Why I Built My Business in Dayton, OH (and You Can, Too!)

A local entrepreneur shares why Southwest Ohio is the best place to launch a business.

By Lindsey Hyde on June 20, 2023

Jeff Adkins

Ask any resident, and they’ll quickly confirm that living in Dayton means you get the best of both worlds. Its excellent restaurants, shops, arts scene and outdoor recreation options provide an unmatched quality of life. Plus, it boasts a thriving business climate where residents can either find the perfect job or turn an idea into a successful company. 

Charlynda Scales is a veteran who, while still on active duty, founded a company called Mutt’s Sauce in 2013. She started the business in Dayton after finding out that her late grandfather, Charlie “Mutt” Ferrell Jr., left her the recipe to his special sauce, which he created in 1956.

What local resources did you utilize to help get you started?
I sought mentorship – I went to SCORE in Dayton. They set me up with a mentor. SCORE is a nonprofit organization. Their mission is to help entrepreneurs start their business and grow, so they provide free mentorship and resources and connections wherever you’re located. Every mentor has owned a business.

Why did you think Dayton was a great place to start your business?
The great thing about Dayton, especially when it comes to food, is it is the perfect place to test different demographics. Even in the food industry, there’s thought that if you can survive in Ohio, you can survive anywhere, because you have the perfect mix of every background. It was just the perfect spot.

Why would you recommend Dayton to other entrepreneurs looking to open a business?
I would say it’s hard to fail in Dayton. They provide so much for you. I think the biggest challenge for any entrepreneur is to take advantage of what’s here.

How would you describe Dayton’s small-business scene?
Dayton values collaboration and community, and those things were very prevalent even when I started. The local chamber of commerce in Beavercreek had a launch event, and they invited everybody from around Miami Valley to come and try my new product line, and we sold out at that first event. They’re all about helping our small businesses shine because they understand how that drives the local economy.

What advice would you give other entrepreneurs trying to open a business in Dayton?
I like to dispel the myths of entrepreneurship, so the first one is, don’t become an entrepreneur with the thought that you will never work for anyone else. An entrepreneur works for everyone. …  Another would be, don’t try to avoid rock bottom. You will have a rock-bottom moment. It’s not an if, it’s a when, and the success stories are the ones who had the appropriate reaction to rock bottom.