SpringBoard grad sells handy bagged lunches

While walking around Findlay Market on a busy weekend, Jamie Williams couldn't find a place to sit down and eat. This led her to think about eating "walking tacos" at fairs and other events. She then wondered, "Why not make food that is easier to eat while walking around?"

 

Now, after graduating from the most recent SpringBoard class, a business development program sponsored by ArtWorks, Williams and her new food-service venture, Cincy Bag Ladies, is selling lunchtime favorites like chicken salad and seafood salad, at Fountain Square's Tuesday market. 

 

"It gives people an easier way to eat while on the go," Williams says. "It will be perfect for places like Fountain Square and Findlay Market."

 

Cincy Bag Ladies debuted on Fountain Square the same day as the graduation ceremony from SpringBoard. Williams says the business acumen she learned in the course was instrumental in her quick launch. 

 

"I had the idea to make Cincy Bag Ladies, but I was really able to nail everything down while in SpringBoard," Williams says. "It made me realize things I never would have thought about, like how beneficial it can be to spend the money on branding from the beginning."

 

Williams, an OTR resident, will be on Fountain Square every Tuesday through May and hopes to move into a spot in Findlay Market in June. Williams and her mother prepare all the food in a kitchen in Kentucky, but are looking for a space to rent closer to where they will be serving. All of the meats, veggies, fruits and spices are sourced from Findlay Market. She's gotten a lot of advice from market business owners. 

 

"I've talked to people from Daisy Mae's and Eli's BBQ about when they both got started and  asked if they had any advice," says Williams. "Everyone has been so willing to help; it's been a great experience." 

 

Williams' goal is to eventually move into an OTR storefront and expand on the Cincy Bag Ladies name to sell purses and totes as well as the bagged lunches. 

Have a business idea you'd like help with? Registration is now open for the June SpringBoard sessions.