Crew Love [Alumni Edition]: Ashley Ogletree – GiGi’s Rolls

As a daughter of a small business owner I know firsthand that small business’s & Entrepreneurs are the heart of every community. They provide opportunities that can help bring new ideas and products to the market. Jobs, direct contact with customers, customized products, are all key benefits that bridge disparities among people in the community. In the community life cycle it’s small businesses that provide the foundation for the continued acceleration and market growth, which is vital for building community through supporting entrepreneurship.

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Your neighborhood: College Hill

Tell us more about your business and your origin story.
My name is Ashley Ogletree and Gigi Rolls was created by my grandmother, affectionately known to all as Gigi. Gigi was a cook to many; however it was her rolls that were her claim to fame! My grandmother taught me to make her rolls and encouraged my love for baking throughout the years. With daily request for Gigi Rolls from family and friends we began rolling out the business for ALL to enjoy!

When you think back to your class experience, what was your biggest takeaway from your experience with the MORTAR Entrepreneurship Academy curriculum?
My biggest takeaway was identifying my true customers. With the help of my SCORE mentor I was able to gather real data around the why, when, and how my customer would purchase my product.

Share your thoughts on the idea of “building community through entrepreneurship.”
As a daughter of a small business owner I know firsthand that small businesses & Entrepreneurs are the heart of every community. They provide opportunities that can help bring new ideas and products to the market. Jobs, direct contact with customers, customized products, are all key benefits that bridge disparities among people in the community. In the community life cycle it’s small businesses that provide the foundation for the continued acceleration and market growth, which is vital for building community through supporting entrepreneurship.

It’s a Friday night after a busy week in the kitchen – how do you relax?
I go out to get something to eat from one of my favorite places…take it home and catch up on my shows on my DVR. Oh yea, and of course I have to end the night off with some Graeter’s iced cookies.

Who are some of the people that you’ve developed partnerships with? How have these relationships helped your business grow?
The Findlay Kitchen has been a great asset to my business. They have provided financial aid support, mentorship, and opportunities to partner with different markets to sell my product.

If someone wants to support your business, what’s the best way to do that?
You can purchase GiGi Rolls at Dirt: a Modern Market located at Findlay Market starting on April 1st! You can also purchase online for delivery at www.gigirolls.com – 513-580-7897