Spotlighting local women in business

SANDUSKY — Throughout March, the Greater Sandusky Partnership had the opportunity to highlight women who are leading businesses and shaping our communities across Erie County. Each story was different — spanning industries, backgrounds and experiences — but, together, they revealed something consistent: This region offers real opportunity for people to build something meaningful. Whether rooted in family legacy, driven by entrepreneurship, or inspired by community, these women are choosing to build their businesses here and finding success in doing so. Among those featured: Sara Beard, co-Owner of Mr. Smith's Coffee House Sara Beard answered a few questions to help us get to know her and her business better. Q: What inspired you to pursue your current career or start your business? SB: One of my first jobs was at a literal mom-and-pop coffeehouse in the mid-1990s, the beginning of coffeehouse culture in this area, and I quickly fell in love with it. Incidentally, I also met my future husband there. Fast-forwarding past another job at another local coffeeshop and then managing a corporate-chain shop for 11 years, my husband and I dreamed of trying our hand at having our own place. We started weighing options, like franchising the corporate spot we ran, but ultimately decided to take the plunge and do our own thing. I felt that we had a nice blend of mom-and-pop vibe and corporate structure that could translate into a, hopefully, successful business that would pay the bills, let us raise our kids and potentially employ other locals — all while doing something we enjoyed. It's been working out for almost 18 years. Q: What is one challenge you've faced as a business leader and how did you overcome it? SB: The easiest challenge to address was the fire we experienced in 2023: It tried me in ways beyond the business. So much was out of our hands, and I'm a do-er. I had to hone my patience and my sense of being present and not let worry drown me. The updates I made on our social media during those long months garnered such an outpouring of love and support from the community that truly helped keep us positive. Ultimately, I got through it by leaning on friends and family when I needed a good cry, reading the love from our selfless regulars and followers online, then straightening my crown and getting down to business when it was time. Quite honestly, surrounding yourself with supportive people is not held in as high a regard as it should be: we can all thrive when we have people in our corner who believe in us. Q: What makes doing business in Sandusky/Erie County special? SB: First and foremost is always our amazing base of regular customers who have sincerely become like family over the years. We have the unique position of having not only a relatively small community and all the tight-knit feelings and support that that provides, but we also enjoy a large influx of new faces during the tourist season. Our proximity to the bayshore is an absolute boon, business-wise and morale-wise: It's just a beautiful place to live and work, and many of the new guests during the warmer months become summer regulars, and our little coffee family keeps growing. It makes my heart so full. Q: What advice would you give to young women considering a career in your industry? SB: My advice to any woman ever is to get to know your deepest self and what you want and what you don't want. Many times, women are expected to hold certain values or, in general, perform for others at the expense of losing ourselves. When you know yourself and are comfortable with her and love her, you're halfway there. Now you have to find your inner voice and use it to build what it is you want your place to be. The rest is one foot in front of the other, one day or plan or goal at a time. Always stay true to yourself and be mindful of your integrity, and it will shine through in your career. Meg Corso, owner of Exclusively BA Entrepreneurship often begins with a moment of realization, the point when someone decides to take control of their own path. For Meg Corso, that moment came early in life and set her on a journey toward building something of her own. Today Corso leads Exclusively BA, a women-led, Women's Business Enterprise-certified business development agency based in Huron that works with construction, government and service organizations to drive growth through strategic marketing, sales and business development. What began as a determination to create a better future has grown into a company focused on helping others succeed. Corso's story reflects the resilience and determination that define many entrepreneurs. Through hard work, persistence and a commitment to adding value for her clients and community, she has built a business rooted in purpose and impact. We asked Corso to share more about her journey, the challenges she has faced as a business leader and her advice for women considering entrepreneurship: Q: What led you to your current role and career? MC: Pure survival mode. At 24, I was bartending and preparing to work in a local factory to support myself. I realized I needed to take control of my life because I didn't want to continue struggling. I enrolled in the visual communications program at BGSU Firelands where I studied marketing, branding, advertising, media, public relations and various business classes while gaining field experience through internships. After landing my dream job, I quickly realized that entrepreneurship was the only path to the freedom and unlimited success I knew I could achieve. Q: What is one challenge you've faced as a business leader and what did you learn from that experience? MC: Money; Building something from nothing has been extremely challenging. Becoming self-made has pushed me to extremes that others simply cannot understand unless they are going through it. My personal struggles have built strong character and given me the opportunity to fail forward with grace while sharing my experiences with my peers. Q: What makes operating and growing a business in Erie County unique or rewarding? MC: This may sound stupid to some, but I love coming home to the cornfields. Big-city hustle and bustle isn't for me. Erie County is simply stunning. We can enjoy our business meetings along the lakeside and connect over sports like hunting, fishing, boating and the beautiful outdoors. We live in a community that serves as a vacation spot for others, offering opportunities to thrive in many industries that support our growing economy and fun lifestyles. Q: What advice would you give to young women who are considering a career in your industry or entrepreneurship? MC: Ladies, if you do good, you get good. All of my businesses were created to help others and add positive value to people's lives. People will tell you, "No" — You can't do that. You can't wear that. There isn't any money. There's no way that will work. If God put this in your heart, it's for a reason. Listen to this voice and do not let others dictate your direction. Bridget Burel, owner, Lena Beauty Lounge For Bridget Burel, beauty has always been more than a profession: It's a lifelong passion rooted in creativity, confidence, and self-expression. Today, she brings that passion to life as the owner of Lena Beauty Lounge, a luxury beauty bar in downtown Sandusky offering a wide range of services, including hair, makeup, brows, facials, waxing, nails and more. Recently relocated to a new space on Jackson Street, the expanded location allows Burel to grow her business even further, creating room for additional services, wellness events and an elevated client experience. Named in honor of her grandmother, Lena, the business reflects both legacy and love. Through her work, Burel has built a loyal following with clients traveling from across the region to experience her services and the welcoming, uplifting environment she has created. In 2022, Burel was recognized with the Black Business Pioneer Award through the Minority Business Empowerment Team, an honor celebrating Black entrepreneurs who have paved the way for future business leaders and who have made a significant impact in their community. We asked Burel to share more about her journey, the lessons she's learned as a business owner and her advice for women pursuing their passions: Q: What led you to your current role and career? BB: It's in my blood: Beauty, hair, makeup and fashion have been my thing since I had barrettes in my hair. Q: What is one challenge you've faced as a business leader and what did you learn from that experience? BB: One challenge I've faced is learning not to be so emotionally attached to what people decide for themselves regarding your business, like losing a client and not knowing why and wanting to make it right. I've learned that some things are seasonal, some things are permanent and to be OK with that. Q: What makes operating and growing a business in Erie County unique or rewarding? BB: It's unique for me because I'm in a little city fulfilling big dreams and being found by people from all over the world to be done by little old me. It's always so wild to learn the distances people travel, and I get to put people on to my city. It's rewarding because I am my 6-year-old self and also my grandmother Lena's wildest dream. Q: What advice would you give to young women who are considering a career in your industry or entrepreneurship? BB: The advice I would give to young women in general for career seeking is follow your heart, seek out the things that interest you and grab your heart. Don't do things because it's popular. The things you love and the place your heart is. That's where you will prosper. Åsa Bobel, president of Growers Mineral Solutions For Åsa Bobel, leadership in agriculture wasn't part of the original plan, but it has become a meaningful intersection of family, purpose, and long-term impact. In 2019, Bobel and her husband made the decision to leave their corporate engineering careers and relocate to Milan to become involved in Growers Mineral Corp., a family business founded by her husband's grandfather in 1955. Today, as president, Bobel helps lead a company with more than 70 years of history focused on producing Growers Mineral Solutions, a non-toxic fertilizer and animal nutritional supplement used by farmers across the country. What drew Bobel into the business and continues to motivate her today is the opportunity to be part of something rooted in both sustainability and service. Through her leadership, she is helping guide the company into its next chapter, including the development of a new facility that will strengthen its ability to support farmers for generations to come. At the same time, being part of a family business has allowed Bobel to balance leadership with raising her two daughters while contributing to a company deeply connected to the Milan community. We asked Bobel to share more about her journey into agriculture, the lessons she's learned as a business leader and her advice for women entering the field: Q: What led you to your current role and career? AB: I did not originally plan to build my career in the agriculture industry. My husband's grandfather, Joe Henry, founded Growers Mineral Corp. in 1955, and, in 2019, my husband and I made the decision to leave our corporate engineering careers and relocate to Milan to become involved in the family business. It was absolutely the right choice for our family. Being part of a family business has given us the flexibility to raise our two daughters while also allowing us to be part of something with deep roots and purpose. What motivates me to continue in agriculture is not so much the industry itself but the company we are privileged to be part of. Growers Mineral Corp. manufactures, transports and sells one product: Growers Mineral Solutions, a non-toxic fertilizer and animal nutritional supplement. Creating a positive environmental impact and teaching our daughters the importance of sustainability are two of my greatest passions, and I am grateful to be part of a business whose mission aligns so closely with my personal values. Q: What is one challenge you've faced as a business leader, and what did you learn from that experience? AB: For the first time in the company's history, we are in the process of building a new facility and relocating the business just 5 miles north of our current location. It has been an exciting and rewarding experience, but it has also brought a unique set of challenges, especially in balancing a major long-term project with the demands of everyday business operations. One of the biggest lessons I have learned is the importance of staying steady and keeping the bigger picture in focus. For us, that bigger picture is continuing to serve our customers and building a strong business foundation that will be capable of supporting farmers for generations to come. Q: What makes operating and growing a business in Erie County unique or rewarding? AB: One of the most rewarding parts of operating a business in Erie County and in Milan, specifically, is the sense of history and community that surrounds us. Growers Mineral has also been part of the community for over 70 years, and I love that the company is woven into the history of the town. There is something very special about operating a business in a place where both your family and your company have such deep roots. Q: What advice would you give to young women who are considering a career in your industry or entrepreneurship? AB: From my experience, agriculture is still a male-dominated industry, but I have found that one of the most effective ways to earn respect is simply to listen. Farmers carry an enormous amount of responsibility, and, at times, may feel isolated in the challenges they face. Taking the time to listen not only builds trust and strong relationships but it also gives you a deeper understanding of the people you are serving and the industry as a whole. My advice to young women would be to lead with humility, curiosity, honesty and consistency. Those qualities go a long way in any field, but especially in agriculture.