Welcome to "Morgan Entrepreneur Spotlight," our monthly-ish showcase where we shine a light on Northeast Ohio's entrepreneurial superstars. Each feature delves into the journeys of individuals who have participated in our programs and are harnessing their learnings to fuel impressive growth and innovation.
Alica Frazier was a NEOLaunchNET client as an alum of Baldwin Wallace University and received Morgan Startup Grant funds to fuel her business. She has participated in the System for Integrated Growth (SIG) program through a partnership between Morgan Foundation and the Edward Lowe Foundation and has plans to participate in a Leadership Retreat at Big Rock Valley in Michigan later in the year.
Tell us a little about your business.
“Black Cat Books & Oddities is a unique and family-friendly bookstore with an immersive experience located in the historic South Town district of Medina, Ohio, right next to the Square. The shop is truly bringing books back to life -- offering a wide range of carefully curated titles and unique gifts for customers of all ages. The store spans two enchanting houses, featuring 10 themed rooms and sections such as Thrills and Chills, Epic Fantasy, Dark Romance, Banned Books, and more - as well as two large children’s areas. Black Cat Books & Oddities also provides a relaxing space for customers to unwind, read, or work with plenty of cozy seating areas situated throughout.”
Can you share your thoughts and key takeaways about the foundation-sponsored entrepreneurship programming you have participated in?
“The Morgan Startup Grant was pivotal in helping to cement our story within our community. We used it to run a campaign where community members could nominate teachers at each school to win $250 worth of books for their classrooms. We built our business on a core idea that bookstores can give back to the community. There was no better way than to shout this story than by putting the grant money to this use.
Additionally, the mentorship received from human resource experts has been essential. Our business has grown rapidly with a team of 8 (soon to be 10). Working with an HR expert to understand how to manage everything has been a life saver. HR wasn’t in our wheelhouse, so all the resources provided have been able to help us grow our team with the best people.”
Please tell us about any benefits, growth, or key wins you've experienced since participating in these programs.
“We have been able to determine what team roles are essential to move our business goals forward. It has become a very strategic approach versus an ‘I just need bodies’ approach. By putting the right people in the right roles, we are on track to grow revenue at least 25% this year. We have also been able to open a second building, and we just signed a lease for a third.”
What are your goals for the next twelve months?
“One of the biggest goals we had was to launch a new events brand, The Big Ohio Book Con. We officially soft launched the brand in October and started the big marketing push on March 1. With this, we have created a new convention for book lovers that connects readers to authors. We are bringing in over 100 authors to Medina, many local and many who are traveling from all over the country. We sold 500 tickets to the convention within the first 24 hours of launching the website, so we feel confident it will be a good brand for us! Check out BigOhioBookCon.com to learn more!”
What is your favorite quote?
“Fail Fast”
What is the last book you read?
“Junie by Erin Crosby Eckstine”
What advice do you have for budding entrepreneurs?
“There will be plenty of people who tell you not to take the leap. Now, independent bookstores seem to be popping up left and right. However, when we were in our research phase, everyone told us it was a bad idea and advised us not to drain our savings to do it. Have confidence in your research (and make sure you do research!) and in yourself. There is an advantage to being a unique thing to market. Find your niche and discover what differentiates you. And don’t be afraid to ask for help!”
Is there anything else you’d like to share?
“Our team is constantly looking for new ways to innovate. We don’t believe we can survive what I call the Bookstore Boom without thinking outside the box. It’s constant work. We never rest. But we are so fortunate to have, hands down, the best people working at Black Cat Books & Oddities! Our team is passionate about literature and the business. Our philosophy is to approach everyone – from team members to guests – as humans first. And we are proud that philosophy shines bright in everything we do!”
If you have participated in Morgan Foundation sponsored programs and are interested in being featured in the Spotlight, contact Gina Dotson.