The last few months have brought some big changes in the store. In May I officially purchased Sugarcreek Bird Farm from my parents and took the next step in the journey that I've been on basically my entire life. My parents started the store about the year I was born, so I have never known different than to be around the birds and in the store. As the youngest of four girls and the only one who held real interest in the birds and the store, I knew this was more than likely the path I would take in life even from a young age. Since graduating from OSU in 2010, I have been managing the store and we've experienced a lot of changes since. My mom took a step back about this time to spend more time on the book work and care for the babies, both of which have been her passion all along. My dad of course (still) takes an immense role in caring for our breeder pairs and the farm, but "retired" from the retail side about eight years ago. It seemed strange to have non-family co-workers after always being a family owned and operated business, but it helps having my parents live right next door in case I need advice, backup, or just a sanity check. Even now as we hit the next chapter of hopeful "retirement" for them, I know they'll be just a few steps away for help if I need it.
One thing I always wanted to do was to start educational classes for our customers and with the help and support of my staff, we started offering educational classes in 2014 and I am so proud to say that we have taught over 120 classes now. We expanded the store with a building addition and brand new aviary in 2020, bringing in more product (and more birds) and a lot of new faces, too. The volunteer program has grown tremendously over the last three years and has created a new part of the SBF family that I never knew we needed, but am so grateful for every day. Our staff has grown from just my mom and dad (and some child labor from me and my sisters) to now having 14 staff members who put in on average 300 hours per week total. Where we are is pretty amazing considering where we started in just a 400 square feet store front on Franklin St almost 40 years ago. We wouldn't be here without the family support from each other, but also the amazing avian community that little Bellbrook, Ohio has created. When you sell a pet that lives 40, 50, 60 years, you create a customer for a lifetime and I adore having customers that have known me since I was five and still come in to support us, ask for advice, and continue their avian education. I am looking forward to fostering this community further in these upcoming changes this year has brought and can't wait to share everything with you. Thank you to my parents, my staff, and my customers for supporting this crazy venture I get to call "work".
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