Check Out Andrea Archibald’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Andrea Archibald.

Hi Andrea, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Columbus Girl Gang was founded in 2018, alongside the launch of my creative agency, Beachwood Creative. But the idea really started years earlier.

From 2012 to 2018, I spent my days running retail stores that showcased locally made products and hosting large-scale vendor events. Those spaces became so much more than places to shop. They were places where small business owners connected, customers discovered new favorites, and a real sense of community was built. When I decided to step away from retail and start my creative agency, I knew that sense of community was something I didn’t want to leave behind.

At the same time, I was navigating the business world as a female founder and often felt that entrepreneurship was more competitive than collaborative. I wanted to create something different: a space where women could connect, learn from one another, share opportunities, celebrate each other’s wins, and genuinely help each other grow. That’s how Columbus Girl Gang’s community over competition mission was born.

Our roots in shopping local have always been a big part of who we are, too. We believe supporting women-owned businesses should extend beyond simply liking a social media post or attending an event. It’s about changing the way we shop and where we spend our money. Need a birthday cake? Find a local woman-owned bakery. Looking for a gift? Shop a small business instead of heading straight to a big-box store. We want to make it easier for Columbus women to discover, support, and champion one another.

Columbus Girl Gang originally grew through in-person pop-ups, boutique crawls, and community gatherings. When COVID hit, we shifted our focus online, creating a space for women to stay connected even when gathering wasn’t possible. Today, we’re back with more in-person events, experiences, and opportunities than ever, while continuing to grow our online community.

What makes Columbus Girl Gang special is that it really is for all women. Whether you’re looking to make new friends, discover a new hobby, find your next favorite local business, or build meaningful professional connections, there’s a place for you in the Gang.

For women business owners, our Boss Babe membership creates an even deeper opportunity to connect with and grow their businesses. Members have access to promotional opportunities across our platforms, opportunities to participate in events as vendors, business spotlights, and marketing support through our partnership with Beachwood Creative. We personally visit each new member to create an introductory video that helps us introduce her business to the community, and members also receive access to a discounted menu of creative, content, and marketing services through our agency.

Ultimately, Columbus Girl Gang is about connection. It’s about making sure women in Columbus know they don’t have to build friendships, businesses, or new experiences alone. We want to be the place that helps women find their people, discover local businesses, support their sisters, and feel a little more connected to the city around them.

Our goal has always been simple: bring women together in a positive way and create a community where everyone has someone cheering them on.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Like many organizations, COVID changed the way we approached in-person events, so we shifted our focus online and found new ways to keep our community connected. Nearly nine years later, we’re still evolving because the business landscape, social media, and the way women connect and support one another are constantly changing. Staying relevant means being willing to adapt, try new things, and continually grow what Columbus Girl Gang has to offer. More recently, I’ve brought my sister and sister-in-law onto the team to help grow the organization, which has been such a fun and rewarding addition. Getting to build something together and have family be part of this next chapter makes it even more special.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m a creative director and founder of a marketing agency that creates content and manages social media for brands around the world. Day to day, I lead a creative team of photographers, videographers, and stylists, helping brands bring their products and stories to life. Columbus Girl Gang is a passion project that allows me to take that same expertise and put it toward something much closer to home. I get to connect with women in our community, meet the people behind the businesses, and use my experience and my team’s talents to help small businesses grow. These are the businesses that make our community unique and contribute so much to our local economy, and I love being able to play a role in their success.

Our vision is to build Columbus Girl Gang into a modern-day Chamber of Commerce for women-owned businesses. I’ve been involved with traditional chambers in the past, and while they serve an important purpose, I felt there was a gap when it came to meaningful exposure and support for smaller businesses, especially those building their brands online and through social media. We want to create something that reflects how business actually happens today, with community, collaboration, visibility, and accessible marketing support at the center.

How do you think about happiness?
Helping others has always brought me joy, and being creative is something that truly fills my cup. I love getting to know people, hearing their stories, and discovering the unique talents and gifts that make each person special. I’m constantly inspired by fellow creatives, artists, and entrepreneurs and the passion they bring to what they do. I’ve been an entrepreneur since 2012, and one of the things I’m most grateful for is the opportunity to carve my own path and create a career that feels like a reflection of who I am. I’ve loved building my own version of a dream job and having the freedom to evolve along the way.

Outside of work, my family is my biggest priority. I’ve been married to my husband for 16 years, and we have two kids: an 11-year-old daughter in fifth grade and a 13-year-old son in eighth grade. They’re both active in sports, so our days are often full of practices, games, and family time. It’s a busy season of life, but one that keeps me grounded, happy, and fulfilled.

Pricing:

• Free to join the gang – all we need is an email to be kept aware of all things Woman Owned happening in Columbus
• $300 Boss Babe Membership – Annual Fee

Contact Info:

• Instagram: cbusgirlgang