Business Spotlight: Simple Times Mixers
Unlike many small businesses across the country, Gahanna’s Simple Times Mixers at 670 Cross Pointe Road, Suite M has implemented meaningful ways to successfully find, train, and grow its lively workforce.
The company’s openness and dedication to process improvement, especially in the sectors of training and human resources, enabled it to not only retain its workers, but to also grow its employment base every year. Simple Times Mixers now boasts a record-high 30 employees.
“Running a business is not just about getting people to perform tasks, but it’s really about understanding, cultivating, and empowering workers to hone their skills in an inspiring way,” shared owner Mark Tinus, founder of Simple Times Mixers.
Tinus launched Simple Times in January 2018, and today the company’s wide range of mixers, including teas, mules, lemonades and margaritas, are distributed nationally in nearly 400 unique locations. The bulk of these sites are in the Midwest at chains such as Giant Eagle, Fresh Thyme, and Whole Foods, along with independent, local shops including 1837 Wine and Spirits and Noble Cut Distillery.
Last year, Tinus became interested is techniques to lower employee turnover and increase retention. The City of Gahanna’s Economic Development Department met with Tinus several times to map out options, ensuring Simple Times was aware of local job fairs at Gahanna Lincoln High School. The City of Gahanna also shared regional and state workforce program resources with Tinus, including the On-the-Job Training (OJT) reimbursement program offered by the Workforce Development Board of Central Ohio (WDBCO). Through this program, WDBCO reimburses businesses 50% of wages for eligible employees during their first six-months of training.
“I was excited to step back and really analyze the mindset behind our training programs. The team from WDBCO helped us a create an amazing 32-point training inspection that has overdelivered. Our first trainee who participated in this program really excelled, which motivated me to repeat the OJT program with two more employees,” exclaimed Tinus.
Simple Times Mixers was so dedicated to improving overall employee wellness that its business leadership buckled down to create a comprehensive training plan through the OJT program that included measurement tools for effectiveness.
“By meeting so frequently with the team at WDBCO, I grew to trust their sound advice and reliability. Even after we evaluated the Simple Times training program with a fine-tooth comb, we still held monthly meetings to ensure the training outcomes were on track and that our employees were thriving,” explained Tinus.
“I’ve never worked with a workforce partner before that was so invested in our workforce success as much as the WDBCO, and the reimbursement of training funds was wonderful,” said Tinus.
To learn more about Simple Times Mixers, visit simpletimesmixers.com. To learn more about the Workforce Development Board of Central Ohio and its On-the-Job Training program, visit wdbco.org.
