What does it actually take to run a two-location public library serving 54,000+ people? Library Director Tony Howard pulls back the curtain on the business behind the books — and why demand is exploding.

In this episode of Cosmos & Commerce, hosts Janis Francis and Michele Cook sit down with Tony Howard, Director of the Pickerington Public Library, for a conversation that reframes what a modern library really is: part small business, part community hub, part economic engine. Tony breaks down the operational reality most people never see — budgets, boards, facilities, HR, and the data-driven decisions behind a major expansion.

We get into the numbers driving the growth (a nearly 200% jump in homework help in a single year), the fight against Ohio's proposed $100M library funding cut, the new branch and just-opened Discovery Pavilion, and the "hidden gems" hiding in the Library of Things — from memory care kits to a knee-high karaoke machine. Tony also shares what leadership, intellectual freedom, and serving a community with dignity look like from the director's chair.

Whether you're a Central Ohio business owner, a Pickerington resident, or someone who thinks libraries are just quiet rooms full of books — this one will change how you see the space down the street.

⏱️ Chapters 0:00 — Welcome to Cosmos & Commerce 0:40 — Meet Tony Howard, Pickerington Library Director 2:09 — The path to becoming a library director 4:28 — How the Army taught him to love reading 6:56 — The "this is it" moment with teen programming 11:34 — What running a public library actually involves 15:24 — The numbers behind the growth 17:38 — The "4:45 difference": libraries and the local economy 22:56 — What's coming: Discovery Pavilion & the new branch 27:00 — Data-driven decisions and listening before building 34:58 — Fighting Ohio's $100M library funding cut 38:43 — Hidden gems: the Library of Things 43:20 — Serving every stage of life 49:21 — Intellectual freedom & the freedom to read 52:28 — The future of libraries in an AI world 55:21 — The one thing that should never change 59:16 — Tony's 5-year vision for the library 1:00:21 — Speed round (books, coffee & one perfect cocktail) 1:06:00 — Where to find the Pickerington Public Library

📚 Books mentioned

• The Anxious Generation — Jonathan Haidt
• The Red Badge of Courage — Stephen Crane
• Harry Potter series — J.K. Rowling
• Elephant & Piggie / Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus — Mo Willems

🏛️ Connect with Pickerington Public Library Website: https://www.pickeringtonlibrary.org Locations: Pickerington Main (across from Pickerington Central HS) & Sycamore Plaza Branch (across from Pickerington North HS) Email: THoward@pickeringtonlibrary.org Mobile app: Search "Pickerington Public Library"

🎙️ Cosmos & Commerce Where Central Ohio's community meets possibility. Hosted by Janis Francis & Michele Cook, spotlighting the business owners and leaders shaping Pickerington and Fairfield County. ▶️ Subscribe for new episodes

What happens when you stop competing with big-box stores and start creating something people can actually feel?

In this episode of Cosmos & Commerce, Janis Francis and Michele Cook sit down with Kasey Anklum, owner of The Molt & Moon, an eclectic, family-owned shop in the heart of Pickerington Village.

The Molt & Moon is part vintage shop, part boutique and part community gathering place. Inside, you’ll find curated clothing, handcrafted goods, crystals, art, home décor, astrology-inspired items and plenty of unexpected treasures you didn’t know you needed.

Kasey shares how a season of letting go created space for a completely new chapter, why she chose to open a storefront in her hometown and how small businesses help give a community its personality.

In this conversation, we explore:

• The meaning behind The Molt & Moon • Opening a retail shop without losing your unique voice • Why small businesses shouldn’t try to compete with Amazon • Creating an experience customers can’t get online • Running a family-owned business with your spouse • Balancing business, family and community involvement • The growth of Pickerington Village and the Elevate District • Collaborating with neighboring businesses instead of competing • Astrology, energy, creativity and a little bit of “woo” • Why Kasey believes opening the doors already made her successful

Kasey also shares her best advice for aspiring boutique owners: Know your numbers, know your voice and don’t be afraid to start.

Visit The Molt & Moon in Pickerington, Ohio, and follow the shop on Instagram and Facebook to see new arrivals, community events, shop hops and everything happening around the Village.

Subscribe to Cosmos & Commerce for more honest, fun conversations with local entrepreneurs, creators and community builders who are making Central Ohio a more interesting place to live.

#CosmosAndCommerce #TheMoltAndMoon #PickeringtonOhio #PickeringtonVillage #SmallBusinessOwner #ShopLocalOhio #WomenInBusiness #FamilyBusiness #BoutiqueOwner #CentralOhioBusiness #CommunityOverCompetition #EntrepreneurPodcast

What started with 80 boxes of diapers on a front porch has grown into a movement serving families across Ohio.

In this episode of Cosmos & Commerce, Janis Francis and Michele Cook sit down with Jo Welsh, co-founder of Bottoms Up Diaper Drive, to talk about how one simple act of love became one of the region’s most impactful nonprofit organizations.

Since 2018, Jo and her husband, Tim, have helped distribute more than six million diapers through 92 community partners across 37 Ohio counties. But behind those incredible numbers is a much bigger story about entrepreneurship, faith, marriage, leadership, volunteers and the invisible economic crisis created by diaper need.

Jo shares what it really takes to grow a nonprofit from a small family project into a multi-location operation, including the difficult parts people rarely discuss: fundraising, managing employees, creating systems, protecting the mission and preparing an organization to continue without its founders.

In this conversation, we explore:

• How Bottoms Up Diaper Drive began with a 40th-anniversary request • Why diaper need affects childcare, employment and family stability • Growing an organization with a small staff and a powerful volunteer network • Working with your spouse without losing your mind or your marriage • The difference between being a big-picture visionary and an operations-minded leader • Recruiting and retaining volunteers • Building systems and a succession plan • Why businesses need a clear, memorable “why” • How small acts of generosity create a much larger ripple effect

Jo also leaves listeners with one simple challenge: a donation of $25.50 can provide approximately 150 diapers and help three Ohio families.

Learn more, donate or host a diaper drive at: bottomsup.life

Subscribe to Cosmos & Commerce for more honest conversations with entrepreneurs, nonprofit leaders and community builders who are proving that business can create both profit and purpose.

#CosmosAndCommerce #JoWelsh #BottomsUpDiaperDrive #DiaperNeed #OhioNonprofit #SocialEntrepreneurship #NonprofitLeadership #BusinessWithPurpose #CommunityImpact #WomenInBusiness #CentralOhio #LancasterOhio #EntrepreneurPodcast

From bank teller to United Way CEO to buying a business — Christine Simmons on the leap into Party Plus Lancaster

Some people talk about community. Christine Simmons builds it. After 26 years at Fairfield Federal, a stint as CEO of United Way of Fairfield County, and one very fateful Facebook ad, Christine took the leap into business ownership on January 1, 2025 — buying Party Plus in Lancaster, Ohio with her friend and business partner Deb Connell.

In this episode, Christine sits down with Janis and Michele to talk about the mimosas-adjacent decision that started it all, what nobody tells you about the event rental business, how she and Deb are figuring out partnership (spoiler: it's a marriage), the operational headaches of seasonal staffing, and why the micro-wedding trend is quietly reshaping how families celebrate.

Whether you're a small business owner, a Fairfield County local, or someone planning a backyard wedding, this one's full of honest, funny, and practical takeaways.

What we cover: 00:45 – How a Facebook ad and a group text turned into a business purchase 04:00 – What Christine loves about running a business in her hometown 07:20 – The career path: Fairfield Federal → United Way → Party Plus 11:15 – The reality of business partnership (and why it's like a marriage) 16:45 – What most people get wrong about the rental industry 20:30 – One-year anniversary reflections 24:00 – The best piece of business advice she ever received 26:30 – Behind the scenes: logistics, prep, and what customers don't see 33:00 – Software, systems, and the winter cash flow scramble 40:45 – Pricing, upsells, and the "quick cover" advantage 57:15 – Handwritten holiday cards and building repeat business 1:03:00 – Why backyard weddings are booming 1:04:00 – The most memorable event Party Plus has been part of 1:09:30 – Her single best piece of advice for anyone planning an event 1:13:30 – Where to find Party Plus Lancaster

Connect with Christine and Party Plus Lancaster: 🌐 partypluslancaster.com 📍 Serving Fairfield County, Hocking Hills, and Central Ohio 🎉 Weddings, corporate events, backyard parties, graduations, and more

About Cosmos and Commerce: Cosmos and Commerce is hosted by Michele Cook (owner of Body Ache Escape in Pickerington) and Janis Francis (realtor). We talk business, community, and everything in between — usually over a cocktail.