ripkin, Jr. Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez, all, all different kinds of things. Here's your question? Oh boy. Yes. Uh, we're gonna go back. Can you guess the year that the very first children's book that mentioned baseball. Wow.
Molly:I'm gonna go with. And I have no rhyme. Do
Randy:you want me to give you a list of years
Molly:even? Okay. Okay. Well, let me give you mine first. Okay. Just so I can feel good. Okay. I'm gonna say 23, 19 23, 19
Randy:23. Um, okay, so here now I'll give you the, a list
Molly:of his just so everyone knows his eyebrows raised high. So I'm way, way off or I'm right Ash,
Randy:uh, 18 92, 18 48 or 17, 7 44. I'm sorry. I booth that number 1744.
Molly:Okay. So
Randy:way off I went, I went down right older in, in the years. Yeah. 18 92, 18 48, 18
Molly:47. I would say, well, I'll go with 1840.
Randy:Uh, this is pretty amazing as well. The little pretty 17 pocket book, 1744. Wow. Yes, isn't that great. I have to go and check this book out. I, whether it's out there, who knows the little pretty pocket book intended for the amusement of little master Tommy and pretty miss Polly. I love that with two letters from Jack, the giant killer is the title of that book. Wow. That is a wow long book. Now that even fit on the cover, never did not
Molly:guide that
Randy:properly. No, I love those names. Little master Tommy and pretty miss Polly Uhhuh. Wow. Wow. 1744. So interesting. Yeah. Wow. So that's the, uh, that's it, I don't, plus I've got a description of the book, you know, you, people can go check it out. I'm going to check it out. The little pretty pocket book, huh? 1744.
Molly:Oh, that's great. That is great, right? Yeah.
Randy:Wow. All right. Well, let's get back into it. Play ball. All right. So I mentioned, uh, we were gonna talk a bit about, uh, your experience as the executive director of the chamber. Um, and that is the sugarin valley chamber of commerce. And I, um, a little background, I had, uh, the great, uh, opportunity to work, uh, somewhat with Molly. Um, I think I joined the chamber the year. Your last year of the chamber actually, I think was my first kind of coming board as with the board as a board member. But you had been that I've been a member of the chamber for a while. Great member. Yes. Uh, thank you. A great member. That's great. Mm-hmm um, and so I'm still on the board and you are, I I'm off, I remember that called you were like, I think you either called me or, or emailed me and said, Randy, I have something I wanna ask you. and yep. And, um, I'm like, ah, wow. Um, I know how to pick her. Yeah. And, uh, so then I became,, through, I don't know, whatever I became, , on the executive team of. Boards, , which was great. And I forced that great experience., and, and, but you spent eight years, um, at the board, uh, or on the chamber. there's so many great things I could rattle off that you instigated maybe or initiated, , with the chamber. Some of the things that obviously that we still continue to do, we just did one of these great events, the duck race, uh, launching all of these rubber ducks, thousands of them over the falls as an event. And it was, it was a fundraiser and so many of the things as well. And you I'll let you maybe even, , , expand on this. But so many of the, uh, of the events that we do to raise money really is not to raise money for the chamber organization, but it really is because of the, what we call the community chest because the chamber gives back so much as well to the community and nonprofit groups., I don't even know where to begin to ask you questions about the chamber. Um, oh, I, I can only just say as a chamber member, it, you know, I just always thought we have absolutely the best chamber and, uh, executive director, because it was, uh, and is continues to be so vibrant and so engaging in such a benefit, I think, to the members of the chamber. Um, but you really went through some hard times as well. And maybe that's where I'll, I'll start because having to be the executive director of a chamber. Through a pandemic period where it just crunched and painfully small businesses and especially in cha grand, where restaurant groups were, are so prevalent where the other small boutique-ish kinds of shops. So prevalent., tell me about how did you, because some of the things you did I thought were brilliant and, and the way that you encouraged and helped support, uh, the businesses, how did you approach the pandemic, I guess? Um, and how did you begin to, I guess, create some of the things that you did and I'll let you explain even some of the things that you've, that you did during that period and that we continue to do.
Molly:wow. I mean, we were all. We had no idea what was coming. Right. And I remember that day we were supposed to have our annual awards we had just set up. Oh yes, yes. I remember for our annual awards at the, at the local movie theater. And, um, we had a board meeting that meeting that morning and, and decided that we weren't gonna have it. And, and if you remember, we didn't know what this was, right. It was the flu
Randy:or, you know, but I knew coming away from that meeting, that it was our executive board meeting. And I remember coming away from there because, uh, the superintendent at the time was also a member of our board, uh, our executive team. And he shared like, Hey, it hasn't been announced yet, but this weekend it is going to be announced that Ohio is going to take steps on essentially, uh, shutting down face to face instruction. And we're gonna make an announcement. I remember walking away from that meeting going, holy shit. Yeah, this is, this is real real. And you know, I started internal, like, what are we going to do? Right. Meaning my agency, um, and being, and knowing you, you just embrace and take everything on and knowing you in that role, you were like, these are my businesses, this is my community. They were my babies.
Molly:Yeah. I mean, we had, at that time, I don't even remember how many. Members we had, but 600, I plus somewhere around, you know, some are better than others as far as involvement. Sure. So, but you know, I, first one was that, you know, when this virtual world started coming, I knew that a lot of our members were small businesses that didn't have a virtual world, especially the, the shops, they didn't have online shopping. Right. So, um, touching base with them and figuring out how we could support them, how they can stay open. Um, we ended up doing, uh, we brought the shops to. The, and a lot of them didn't know anything a about doing it. Um, so we would go in spend one hour after hours and kind of like did a QVC show. Um, and we just sold their products on Facebook. Um, that was super, super fun and, and very, very successful, you know, we would walk out and do a thousand dollars a night with, I think we ended up our total was like $23,000, right. In a two week span. Yeah. Um, doing
Randy:those live
Molly:chefs, doing those lives, I thought that was brilliant. Yeah. And then we delivered it. Yeah. You know, people didn't wanna even leave their houses. Right. So we, we delivered it if it was local. Um, it's so funny cuz people talk about like, was it banana bread? That was like the big thing during COVID where people, it was like. People made a banana bread and oh really? It took a big deal. It was, I didn't get any of that. I was like, what do you mean? I have no time to make a banana bread. I'm freaking saving businesses here. Um, but that was probably the busiest time for, for a time where people got to take time off and no, there was no, we did a, um, we, the chamber was, has been very lucky with, um, being able to put money aside right. Rainy day. Um, and I think I talked to the board and said there, you know, there hasn't been any. This is a rainy day. And I think it was Henry Grande that came up with the gift card extravaganza and we took it from there and, you know, we, we sold gift cards and then the chamber gave you a bonus card if you purchased it. So that was hugely huge successful. I think we sold out. I can't remember like that was, I remember being on the phone with Jessica. Like I can't stop it. Like it's I can't, I had to go back and ask for 15,000 more. I think cause I literally couldn't stop.
Randy:And folks, if you can even just imagine it was, um, it was kind of a time to, Hey, you know, Friday at 8:00 AM or whatever the time was, um, we're gonna launch this and you can go online and buy these gift cards. And I think the chamber was matching. Like if you bought 50, you've got 20. I mean, it was a, it was a great discount. Right. And I remember like, oh great. I'm gonna go in and go do. And I went online. I don't know. It was maybe. Two hours later. I don't even know it was like, it was done. It was like, I'm a board member. Darn. And we, it was crazy. Was so you bought so massively popular.
Molly:Yeah. We then purchased another$20 from that business. Right. So not only did that business sell a $50 gift card, they sold a $70 gift card. Um, so that was a great, um, I think helpful. Um,
Randy:and I think that I could, you, you would probably, what was the, the grand number? I think when you think about what was purchased, plus the in kind, you know, kind of cards that the chamber donated against that, do you remember? Don't even remember it was big though. Oh, it was big. I wanted to. I thought it was like something like $90,000 or
Molly:somewhere around something like that. It was like that. And you know, the best part about that is, is, you know, I know with our restaurants, nobody goes and spends $20. No. So that $20 gift card that you got, and then we specifically made sure that we told the right the shops and, and anybody that don't, we want a $50 and we want a 20, because we want that 20 to become a 50 or a hundred or whatever. So. Yeah, but then we did things like, um, we didn't name that tune virtually, which was super fun. And again, just an opportunity for our members to continue to stay together. Right. Uh, that annual awards ended up being at a drive-in instead of a theater, another brilliant idea. Oh, that was so much fun. And we had fireworks. And so we, we took that and everyone got to. Safe, but you know, what was
Randy:great about that as well? Because I, I could take, like, my kids wanted to go. Yeah. And so we went with a carload, like, Hey, we brought my kids. Some of their friends, it was like driving to the drive-in and it was kind of fun. And, and, uh, I think that year was the, um, uh, the guy with the gangster to kill an Irishman. Yes. To kill an Irishman. Yeah. Rick par it was the, the movie that you showed. I mean, it was like, that was a great night, but I thought how brilliant, because you gotta do outside, but how do we keep this energy still flowing? And, yeah, that was a great idea.
Molly:I, and that was so, you know, through all these things, moving into my new role, you know, I, I wanted to make sure that I. I had the ability to, to use that part of my creativity at the end. So, and, and I did right off the bat, we did the, the, uh, Christmas room at the end. So it's, you know, I mean, I've got a lot more, yeah, yeah. A lot more up there that I need to
Randy:get out. Well, I just know, um, and I've told people this a number of times is that I, uh, and I, our current executive directors amazing doing a fabulous, um, mm-hmm , this is Jessica. She, you know, is just done. Terrific. And, but I would say at that time, if you look through our course of history of civilization, right, you can identify here's critical time of points in history, world war II and, uh, the, the recessions or whatever those instances were of like, um, cataclysmic events, so to speak. You can always as well identify people as being like the right person at that time to guide through those events. however that happened, Providence, whatever. I always think, man, Molly was the right person that we needed as, as a director of our chamber and guiding the chamber at that time, because I don't know that anybody else, nobody that I know could have created and maintained, I think kind of the energy that passion, the commitment that you did during that time. Thank you. And you probably saved, you know, countless number of businesses through that
Molly:attitude. I loved every second of, of that job. Every second of it, it was very, very hard to leave. It was a big decision for me. Um, I think one of the best things that would definitely be the, the, we salute our first responders yes. Week, you know, that, that, uh, we started that with, um, Bob and Joe warrior. And, um, and all we did was our, our chamber members would bring a meal, the, our chamber, uh, services, 13 communities. And, uh, so we fed them for a week fire and police. Um, you should have seen that spreadsheet it was a spreadsheet. Um, so I think that that one is, is one of my, my proudest moments. Um, and the drive-in. Yeah, that was one of the ones that I was like, this is a good father. That was great. A father in my camp,
Randy:a great, great event. In thinking about the chamber, what would you tell, um, small business owners about making the most out of their chamber membership, first of
Molly:all, join. Right, right. I mean, I, I find it amazing that people don't join their local chamber. Why wouldn't you wanna, you know, have somebody on your side and work for you, um, and utilize it, then, you know, you get your me. I think that was the hardest thing, you know, somebody would call and say they weren't rejoining, cuz it didn't do anything for them. And, and we would look back at their history and they didn't go to any events. They didn't do anything and right, right. You know, I mean just because you write a check doesn't mean that the responsibility is totally on whatever, whatever group it is that you join. Um, you've gotta do your part. Uh, which usually means a lot of fun. I mean, going to events and socializing and something I do tell or like used to tell, or I still tell, um, send the right person. So if you're a business with multiple people, everyone has their, their talent, right? Some are. Good behind the computer, right? That's their talent. Some are good marketing your business and, and bragging and talking about your business. Um, and some are not right. Send the right person that is selling your business. I think that is a, a key, especially in these, there's already that stigma on these gatherings, right? Like I gotta go here, Joe, again, Joe's gonna jog about his business and he is gonna give me my seventh card that he's, you know, I mean, so make sure you're not sending Joe, um, make sure you're sending that right person to, to promote and sell your business, whether it's, you know, some owners are not that right person. Uh, so find the right person. Right. And I, I think that's extremely important. Um, So that that person is, and, and let me tell you something else now that I'm not the director, I can say it. here's here's another tip folks.
Randy:Yeah. See, this is the, the unspoken. Exactly. I'm gonna, that book is coming that you've always wanted to give, but couldn't now you can let it go. Even before you
Molly:go. All right. Don't stand in front of the food table and have your dinner. Okay. Because nobody likes that. Nobody likes it. It, it just, there just were people that
Randy:we just do. I'm so God, I I'm, you were not one of them. I, I have in the, I have at times been them person though. I,
Molly:I, I, I just, it was, you know, the, the, the, unless it's a dinner, if it's just a couple things out and you know, you. You as the director and the assistant, you're like, oh gosh, there's this many people. And I need this many pieces of pizza and they're, they're gonna have two. Meanwhile, you're watching Joe and Joe is on his fifth piece of pizza. you know, I mean, it's just like common sense. So yeah, those, those, those are my tips. Good advice. But you have to do the work. Yeah. You have to do, and it's not hard work. Let's be honest. Yeah. And that's
Randy:probably the best advice right. There is you have to do the work. Yes. And don't expect that it's just gonna flow out at you because you're a
Molly:member now and go visit the, like the, and, and it, this just happens naturally, cuz we're human. But the people that came into our office and said hello, or helped us carry a box. And those people were typically top on mind. Right. If that makes sense. Not that we did that on purpose, but it it's just common sense. Right. So go visit them and bring 'em a cookie. Yeah. Mike Butler Mike Butler every week would bring us streak. Okay. He's the best
, Randy:there's so much that you are involved with. you know, I mentioned the five children's books. whether we talked about it in the show or before the show, you wanna do, you've been involved in a podcast. You wanna do another podcast? Maybe start that up again. You've got this very cool. That's my jam going on, uh, on your, uh, you, I gotta get that back going. Yeah. You've taken a break, a documentary film that you won an award with about the history of the pumpkin roll here in cha grand. So much stuff. I'm gonna ask you two question. Well, it's a two part question. Um, one about Molly and two about the in, , what is. Around the corner. Mm what's. Around the corner for Molly. You do so much. You're so creative. Right? What do you see around the corner for Molly on vacation?
Molly:so best. I, Brett keeps saying you need to take a vacation. And I keep saying know, I just, I can, I don't know. I don't, um, what's around the corner. I think I wanna, for me, I wanna get to a place where, um, there's a balance at the end with the staff. Um, so that I can, you know, start adding on those. Um, and, and if anyone knows me saying what's around the corner for Molly and what's around the corner for, in it's
Randy:same. I know I, I'm not even sure why I tried to make the
Molly:distinction to tell. Yes. Um, and that's, you know, that's how it, it has always been, you know, and that's, that's the curse maybe. Um, and the benefit of really, really embracing what you're doing. Right. You become right that entity or, yes. Yeah. So, um, But I would say, you know, always with Molly, it's, it's my babies, my twins, um, and being a part of their, every second of every life, we do a cooking show with them. Yeah. Online, which is super fun. And, um, and as far as the in, I would love to get it to, um, a place where I can start adding those amenities, um, and doing those extra things. I wanna do a Sunday morning breakfast where I literally just have the griddle out in the library and I'm flipping, you know, jacks and, um, and having, you know, a happy hour champagne happy hour. And so being able to start adding those little moments, um, into, I like those, yeah. That, that would be what my focus would be next for the in, um, is just kind of adding and packages and. Um, you know, have a dinner at I'm Italian and, you know, come back to the, to the end for, you know, champagne of strawberries in your room or something like that. So that would be just starting to create that vision is, is next on, on the list. Yeah.
Randy:Yeah.
Molly:I love it and making great ideas known like Christian obviously has helped us, um, uh, get it out there more than just locally mm-hmm , you know, you know, what, how, how do we get it out there so that people in Germany, right? Germany, France, come, come, stay, visit end that come to Ohio. What's great about the end though. And Randy, you know, this is, you literally park your car. Yes. Which we have 12 spots folks, which is a big deal in sugar, grand falls. It is, um, you park your car and you never have to get back in your car, uh, until you leave. So you can have theater, shopping, dinners, drinks, um, fun. All in all in a walking distance, and then you can go to Randy's house since he said you could walk there. um, but it's like, how cool is that? You know, you don't have to get in your car. That's so great. So yeah,
Randy:that, that is a, a great, well, I look forward to, uh, hearing, seeing all of the fun stuff that you're gonna do at the Inn. Uh, and what's around the corner., we are coming into the show here, bottom of the ninth. This is, uh, where I get to ask our guests. What advice do you have for rookies in the game? Meaning those starting out in business or who already have their business and are looking for some guidance? What kind of advice do you have?
Molly:I would say, um, don't be afraid to reinvent yourself, , which leads to fake it till you make. Which is very famous quote from a zillion people, but it's so true., listen, um, which is a hard one for me, but, you know, listen, uh, surround yourself with people that are smarter than you., and then trust your gut. That's a huge one for me. I mean, and I know it's so simple and people are like, eh, literally your belly will tell you if what you're doing is right or wrong. It, it honestly will. And I am not in tune with myself. I don't yoga. I don't meditate. Believe me. If you listen to our podcast with Alex, he tried his hardest to get me to meditate. I'm very a D D there is a lot self diagnose. There's a lot going on in my head at all times., but I, I think if you. Take two seconds about a decision in, in business or in life., and if it's knowing at you, it's probably not the right decision, right? If it's, if it's bothering, if you, if your, your body's gonna tell you if it's the wrong one. So I think that, um, you know, there are analytics and, and numbers, and God bless you, Brett, but P and LS and, and all that stuff. But at the end of the day, there is right and there is wrong. Right. And your body's gonna tell you. Yeah. So those are my, those are my, that's it, that's it. Good advice. Good advice. And don't be afraid. Like, if, if you look at my, my journey, um, you know, from clowning , um, you know, I went to Kent state for one year and I came home with my B a B. Everybody think about that. Take a minute. Mm-hmm so I had a baby at nine and 20. Um, so, you know, I had to survive at that point. I didn't finish school., so, you know, I, I had lengthy jobs. It's not like I went from one to the other, to the other. No. Um, but you know, I, I was never afraid to. To take a chance and reinvent myself. So, yes,
Randy:well you've done very well and how you've reinvented and I love the invention that you continued to create. So you I'm done yet. You're not done yet. Uh, well, listen, Molly, thank you so much,
Molly:this so much fun. Randy, did anybody ever tell you you should be on
Randy:the radio? Yeah. I've I, when you were saying about, you know, yes, I've had a number of times people said, you know, you've got great looks for radio
Molly:yes, yes. I didn't say that you have a great voice for radio.
Randy:No, I appreciate it. But thanks for being thanks for having me this. Awesome. Yes. I'm so glad we could finally, , make it come together. Yes., alright folks, that's the ball game. Thanks for joining us today. And if you like our show, please tell your friends subscribe and review. And as we like to say, we'll see you around the ballpark. Running the bases with small businesses is brought to you by 38 digital market. A digital marketing agency committed to client growth with lead generation higher conversions and increased sales connect with us today at 38 digital market.com.