Almost three years ago, Abby Balster made her first batch of gourmet popcorn as a simple thank you gift for some business cohorts. Today, she is the owner of Tin Acre Gourmet Popcorn. As an entrepreneur, she is so thankful to have Minster Bank in her corner as her business grows and she continues to pursue her dream.
A Small Business Dream is Born
It’s been quite a journey for Balster, who is a former executive director of the St. Marys Area Chamber of Commerce. The popcorn venture began in 2018 as a side job to earn extra cash during the holidays. As time went on, though, her life circumstances began to change, and she needed a job with built-in flexibility so she could be there for her kids as they become more involved in school and extracurriculars.
Now, Tin Acre Gourmet Popcorn is Balster’s full-time job. In addition to being a vendor for weddings, bridal showers, etc., she also partners with local shops ― including State & Local in Wapakoneta, Ohio, and The Menagerie in St. Marys, Ohio, ― to sell popcorn, and her most recent partnership with The Pie Shell storefront in New Bremen, Ohio, has been a “game-changer,” kicking business into high gear.
“I’m hitting really hard on the growth stage, and that’s where Minster Bank is coming in, guiding me on what kind of business checking I need and that sort of thing,” she said.
Choosing Minster Bank as a Small Business Partner
Balster and her husband, Doug, have used personal checking and savings services with Minster Bank for several years, so they were already well acquainted with the superior level of customer service. It was a no-brainer decision to choose Minster Bank for their business’ financial needs as well.
“Minster Bank is not hesitant to make sure you’re getting the best service and the most out of your money as well. That’s why we’ve stuck with them. We’ve just been really happy with how they’ve taken care of us,” she said.
Exploring New Business Territory
Abby Balster has worked closely with Becky at the New Bremen Minster Bank location to navigate the uncharted waters of business financial matters, such as obtaining an Employer Identification Number (EIN) for tax purposes. Abby appreciates how Becky takes the time to research and find answers to all of her questions as well.
“I just feel like they’re very practical. They show you what all of your options are, and they don’t take anything off the table … They’re just flexible, and they work really well with the customer, making sure that they do what the customer wants and needs first,” she said.
In even more exciting news, Balster has partnered with Minster Bank on expanding Tin Acre, and she is moving production into the storefront which was formerly the Green Thumb Cafe in New Bremen. Abby is so excited for this new chapter for her business, and she knows that Minster Bank will be there to support her every step of the way.
Business Banking with Minster Bank
Whether you’re a budding small business or seasoned enterprise, Minster Bank can provide you valuable resources with a personal approach. Partner with our experienced professionals for help with:
- • Online banking and bill pay
- • Checking
- • Loans
- • Cash management
- • Payroll
- • And more
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