ASHLAND —
Erica Myers welcomes the challenges ahead as she makes a major change in her career path.
Myers, executive director at Hope’s Place, will soon team up with her husband, Marty, to open an Orange Leaf frozen yogurt store at Ashland Town Center.
“Marty has a very entrepreneurial spirit and he has always wanted to open a small business. He talked about it all the time we were dating,” she said with a grin. “As the daughter of a small business owner, I encouraged him.”
Myers said her husband, who works in Information Technology at Kings Daughters Medical Center, had been researching self-serve frozen yogurt companies “and Coach Cal,” when he learned about Orange Leaf. The two researched the company and liked the products, history and commitment to communities where it does business, she said, although their initial franchise inquiry left them with no options. Corporate officials told them the franchise rights for Kentucky had already been purchased by a group of businessmen from Lexington that had no interest in taking on additional partners. Myers said they accepted the news without any idea they already had a hometown connection with the people in Lexington.
“It is the power of networking,” Myers said with a chuckle as she explained she and Jeff Elswick were traveling to Frankfort a few months later and invited Bob Hammond of the Ashland Alliance to join them. Along the way to the state capital, Myers told Hammond about the dilemma with Orange Leaf.
“Bob said, ‘I know a guy who knows those guys in Lexington.’ We ended up with a meeting a week later,” she said, adding they soon reached an agreement to bring Coach Cal’s favorite frozen yogurt to the Ashland market.
Myers smiled as she recalled her own family’s involvement when her father started AA Paving & Construction and she is aware of the time commitment required for a small business. While her own food service experience is limited to a couple of jobs during her student years, Myers said she has no regrets about making a major occupational move.
“We both knew it was important for one of us to be involved with the small business,” she said, explaining they essentially compared revenues and it was clear she was the one who would be changing jobs. “I definitely had to be the one to go. It was not an easy decision. We prayed a lot about it and talked a lot about it.”
After a decade of working with women and children as victims of domestic violence and sexual assault, Myers acknowledges the new job will be an extreme change of pace. She went to work at Hope’s Place as a forensic interviewer in 2006 and accepted the job as executive director in 2010. As manager of the new Orange Leaf, she looks forward to continued support of Hope’s Place and other community agencies, both as a business and as a member of the community.
“Marty and I are really excited to offer something new and different in this area — a healthy experience that is fun for all ages,” she said of the new store, which is expected to welcome customers in mid to late September.
Myers grew up in Greenup, and now resides in Flatwoods with her husband, two stepsons and three chihuahuas.
For more information, including employment questions about the new Orange Leaf location, visit facebook.com/olashland or email AshlandJobs@orangeleafky.com.
Local News
Leaving Hope’s Place for a new leaf in life
- Local News
-
-
News in brief, 06/20/13
A West Virginia man has been arrested and charged with the robbery at the PNC Bank here on Tuesday afternoon.
-
Good River Gathering starts Friday
Pulling together musicians from the Tri-State and beyond, organizers of this weekend’s Good River Gathering say they are celebrating three years of continued effort to promote economic and community growth through heritage and culture.
-
Carter school employees receive 1 percent raise
The Carter County Board of Education voted Monday to award a one percent pay raise for all district employees in the upcoming year.
Superintendent Ronnie Dotson praised the board’s action in today’s “challenging economic climate.” -
APD investigating impersonation case
Police are investigating a reported incident of a juvenile impersonating a peace officer, which occurred on Monday just before 7 p.m. at a public place in the 700 block of Central Avenue. A juvenile female told police that a juvenile male dressed like a police officer approached her and stated he was working under the authority of the Ashland Police Department and had a warrant for her arrest.
-
Calling all angels
Mick Fosson is looking for angel investors who want something more substantial than a simple return on their money.
-
Grayson police officer fired
Grayson City Council met in special session Monday night to discuss the fate of police officer Chris Yavorcik.
-
Prison reforms having an impact but more could be done
Two years ago, Kentucky was on a path to putting 25,000 of its people behind bars when state lawmakers passed a sweeping reform of drug laws and sentencing and parole rules.
-
Contract awarded for bridge repair
The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet today awarded a contract to Evers Welding Co. Inc. of Cincinnati to repair Ashland’s damaged 12th Street bridge.
-
West Virginia man arrested for bank robbery
A West Virginia man has been arrested and charged with the robbery at the PNC Bank here on Tuesday afternoon.
- Secretary of Education coming to Louisville
- More Local News Headlines
-
News in brief, 06/20/13
James Gandolfini Dies at Age 51
Fmr. TWA Flight 800 Investigators Want New Probe
Raw: Heat, Spurs Back on Court Ahead of Game 7
Dolce and Gabbana Convicted of Tax Evasion
Paris, Prince Depositions Used in Jackson Trial
Coiffed Cattle Get Their Close-up
In Berlin, Obama Channels Cold War Activism
Police at Patriots Tight End's Home for 2nd Day
Fed Suggests Bond Purchases Could Slow
AP: DOJ Broke Own Rules Seizing Phone Records
Raw: Baby White Rhino Debuts at Australian Zoo
Time Lapse: Rebuilding Bridge Post-collapse
Ohio Woman Accuses 3 of Holding Her Captive
Hunt for Ex-Teamster Boss Hoffa's Remains Ends
